Jay POV
I looked at my masterpiece and proudly placed both my hands on my waist.
"There."
Keifer looked up at me with the most defeated expression ever.
"What... exactly... did you do?"
I couldn't stop giggling.
"Look at yourself!"
He frowned.
"I can't. You stole my mirror."
"Exactly."
He sighed dramatically.
"I trusted you."
"And look where that got you."
I finally handed him the mirror.
The moment he looked at himself—
He froze.
Two tiny ponytails sat neatly on top of his head.
A fluffy blanket was wrapped around his shoulders like a royal cape.
I had even made him a tiny paper crown.
His expression was priceless.
I burst into another fit of laughter.
"My beautiful queen!"
Keifer slowly looked at me.
"My... what?"
"My queen."
"I'm six feet tall."
"So?"
"I'm stronger than you."
"So?"
"I can literally pick you up with one arm."
I nodded seriously.
"Still my queen."
He rubbed his forehead.
"I think the kidnapping affected you more than we thought."
I gasped dramatically.
"How dare you!"
He chuckled.
Then folded his arms.
"If I'm the queen..."
His eyes sparkled mischievously.
"...then what are you?"
I proudly placed my hands on my hips.
"I am your handsome king."
Keifer looked me up and down.
"You?"
"Yes."
"The king?"
"Absolutely."
He laughed so hard that tears gathered in the corners of his eyes.
"My king is shorter than me."
"Height doesn't matter."
"My king is wearing my oversized shirt."
"It makes me look majestic."
"My king's sleeves are covering her hands."
"They're royal sleeves."
"My king has wet hair."
"Royal hair."
He couldn't stop laughing.
"You are impossible."
"I know."
"And very dramatic."
"I learned from the best."
"Oh? Who's that?"
"You."
He placed a hand over his heart.
"I'm honored."
I walked over proudly and adjusted his tiny paper crown.
"There."
"Now you're officially the prettiest queen on this island."
He shook his head, smiling.
"I have officially lost all my dignity."
"No."
"You have."
"No."
"I definitely have."
I gently patted his head.
"Don't worry."
He raised an eyebrow.
"I'll protect you, my lady."
"My lady?"
"Yes."
He stood up dramatically and gave me an exaggerated bow.
"As you command... my king."
I giggled.
Then quietly pulled out my phone.
Click.
Another photo.
Keifer looked up immediately.
"...Jay."
"What?"
"Delete it."
"No."
"Jay."
"No."
"Jay."
"No."
He took one step toward me.
I squealed.
Then sprinted across the living room.
"You are not posting that!"
"I already did!"
"You what?!"
I laughed so hard that my stomach hurt.
The photo had already been sent.
📱 Section E Group Chat
Jay:Meet Her Majesty Queen Keifer Watson. 👑😂
(Photo attached.)
For exactly ten seconds...
Nothing happened.
Then—
Percy: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Edrix: BRO WHO DID THIS?! 😂😂
Rory: I AM SAVING THIS FOREVER.
Keigan: QUEEN KEIFER! 😂👑
Keiren: KUYA LOOKS SO PRETTY! 🤣🤣
Ci-In: This is the greatest thing I've seen all week.
Felix: I want this framed.
Mayo: National treasure.
Even Yuri simply replied with:
Yuri: ...
Yuri: I'm speechless.
I laughed so hard I almost dropped my phone.
Keifer looked at me with mock betrayal.
"You exposed me."
"I absolutely did."
"They're never letting me forget this."
"Nope."
"I'll get my revenge."
I grinned.
"I'll be waiting."
The Next Morning
Golden sunlight slipped through the curtains.
The sound of waves gently filled the room.
For a long moment...
I simply stayed in bed.
Listening.
Breathing.
Smiling.
It was peaceful.
A kind of peace I had forgotten existed.
I stretched lazily before turning my head.
Keifer was already awake.
He stood quietly on the balcony, holding a warm mug in one hand while looking out at the endless ocean.
The morning breeze played with his hair.
For a moment...
Everything felt calm.
Everything felt safe.
And somehow...
That made me smile even more.
I quietly climbed out of bed and walked toward the balcony.
Without saying a word, I stood beside him.
Neither of us spoke.
The silence wasn't awkward.
It was comfortable.
The kind of silence that only happens when you don't need words.
Keifer finally glanced at me and smiled.
"Morning."
I smiled back.
"Morning."
He looked at me for a second before pretending to think very hard.
"My king..."
I immediately covered my face.
"Oh no."
"...is Her Majesty ready for breakfast?"
I laughed.
"Never call me that again."
He grinned.
"I don't know..."
He leaned casually against the railing.
"I think 'My King' suits you."
I pointed a finger at him.
"One more word and I'm sending another picture to the group."
His smile instantly disappeared.
"...Let's go eat."
I couldn't stop laughing as we walked back inside together.
Jay POV
The moment we stepped into the kitchen...
My eyes sparkled.
The entire island house was filled with the sweet aroma of pancakes, melted butter, fresh honey, and mangoes.
I dramatically placed my hand over my heart.
"Oh..."
Keifer looked at me.
"What?"
"I think I'm in love."
He raised an eyebrow.
"With me?"
I slowly walked toward the dining table.
"No."
"With the pancakes."
He sighed dramatically.
"I should've known."
I giggled and immediately reached for one.
Before my fingers could touch it—
Tap.
Keifer gently smacked the back of my hand.
I gasped dramatically.
"You hit me!"
"I protected breakfast."
"I was only checking if it was poisoned."
He folded his arms.
"With your mouth?"
"That's the fastest way."
He couldn't help laughing.
"You are unbelievable."
"I know."
I proudly grabbed another pancake while he looked away for a second.
Success.
I took one bite.
"Mmm..."
Before I could enjoy another bite—
Keifer slowly turned around.
Our eyes met.
Then his eyes slowly moved toward the pancake in my hand.
"...Jay."
I smiled innocently.
"What?"
"That pancake disappeared."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
He walked closer.
Very slowly.
Very suspiciously.
I immediately hid the pancake behind my back.
He stopped in front of me.
"Jay Fernandez."
"Keifer Watson."
"Give it back."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You literally have honey on your cheek."
I quickly wiped my cheek.
He laughed.
"I can't believe you fell for that."
I blinked.
Then realized...
There wasn't any honey.
"Oh, you're evil."
"I learned from my king."
I narrowed my eyes.
"You keep calling me king."
"Because that's what you are."
I pointed at him.
"You are still my queen."
He sighed.
"I'll never escape that, will I?"
"Nope."
He smiled helplessly.
"I created a monster."
"You did."
A few minutes later...
We finally sat down.
I happily poured mango juice into my glass.
Keifer placed another pancake onto my plate.
Then another.
Then another.
I looked at him.
"Planning to feed an army?"
"You."
"I'm not an army."
"You eat like one."
I dramatically placed my fork down.
"I am deeply offended."
"You'll recover after breakfast."
"I want compensation."
"What compensation?"
"Another pancake."
He stared at me.
Then slowly pushed the plate toward me.
"There."
"Thank you."
"You manipulated me."
"I absolutely did."
He shook his head while smiling.
For a while...
Neither of us spoke.
Only the sound of forks touching plates.
The ocean breeze drifting through the open windows.
Birds singing outside.
It felt...
Peaceful.
A different kind of peaceful.
One I had forgotten existed.
I quietly looked outside.
Then whispered,
"I missed this."
Keifer looked up.
"The pancakes?"
I laughed softly.
"No."
"The silence."
His smile faded into something gentler.
"I know."
I looked at the ocean again.
"I forgot how nice it feels when nobody is expecting anything from me."
Keifer stayed silent for a few moments.
Then softly said,
"Then don't think about anyone else while we're here."
I looked at him.
He continued eating before speaking again.
"No missions."
"No enemies."
"No corporations."
"No pressure."
He looked at me with a small smile.
"Just eat."
I couldn't stop smiling.
"You're really bad at emotional speeches."
"I know."
"But..."
He tilted his head.
"...did it work?"
I nodded.
"It did."
After breakfast...
I stretched my arms.
"So..."
Keifer looked up.
"So?"
"What are today's royal plans?"
He laughed.
"Our king has plans now?"
"Obviously."
"What does His Majesty wish to do?"
I grinned.
"I want to explore every single corner of this island."
"Every corner?"
"Every single one."
He stood up and grabbed the car keys.
"Then let's make today unforgettable."
My smile grew even wider.
Without thinking...
I slipped my hand into his.
"Let's go."
For the first time in a long time...
I wasn't running away from fear.
I was running toward happiness.
Jay POV
The buggy rolled slowly along the winding path, the salty breeze playing with my hair as I looked around like an excited little kid.
"This island is huge!"
Keifer chuckled, one hand resting on the steering wheel.
"I told you."
"You didn't tell me it was this huge."
"I wanted it to be a surprise."
"It worked."
I leaned farther out, my eyes sparkling.
On one side, the endless ocean shimmered beneath the morning sun.
On the other, rows of coconut trees swayed gently with the wind.
Colorful flowers bloomed everywhere.
It honestly felt like paradise.
I looked at Keifer.
"You really own all this?"
He nodded casually.
"Mm."
I blinked.
"Sometimes I forget how rich you are."
He laughed.
"I forget too."
"Liar."
"I'm serious."
"You literally said 'I forgot I own this side of the island' yesterday."
He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"...Okay, maybe not."
I burst into laughter.
A few minutes later...
Keifer parked the buggy near a wooden bridge.
The bridge stretched over a crystal-clear stream that flowed gently toward the sea.
I immediately jumped out.
"Whoa..."
The water was so clear that I could see tiny colorful fish swimming underneath.
I crouched down.
"Keifer!"
"What?"
"Come here!"
He walked over.
I pointed excitedly.
"Look at them!"
He looked into the water.
"I see them."
"They're adorable!"
"They're fish."
"They're adorable fish."
He smiled.
"I'll agree with that."
I dipped my fingers into the cool water.
Tiny ripples spread across the surface.
"This place is beautiful."
Keifer looked at me instead of the scenery.
"It is."
I turned toward him.
"Weren't you looking?"
"I was."
"Then why are you looking at me?"
He blinked innocently.
"I got distracted."
My cheeks warmed.
"You've become very cheesy."
"I learned from my king."
I rolled my eyes.
"Still not letting that go?"
"Never."
We crossed the bridge and entered a small garden filled with bright flowers.
Butterflies fluttered from one flower to another.
I slowly spun around, trying to take everything in.
"This is unreal."
Keifer leaned against a nearby tree.
"My mom loved this garden."
I stopped.
"You planted it for her?"
He nodded.
"She always wanted a place that felt peaceful."
I smiled softly.
"I think she'd love it."
For a brief moment, Keifer didn't say anything.
Then he smiled.
"I think she would too."
Not long after...
I spotted a wooden swing hanging from a giant tree overlooking the ocean.
I gasped dramatically.
"KEIFER!"
He already knew.
"...No."
"Please!"
"No."
"Pleeeaaase!"
He sighed.
"I knew bringing you here would be dangerous."
I grabbed his arm.
"One push."
"Jay..."
"One tiny push."
He looked at my hopeful face.
Then gave up immediately.
"Fine."
"YES!"
I sat on the swing while he stood behind me.
"Ready?"
"Ready!"
A gentle push.
Then another.
The ocean stretched endlessly before me.
The wind rushed past my face.
I laughed.
A real laugh.
The kind that came straight from my heart.
Keifer couldn't help smiling.
"There she is."
I looked back.
"What?"
"My Jay."
I blinked.
"What do you mean?"
"The one who laughs without forcing herself."
For a second...
I forgot how to answer.
Instead...
I smiled.
A quiet one.
"She's trying."
Keifer nodded.
"I know."
After a while...
We sat beneath the same tree, sharing chilled mango juice.
I rested my head against the trunk while watching the clouds drift lazily across the sky.
Suddenly...
An idea popped into my head.
I slowly turned toward Keifer.
He immediately noticed.
"...No."
"You don't even know what I'm going to ask."
"I know that face."
"It's an innocent face."
"It's the face that gets me into trouble."
I grinned.
"I challenge you."
He sighed dramatically.
"To what?"
"A race."
He stared at me.
"Across the beach."
"You'll lose."
"I won't."
"You definitely will."
I stood up proudly.
"Confidence is important."
"So is reality."
I pointed toward the shoreline.
"First one to that big rock wins."
"And what does the winner get?"
I thought for a moment.
Then smiled mischievously.
"The loser has to do whatever the winner says."
Keifer folded his arms.
"You're very confident for someone with tiny legs."
"My tiny legs are fast."
"We'll see."
I walked to the starting point and stretched dramatically like an Olympic athlete.
Keifer watched me with an amused smile.
"Ready?"
"Always."
"Three..."
I crouched slightly.
"Two..."
The wind picked up around us.
"One..."
Before he could finish...
I took off running.
"JAY!"
His laughter echoed across the beach as he immediately ran after me.
The sound of our laughter mixed with the crashing waves...
And for those few precious moments...
It felt like the world had forgotten every sadness we had ever carried.
I crossed the finish line first.
Panting.
Completely out of breath.
I dramatically threw both my hands into the air.
"I WON!"
A few seconds later, Keifer finally reached me.
Not even breathing heavily.
He looked at me.
Then looked at the rock.
Then looked back at me.
"You cheated."
I gasped.
"I did not!"
"You started running before I finished counting."
"That's called strategy."
"That's called cheating."
I proudly crossed my arms.
"A king never cheats."
He raised an eyebrow.
"My king definitely does."
I laughed loudly.
"So..."
I tilted my head.
"What does my beautiful queen have to say now?"
He sighed dramatically.
"What does His Majesty want as a reward?"
I pretended to think.
"Hmm..."
"You have to carry me back."
He blinked.
"Seriously?"
"Yes."
"The whole way?"
"Yes."
He looked toward the villa in the distance.
"That's almost a kilometer."
I smiled sweetly.
"I know."
He shook his head.
"I spoil you too much."
"You absolutely do."
Without another word...
He crouched slightly.
"Come on."
I grinned from ear to ear.
The next second, I jumped onto his back.
"There we go!"
"You weigh nothing."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It is."
I rested my chin on his shoulder while he walked slowly toward the villa.
The ocean breeze brushed against our faces.
Everything felt...
Perfect.
Too perfect.
About fifteen minutes later...
The villa finally came into view.
I stretched lazily.
"I'm hungry again."
Keifer laughed.
"You've been hungry since you woke up."
"I have a fast metabolism."
"You have a fast stomach."
Before I could argue...
A distant sound echoed across the island.
Thump... Thump... Thump...
I frowned.
"What's that?"
Keifer looked toward the sky.
His lips slowly curved into a smile.
"Oh."
I blinked.
"Oh?"
"You'll see."
I looked at him suspiciously.
"Why are you smiling like that?"
"I'm not."
"You're definitely smiling."
Before he could answer—
The sound grew louder.
A helicopter.
My eyes widened.
"A helicopter?"
It slowly descended onto the private helipad near the villa.
The wind from its blades sent my hair flying everywhere.
I grabbed Keifer's arm.
"Are we expecting someone?"
He simply smiled.
"Maybe."
The helicopter door slid open.
For two seconds...
Nothing happened.
Then—
"JAYYYYYYYYYYY!!"
A familiar voice echoed across the island.
My eyes grew as wide as saucers.
"No way..."
The first person jumped out of the helicopter.
Percy.
He threw both his arms into the air and sprinted toward me at full speed.
"My baby sistah!"
I burst into laughter.
"Percy!"
Before I could even brace myself...
He wrapped me in the biggest bear hug ever.
"I MISSED YOU!"
"I missed you too!"
He dramatically wiped away imaginary tears.
"I suffered."
"You texted me seventeen times yesterday."
"I suffered seventeen times!"
I couldn't stop laughing.
Then another familiar voice shouted—
"Move aside!"
Edrix walked down the steps carrying two giant pizza boxes.
"I'm starving."
Rory followed behind him.
"You've been starving since birth."
"I know."
Then came Felix.
Mayo.
Ci-In.
Keigan.
And finally...
Little Keiren.
The moment he spotted Keifer—
"KUYAAAAAA!"
Keiren came running at full speed.
Without slowing down, he jumped.
Keifer caught him effortlessly.
Keiren immediately wrapped both his arms around Keifer's neck and locked his legs around his waist like a little koala.
"I missed you!"
Keifer smiled warmly and patted his back.
"I missed you too, buddy."
Keigan walked over, shaking his head.
"I told him to wait five seconds."
Keiren proudly grinned.
"I couldn't."
Everyone laughed.
I looked around at all of them.
Percy.
Edrix.
Rory.
Felix.
Mayo.
Ci-In.
Keigan.
Keiren.
Every single one of them was here.
The villa that had felt peaceful all morning...
Was now filled with laughter.
Noise.
Arguments.
And people talking over each other.
Somehow...
It felt even more like home.
Percy suddenly looked around dramatically.
"Alright!"
He clapped his hands once.
"Who's ready to destroy Keifer at UNO?"
Edrix immediately raised his hand.
"Me!"
Rory pointed toward the pizza boxes.
"First food."
Keigan was already opening one.
"I started."
Ci-In sighed.
"You couldn't even wait thirty seconds?"
Keigan shrugged.
"I was hungry."
Jay laughed so hard that she had to hold her stomach.
Looking at everyone together, she smiled to herself.
"Maybe this is exactly what I needed."
Thank you so much for reading this chapter! I hope you enjoyed this little Jayfer healing arc as much as I loved writing it. More fun, emotions, mysteries, and twists are coming soon, so stay tuned!
Also, don't forget to check out my new fanfiction "Arrange in Love font #Jayfer# and ashdres for real if you haven't already! Your support means the world to me. 💙
Please vote, comment, and let me know your favorite moment from this chapter!
#Jayfer ❤️
#AshDresForReal ✨