The next morning outside the courthouse, Jasper Jean Mariano arrived early.
Very early.
Why?
Because today she had a plan.
Jay parked her car slowly… carefully… perfectly…
Right in Mark Keifer Watson's parking spot.
She stepped out of the car, looked at the sign that clearly said "Reserved — M. K. Watson", and smiled proudly.
"Oops," she said softly.
She walked inside the courthouse like nothing happened.
Ten minutes later…
A black car pulled into the parking lot.
Keifer stepped out.
Calm.
Composed.
Perfect hair.
Perfect suit.
Perfect morning—
Until he saw the car.
In his spot.
He stared at the sign.
Then at the car.
Then at the license plate.
He closed his eyes slowly.
"…Mariano."
Inside the courthouse lobby, Jay was happily drinking coffee.
Her older sister Janine Jace Mariano (Jane) sat next to her, scrolling through fashion designs on her tablet.
Jane looked up.
"Why do you look like a Disney villain who just finished a plan?"
Jay sipped her coffee.
"No reason."
Jane gasped.
"You did something to Watson."
Jay smiled.
"I parked in his spot."
Jane slammed the table.
"SUGAR!"
Jay laughed.
Jane leaned closer.
"You are playing with fire."
Jay shrugged.
"He started it."
Jane smirked.
"Oh I support chaos."
At that moment, Percy Jude Mariano walked in wearing sunglasses indoors.
Of course.
He flexed his arms for no reason.
"Good morning, favorite siblings."
Jay didn't even look at him.
"You say that every day."
Percy pointed at himself proudly.
"Because it's true."
Jane rolled her eyes.
Percy looked at Jay.
"So… did the basketball boy cry today?"
Jay shrugged.
"I stole his parking spot."
Percy froze.
Then slowly smiled.
"Sunshine… I'm proud."
At the same moment—
The courthouse door opened.
And Mark Keifer Watson walked in.
Calm.
But his eyes went directly to Jay.
Jay pretended not to notice.
Keifer walked toward the coffee machine.
He passed their table.
Percy leaned toward Jay and whispered loudly:
"Oh look. Your boyfriend is here."
Jay kicked him under the table.
Keifer stopped walking.
He looked at Jay.
Then he spoke calmly.
"You parked in my spot."
Jay looked up slowly.
"Oh was that yours?"
Keifer nodded once.
"Yes."
Jay smiled sweetly.
"That's crazy."
Jane covered her mouth to hide laughter.
Percy looked like he was watching his favorite TV show.
Keifer stared at Jay for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"Good to know."
And walked away.
Jay frowned.
"That's it?"
Jane leaned closer.
"Oh he's planning revenge."
Meanwhile — Watson House
Inside the Watson house, breakfast was loud.
Very loud.
Mir Keigan Watson was already laughing for no reason.
"BRO."
Keifer walked into the kitchen.
"Good morning."
Mike Keiren Watson leaned over the table dramatically.
"Did you see your girlfriend today?"
Keifer stopped walking.
"I don't have a girlfriend."
Keigan grinned.
"Jay parked in your spot."
Keifer froze.
"…how do you know that?"
Keigan raised his phone.
"Because Percy posted it."
Keifer grabbed the phone.
Sure enough—
Percy had posted a photo.
Jay standing proudly next to Keifer's parking sign.
Caption:
"Sunshine vs Basketball Boy — Round 1."
Keiren clapped like a child.
"This is better than Netflix."
Keifer sighed.
Their mother Serina Watson walked into the kitchen.
Sweet smile.
"Good morning boys."
Then she looked at the phone.
"Oh!"
She smiled.
"Jeana's daughter is very pretty."
Keifer nearly choked.
"Mom."
Keigan pointed dramatically.
"HE BLUSHED."
"I did not."
Their father Mark Keizer Watson walked in next.
Serious face.
Business energy.
He looked at Keifer.
"Son."
"Yes?"
"You lost your parking spot."
Keifer blinked.
"…how does everyone know this."
His father shrugged.
"Jasfher sent me the photo."
Keifer covered his face.
Keigan was laughing so hard he almost fell off the chair.
"BRO IS LOSING THE WAR."
Keifer grabbed coffee.
"This isn't a war."
Keiren sang loudly.
"Wedding bells~"
Keifer pointed at him.
"Stop."
Back at the Courthouse
Later that afternoon, Jay returned to her office.
And saw a coffee cup on her desk.
She frowned.
"Who left this?"
Percy leaned in the doorway.
"Oooh mystery gift."
Jay picked up the cup.
There was a note.
From Watson.
Jay rolled her eyes.
She took a sip.
And immediately coughed.
"WHAT IS THIS."
Percy laughed.
"Poison?"
Jay checked the note again.
"Since you like stealing things. Enjoy coffee without sugar."
Jay stared at the cup.
Then at Percy.
"He sent me punishment coffee."
Percy wiped tears from laughing.
"This rivalry is beautiful."
Jay grabbed her phone.
She typed one message.
Jay:Next time bring better revenge.
Across the courthouse, Keifer read the message.
And smiled slightly.
Keigan walked into his office.
"Oh my god."
"What."
"You're smiling at your phone."
Keifer locked the screen.
"No I'm not."
Keigan gasped dramatically.
"IT'S WORSE THAN I THOUGHT."
That evening at the Mariano house, dinner was loud as usual.
Their father Jasfher Mariano was telling business stories.
Their mother Jeana Fernandez kept adding food to everyone's plate.
Aries sat quietly eating.
Jane suddenly asked:
"So… how is Watson today?"
Jay groaned.
"Why does everyone care about him."
Percy raised his hand.
"Because you two are enemies."
Jane nodded.
"And enemies become lovers."
Aries slowly looked up.
Dead serious.
"No."
Everyone went quiet.
Aries spoke calmly.
"He is not dating my sister."
Percy whispered to Jay:
"Protective brother activated."
Jay rolled her eyes.
"He's just my rival."
Aries looked at her.
"Good."
But somewhere deep down…
Jay remembered Keifer's small smile again.
And far away—
Keifer was thinking about the way she smirked in the parking lot.
Neither of them knew it yet.
But this rivalry?
Was about to get much worse.