Chapter 26: The Event of Truth
Jay's POV:
The grand hall buzzed with chatter, camera flashes, and reporters jockeying for position. Every inch of the room screamed attention, from the crystal chandeliers to the polished marble floors. And there we were—Keifer and I—walking in, hand in hand, like we owned the night.
I could feel his presence beside me, steady, protective, and undeniably magnetic. The slight brush of his fingers against mine sent a thrill up my spine. A warmth spread through me—quiet, grounding, and intimate despite the crowd.
"Stay close," he murmured, leaning toward me just enough that his lips brushed my ear. The faint scent of his cologne made my pulse spike. "I've got this."
I nodded, letting him lead, but my eyes scanned the room. Headlines were already buzzing on phones, whispers of scandals floating through the air. Paparazzi cameras tracked our every move.
"Are you two…?" a reporter began.
"Keifer, are you hiding a pregnancy?" another shouted.
I squeezed his hand, feeling the heat of tension ripple through him. But instead of pulling away, he leaned closer, his thumb brushing over my knuckles—a subtle touch that spoke volumes. My heart thudded. A tiny, private connection in the middle of chaos.
Keifer's POV:
The crowd was relentless, questions fired like bullets, but I tuned out everything except Jay's hand in mine. Her fingers were warm, soft, and alive with the tension of the moment. She was mine, and I wasn't going to let any of this noise shake that.
I adjusted my cufflinks, leaning slightly toward her, lips near her ear. "Ignore them. Focus on me," I whispered.
Her breath hitched, and I felt the quickening of her pulse beneath my palm. She didn't need to speak—I could feel the heat of desire, the closeness, the quiet intimacy that only we shared. A brush of a hand, a fleeting gaze, a subtle press of lips on temple—it was enough to remind us both of what awaited after all the flashing lights and gossip faded.
Author's POV:
On stage, the CEO association moderator cleared their throat, signaling the beginning of the Q&A.
"Watson couple, the public has been curious… will you address rumors about your marriage?" a reporter asked boldly.
Keifer's gaze swept over the room, landing on Jay. He smiled faintly, a touch of mischief and reassurance. "Yes," he said calmly, "we will address the rumors. But first, let me say this—our marriage is private, and our happiness is ours to protect."
I felt his hand tighten around mine under the table, grounding me. His thumb brushed over mine, slow and tender. The intimacy was quiet but undeniable. My heart thudded in a way that made me aware of the closeness, the unspoken trust, the small, electric touch of future possibilities.
A reporter pushed further. "There's speculation… about a pregnancy?"
I stiffened slightly, but Keifer leaned closer, his hand over mine, palm warm and reassuring. "All I'll say is that we're very happy, and in time, everything will be shared when we're ready. "
My pulse jumped. The subtle inflection of his words, the quiet intimacy of his gaze, made my stomach flutter. It wasn't just words—it was a promise.
Jay's POV:
The event continued, cameras flashing, microphones shoved into our faces. Every question, every whisper, every rumor met with a calm, confident smile from Keifer.
He leaned toward me during a brief pause, brushing my hair behind my ear. "You okay?" he whispered, low and private.
I nodded, leaning closer, feeling the warmth of his chest and the quiet thrum of his heartbeat beneath my ear. "Better… with you," I admitted softly.
The room erupted with another round of flashes, and Keifer pressed a quick kiss to my temple, right beneath the earlobe. Just a soft, teasing brush of lips, but it sent shivers down my spine. A subtle promise of nights behind closed doors, of closeness we could share away from the chaos.
Keifer's POV:
As the night drew to a close, the couple photos taken, the questions answered, and the flashing lights faded, I let myself breathe for the first time. Jay's hand in mine was everything—warm, soft, reassuring.
In the quiet hallway leading to the exit, I pulled her gently against me. My lips brushed hers softly, lingering just long enough to make her knees weak. I whispered against her lips, "Tonight, we handled them. Tomorrow, we focus on us. Always us."
Her lips curved in a soft smile, and I pressed my forehead to hers. Fingers entwined, chest against chest, the world outside disappeared.
The hint of something more lingered in the air—promise of closeness, the warmth of bodies together, and the unspoken possibility of the life we could create. One day soon, this closeness might blossom into something more permanent, more tangible… a future that included us, and maybe, just maybe, our own little one.
Author's Note:
The night ended with whispers, subtle touches, and soft kisses that were more intimate than any public display could ever be. Jay and Keifer walked out together, hand in hand, hearts aligned, the promise of future closeness—and a family—simmering quietly beneath the surface.