The mansion felt strangely quiet that afternoon.
Everyone had gone out together—
Serina, Keizer, Jay, Karina, Karim, Keigan and Keiren—laughing loudly while leaving for shopping.
Only two people stayed back.
Keifer… and Kia.
Keifer was in the living room, laptop open, scrolling through mails.
He knew who else was inside the house.
And he was making sure he never crossed paths with her.
Kia came down the stairs slowly, pretending to check her phone.
"Keifer…"
He didn't look up.
"Yes?"
Her voice softened.
"You didn't go with them?"
He closed one file and opened another.
"I have work."
A small pause.
Kia stepped closer.
"You always have work."
Still no eye contact.
"They need me at the office tomorrow. I'm just finishing things early."
She sat on the arm of the sofa.
"You don't talk to me much… do you?"
Keifer's jaw tightened.
"I talk when there's something to talk about."
Kia's smile faltered for half a second.
"We're family, Keifer."
He finally looked at her.
Only briefly.
"Yes. Exactly."
The word hung in the air.
Family.
Kia laughed softly, trying to make it light.
"You act like I'm some stranger."
He stood up, closing his laptop.
"I don't act. I just keep things simple."
He walked past her.
Kia followed him toward the corridor.
"Is it because of Jay?"
He stopped.
Not turned.
Just… stopped.
"I don't mix people in my personal life," he said calmly.
"And I don't create confusion either."
She stepped closer again.
"I just wanted to talk to you. You always disappear when I'm around."
He turned this time.
His eyes were steady. Not angry. Not soft.
Just distant.
"Kia… I don't disappear."
A pause.
"I choose where I stand."
The words landed quietly.
But sharply.
She swallowed.
"So… you don't even want to be friends?"
Keifer answered without hesitation.
"I already have my person."
Her breath hitched.
He nodded once, politely.
"If you need anything in the house, tell Serina or Keizer."
And with that, he walked away toward the stairs.
Kia remained in the middle of the hall, fingers slowly curling into her palm.
He hadn't raised his voice.
He hadn't accused her.
He hadn't even been rude.
Yet somehow…
every attempt she made to step closer—
he kept moving just far enough away.
That same evening…
The mansion was quiet again.
Keifer was in the small study near the east wing, standing by the window, phone pressed to his ear.
"Yes, send it by tonight," he said calmly.
"I'll review it before bed."
Behind him, the door opened softly.
He didn't turn.
Kia stepped inside.
She had changed.
Her hair was loose, falling over her shoulders, her voice deliberately gentle.
"Keifer…"
He ended the call and finally looked back.
"Yes?"
She walked closer, slow… unhurried… as if she had all the time in the world.
"You look tired," she said, lightly.
"You work too much."
"I'm fine."
Just one word.
Flat.
She stopped right in front of him.
Too close.
"You know… we never really got a chance to talk properly. Just us."
Keifer shifted slightly—only enough to create distance.
"If you need something, you can say it directly."
Kia's lips curved into a small smile.
"I was hoping you'd stay back today. I'm glad it's only you and me in the house."
Silence.
Keifer looked at his watch.
"They'll be back in an hour."
That was it.
No reaction.
No softness.
No nervousness.
Only time.
She reached out and gently touched his arm.
He immediately stepped back.
Politely.
Firmly.
"Kia."
His voice was low.
Controlled.
She looked up at him, eyes searching his face.
"You don't even notice me, do you?"
He held her gaze this time.
"I notice when someone crosses a line."
Her smile froze.
"I haven't crossed anything."
Keifer shook his head once.
"You're standing on it."
A heavy pause.
She tried again, softer now.
"I just wanted you to see me."
He answered without thinking.
"I already see you."
Then, quietly—
"But not the way you want."
That was the end of it.
He picked up the file from the table.
"I have work."
And walked straight past her.
Not angry.
Not shaken.
Not tempted.
As if…
she didn't even exist in the place where his heart already belonged.