Province -3

Aries's POV

It was 6 a.m. when my alarm went off like a mini earthquake right beside my ear. Groaning, I rolled out of bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Kuya Angelo peeked into my room, fully dressed and holding his cup of coffee already.

"Wake up Jay too. You both should study together. We've got another meeting later, and I want you two there. Don't be late."

Ugh. Another one?

I splashed cold water on my face and yawned as I padded down the hallway toward Jay's room. I'd never actually stepped foot inside her old room before because mostly wasn't here with her, you know? But today, I figured I'd poke my head in, yank her out of bed, and make her suffer through studies with me.

Except what I saw when I opened her door?

Oh. My. God.

My jaw dropped. There she was—my little sister, sleeping soundly beside none other than Keifer Watson himself, wrapped up like they were filming a romcom in secret.

What. The. Hell.

Shock was an understatement. I was angry. Furious. Disgusted. But mostly? I wasn't even surprised. These two love-drunk donkeys were bound to get caught eventually. And lucky for me, today was the day.

I grinned to myself.

This was my moment.

Charging to the kitchen, I filled up a tall glass of cold water, marched back upstairs like a soldier on a mission, and without warning dumped the entire thing on their faces.

"GOOD MORNING!" I said in the most fake, cheery voice I could muster.

Jay's POV

I woke up to a freezing splash on my face and immediately sat up, gasping. My brother Aries was standing there, arms crossed, with the nastiest smirk known to mankind plastered on his face.

Oh no.

I looked to my left Keifer was still half-asleep, mumbling, "Five more minutes..."

I groaned and shook him awake, turning his face towards the source of our doom.

He blinked, smirked, and said, "Stop disturbing us, brother-in-law."

BROTHER-IN-WHAT?

Aries almost choked. "WHAT—WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY? BROTHER-IN-LAW? AGAIN? WHOSE? NO WAY!"

Keifer just stretched and smiled, cool as ever. "One day. I promise."

I wanted to disappear.

"Excuse me," Aries snapped, voice rising with every syllable. "What are you doing here?! When did you even get here?!"

Keifer shrugged like it was no big deal. "Came to sleep with Jay. I missed her."

I slapped my palm to my forehead. No no no.

"SLEEP??" Aries shouted. "You SLEPT with my sister?? DID YOU GUYS—?!"

"NO!" I screamed before he could say another word. "He's just stupid, okay?!"

"right." I added quickly. "Keifer, I think you should go. School you have to reach."

Aries glanced toward the window, then narrowed his eyes. "From where is he going to leave? The window?!"

I peeked outside. Kuya Angelo was standing in the driveway, deep in conversation on the phone.

Yeah. No way was that gonna work.

Keifer and I looked at Aries at the exact same time.

"No," Aries said, already stepping back. "Nope. Not helping this monkey escape."

"Monkey?" Keifer said, sitting up. "Who the hell are you calling a monkey?"

"You, obviously!"

Keifer rolled his eyes. "Okay then, you're a donkey."

"STOP!" I yelled, throwing my hands up. "If Kuya Angelo finds out, all of us are doomed. DEAD. Buried. So shut up and work together."

I turned to Aries, pressing my hands together in silent prayer. "Please? You're our only hope."

Aries groaned, already regretting being born into this family. "Fine. BUT ISTG—DON'T. TOUCH. MY. SISTER."

Keifer grinned like the devil himself. "Too late. We've done more than that. She's mine. And I'm all hers."

"KEIFER!" I hissed, yanking his arm before Aries could swing a punch.

After twenty-five minutes of hushed arguments, chaotic plans, and near-death experiences, we somehow managed to sneak Keifer out the front door while Kuya Angelo had gone inside to grab a new document.

As Keifer ran off down the path, he turned back dramatically.

"Goodbye, my future wife!" he called.

"SHUT UP!" Aries yelled.

I couldn't help but giggle behind my hand. That idiot. I swear.

I glanced down at my phone, wondering what Percy would say about all of this. I still hadn't told him about me and Keifer finally dating. But... I had a feeling he already knew.

A few hours later, Aries and I sat hunched over the dining table, surrounded by highlighters, notebooks, and way too much coffee for two teenagers. Studying for finals was never easy, but with all the business meetings, it felt ten times worse.

Evening came and we were once again dragged into another shareholder meeting by Kuya and Mom. Honestly, my brain felt like mashed potatoes.

This routine went on for three whole days. Wake up, study, meeting, study again, crash into bed.

I barely had time to message Keifer or talk to the Ulupongs. It was like I was living in an alternate timeline called "Do everything Jail."

Mom finally told us we were heading home tomorrow afternoon. And the next day? My first exam.

So yeah. My brilliant plan?

Study now. Study in the car. Sleep. Eat. Then somehow not fail those crazy papers waiting for me.

Keifer's POV

I missed her. Every single day.

But I tried to stay focused. Studying came easy to me, thank God. What didn't come easy was being away from her for this long.

Still, I had my own responsibilities to deal with. With my inheritance finally settled, I was handling paperwork with my lawyer and Honey almost every day.

"Seems like you've changed," Honey said, sipping her tea.

"It's because of her," I replied, not even needing to think about it. "I love her. She and my brothers mean everything to me."

Honey raised an eyebrow, half-smiling. "Didn't know a Watson was capable of that kind of love."

"I didn't either," I said honestly. "Not until I met her. She's my light."

Days passed.

Meetings. Study sessions. Restless nights.

And now... exam week was finally here.

But more importantly?

I finally get to see her again.

And nothing in this world no test, no meeting, no nosy Aries, no one was going to stop me this time.