(Jay's POV)
The moment those words came out of Keifer's mouth, my brain completely stopped working for a second. My dad. We were going to meet my real dad tomorrow. The shock lasted for about two seconds before it turned into pure, wild, uncontrollable joy.
I did not even think. I just dropped the two glasses of coffee right onto the kitchen counter with a loud clatter. I lunged forward and kissed Keifer immediately. I wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him as tightly as I could, and began to bounce up and down on him like a crazy person. I was so full of excitement that I lost my balance, and because I was clinging to him so hard, Keifer lost his balance too.
He took a giant, clumsy step backward, stumbling over his own feet. With a loud "Whoa!" he tipped right over and fell backward onto the soft living room couch. Since I was still clinging to him like a giant baby koala, I came crashing down right on top of him.
The moment he fell onto the couch, I found myself sitting right on his lap. I did not care that we had just had a minor accident. I was too happy. I leaned down and began to peck his cheeks with multiple, fast, loud kisses.
Smack! Smack! Smack!
I covered his whole face in kisses until he was laughing so hard he could barely breathe.
I stopped for a second, looking down at his handsome face, and decided to tease him a bit. I grinned ear to ear and said, "I love you, hubby, more than my lechon! Yes, it is true. You have officially beaten the roasted pig!"
Keifer's laughter died down, and a slow, familiar smirk spread across his lips. His dark eyes grew warm and intense. "Oh, really?" he whispered, his voice dropping into that deep tone that always made my heart do a flip. "More than lechon? That is a very high honor, Mrs. Watson."
Before I could even crack another joke, Keifer tilted his head up and started kissing the crook of my neck. A little shiver ran down my spine. I tilted my head to the side to give him more room, completely melting under his touch. My hands slid into his thick, dark hair, running my fingers through it, while his large, warm hands settled firmly on my waist, holding me close against him. He did not stop kissing my neck, his lips soft and warm, making me completely forget about my dad, the kitchen, and the entire world outside.
After tracing a path up my neck, his lips finally moved up to meet mine. He pressed his lips against mine, and we kissed really deeply and passionately. It was the kind of kiss that made my knees feel like jelly, even though I was already sitting down. The warmth of the living room, the smell of the faint coffee in the air, and the feeling of his hands holding me tight made me completely melt down into his arms.
Eventually, the intense kisses slowed down into soft, lazy nudges. I pulled back just a little bit, resting my forehead against his. We were both breathing heavily, smiling like two absolute idiots. I shifted my body slightly, rolling off his lap just enough to lie down right beside him on the narrow couch. Keifer immediately wrapped his strong arms around me, pulling my back against his chest, tucking me in like a little burrito.
We lay on the couch hugging each other tightly. The house was so warm, and the jet lag from our long flight from London was still hiding in our muscles. We didn't even notice our eyes getting heavy. We didn't just plan to sleep, but within minutes, the soft breathing of Keifer against my ear lulled me into a deep, dreamless slumber.
We fell fast asleep right there on the couch, tangled up in each other.
When I opened my eyes the next morning, I blinked in total confusion. I wasn't looking at the living room ceiling. I was looking at the familiar white ceiling of our bedroom upstairs. I rolled over, expecting to bump into Keifer's chest, but the bed beside me was completely empty. The sheets were cold.
I sat up fast, my heart thumping. How did I get up here? Last night, we definitely fell asleep on the couch downstairs. Did I sleepwalk? Did a ghost carry me?
Maybe the ghost was my keifer!
"Keifer?" I called out, my voice still raspy from sleep.
No answer. I jumped out of bed, still wearing my comfy pajamas, and ran downstairs as fast as my legs could carry me, my bare feet slapping against the wooden steps.The moment I reached the bottom of the stairs, a delicious smell hit my nose. It smelled like butter, eggs, and toasted bread. I walked into the kitchen and saw a beautiful sight. Keifer was standing in front of the stove. He had his sleeves rolled up, revealing his muscular forearms, and he was carefully baking a perfect, fluffy omelette in a pan.
On the counter next to him, a hot cup of tea was steaming beautifully, waiting for me.
A huge smile broke out on my face. I crept up behind him very quietly, like a cat, and then jumped forward, hugging him tightly from behind around his waist.
Keifer didn't even flinch. He just let out a soft chuckle, clearly knowing I was there the whole time. He turned his head slightly, leaning back to press a soft kiss right against my forehead.
"Morning, wifey," he said, his voice deep and morning-rough.
"Morning, chef," I beamed, letting go of his waist.
I reached over and picked up my beautiful cup of tea. I curled my fingers around the warm ceramic, feeling incredibly loved and pampered. I took a tiny sip, enjoying the sweet taste, and was about to walk out of the kitchen to enjoy it on the couch, but then my eyes dropped to the corner of the kitchen counter.
There they were. The two glasses of coffee from yesterday afternoon. They were completely cold, the milk had separated into an ugly layer, and a weird little skin had formed on top. The magic was dead. The coffee had been completely damaged and ruined because we had fallen asleep yesterday without drinking a single drop of it.
A wave of dramatic sorrow hit me. I couldn't help myself. I quickly placed my tea cup down, hovered my right hand high over my chest, clutching my shirt tightly right over my heart, and let out a tragic gasp.
"Oh, the horror!" I cried out, looking at the ruined cups with wide, sad eyes. "What is the use of my magical hands if the magic is completely rotten? I have failed as a sorceress of caffeine! The coffee gods are weeping, Keifer! Weeping!"
Keifer turned around from the stove, holding a spatula in his hand, and just started laughing at my ridiculous face. He shook his head, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Do not worry about the rotten magic, wifey. If your magical hands are tired, I will just go out and buy you a whole Starbucks. The entire shop. Employees, machines, and all. Just for you."
I let out a loud chuckle, my dramatic sadness vanishing instantly. "Well, if you put it that way, I accept the bribe."
I smiled, leaning against the counter to take another sip of my tea, when suddenly, the reality of the day slammed into my brain like a speeding truck. The clock on the wall read 8:30 AM. Today. This morning. We were going to meet my father. My real, biological father, Jaspher Mariano.
A sudden surge of pure, wild panic exploded inside my chest. My hands started shaking, nearly spilling my fresh tea. My eyes went wide, and my breathing got super fast.
"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!" I screamed, slamming my tea cup down on the counter. "Keifer! We have to go! We have to meet my dad today! Why are you standing there baking eggs like we have all the time in the world? Get ready fast! We are going to be late! He is going to think I am a terrible, lazy daughter!"
I started running here and there around the kitchen like a chicken with its head cut off. I ran to the fridge, opened it, closed it, ran to the pantry, turned around, and began to circle the kitchen island in pure panic.
Keifer, on the other hand, looked completely calm. He looked like a man who was meditating on a peaceful mountain. He calmly slid the perfect, hot omelette out of the pan and onto a clean white plate. He stepped right into my running path, stopping me in my tracks, and calmly handed me the plate.
"Jay, breathe. We have plenty of time. Eat your breakfast first."
"No time for chewing!" I panicked.
I grabbed the plate, and instead of using a fork like a civilized human being, I just shoved a massive, giant piece of the hot omelette straight into my mouth all at once.
That was a huge mistake. The omelette was fresh off the fire. The boiling hot eggs and melted cheese scorched the inside of my mouth. In the very next second, my eyes watered, my face turned bright red, and I started coughing badly, gagging and waving my hands around my face like I was on fire.
Cough! Cough! Wheeze!
Before I could even choke, Keifer moved with lightning speed. He instantly grabbed a cold glass of water from the counter and handed it to me, while his other hand came down on my back, patting it firmly and gently to help me clear my throat.
"Careful, barakuda," he teased gently, "The food is not going to run away from you."
I gulped down the entire glass of water in one big swallow, cooling down my burning throat. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, still breathing heavily, and looked at him. "Okay, no more food. We need to move now!"
Without giving him a chance to argue, I grabbed Keifer's large hand in a tight grip. I turned on my slippers and ran straight upstairs to our bedroom, practically dragging the big, heavy CEO behind me like a ragdoll.
I pulled him straight into our massive walk-in closet. The moment we stepped inside, I let go of his hand and went totally wild. I started grabbing dresses off the hangers and throwing them sideways onto the floor. "Too casual! Too formal! Too green! Too pink! Oh my gosh, what does a person wear to meet a long-lost dad? Do I look like a professional? Do I look like a baby?
I stopped, holding up a bright yellow dress that looked like a giant banana, and turned to look at Keifer. I dropped my arms, letting the dress hang limp, and looked at him with the biggest, saddest, most dramatic puppy eyes I could manage. My lower lip was trembling, and I looked like I was about to burst into tears from the pure stress of fashion.
Keifer just stood there, looking at me with a incredibly soft, patient, and loving gaze. He didn't say a word about the mess I had just created on the floor. He walked past the pile of discarded clothes, reached into a neat section of the closet, and smoothly pulled out a gorgeous, perfect dress. It was a beautiful, elegant, yet simple cream-colored dress that looked classy but not too stuffy. He turned around and handed it right over to me.
"Wear this," he said softly. "You will look beautiful as you are."
"Oh," I blinked, the panic instantly draining away as I looked at the perfect choice. "Wow. Okay. Thank you."
While I stared at the dress, Keifer reached over to his side of the closet and took out a sharp, perfectly tailored dark suit for himself. He looked so calm and collected that it made me feel a lot better.
If my hubby was cool, I could be cool too.
We got ready in record time. I brushed my hair, threw on the cream dress, and when I looked in the mirror, I actually looked like a proper adult. Keifer came out looking like a million dollars in his suit, looking every bit the powerful CEO, but the way he smiled at me made me feel safe.
We walked downstairs, left the house, and climbed into his massive, shiny black SUV. I strapped myself into the passenger seat beside Keifer, my hands gripping my small purse tightly.
Keifer started the engine, the powerful car roaring to life, and he began to drive through the streets. The ride was a blur of nerves for me. My mind kept wandering back to my childhood. I thought about my mother, Jeana, and how she had kept me away from this man. I thought about how much I had wanted a dad when I was a little girl, watching other kids play with their fathers in the park. Now, thanks to Keifer, it was finally happening.
After a while, Keifer turned the SUV into a very wealthy, quiet neighborhood. He drove up to a pair of massive iron gates, which opened automatically, and pulled the car into a long, beautiful driveway. We reached a big house. No, that is an understatement. It was a very big house. It looked like a giant mansion with beautiful white pillars and huge glass windows.
I will also say to keifer to get build our future house like this!
Keifer smoothly parked the SUV inside the spacious front courtyard. My heart was hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird. "We are here," I whispered.
Before Keifer could even turn off the engine completely, the front doors of the massive house flew open with a loud bang. A tall, handsome man ( in his dreams) came running out of the house at full speed. It was Percy. He was older than me, an adult , and he clearly did not possess a single ounce of calm in his body.
He was running toward the car, his arms flailing wildly in the air, screaming at the top of his lungs, "BABY SISTAH! YOU ARE HERE! BABY SISTAH!"
The exact second my feet touched the ground as I stepped out of the car, Percy collided with me. He threw his arms around me and hugged me so dramatically that my breath was completely knocked out of my lungs. He was lifting me up slightly, rocking me side to side, and making loud crying noises into my hair. It was a level of drama that could easily rival Angelo back in the Philippines.
"Oh, my sweet little baby sister!" Percy yelled into my ear. "You are finally back! I have missed you so much!"
"Percy... cannot... breathe..." I squeaked out, my face pressed against his expensive jacket.
He finally let me go, patting my shoulders with a huge, goofy grin on his face. Then, he turned his attention to Keifer, who had just walked around the front of the SUV.
Percy's dramatic mood shifted instantly into a funny, arrogant one. He stepped forward and gave a cool, brotherly handshake to Keifer, slapping his shoulder. "My big baby is also here!" Percy smirked, leaning in closer to Keifer. "Tell the truth, Keifer. Are you jealous of my handsomeness today? Look at this face. You cannot compete with this."
Keifer just let out a dry chuckle, completely used to Percy's ridiculous personality. "Good to see you too, Percy. And no, I think my face is doing just fine."
"Keep dreaming, Keif !" Percy laughed loudly, waving his hand in the air. "Come on inside, you two. The big man is waiting."
Percy turned around and showed us the way into the massive house. The inside was even bigger than the outside. The floors were made of polished marble that was so clean I could see my own terrified reflection in them. He led us down a grand hallway filled with beautiful paintings and elegant furniture, guiding us straight toward the main living hall.
We walked into the large, beautiful room and got seated on a set of plush, comfortable leather couches. My hands were shaking so much I had to sit on them to make them stop. The nervousness was completely taking over my body. I felt like I was about to go on a stage to perform a show I hadn't practiced for.
Keifer looked at me, seeing the sheer panic in my eyes. Without a word, he shifted closer to me on the couch. He placed his large, warm, heavy hand firmly on my waist, pulling me a little closer to his side. The solid warmth of his hand anchor me to the spot. He leaned down and whispered softly in my ear, "Just breathe, Jay. I am right here. You are safe."
The touch of his hand and the steady sound of his voice instantly calmed me down. I took a deep breath, resting my weight against his side, ready for whatever was about to happen next.
We sat there for a few minutes, the silence in the grand hall feeling thick and heavy. Percy had disappeared into another room, leaving Keifer and me alone. Keifer's hand stayed warm and steady on my waist, his thumb gently rubbing small circles against my side to keep me from jumping out of my skin.
"Do you think he remembers me from the tour last time to his university?" I whispered, staring down at my shoes.
"I am sure he does," Keifer replied softly, his voice full of certain comfort. "But more importantly, I am sure he is just as nervous as you are right now."
Before I could ask what he meant, the sound of slow, heavy footsteps echoed from the grand hallway. My body instantly stiffened. Keifer's grip on my waist tightened slightly, giving me a reassuring squeeze.
An older gentleman walked into the hall. He was tall, with silver hair brushed neatly back, and he wore a simple but expensive-looking sweater. He had kind, gentle eyes, but right now, those eyes were wide with a mixture of shock, fear, and pure emotion. It was Jaspher Mariano. My father.
The moment his eyes landed on me, he stopped dead in his tracks. He didn't move a single muscle. He just stared at me, his lips trembling slightly. I could see the exact moment his heart broke and healed all at once. He looked at my face, my eyes, my hair, as if he were looking at a ghost from his past.
I stood up from the couch slowly, my legs feeling like they were made of water. Keifer stood up right beside me, stepping back just an inch to let me have my space, but remaining close enough to catch me if I fainted.
"Jay..." the older man whispered, his voice cracking completely on my name. "My little girl. Is it really you?"
A huge lump formed in my throat, making it impossible to speak. All the years of searching, all the lies my mother had told me, all the times I thought I was completely alone in the world—it all melted away looking at his tear-filled eyes.
"Yes, Dad," I choked out, a single tear spilling over my eyelashes. "It is me."
Dad didn't wait another second. He closed the distance between us in three long strides and pulled me into a tight, desperate hug. He held me so hard it felt like he was trying to make up for every single missed birthday, every Christmas, and every scraped knee he hadn't been there to comfort. He buried his face in my hair, his shoulders shaking as he let out a quiet, emotional sob.
"I searched for you for so long," he wept softly. "Your mother didn't want me to meet you dear, i tried so hard. I thought I would never see my beautiful daughter again."
I wrapped my arms tightly around his back, burying my face in his shoulder. The smell of his cologne was clean and warm, and for the first time in my life, a strange sense of completeness settled deep into my bones. "I searched for you too, Dad. I never stopped wanting to find you."
We stayed like that for a long time, just holding onto each other, letting the years of sadness and distance wash away in our tears.
When we finally pulled apart, Dad kept his hands on my shoulders, looking at me with a huge, proud smile, even though his eyes were completely red. He then looked past my shoulder at Keifer, who was standing there with a soft, respectful smile on his face.
Jaspher wiped his eyes with a handkerchief and stepped forward, extending his hand to Keifer. "Ah! Gentleman, Keifer Watson. Percy told me everything. He told me how you used your entire company's resources to find me, and how deeply you love my daughter."
Keifer stepped forward, his posture proud but respectful, and shook my father's hand with a firm grip. "It is an honor to meet you, Mr. Mariano."
"You are already family to me, so please, call me Dad."
Keifer's posture stayed proud but respectful, a genuinely happy smile breaking across his handsome face at the high honor. "Thank you, Dad. It is a true privilege. Jay is the most important thing in my world, and I will always take care of her."
My heart completely melted at Keifer's words and my dad's instant acceptance. I looked at my handsome fiancé, feeling like the luckiest girl alive.
Just as the emotional mood was settling into a beautiful, peaceful calm, the double doors of the hall burst open again. Percy walked in, carrying a massive tray loaded with cups of hot chocolate, cookies, and a giant plate of pastries.
"Alright, alright! Enough with the tears!" Percy shouted dramatically, kicking the door shut behind him with his foot. "The beautiful and amazing Percy has arrived with food! We must celebrate the return of the baby sister! No more crying, it ruins my flawless skin!"
My dad let out a loud, booming laugh, the heavy emotion completely vanishing from the room. "Percy, you are a menace to society."
"I am a delight, father! A total delight!" Percy grinned, setting the heavy tray down on the coffee table with a loud clatter. He looked at me and winked. "Eat up, baby sister. I ordered the best pastries in the city just for you. Keifer, you can have one too, even though you are still trying to steal my spotlight with that fancy suit."
We all sat back down on the couches, the atmosphere completely transforming into something light, happy, and incredibly funny. Dad sat right next to me, holding my hand tightly in his, refusing to let go as if I might vanish if he did.
We started talking, sharing stories about my time in the Philippines, my studies in London, and how crazy our packing chaos had been with Tita Gemma, Lola, Angelo, Ion, Aries, and Ella. When I told my dad about Angelo dramatically begging Keifer to stay to handle baby emergencies, my dad laughed so hard he nearly choked on his hot chocolate.
"It seems you have a very colorful family back there, Jay," Jaspher chuckled, wiping a tear of laughter from his eye.
"Oh, you have no idea, Dad," I laughed, leaning against Keifer's shoulder. "They are completely insane, but I love them."
For the next two hours, the grand hall was filled with the sound of constant laughter, silly jokes from Percy, and sweet stories from my dad about when I was a tiny baby before my mother took me away. I listened to every single word hungrily, filling the empty spaces in my heart with his memories.
Keifer sat beside me the entire time, his arm wrapped comfortably around the back of the couch behind my shoulders, occasionally joining the conversation with his dry wit, making my dad smile and Percy groan in mock defeat. I looked around the room—at my dad, my crazy brother, and my wonderful fiancé—and realized that the bitter cold of the morning had completely vanished, replaced by the warmest, happiest fire in my heart....