JAY JAY POV
"Food," I whispered, my eyes widening as I scanned the buffet spread. It was like a beautiful, edible landscape of everything I've ever dreamed of. I started piling wings, pasta, and little savory pastries onto my plate until the ceramic was barely visible.
"I haven't ate in ever long," I said, my voice muffled by the sheer anticipation of my first bite.
Keifer stood beside me, looking entirely too composed for someone standing in front of a five-star buffet. He was carefully placing a reasonable amount of food on his own plate, looking like the poster boy for 'Billionaire Self-Control.'
"When was the last time you ate?" Keifer asked me, tilting his head as he watched me add a third helping of shrimp to my mountain of food.
"Since 1 hour ago," I said, already popping a piece of social-tea-sandwich into my mouth. Tss. An hour is a lifetime when you have the metabolism of a hungry hummingbird.
Keifer chuckled, a low, rich sound that made my ears tingle. He leaned down slightly, focusing on his plate, and muttered something under his breath.
I didn't hear what it was, but I knew that tone. It was the 'Jay-is-being-a-foodie-again' tone.
PAK!
Without thinking, my hand flew out and hit the back of his perfectly styled head.
"Oww! Why?" he asked, straightening up and rubbing the spot I'd just smacked. He looked genuinely baffled, like he couldn't believe a surgeon half his size just assaulted him in the middle of a high-society reception.
"What did you muttered?" I asked him, narrowing my eyes. I kept my fork pointed at him like a tiny, silver bayonet.
"I didn't say anything, Jay," he lied, though he couldn't hide the amused glint in his eyes.
"Liar! I saw your lips move, skyscraper," I huffed, taking another bite of my sandwich. "You were calling me a pig or something, weren't you? Just because I appreciate fine dining more than you do."
Keifer sighed, but the smirk was still there. He stepped closer, his shadow falling over my plate.
"I was just saying that it's impressive," he whispered, his voice dropping into that raspy, intimate register.
I rolled my eyes, trying to focus on my mountain of food instead of the way my face was currently reaching the same temperature as the lasagna. I was just about to finish my plate—victory was so close—when a shadow fell over our table.
"There you are. I was searching for you," Kuya Luan said, appearing out of nowhere like a ninja in a tuxedo.
I froze with a fork halfway to my mouth. He looked at Keifer with a cold, sharp gaze before turning back to me. His expression softened, but he still looked like he was on a mission. "I shouldn't have come to the buffet first, but I have to go soon. Be safe, okay? Don't go anywhere."
He leaned down and kissed my forehead, a gesture so sweet it made my chest tighten. I put my fork down, my appetite suddenly vanishing.
"Are you going to the U.S. again?" I asked him, my voice small. I could feel my eyes already getting teary. It's been so long since we were apart
Luan sighed, looking at my pathetic, watery eyes. He reached out and tapped my forehead gently. "I will come back early this time, okay? And I will also get that Snorlax you've been asking for. How about that? Don't be sad."
I rubbed my forehead, letting out a small pout. A Snorlax? Does he think he can buy my forgiveness with a giant, fluffy Pokémon?
...Well, he can. But that's not the point!
"You better be back early," I grumbled. "If you're late, I'm changing the locks on the apartment and you're sleeping in the hallway."
Luan laughed, giving my head one last pat before he stood up straight. He shot another look at Keifer—one that clearly said, 'If she has a single scratch when I get back, you're dead'—and then he was gone, disappearing into the crowd as quickly as he'd arrived.
I sat there, staring at the spot where he stood, feeling that familiar hollow ache in my chest.
"He's your only family, right?" Keifer asked softly.
I nodded, not trusting my voice. I leaned back in my chair, suddenly feeling very small in the middle of this grand hall. Tss. Why does he have to leave now? The wedding isn't even over.
"Don't cry, Jay," Keifer whispered. He reached across the table, his hand hovering over mine. "You're not alone. I'm right here."
I looked at him, my vision a little blurry. "You're just here because you want to know if I'm sick, skyscraper," I managed to say, trying to bring back my usual bantering tone.
Keifer didn't pull his hand away. He just looked at me with that same, intense gaze. "I'm here because I want to be here. And as long as I'm standing, you'll never be alone again."
Holy moly.
I quickly looked down at my plate, my heart doing a triple-flip. This skyscraper really needs to stop. My heart can only take so many billionaire-facts in one day.
"Jay! Here you are! Search is over, let's go—they're about to do the bouquet toss!" Rakki squealed, appearing out of nowhere like a ninja and snatching me away from my beloved buffet.
My carbonara! I haven't even said a proper goodbye to the chicken wings yet!
Keifer, ever the persistent shadow, didn't even hesitate. He followed right behind us, his long strides making my frantic pace look like a turtle's crawl. He looked entirely too amused by my kidnapping.
"Wait! Girl, stop! I am NOT interested in this! I'm a doctor, not a bouquet-catcher!" I protested, trying to dig my heels into the carpet. My stomach was still grieving for the dessert I hadn't reached.
"Who said you had a choice?" Freya asked, her artistic eyebrows raised in a challenge. She and Rakki were like two beautiful, unstoppable forces of nature.
"What happened to liberty? What happened to the right to choose your own destiny?" I asked, looking toward Keifer as if he'd actually help me.
Mica just let out a dark, playful chuckle. "Liberty is currently six feet under, Jay. Just accept your fate."
I huffed, my pout reaching maximum levels. These girls are dangerous. They're basically a cult of 'Kilig' and I'm their primary target.
We reached the front of the stage where Ella was grinning like a mischievous angel, holding that bouquet like a holy grenade. A crowd of single women—and a few eager kids—were already jostling for position.
"Okay, on the count of three!" Ella shouted, her back to us.
"Don't you dare, Ella!" I whispered-yelled, but it was too late.
"One... two... THREE!"
The bouquet soared into the air, a blur of white roses and lace. I intentionally took three steps back, planning my escape toward the chocolate fountain. I wasn't going to be part of this madness. No way. Not today.
But the universe apparently has a very sick sense of humor.
The bouquet hit the giant crystal chandelier, bounced off a marble pillar, and started plummeting directly toward my head.
"Oh, crud!" I yelped, closing my eyes and ducking.
I didn't want to catch it, but my reflexes had other plans. I stuck my hands up in a panic, and BAM! The flowers hit my palms. I actually caught it! But the force of my sudden "super-athlete" move combined with my high heels was a recipe for disaster.
I felt my balance betray me. My feet slipped, and gravity started dragging me toward the expensive carpet. I squeezed my eyes shut, preparing to become the first doctor to be hospitalized at her own friend's wedding for "Bouquet-Related Blunt Force Trauma."
Here it comes. Goodbye, dignity. Hello, floor.
But the impact never happened.
Instead, two incredibly solid, powerful arms wrapped firmly around my waist, hauling me back from the edge of disaster. My feet found the ground, but I wasn't standing alone—I was pulled flush against a broad, firm chest. Chest to chest. Heart to heart.
I clutched the flower bouquet to my chest like it was a shield, the soft white roses getting squished between us. The scent of the flowers mixed with the faint, intoxicating aroma of his cologne
Wait. What in the K-drama scenario is this?!
He didn't pull me back or let me go just yet. He stayed there, holding me gathered in his arms as if time had decided to take a coffee break. Because of how close we were, I felt something thudding against my own ribcage that wasn't mine.
Thump-thump. Thump-thump.
It was his heartbeat. Steady, but heavy—like a drum echoing through his tuxedo.
I slowly opened one eye, then the other, looking up at him while my neck craned back. Keifer was looking down at me, his eyes dark and burning with an intensity that made the "kilig" in my stomach go into a full-blown stampede. His face was so close that if I even moved an inch, I'd be tasting his expensive moisturizer.
"Careful, Jay," he whispered, his voice vibrating through his chest and straight into my bones. "I told you the floor was slippery. Or are you just trying to find an excuse to fall into my arms?"
Tss. Way to ruin the cinematic moment with a billionaire-burn, Skyscraper!
"I-I was not!" I stammered, my face heating up so fast I was worried I'd trigger the smoke detectors.
Keifer didn't say anything, but I caught that small, triumphant smirk on his face. He slowly helped me back up to a full standing position, his hands lingering on my arms just a second too long to be 'just helping.' He was basically an anchor, and I was a ship struggling not to capsize in a sea of embarrassment.
"Wow, Jay! Not only did you catch the flowers, you also caught a husband!" Ella chirped, appearing out of nowhere with a grin that was way too bright for my current state of panic.
My eyes went wide. Husband?! I clutched the crushed bouquet even tighter. Tss. Can someone please tell the bride that her jokes are hazardous to my health?
"So, when is the wedding, guys?" Freya added, leaning in with that artistic look of her, as if she were already sketching the 'Save the Date' cards in her head. "I have a few gown designs in mind that would look amazing on a certain surgeon."
The crowd of single girls started giggling and whispering
"There is no wedding! I just... I tripped!" I squeaked, my face reaching a temperature that could probably cook a steak.
"Okay, okay, guys! Enough teasing. Let's celebrate now!" Aries interjected, waving his hands to calm down the rowdy crowd.
Tss. Thank you, Horoscope Groom! Finally, a man with some common sense.
We all nodded, and the tension finally broke as the music turned into a more upbeat, party vibe. Everyone started heading toward the dance floor or the lounge areas. I, on the other hand, headed straight for the bar. I needed a distraction.
I sat on a high stool, and the bartender slid a small glass toward me. I didn't even ask what it was. I just needed something to cool down my burning face.
Gulp.
"W-waah! It's so sour!" I gasped, my face scrunching up like a dried prune.
It tasted like lemons and regret, but there was a strange warmth that followed it. I looked at the little glass. Better than thinking about Keifer's heartbeat, I thought. So, I took another. And another.
Before I knew it, I had downed eight shots.
Tss. These are surprisingly strong. My head started to feel like it was filled with fluffy pink marshmallows, and the chandeliers above me were starting to dance. The room was spinning, but in a fun, carousel-kind-of-way.
"Jay? Are you okay?" a voice rumbled nearby.
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