JAY JAY POV
"Keifer, where are they?" I asked, my voice already tight.
"They're probably just around here," Keifer said, trying to sound calm.
Then Jare and Percy rushed toward us.
"Kuya, where is Jace?" I demanded.
Percy's expression hardened. "Jay, don't do anything stupid. Stay with Keifer."
I froze.
"Kuya, where are they?" I asked again, louder this time.
Aries appeared beside us. "Jay, we're looking for both of them—Jace and Keigan."
"Keifer, stay with Jay‑Jay," Aries ordered.
Keifer shook his head. "I need to look for my brother."
"Idiot, stay here," Yuri snapped. "It's not safe for either of you."
My chest tightened. "Where are they?" I repeated, staring at Jare.
"Jare, tell me before I actually hurt you."
He stayed silent.
"JARE!"
"Jay, enough," Percy said. "Someone saw Jace and Keigan following someone."
"I think it was Dylan," Jare added quietly.
"WHAT?" Keifer exploded. "If Dylan's here, then Keigan went straight to Keizer!"
"Enough," Kuya Angelo said, stepping in. "You two stay here."
Before I could react, strong arms grabbed Keifer and me from behind.
"DAVID, LET ME GO!" Keifer yelled, struggling hard enough that he almost broke free—until Kuya grabbed him too.
"PERCY REY COLLINS MARIANO, LET ME GO!" I shouted, kicking, but they didn't listen.
They dragged us down the hall and shoved us into a room.
"ANGELO, LET ME GO!" Keifer yelled again.
"Which part of danger do you not understand?" Kuya Angelo snapped, pulling him inside. "Stay together. Eden wants Jay, and Keizer wants you."
Yuri stepped in, voice firm. "Keifer, it's dangerous. Don't worry about Keigan—we'll handle it."
They shoved us into the room and the door slammed shut, the lock clicking hard from the outside.
"ASSHOLES!" I yelled, my voice bouncing off the walls.
Keifer slammed his shoulder into the door again, but it didn't even shake.
"It's no use," I said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Grandpa made sure it wouldn't break that easily."
"Jay, stay here," Keifer muttered, already scanning the walls, the windows, anything that looked like an exit.
Yeah.
Right.
You wish.
"Keifer," I called.
"What?" he snapped, frustrated.
"I know a way out."
He turned to me instantly. "Then tell me."
"I'll tell you if you let me come."
"No," he said immediately. "You heard Angelo. It's dangerous."
"You also heard it's dangerous for you too," I shot back.
He clenched his jaw. "Jay, your brother and my brother are both in trouble. Don't be stubborn. Just tell me the way out."
"Only if I can come," I repeated, crossing my arms.
He groaned, running a hand through his hair.
I didn't wait for him to argue again.
I walked straight to the closet and started digging through it, searching for clothes I could actually move in—
not a gown, not heels, not anything fancy.
Something I could run in.
Fight in.
Find my brothers in.
Keifer watched me, eyes wide, torn between yelling at me and giving in.
I looked at Keifer and couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips.
"Can you… please remove my zipper?" I asked, turning my back to him.
"Jay—what?" Keifer blinked, completely thrown off.
"The zipper," I repeated, trying not to laugh. "Take it out."
He hesitated for half a second, then gently pulled the zipper down—
—but before anything else could happen, a knock hit the door.
"Ate, it's me. Jace," he called.
"Jace? What the hell—I thought you guys were gone," I said, marching toward the door.
"Ate, you're forgetting the tradition," Jace said like I was the crazy one.
"What tradition?" Keifer asked, confused.
"Oh… I remember now," I muttered, heat already creeping up my neck.
"Jace, where's Keigan?" Keifer asked.
"I'm here, Kuya," Keigan answered from behind him.
"Ate, I want you to win," Jace added proudly.
"Idiots. Bunch of idiots," I muttered, dropping onto the bed.
"Ate, we'll get going," Jace said.
"Have fun, Kuya," Keigan teased.
Their footsteps faded down the hall.
Keifer turned to me slowly. "Jay… what tradition?"
My cheeks burned instantly. I could feel the heat rushing up my neck.
"It's… a Mariano tradition," I said carefully. "Once you turn eighteen… you have to spend one night with your boyfriend or girlfriend."
Keifer froze.
I swallowed.
"The family puts the couple in one room," I added, gesturing around us. "Like what they just did now."
The silence that followed was loud enough to drown out the entire party outside.
"So why scare us like this?" Keifer finally asked, half‑annoyed, half‑confused.
"Asshole," I muttered. "Isn't it obvious? They don't want us doing anything stupid, so they locked us in here and used the whole 'kidnapping' excuse."
Keifer ran a hand through his hair. "Okay… then how do you even win this tradition?"
My cheeks warmed instantly.
I looked at him, shy, heat crawling up my neck.
"You have to… spend the entire night together," I said quietly. "Like… your first night as an official couple."
Keifer blinked.
I wanted the floor to swallow me.
"It's just tradition," I added quickly, staring at the wall instead of his face. "The family puts you in one room and… yeah. That's how you 'win.'"
Keifer looked at me, and that slow smile spread across his face as he stepped closer.
I instinctively backed up until the back of my knees hit the bed and I fell onto it with a soft thud.
He leaned over me — not touching, just close enough that I could feel the warmth of him.
"Do you want to win the tradition?" Keifer asked, voice low, eyes locked on mine.
My breath caught.
I nodded.
His smile deepened, softer this time, almost teasing. He pushed himself up and walked toward the door.
For a second, I panicked — until he turned the lock with a quiet click.
"So no one barges in," Keifer said, glancing back at me. "Because of your screams"
Keifer's eyes sparkled with mischief as he turned back to face me, his smirk growing wider. I felt my heart race at the implication, my body reacting to the promise in his words. I bit my lip, trying to hide my smile, but it was no use. He saw it, and his grin only grew more confident.
"Screams, huh?" I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. I could feel the heat spreading through my body, my cheeks flushing at the thought of what was about to happen.
Keifer walked back towards me, his eyes never leaving mine. He reached out, his hand cupping my cheek, his thumb brushing against my lips. I leaned into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed for a moment, savoring the feel of his skin against mine.
When I opened my eyes, I found him even closer, his face inches from mine. "You have no idea what I'm capable of, Jay," he whispered, his voice low and dangerous.
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "I can't wait to find out," I replied, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside me.
Keifer's hand moved from my cheek, tracing the line of my jaw, my neck, my collarbone, until it reached the top of my dress. He hooked a finger under the fabric, his eyes never leaving mine as he slowly pulled it down, revealing more of my skin.
I gasped as the cool air hit my body, my nipples hardening beneath the thin lace of my bra. Keifer's eyes darkened with desire as he took in the sight, his tongue darting out to wet his lips.
"Keifer..." I whispered, my voice filled with need.
He leaned in, his lips capturing mine in a searing kiss. I moaned, my hands finding their way to his hair, pulling him closer as our tongues danced together. He deepened the kiss, his hands roaming my body, exploring every curve.
I could feel the heat building between my legs, the ache growing more insistent. I needed more, needed him. I reached down, my hand finding the hem of his shirt, pulling it up. He broke the kiss long enough to pull it off, tossing it aside before capturing my mouth again.
I ran my hands over his chest, feeling the muscles flex beneath my touch. He groaned, his hands moving to my back, unhooking my bra with expert ease. I gasped as it fell away, baring myself to him.
He broke the kiss, his mouth moving to my neck, my collarbone, my breasts. I arched into his touch, my head falling back, my hands tangling in his hair. He teased my nipples with his tongue, his teeth, sending jolts of pleasure straight to my core.
I could feel the heat building, the pressure growing. I needed release, needed him. I reached down, my hand finding the button of his pants, popping it open. He groaned, his mouth leaving my breast to find mine, his kiss hungry and demanding.
I pushed his pants down, my hand wrapping around him, stroking gently. He broke the kiss, his head falling back, a groan escaping his lips. "Jay... fuck..."
I smiled, loving the power I had over him. I continued to stroke him, my thumb rubbing the bead of moisture at the tip. He looked at me, his eyes filled with desire and need. "Jay, please..." he begged.
I leaned down, my lips finding his ear. "What do you want, Keifer?" I whispered.
"Touch you," he groaned. "Taste you."
I shivered at his words, the ache between my legs growing almost unbearable. I moved off him, lying back on the bed. He followed, his mouth finding mine in a searing kiss. His hand moved between my legs, his fingers pushing my panties aside, stroking me gently.
I gasped, my hips arching off the bed. He chuckled, breaking the kiss. "Sensitive, I see," he murmured, his fingers continuing their exploration. I could feel the pleasure building, the heat growing. I needed more, needed him.
"Keifer, please," I begged, my voice breathy.
He looked at me, his eyes filled with desire. "What do you want, Jay?" he asked, his fingers still teasing me.
"I want you," I whispered. "Inside me."
He groaned, his fingers finally giving me the friction I needed, sending me over the edge. I cried out, my body convulsing with pleasure. He watched me, his eyes filled with hunger as I rode out my orgasm.
As I came down, he moved, settling between my legs. I looked at him, my heart pounding in my chest. He leaned down, his lips finding mine in a soft, tender kiss. "Are you sure about this, Jay?" he asked, his voice filled with emotion.
I nodded, wrapping my legs around him. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life," I said, my voice steady.
He smiled, his eyes filled with love and desire. "I love you, Jay," he said, his voice filled with emotion.
"I love you too, Keifer," I replied, my heart swelling with love.
He reached down, guiding himself to my entrance. I gasped as he pushed inside, my body stretching to accommodate him. He went slowly, giving me time to adjust, his eyes never leaving mine.
As he finally filled me completely, he leaned down, his lips finding mine in a soft, tender kiss. "You feel incredible," he whispered.
I smiled, my hands finding his hair. "So do you," I replied.
He began to move, his hips setting a slow, steady rhythm. I matched him, my body moving with his, our bodies becoming one. The pleasure built slowly, growing with each thrust, each kiss. I could feel it, the edge of the cliff, the precipice of ecstasy.
"Keifer," I gasped, my nails digging into his back.
"I've got you, Jay," he murmured, his thrusts growing faster, harder. "Come with me."
And with those words, we tumbled over the edge together, our bodies convulsing with pleasure, our cries of release filling the room. In that moment, it was just the two of us, our hearts beating in sync, our bodies joined as one.
As we came down, Keifer rolled onto his back, pulling me with him. I lay on his chest, listening to his heartbeat, feeling content and at peace. I knew this night would be one we would both remember for the rest of our lives.
And as I drifted off to sleep, wrapped in Keifer's arms, I knew that I had won more than just a tradition. I had won his heart, and that was all that mattered.