✦ CHAPTER — NOTICE ✦
Jayjay's POV
I felt it before I understood it.
The change.
Not loud.
Not obvious.
Just… there.
---
We were in the living room.
People moving in and out.
Some of Keifer's men.
A normal day for him.
Not for me.
---
I sat quietly, pretending to read something in my hands.
But my eyes kept drifting.
To him.
---
He was talking.
Calm.
Focused.
Cold.
Just like always.
But—
not entirely.
---
Because every few seconds—
his gaze found me.
Quick.
Almost unnoticeable.
Like he was checking.
Not controlling.
Just… making sure I was still there.
---
I swallowed slightly.
Looking down again.
Why was he doing that?
---
"Careful."
The voice came suddenly beside me.
I looked up.
Jare.
---
He dropped into the seat across from me, watching me with that knowing look.
"What?" I asked quietly.
---
He nodded slightly toward Keifer.
"You're distracting him."
---
My brows furrowed.
"I'm not even doing anything."
---
Jare let out a soft breath, almost amused.
"Exactly."
---
I didn't understand.
But before I could ask—
a man walked past me.
Too close.
---
I shifted slightly.
Uncomfortable.
It wasn't even intentional.
Just instinct.
---
But that's all it took.
---
Keifer stopped mid-sentence.
Completely.
---
The room didn't notice.
But I did.
---
His eyes moved instantly.
To me.
Then to the man.
---
And in the next second—
he was already walking over.
---
The conversation behind him didn't matter anymore.
Nothing did.
---
He stopped right beside me.
Close.
Too close for it to be accidental.
---
His hand rested lightly against the back of my chair.
Not touching me.
But there.
Present.
---
"Move."
His voice was low.
Calm.
But not negotiable.
---
The man stepped back immediately.
Apologizing quickly before leaving.
---
I blinked slightly.
Heart beating faster than it should.
---
Keifer didn't look at him again.
Just at me.
"…you okay?"
---
I nodded softly.
"…I'm fine."
---
A pause.
He didn't move right away.
Still standing there.
Like he was making sure.
---
Then—
his hand shifted.
Just slightly.
Brushing against my shoulder.
Barely there.
But enough.
---
"Stay here," he said quietly.
---
I looked at him.
Something about the way he said it—
wasn't control.
Wasn't an order.
It felt…
protective.
---
"…okay," I answered softly.
---
He held my gaze for a second longer.
Then turned and walked back.
But not the same way as before.
---
Now—
his attention didn't fully leave me.
Not even when he sat down again.
---
I looked down at my hands.
Trying to calm the feeling building in my chest.
---
"You see it now?" Jare murmured.
---
I didn't answer.
Because I did.
---
Keifer Watson hadn't changed loudly.
He hadn't softened in front of the world.
---
But with me—
he didn't look away anymore.
---
And that was enough to change everything.
---
✦ CHAPTER — CLOSE ✦
Jayjay's POV
The night felt quieter than usual.
Not empty.
Just… still.
I stood by the window for a while.
Thinking.
About today.
About him.
About the way he kept looking at me.
It wasn't the same as before.
Not control.
Not distance.
Something else.
The door opened softly behind me.
I didn't turn immediately.
I already knew.
Keifer.
His presence filled the room without sound.
Calm.
Heavy.
Familiar.
"You're still awake."
His voice was low.
I nodded slightly.
"…couldn't sleep."
A pause.
Then—
"Come here."
I hesitated for a second.
Not because I was scared.
Just… aware.
Then I walked toward him.
Slowly.
Stopping a small distance away.
For a moment—
neither of us spoke.
Then his hand lifted.
Careful.
Not sudden.
He brushed a strand of my hair back.
Tucking it gently behind my ear.
My breath caught slightly.
But I didn't move away.
His hand lingered for a second.
Then lowered.
"You shouldn't stay alone at night," he said quietly.
I looked up at him.
"…I wasn't alone."
A small pause.
Something in his expression shifted.
Soft.
Almost.
Then—
he stepped closer.
Not enough to overwhelm.
Just enough to feel it.
His hand moved to my waist.
Resting there.
Familiar now.
I didn't pull away.
Instead—
my fingers lightly held onto his shirt.
Without thinking.
That small movement made him still.
Just for a second.
Then slowly—
he pulled me a little closer.
Not force.
Not control.
Just… closeness.
I could hear his breathing now.
Steady.
Close.
My heart started beating faster.
Not fear.
Not panic.
Just… something building.
I slowly looked up.
And he was already looking at me.
Not cold.
Not distant.
Just him.
His gaze dropped briefly.
To my lips.
Then back to my eyes.
A silent question.
I didn't move away.
That was enough.
He leaned in slowly.
So slowly I could feel every second of it.
My fingers tightened slightly on his shirt.
And then—
his lips touched mine.
Soft.
Careful.
Like he was afraid I'd disappear.
I froze for a moment.
Then slowly—
I kissed him back.
Just as soft.
Just as unsure.
His hand at my waist tightened slightly.
Holding me closer.
The kiss deepened just a little.
Still gentle.
Still quiet.
But no longer hesitant.
Like something unspoken had finally been allowed.
When he pulled back—
it wasn't far.
His forehead rested lightly against mine.
Our breaths mixing in the small space between us.
Neither of us spoke.
Because saying anything would've ruined it.
So I stayed there.
Close to him.
Still holding onto his shirt.
Still feeling his hand at my waist.
And for the first time—
I didn't question it.
I didn't fight it.
I didn't try to pull away.
I just let it be.
Because somewhere between fear…
and distance…
and everything we had been through—
I had stopped being afraid of him.
And maybe—
he had stopped pretending too