After the incident keifer called the girl to his cabin, and I stood beside him
The moment Keifer spoke, the room went silent.
His voice had that power—one word from him and the entire office would freeze.
When he declared me as Mrs. Watson, I felt my whole body tremble.
Not from fear.
From shock.
From the fact that he'd done it publicly.
From the fact that he was willing to protect me in front of everyone.
The girl employee, the one who had insulted me, stood there like a deer caught in headlights.
She couldn't believe what was happening.
The atmosphere was tense.
Everyone stared.
No one dared move.
Keifer held my hand tightly.
Then he turned his gaze back to the girl.
His eyes were cold.
And I could tell he was done playing.
"You," he said slowly, pointing at her.
Her face turned pale.
She swallowed.
"Yes, Mr. Watson?" she stammered.
Keifer's voice dropped low.
"You are fired," he said.
The words were calm.
But they were lethal.
The room froze again.
The girl's eyes widened.
"You can't do that," she whispered.
Keifer's eyes narrowed.
"I can," he replied. "And I will."
She looked around, desperate for support.
But no one moved.
No one dared.
She tried again.
"But I didn't—"
Keifer cut her off sharply.
"You insulted my wife," he said. "You insulted her in my presence. You made her feel worthless."
His voice grew louder.
"I don't tolerate disrespect in my company," he said. "And I don't tolerate disrespect toward my family."
He looked at me.
His eyes softened.
Then he said, "Jay, go back to your desk."
I nodded slowly, still shaking.
I stood up and walked away, trying to stay calm.
But I could feel everyone watching me.
I could feel the eyes burning into my back.
Keifer didn't stop watching me.
Not once.
When I reached my desk, I sat down and tried to focus on work.
But I couldn't.
My hands were shaking.
My heart was pounding.
I kept thinking about what just happened.
He had fired her.
He had protected me.
He had announced me as his wife.
He had done all of that in front of everyone.
I didn't know what to do.
I didn't know how to feel.
I just felt… loved.
After the Incident
The rest of the day was quiet.
Not peaceful.
Just quiet.
No one talked.
No one looked at me.
They were all too afraid.
Keifer had shown them his true side.
And they didn't want to be on the receiving end of it.
At one point, Keifer walked to my desk.
He stood there, looking at me.
I looked up.
His expression was soft.
But I could still feel the anger inside him.
He leaned closer.
"Are you okay?" he asked quietly.
I nodded.
"I'm fine," I whispered.
He didn't move.
He just stood there, watching me like he wanted to make sure I was safe.
Then he said, "Come with me."
I stood up.
He took my hand.
And he led me to his office.
He closed the door.
Then he pulled me into his arms.
He hugged me tightly.
"You don't have to worry about anyone," he whispered.
I hugged him back.
"I know," I said.
He held me longer.
Then he pulled back and looked at me.
His eyes were serious.
"I don't want anyone to ever treat you like that again," he said.
I smiled softly.
"Thank you," I whispered.
He shook his head.
"I'm not thanking me," he said. "I'm telling you."
I looked at him.
"What?" I asked.
He walked closer.
"I'm going to protect you," he said. "Always."
The Extra Protection
After that day, Keifer became extra protective.
He didn't let me go anywhere alone.
He didn't let me speak to people without him being nearby.
He would stand beside me in meetings.
He would sit beside me during lunch.
He would hold my hand when we walked through the office.
At first, I felt strange.
I felt like he was controlling me.
But then I realized something:
He wasn't controlling me.
He was protecting me.
He was showing me that I mattered.
He was showing everyone that I mattered.
And I loved him for it.
One day, he walked into my office while I was working.
He sat beside me.
He wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
"You're staying with me today," he said.
I smiled.
"Okay," I replied.
He looked at me.
"You're not going anywhere without me," he said softly.
I looked at him, a little shocked.
"Even to the bathroom?" I teased.
He laughed softly.
"Yes," he replied.
I laughed too.
Because I knew he was serious.
He wasn't joking.
He was being protective.
And I loved it
He held my hand the whole way.
He didn't let go
He pulled me close.
He kissed my forehead.
"You're safe now," he whispered.
I smiled.
"I know," I replied.
He hugged me tightly.
And for the first time, I felt completely secure.
Because I knew he would always protect me.
No matter what.
No matter who.
No matter how powerful they were.
He would always be my shield.
But something about the girls words still settled in her
The drive to home was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Keifer's hand rested on the steering wheel, jaw tight, like he was still carrying the weight of the day with him. Jay sat beside him, fingers folded together in her lap, replaying everything—the words that girl had said, the way Keifer had stepped in without hesitation.
The moment they were inside home, the silence broke.
Keifer turned to her, cupped her face without warning, and kissed her—slow at first, then deeper, like he needed her to feel something he couldn't put into words. Jay froze for half a second before melting into it, her hands gripping his jacket as if grounding herself.
When he finally pulled back, their foreheads rested together, breaths uneven.
"Hey," he murmured, thumb brushing her cheek. "You don't need to feel insecure. About anything. About anyone."
He said it with such certainty that Jay almost believed it.
Almost.
She nodded, forcing a small smile. "I know."
But Keifer knew her better than that.
Over the next few minutes, he noticed it—the way she avoided his eyes, how her smile didn't quite reach them, how she stepped back instead of closer when he reached for her hand. She laughed when he tried to lighten the mood, but it sounded practiced, careful.
Insecurity clung to her quietly, like a shadow.
Keifer watched her move around the room, pretending everything was fine, and something in his chest tightened. He crossed the space between them and gently caught her wrist.
"Jay," he said softly, but firmly enough to stop her. "You're saying you're okay… but you're not."
She hesitated, then looked down.
"It's stupid," she whispered. "I know you handled it. I know you chose me. But when she said those things… it just—" Her voice faltered. "It made me feel small. Like I could be replaced."
Keifer's expression shifted instantly—not anger, not frustration, but something protective and deeply sincere. He lifted her chin so she had to meet his eyes.
"You're not replaceable," he said quietly. "Not to me. And I never want you to doubt that—especially not because of someone who doesn't even matter."
He pulled her into his chest, holding her there, steady and warm. Not controlling. Not possessive. Just present.
Jay closed her eyes, finally letting herself lean into him.
And Keifer stayed like that, longer than necessary—because this time, reassurance wasn't something to say.
It was something to show.