The conference room was filled with quiet murmurs as the meeting began.
Jay sat beside Keifer, her tablet in hand, posture calm and professional. She had grown used to rooms like this—powerful people, polished smiles, hidden intentions.
Across the table sat one of the potential partners. He was confident, maybe too confident.
As the discussion moved forward, Jay passed a document across the table.
"Here are the revised numbers," she said politely.
The man smiled at her instead of looking at the file.
"You're impressive," he said, his tone lingering longer than necessary. "And beautiful too. Keifer is lucky to have you."
Jay stiffened for just a second.
She didn't smile back.
She didn't entertain it.
Instead, she gently pulled her hand away and replied calmly, "Let's keep this professional."
Her voice was firm. Clear. Uninterested.
The room went quiet.
Keifer noticed everything.
The way Jay didn't respond.
The way she drew a clear line.
The way the man still tried to lean forward, clearly not getting the hint.
Keifer's jaw tightened.
He leaned back in his chair, fingers slowly interlacing.
The man chuckled awkwardly. "No harm meant. Just appreciating what's in front of me."
That was it.
Keifer's expression went cold.
"Meeting's over," he said calmly.
Everyone froze.
The man blinked. "Excuse me?"
Keifer stood up, straightening his jacket. His voice was steady, but there was something dangerous underneath it.
"I don't do business with people who don't know basic respect," he said. "Especially toward my employees."
Jay looked up at him, surprised.
The man tried to laugh it off. "Come on, Keifer. It was just—"
"You're done," Keifer interrupted. "The partnership is cancelled."
The room went silent.
Jay's heart skipped.
"Keifer—" she started softly.
He looked at her, and his expression immediately softened. Just for her.
"It's okay," he said quietly. "I won't tolerate anyone crossing boundaries with you."
The man stood up in shock. "You're cancelling a deal worth millions because of this?"
Keifer met his eyes without blinking.
"Yes."
Security was called, and within minutes, the man was escorted out. The rest of the attendees left silently, not daring to say a word.
When the room finally emptied, Jay stood up slowly.
"You didn't have to do that," she said, her voice gentle.
Keifer turned to her.
"I did," he replied. "Because you mattered more than that deal."
Jay swallowed hard.
"But you were jealous," she said softly.
Keifer didn't deny it.
"Yes," he said honestly. "I was."
Jay stepped closer to him.
"But I didn't even respond to him," she said. "You saw that, right?"
Keifer nodded.
"I did," he said. "And that's exactly why I lost it."
Jay frowned slightly.
"That doesn't make sense."
Keifer looked at her, his voice low.
"It does to me," he said. "Because you chose respect. You chose yourself. And I won't let anyone think they can treat you like something they can flirt with or take."
Jay's eyes softened.
She reached out and held his hand.
"You don't have to protect me all the time," she said.
Keifer squeezed her hand gently.
"Maybe," he said. "But I'll still choose to."
Jay smiled softly.
And in that moment, she realized—
His jealousy wasn't about control.
It was about love.