The next morning, the mansion was alive in its usual chaos.
Breakfast was loud.
The clatter of silverware.
The scent of fresh bread.
Voices overlapping, as if the house itself was impatient.
Kaizer and Jasfer exchanged a glance across the table—subtle, but loaded with intent.
Kaizer leaned forward slightly, voice calm but firm.
"So… where exactly did you two vanish to last night?"
Jasfer added casually, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Yes, Jay. Don't leave your father in suspense."
Jay raised her eyebrows, pretending not to notice him watching.
Keifer's expression remained unreadable, his gaze fixed on the coffee in front of him.
Kaizer's tone sharpened ever so slightly.
"Keifer. You don't just disappear. I'm asking you."
Jasfer leaned back, folding his arms.
"Don't think you can charm your way out of this silence either."
Jay finally looked at him, lips twitching into the faintest smirk.
"We… uh… just had a late drive," she said lightly, letting the words float without commitment.
Keifer finally glanced at her.
No confirmation. No elaboration.
Just a slow, deliberate sip of coffee.
Kaizer's brow furrowed.
Jasfer tried again, leaning in slightly.
"Drive? Where? Alone?"
Jay laughed softly, a sound carefully measured.
"Somewhere… quiet."
Keifer looked at her, the tiniest corner of his mouth lifting.
"Exactly. Quiet," he said.
Kaizer's fingers drummed on the table.
Jasfer leaned back, trying to hide a growing amusement.
"You two are impossible," Kaizer said, exasperated.
"Best kept secret," Keifer replied casually, as if he hadn't just broken every rule of the morning.
Jasfer shook his head, chuckling under his breath.
"They didn't answer a single question," he muttered to Kaizer.
Kaizer huffed, trying to maintain authority, but even he couldn't hide the twitch of a smile.
"They're enjoying this too much."
Jay and Keifer exchanged a single glance.
No words needed.
The game was theirs.
And for once, both fathers silently acknowledged—whatever they were doing last night, it wasn't ending anytime soon.