Jay jay POV
Room
The door shut harder than I intended.
And the moment I was alone—
Everything hit.
At once.
I leaned against the door, breathing uneven.
My hand came up to my lips without thinking.
Stupid.
Why did I do that?
Why didn't I stop him immediately?
Why did I—
Tears burned my eyes before I could stop them.
"Ugh…" I wiped them quickly, frustrated.
"Why am I like this…" He used me for his revenge...when I was in love with him he was just playing with me...but not anymore..
From Tommorow he will not see the girl he broke...he would see the girl that rise again from the broken pieces...get ready keifer waston... because till now on what you saw was Jasper Jean Fernandez...but now you will see jasper jean mariano...
It wasn't just the kiss.
It wasn't just Luna.
It was everything.
The way he looked at me.
The way he knew exactly what to say.
The way he kept pulling reactions out of me I didn't even understand myself.
I slid down to the floor, hugging my knees.
"I don't care," I whispered again.
But this time—
It didn't sound convincing at all.
Because if I didn't care—
Then why did it feel like this?
Messy.
Confusing.
And way too real.
Keifer POV
I shouldn't have followed her.
I knew that.
The second she walked out of the kitchen like that—fast, breathing uneven, not even looking back—I should've let her go.
Given her space.
Not made it worse.
But I did anyway.
Because something about the way she said "I shouldn't have"—
Didn't sit right.
—
The apartment was quieter now.
Percy was in the living room, whispering loudly to Keiren about how he was "still the most handsome man present despite emotional trauma."
Keigan looked like he'd given up on life.
Luna—
Luna noticed me walking away.
Of course she did.
She always notices things.
"Keifer," she called softly.
I didn't stop.
Not this time.
—
I reached her door.
Closed.
No sound.
For a second, I just stood there.
Thinking.
Then I knocked.
Once.
No response.
I frowned slightly.
"Jay," I said, not too loud. "Open the door."
Nothing.
A pause.
Then—
I pushed it open.
—
She was on the floor.
Curled slightly against the bed.
Asleep.
Or… passed out from exhaustion.
I stepped inside quietly, closing the door behind me.
For a moment—
I just looked at her.
And everything from earlier hit differently.
She didn't look angry now.
Didn't look sharp.
Didn't look like she was ready to fight the world.
She just looked…
tired.
Small.
And somehow—
that felt worse.
—
I walked closer slowly, crouching down in front of her.
A strand of her hair had fallen across her face.
I hesitated for a second—
Then moved it back gently.
"She fights like she's got nothing to lose," Percy's voice echoed in my head from earlier.
Yeah.
Maybe.
But right now—
She looked like she had too much.
—
My gaze dropped for a second.
To her lips.
And I exhaled quietly.
"…bad idea," I muttered under my breath.
I shouldn't have done that.
The kiss.
It wasn't planned.
It just—
happened.
Because she kept pushing.
And I kept pushing back.
And somewhere in between—
I forgot about the plan, the act to keep safe, to hide my feelings from her
That line blurred.
—
"You didn't stop me."
The words I said earlier replayed.
And now—
They didn't feel as simple.
Because yeah—
She didn't stop me right away.
But that didn't mean she was okay with it.
Didn't mean I should've—
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling.
"Great," I muttered. "You messed that up."
—
She shifted slightly in her sleep.
Murmured something I couldn't catch.
And instinctively—
I reached out.
My hand hovering near her shoulder.
Then gently resting there.
Just to check.
Just to make sure she was okay.
She didn't wake.
Just breathed softly.
Calm.
Finally calm.
—
I glanced around the room.
Then back at her.
Sleeping on the floor.
Seriously?
"…you're stubborn even when you're unconscious," I muttered.
Carefully—
I slid one arm under her shoulders, the other under her knees.
Lifting her up slowly in bridal style
She stirred a little, but didn't wake.
Light.
Way too light.
I placed her on the bed, adjusting the pillow under her head.
Pulled the blanket over her.
Simple.
Careful.
Like she'd break if I wasn't.
—
For a second—
I didn't move.
Just stood there.
Looking at her.
At how peaceful she looked now.
Completely different from the girl who was ready to start a war at dinner.
—
"You're confusing," I said quietly.
No response.
Obviously.
"She gets close to me and you lose it," I continued under my breath, almost amused despite everything. "But you won't admit it."
A small pause.
Then softer—
"And I… keep making it worse."
That part came out quieter than I expected.
—
I stepped back.
Ran a hand through my hair again.
Trying to clear my head.
Didn't work.
Nothing about this was simple anymore.
Not her.
Not the way she reacted.
Not the way I reacted to her reactions.
—
I turned to leave.
Stopped at the door.
Looked back once more.
"…next time," I muttered, almost to myself, "don't fall asleep on the floor."
No response.
Just her.
Sleeping.
Finally at peace.
—
I left quietly.
Closing the door behind me.
But the moment I stepped out—
I knew one thing for sure.
That kiss?
Wasn't just a mistake.
It was the feeling I have tried really hard to hide
I closed her door slowly.
Carefully.
Like if I made even the smallest sound, she'd wake up… and I'd have to face everything again.
For a moment, I didn't move.
My hand stayed on the handle.
My mind stayed in that room.
On her.
Curled up on the floor like she didn't have the strength to fight anymore.
That image—
Didn't leave.
Didn't sit right.
Not after everything.
Not after me.
sorry jay...this is because of me, but believe me when everything is okay I would make it up to you...for you apology... I'm sorry jay I have to hurt you to keep you safe...coz maybe I can see tears in your eyes because of me...but I can't see you lying like a lifeless body... My Jasper Jean Waston.. I promise I'll make everything perfect. I love you... I thought tears on the verge of falling
—
"Enjoying the view or planning to stand there all night?"
Percy.
Of course.
I let go of the handle and turned.
He was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, watching me—no grin this time, no jokes in his eyes.
Just… something else.
Something sharper.
"You spying now?" I said, trying to sound normal.
"I don't need to spy," he replied. "You're not subtle."
I walked past him. "I'm going to sleep."
"I want to talk." he said
"No." I said
"Too bad." he said
I kept walking.
"Keifer."
That tone again.
Not playful.
Not light.
I stopped.
Annoying.
"Five minutes," he said. "Or I start talking here."
I exhaled slowly.
"…fine."
—
Percy's room
The door shut behind us.
And the second it did—
The air changed.
Heavy.
Tight.
Like something was about to snap.
I leaned against the wall. "Say what you need to say."
He didn't hesitate.
"Do you love her?"
Straight.
No buildup.
No warning.
I scoffed.
Too fast.
"No."
The word came out sharp.
Automatic.
Like I needed it to.
Percy didn't react right away.
He just looked at me.
Studied me.
Like he was waiting for me to hear myself.
"That," he said slowly, "was the fastest lie I've ever heard."
My jaw tightened. "It's not a lie."
"You kissed her."
"So?"
"You followed her."
"I would've done that for anyone."
"You carried her to bed like she'd break."
Something in my chest tightened at that.
I looked away.
"Doesn't mean anything."
"Then why do you look like that?" Percy stepped closer.
"Like what?"
"Like you regret it."
Silence.
Because—
I didn't know if I regretted the kiss.
Or the fact that I didn't stop.
Or the fact that she didn't.
Or the fact that it meant something.
And I wasn't supposed to let it.
—
"It started as a plan," I said finally.
Percy didn't move.
Didn't interrupt.
"I wasn't supposed to care," I continued, quieter now. "She was just… part of it."
"And now?" he asked.
I didn't answer.
Didn't need to.
His expression hardened.
"Yeah," he muttered. "That's what I thought."
I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated. "It's not that simple."
"It never is."
"They're watching me," I said.
That got his attention.
"My father. His people. My relativs. My enemies." My voice dropped. "And now they've noticed her."
The room went still.
"They think she matters," I added. "Which makes her a target."
"And your solution," Percy said slowly, "is to pretend she doesn't?"
"Yes."
"To push her away?"
"Yes."
"To hurt her?"
"If it keeps her safe."
The words came out harder than I felt.
Because saying it didn't make it right.
Just… necessary.
—
For a second—
Percy didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Then suddenly—
He grabbed my collar.
Hard.
Pulling me forward.
"Do you even hear yourself?" his voice snapped—low, angry, shaking.
I stiffened, caught off guard.
"Let go."
"No," he said, grip tightening. "You don't get to say that like it's nothing."
"It's not nothing—"
"You're hurting her," he cut in, eyes burning. "And you think that's protection?"
"It is."
"No," he shook me slightly. "It's cowardice."
My jaw clenched. "You don't understand—"
"I understand enough," he snapped. "I've seen her break before. I'm not watching it happen again because you can't be honest."
That hit.
Harder than anything else.
"She's stronger than you think," I said.
"And you're weaker than you think," he fired
back instantly.
Silence.
Sharp.
Heavy.
"You think pushing her away is going to save her?" Percy continued, voice still tight with anger. "You think acting like she doesn't matter is going to protect her?"
"It will keep attention off her."
"No," he said firmly. "It will destroy her."
I didn't respond.
Because a part of me—
Already knew that.
—
"You don't get it," I said, quieter now. "If they come after her—"
"They won't," Percy cut in.
I frowned. "What?"
"They won't touch her."
"That's not how this works."
"It is with her," he said, more controlled now—but still intense.
"What does that mean?"
He paused.
Just for a second.
Then let go of my collar.
Stepping back.
"You're not the only one who can protect her."
"That's not an answer."
"It's enough."
I stared at him.
Confused.
Frustrated.
"What aren't you telling me?" I asked.
He smirked faintly—but it didn't reach his eyes. "A lot."
"Percy—"
"Just know this," he said, cutting me off.
"She doesn't need your lies to survive."
"And you're sure about that?"
"Yes."
"How?"
Another pause.
Then—
"She's not as helpless as you think."
That wasn't an answer.
But the way he said it—
Too sure.
Too confident.
It didn't feel like a guess.
—
"End this," Percy said suddenly.
I frowned. "What?"
"This whole act. This drama. End it."
"I can't."
"You can," he said firmly. "You just don't want to deal with the consequences."
"And what consequences are those?"I said
"You losing control," he replied instantly.
I scoffed. "Not happening."
"You sure?" he stepped closer again.
"Because right now—you're already struggling."
Silence.
Because again—
He wasn't wrong.
"And it's only going to get worse," he added.
"Why?"
He hesitated.
Just slightly.
Then shrugged. "Let's just say… someone important from her past is about to show up."
My eyes narrowed. "Who?"
"Doesn't matter." He said
"It clearly does." I said
"It will," he said quietly. "Especially for her."
Something about that—
Didn't sit right.
"What do you mean by that?" I pressed.
He shook his head. "You'll see."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one you're getting."
—
Silence filled the room again.
Thicker this time.
More dangerous.
—
"Just don't wait too long," Percy said finally, quieter now. "Because when it hits… you won't be able to handle what you feel for her."
I looked at him.
Really looked this time.
No jokes.
No sarcasm.
Just… warning.
"I can handle it," I said.
He shook his head slightly. "No. Not when it's her."
—
I didn't argue.
Didn't respond.
Because something about the way he said that—
Made it hard to.
—
"I'm done," I muttered, stepping back.
"Yeah," he nodded. "Go sleep. You look like you just lost a fight."
"Didn't lose anything."
"Keep telling yourself that."
—
I walked to the door.
Paused.
"…don't tell her."
"About what?"
"Any of this."
He held my gaze for a second.
Then nodded. "I won't."
I opened the door.
Stepped out.
—
Hallway
Quiet.
But not peaceful.
Not anymore.
Now it felt like everything was building.
Waiting.
My Room
The shut behind me
The door shut behind me.
This time harder.
Not loud—
But enough.
Enough to shut everything out.
Or at least… try to.
—
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply.
"No."
The word came out firm.
Immediate.
Like I needed to hear it out loud.
Because Percy's voice—
Was still in my head.
"No one can touch her."
I let out a dry laugh.
"Yeah right."
That's not how this works.
That's never how this works.
—
I started pacing.
Slow at first.
Then faster.
Trying to make sense of something that didn't deserve to make sense.
"She's safe."
I said it again.
This time quieter.
More controlled.
"She's safe because of me."
That was the truth.
The only truth that mattered.
Not Percy's vague confidence.
Not his half-hidden warnings.
Not whatever he wasn't saying.
I knew the situation.
I knew the people involved.
And they don't just… miss targets.
They don't back off.
They don't spare anyone.
Unless they think that person is irrelevant.
Which is exactly what I was making sure of.
—
"This plan works," I muttered.
It had to.
It was built to.
Push her away.
Make her look unimportant.
Unconnected.
Untouchable—not because she was powerful—
But because she wasn't worth going after.
That was the whole point.
That was the only way.
—
I stopped pacing.
Hands tightening into fists.
"Percy doesn't know what he's talking about."
He didn't.
He couldn't.
Because if he did—
He wouldn't be so calm.
He wouldn't be saying things like "no one can touch her."
That kind of confidence only comes from ignorance.
Or—
I cut that thought off immediately.
"No."
Not going there.
—
I sat down on the edge of the bed, leaning forward, elbows on my knees.
Thinking.
Replaying.
Analyzing.
Like I always did.
Because emotions?
They complicate things.
They mess with decisions.
And I didn't have the luxury for that.
Not now.
Not with this.
—
"Someone's coming."
I frowned slightly.
Then shook my head.
Irrelevant.
It had to be.
"Doesn't matter who it is."
I said it like a fact.
Like something already decided.
"Nothing from the past is going to change this."
No one.
No situation.
No unexpected arrival—
Was going to mess up the plan.
Because the plan wasn't optional anymore.
It was necessary.
—
I leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
Forcing my thoughts into order.
Control.
Structure.
That's how I handled things.
Not like this—
Not messy.
Not emotional.
Not… her.
—
"She'll be fine," I said again.
Stronger this time.
Like I was locking it in.
"She has to be."
Because if she wasn't—
Then this whole thing falls apart.
And I wasn't letting that happen.
—
My jaw tightened.
"She doesn't need to know."
That part mattered.
More than anything.
Because the moment she knew—
She'd fight it.
Push back.
Do something reckless.
Something that would make her a bigger target.
And I couldn't risk that.
—
So this—
This distance.
This act.
This… pretending she didn't matter—
It wasn't wrong.
It wasn't cruel.
It was necessary.
—
Even if it didn't feel like it anymore.
Even if—
For a second in the kitchen—
I forgot that.
—
I shut my eyes briefly.
Frustrated.
Then forced them open again.
"No distractions."
No second-guessing.
No doubts.
—
"Nothing's going to mess this up."
Not Percy.
Not whatever he thinks he knows.
Not some vague "someone coming."
And definitely not—
My grip tightened slightly.
"—the past."
Because the past stays where it belongs.
And whatever it was Percy was hinting at—
Whoever he meant—
They weren't a factor.
They wouldn't be.
—
I exhaled slowly, lying back fully now.
Staring at nothing.
Thinking about everything.
And forcing myself to believe—
That I was still in control.
That the plan still worked.
That she was still safe—
Because of me.
—
Even if something, deep down—
Was starting to feel like that wasn't entirely true anymore.
Next chapter target : 15 comments 🎯