Jay stood on the balcony, the cool air brushing her face. The city lights sparkled in the distance, but her mind was still caught in the chaos of the past few days. She looked at Keifer, who stood beside her, his gaze calm and steady.
She couldn't keep it inside anymore.
"Keifer…" she began softly, turning to face him.
He looked at her, waiting.
Jay took a deep breath.
"If you're this rich… and you're handsome… why did you choose me?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Girls would line up for you. Why did you choose me?"
Keifer's expression remained calm, but his eyes softened.
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he looked out at the city for a moment, as if searching for the right words.
Then he turned back to her.
"It's not about money," he said quietly.
Jay's eyes widened.
"It's not about looks," Keifer continued. "It's about who sees you."
Jay stared at him, confused.
Keifer stepped closer, his voice gentle.
"Most people see what they want to see," he said. "They see your face, your body, your status, your wealth… and they decide if they want you."
Jay's eyes filled with tears.
Keifer continued, his voice steady but filled with emotion.
"But I saw you," he said. "Not just your face. Not just your body. Not just your life. I saw you… the real you."
Jay's breath caught.
Keifer looked at her, his eyes intense.
"I chose you because you're not someone I want to possess," he said. "You're someone I want to protect."
Jay's heart tightened.
"But why me?" she whispered.
Keifer's voice became softer.
"Because you made me feel something I haven't felt in a long time," he said. "You made me feel like I could be better."
Jay swallowed hard, her voice trembling.
"I don't understand," she whispered.
Keifer reached out and gently held her hand.
"It's simple," he said. "You love without expecting anything in return. You care without needing anything back. You see people for who they are, not what they can give you."
Jay's eyes filled with tears again.
Keifer squeezed her hand gently.
"I chose you because you love me without even having me," he said.
Jay's breath hitched.
She stared at him, her eyes shining.
"That's why?" she whispered.
Keifer nodded.
"Yes," he said. "Because you love me even when you don't know me fully. And because you still chose to stay."
Jay's heart raced.
She felt something warm in her chest, like a flame being lit.
She looked at him, voice trembling.
"I don't know what to say," she whispered.
Keifer's eyes softened.
"You don't have to say anything," he said. "Just stay."
Jay nodded slowly, her tears falling quietly.
She leaned her head against his shoulder.
For the first time, she felt truly seen.
Truly loved.
And she realized that Keifer didn't choose her because she was perfect.
He chose her because she was real.
Because she was her.
Because she was Jay.