JAY'S POV
The night of the launch doesn't feel real until I'm standing in front of my mirror, staring at a version of myself that looks… composed. Controlled. Like I belong in the world I'm about to step into.
"You're overthinking," Mom says softly from behind me, already moving through my closet like she owns it—which, technically, she does. "This isn't just any event, Jay. This is your show. So you don't get to hide tonight."
"I'm not hiding," I mutter, even though we both know I absolutely am.
She hums, unconvinced, before pulling something out—and when I see it, I pause.
The cream gown.
The one which HE gave me.
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My fingers tighten slightly where they rest against the edge of the table as she holds it up, studying it with a thoughtful expression. "This," she says finally, decisive, "this is perfect. Soft, elegant… it matches your theme."
I hesitate for half a second. "Mom, I have other—"
"No," she cuts me off gently but firmly. "Trust me."
And I do.
I always do.
—
By the time she's done with me, I barely recognize myself.
The gown hugs perfectly, the soft fabric falling like it was made for me, the back dipping just enough to make it bold without trying too hard. My hair is styled into something effortless but intentional, light waves framing my face, and the makeup? Minimal. Clean. Me.
Then she picks up a bracelet.
I glance at it—and immediately narrow my eyes.
"Mom."
"Yes?" she replies innocently.
"Why that one?"
She smiles slightly, fastening it around my wrist before I can protest. "Because it completes the look."
I stare at it.
Of course it does because of course he would have taste good enough for my mom to pick his choice over mine.
"Is he your son or what?" I mutter under my breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
When I step out, Dad and Jace both go quiet for a second.
Then—
"Wow."
"Okay—what—since when do you look like that?" Jace blurts, staring at me like I just committed a crime.
"Since always," I shoot back, rolling my eyes.
Dad just smiles, softer. Proud. "You look beautiful, Princess Jay and my Queen Reycee" and just like that—something in my chest steadies alongside the cheesy really corny dialogues by my bor and dad...
The venue is already alive when we arrive.
Lights. Cameras. Voices blending into one constant hum of energy.But I didn't stay.
I slip away backstage, heels clicking against the floor as I step into controlled chaos—models getting final touches, stylists rushing, assistants calling out timings.
And in the middle of it—
"JAY JAY!"
I grin instantly. "JAMES!"
He walks up to me, looking me over dramatically before letting out a low whistle. "Okay, first of all—rude. You didn't warn me you were going to outshine literally everyone tonight."
"Please," I scoff lightly. "Focus."
"I am focusing," he says, lowering his voice slightly. "On the fact that someone's about to lose his mind when he sees you."
I frown. "Who—"
And then—I feel it that shift.
I turned and there he is.
Keifer.
Walking in like he owns the entire building—like the world bends slightly around him without even realizing it.
Navy three-piece suit. Crisp white shirt. Black shoes polished enough to reflect the lights. Hair slightly messy, like he didn't try but still got it right.
For a second—I forget to breathe.
"Close your mouth Jay,you are drooling on the dress" James whispers near my ear.
I immediately elbow him. "Shut up."
But it's too late because Keifer's already looking at me and the way his eyes pause—just for a second longer than necessary Yeah.He noticed.
"Jay."
His voice is calm. Controlled. Too normal.
"We're up in two minutes," he says, stepping beside me like this is routine. "Let's go."
I nod once.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer's voice echoes, "please welcome Mr. Mark Keifer Watson and Miss Jasper Jean Mariano."
And suddenly—We're walking.Together.
My arm hooked into his, steps perfectly in sync, cameras flashing so bright it almost blinds me.
But I didn't look at them.I don't look at the crowd.I looked straight ahead.
Because if I don't—I might notice how steady his hand feels against mine.
I took a breath, stepping forward.
"Good evening everyone," I begin, my voice clear, steady. "Tonight isn't just a launch. It's a story—woven through fabric, through texture, through emotion."
Beside me, he continues smoothly, "A collaboration of vision and execution. Art and scale."
And for the first time—We sound like a team.
The show begins and it's…Everything.
Model after model walks out, each piece carrying pieces of my thoughts, my ideas, my sleepless nights—and watching people react to it?
It's unreal.They're not just looking.They're feeling it and by the time the final piece steps out—THE SHOWSTOPPER
The room stills.The midnight blue gown.
My masterpiece.
Layers flowing like liquid, jewels catching the light, gloves adding that final touch of elegance.
I walk out with the model and for a second—
The world pauses.Then—Cameras.Flashes.Applause that doesn't stop.
Then I felt it .
I DID IT!! NO!
We did it.
—
The after-party is louder.Messier.Alive.
We had decided that 10 out of 50 pieces will be auctioned out of which 80 percent will go to children's charity fund and 20 will go towards the company's revenue...
Auctions start, numbers rising higher and higher until I'm barely processing them anymore.
The moment the midnight blue gown crossed the auction floor—the room didn't just react, it erupted.
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Numbers flew like they meant nothing, voices overlapping, paddles rising faster than I could process, and I just stood there—frozen, breath caught somewhere between disbelief and pride as the price climbed higher… and higher… and higher.
"Ten million."
"Fifteen."
"Twenty."
"Oh my God—" Sam grabbed my arm so hard I nearly lost balance. "JAY, WHAT IS HAPPENING?!"
"I—I don't know," I laughed breathlessly, eyes glued to the stage. "I didn't plan for this—"
"Thirty million."
Jace let out a low whistle beside me. "Yeah… okay, no, this is insane. That's your dress. Your dress."
My mom's hand slid into mine, squeezing gently, her voice softer but filled with something deeper. "No, Jay… that's your work and look at what you've done with it."
"Forty million."
Dad shook his head in disbelief, a proud smile breaking through. "I always knew you'd do something big… but this?" He exhaled. "This is beyond anything I imagined."
And then—
"Fifty million."
Silence.
The hammer fell.
"Sold."
For a second, the entire room just… paused. And then applause broke out—loud, overwhelming, consuming. Cameras flashed again, people turned, whispers spread like wildfire—but I couldn't hear any of it properly.
Because my heart?
It was pounding.
Sam was practically jumping beside me now. "FIFTY MILLION?! JAY, YOU JUST SOLD A DRESS FOR FIFTY MILLION—WHAT IS YOUR LIFE?!"
Jace laughed, throwing an arm around my shoulders. "I'm never letting you forget this. Ever. This is officially your personality now."
"Shut up," I muttered, but I was smiling—wide, uncontrollably, eyes still a little glassy.
Across the table, Aunt Serina leaned forward, pride clear in her expression. "You didn't just design clothes, Jay… you made people feel something. That's why they're paying like this."
Uncle Kade nodded in agreement. "That's not business anymore—that's impact."
And then—I felt it.That shift.That awareness.I looked up—and my eyes met his.
Keifer.
He wasn't clapping like the others. Wasn't speaking. Wasn't reacting loudly.
He was just… watching me but this time—it wasn't analytical.It wasn't challenging.It wasn't cold.It was something quieter. Heavier.
Like he already knew this would happen.
Like he was… proud and for some reason—that hit harder than everything else combined.
"Okay, enough emotional staring," Sam suddenly whispered aggressively in my ear. "If you two start having a moment right now, I will personally ruin it."
"I'm not—" I snapped, immediately looking away, heat rushing to my face.
"Yeah, sure," Jace muttered under his breath.
I kicked him under the table.
Hard.
The after party blurred into motion after that—music, laughter, conversations overlapping as people moved around, drinks in hand, congratulating, networking, celebrating.
"Jay!"
I turned at the sound of my name—and spotted James waving me over from across the room, looking way too excited about something.
"I'll be back," I muttered quickly to the table, already slipping away before anyone could stop me.
"What?" I asked the moment I reached him. "Why are you smiling like that? That's concerning."
"Oh relax," he grinned. "I just wanted you to meet someone."
"Someone—?"
Before I could finish, a presence stepped beside him—tall, composed, effortlessly commanding.
I blinked once.
Twice.
Then looked back at James slowly.
"…You didn't."
He smirked. "Oh, I absolutely did."
The man extended his hand toward me, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips.
"Lorenzo Martini," he introduced smoothly. "I presume you're the Jay I've been hearing far too much about."
I let out a short breath, shaking his hand. "And you must be THE Lorenzo which I wasn't sure actually existed seeing how much of a fairly tale stuff he told me..."
James gasped. "Rude."
I ignored him. "It's nice to finally meet you."
Lorenzo chuckled lightly. "Likewise. Though I feel like I already know you—considering how often your name comes up."
"JAMES—" I snapped, turning to him.
"What?!" he defended immediately. "I talk about people I like and it's only the good parts..."
I narrowed my eyes. "You're on thin ice."
He grinned wider.
We ended up talking for a bit—light, easy conversation, mostly about James (because apparently that man has no boundaries), a few jokes, a few stories—and for a moment, everything felt… normal.
Until—
"Miss Mariano."
I turned to see a group of business executives approaching, expressions polite but interested.
"Your collection tonight was remarkable," one of them said. "We'd like to discuss potential expansion opportunities."
And just like that—I was pulled into it again.Work.Conversations.The world I had just stepped into—fully.
By the time the party started thinning out, the energy had shifted.
Quieter. Slower.
People leaving in groups, conversations fading, lights dimming slightly as the night settled.
My family had already left ahead of me, insisting I stay and "enjoy my moment," which really just meant they didn't want to interrupt my "important networking."
I was grabbing my clutch, ready to finally leave when—
"Jay."
I paused.
Of course.
I turned slowly. "Yeah?"
Keifer stepped closer, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable—but his voice was calm.
"Congratulations," he said. "The show was a success."
"I know," I replied lightly. "Congratulations to you too."
A small pause.
"I should go—"
"Jay, wait."
I stopped. Looked at him again.
He hesitated for a second—just a second—before speaking.
"Lola's back."
My brows furrowed instantly. "Lola Watson?"
He nodded. "She wasn't at the show. She arrives tonight."
"Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"She wanted it to be a surprise for you,but she couldn't make it to the party as he health is not great so she requested to see you and Jace tomorrow," he continued, ignoring my question. "At breakfast. It's… important."
Something in his tone made me straighten slightly. "What do you mean?"
"She's not in great health,as I just told you" he said quietly. "It's her seventieth birthday the day after tomorrow. We're planning something… and she wants you there."
I went still for a second.
"…Okay," I said finally. "I'll come."
He nodded once.
"And from tomorrow, the team's off for a week," he added. "Next project starts after that."
"Got it."
A pause.
Then he turned. Just like that.
And started walking away.
I blinked.
"…Hello?!" I called out, frowning. "No 'goodnight'? No basic manners?"
He didn't respond.
Kept walking.
I scoffed, turning toward the exit—
"By the way."
I stopped.
Turned back.
He was already by his car, one hand on the door—but he looked at me over his shoulder.
"You looked good," he said, voice quieter now. "In the gown."
A beat.
"And the bracelet too.It suits you..."
My breath hitched—just slightly.
"Goodnight, Jaybird."
And then—He got into the car and drove off.Leaving me standing there…With my heart doing that same stupid thing all over again.
AHHH DICKEHEAD WHY?!??DID HE HAD TO MENTION THIS!!!!!