Evening.
A small gathering.
Friends from both sides.
Laughter.
Music.
And teasing… already starting.
Jay stood with her friends.
Phone in hand.
Scrolling through pictures.
Jewellery.
Dress.
Moments.
But in almost every picture…
Her eyes were on him.
One of her friends noticed.
"Wait…"
She grabbed the phone slightly.
"Why are you looking at him in every photo?"
Another laughed.
"Not even the mirror…"
"Just Keifer."
More laughter.
Jay rolled her eyes.
"Shut up."
But her cheeks turned pink.
Across the room…
Keifer's friends joined in.
"Bro…"
"You've made her fully dependent on you."
Another added—
"She can't even choose a necklace without asking you."
Laughter spread.
Jay heard it clearly this time.
Every word.
She looked down.
For a second.
That small doubt…
Trying to rise again.
But this time…
She didn't stay quiet.
She stepped forward.
Before Keifer could even react.
Her voice calm.
But firm.
"Yes."
Silence.
Everyone looked at her.
Jay lifted her chin slightly.
"I am dependent on him."
A pause.
Then she smiled.
Soft.
Confident.
"But I'm happily dependent."
The room went quiet.
Completely.
No laughter now.
No teasing.
Just… surprise.
Jay continued.
Looking straight at them.
"I ask him because I want to."
"Because I trust him."
"Because I like his choices."
A small pause.
Then softer…
"And because he makes it feel right."
Keifer looked at her.
Stunned for a second.
Not expecting that.
Not like this.
One of his friends tried to joke again—
"Still sounds like—"
Keifer cut him off.
"She's right."
His voice calm.
But firm.
He stepped beside her.
Close.
"If she's happily dependent…"
"Then there's nothing wrong with it."
Silence again.
But different now.
Warmer.
Respectful.
Jay looked at him.
A small smile on her lips.
Keifer looked back.
That same soft expression.
Understanding.
Proud.
Her friend sighed dramatically.
"Okay… this is too much."
Another laughed.
"No more teasing."
Someone else added—
"They're actually cute."
Jay rolled her eyes.
But didn't deny it.
Didn't hide it.
She just stood there.
Beside him.
Comfortable.
Certain.
Because this time…
She said it herself.
Loud.
Clear.
Without hesitation.
She wasn't forced.
She wasn't weak.
She wasn't unsure.
She was simply…
Happily his.