The Heirs Meet

JAY-JAY POV

The rest of the class drifted toward lunch.

My phone buzzed—Keifer.

From Mine 💖

Babe, I can't eat lunch with you. We've got different lunch times.

To Mine 💖

It's okay. Just don't forget to eat. See you soon. I love you.

From Mine 💖

I love you until scientists find the end of the universe.

"Jay, why are you smiling like that?" Lila asked.

"Like what?" I said.

"Like your 'I'm in love' smile."

"Are you dating someone?" she pressed.

"No," I said, holding up my hand. "I'm engaged to someone."

Her eyes widened. "So cute!"

She was about to ask more, but a voice cut in.

"Wow, Lila. Already found new friends?" the boy said.

"Oh, shut up, Eric," she groaned.

"I'm Eric," he said, turning to me.

"I'm Jay," I replied, shaking his hand.

"I've heard your name... Aren't you Sir Jasfher's daughter?"

I nodded.

"Let's go grab something to eat," Eric said.

I nodded.

We headed to the cafeteria, picked up whatever looked decent, and found a spot to sit.

We ate.

We talked.

Not deep stuff—nothing personal.

But enough.

"Jay-Jay, you don't talk much," he said.

"I just don't know what to talk about," I admitted.

"Okay," he grinned, leaning in. "Since we don't know much about each other, we'll play a game."

I raised an eyebrow. "What kind of game?"

"Simple. I ask a question, you answer. Then you ask me one. No skipping. No lying."

"Sounds dangerous."

"Only if you've got secrets," he teased.

I rolled my eyes, but I was smiling. "Fine. You first."

We sat in the cafeteria—me, Eric, and Lila—trays full of food we barely touched.

"Jay-Jay, you don't talk much," Eric said, nudging me with his elbow.

"I just don't know what to talk about," I said honestly, picking at my fries.

Lila leaned in, grinning. "She's always like this. Mysterious and broody. It's her brand."

Eric smirked. "Alright then. Since we don't know much about each other, let's play a game."

I raised an eyebrow. "What kind of game?"

"Simple," he said. "I ask a question, you answer. Then you ask me one. No skipping. No lying."

Lila perked up. "Ooh, I'm in. I love chaos."

Eric pointed at me. "Jay goes first. What's something you've never told anyone?"

I blinked. "That's your opener?"

"No skipping," he said, smug.

I sighed. "Fine. I still sleep with a nightlight."

Lila gasped. "That's adorable. I knew you were secretly soft."

"My turn," I said, turning to Eric. "What's your biggest fear?"

He hesitated, then said, "Losing people I care about."

The table went quiet for a beat.

Lila broke the silence. "Okay, that was deep. My turn. Eric—have you ever had a crush on a teacher?"

Eric choked on his drink. "What kind of question is that?"

"A revealing one," she said sweetly.

He wiped his mouth. "No comment."

"Skipping already?" I teased.

"Fine. Yes. Miss Carrow in 9th grade. She had this voice like melted chocolate."

Lila gagged. "Ew. You're banned."

We laughed.

And just like that, the cafeteria didn't feel so loud anymore.

Soon Lunch ended and classes went by

______________________________________________

Keifer POV

I said goodbye to Jay and headed to class.

I wasn't late.

I slipped into my seat, mind still tangled in thoughts of her—her smile, the way she said "see you soon."

"Dude, what are you thinking about this early in the morning?"

The voice snapped me out of it.

I blinked. "Nothing."

He grinned. "I'm Jacob."

"I'm Keifer," I said, shaking his hand.

He tilted his head. "You sure it's nothing? You had that 'lost in the clouds' look. Like you were composing a love song in your head."

I laughed under my breath. "Just... thinking."

Jacob raised an eyebrow. "Thinking about someone?"

I didn't answer. Just smiled.

He grinned. "Ah. Got it. Mystery girl. Say no more."

The teacher walked in, adjusting his glasses as he faced the class.

"Okay everyone, I'm Mr. Keiz," he said. "Welcome to Business. We'll start with attendance—just say if you're here or not."

He began reading names off the list.

I sat quietly, waiting for mine.

"Mark Keifer Watson."

"Here," I said, steady and confident.

Heads turned.

The room shifted.

Mr. Keiz looked up. "The young CEO of Watson's Enterprise?"

I nodded once.

A wave of whispers rippled through the class. Some leaned in. Others stared.

Jacob turned to me, eyes wide. "Wait... you're that Watson?"

I didn't answer. Just gave a small smile and looked straight ahead.

It was Jacob's turn.

"Jacob Williams," Mr. Keiz called.

He answered with a casual, "Here."

I blinked. Williams?

I turned to him, surprised. "You're the heir to the Williams?"

He nodded, smiling like it wasn't a big deal.

I smiled back.

The Williams and the Watsons—our families—had been business partners for years.

"Small world" He said

I nodded

The class started and I took some notes

Half way through I check the time

Damm it's Jay's lunch time

I texted her

To Future Mrs. Watson 💖

Babe, I can't eat lunch with you. We've got different lunch times.

From Future Mrs. Watson 💖

It's okay. Just don't forget to eat. See you soon. I love you.

To Future Mrs. Watson 💖

I love you until scientists find the end of the universe.

She was probably sitting in class, stupidly smiling at her phone.

The kind of smile you try to hide but can't—because love makes fools of us all.

And I didn't mind being hers.

Class ended, and we made our way to the cafeteria.

Jacob walked beside me, still buzzing from the whole "Watson-Williams" reveal.

We grabbed our food and found a table near the windows.

The sun poured in, warm and golden.

As we sat down, two guys slid into the seats across from us like they owned the place.

"Yo," one of them said, flashing a grin. "You must be the new guy."

"I'm Luka," he added, tossing a grape into his mouth without breaking eye contact.

"Nicolas," the other said, more reserved but curious. "You're Keifer, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

Jacob leaned back in his chair. "These two are chaos incarnate, but they're alright."

Luka smirked. "Coming from you, that's basically a love letter."

Nicolas chuckled. "So, Watson, huh? Didn't expect that."

I just smiled and took a bite of my sandwich.

We went back to class.

The rest of the period passed in a blur—notes, slides, half-listened instructions. Nothing stuck.

Jacob scribbled something that looked like a doodle of a businessman with laser eyes.

I didn't ask.

My mind kept drifting—to Jay, to the cafeteria, to the way everyone looked when they heard "Watson." It was quiet, but not empty.

And just like that, the bell rang.

I said goodbye to Jacob, Nicolas, and Luka.

Then I headed to the spot Jay and I agreed on this morning.

I waited exactly five minutes.

She arrived, slightly breathless, her hair catching the light.

"Was I late?" she asked.

"For you, I'll wait forever," I said without hesitation.

She narrowed her eyes. "Keifer."

"Jay," I replied, matching her tone.

She rolled her eyes, but I caught the smile tugging at her lips.

"Let's go home," she said.

We walked to the car, side by side.

No rush. No noise. Just us.

"So, how was your first day?" I asked as we settled into the car.

"Not bad," she said, buckling her seatbelt. "How was yours?"

"Crazy story," I said, glancing at her. "You know the Williams family, right?"

She nodded. "Of course. Business royalty."

"Well... the heir was in my class. Jacob. And somehow, we became friends."

Jay blinked. "Seriously?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Just clicked, I guess."

She smiled. "That's really crazy."

"Crazy good," I said.

She reached over and squeezed my hand. "I'm glad you're finding your people."

The ride home was quick. We got out of the car and stepped into the house.

There they were—Kerian and Keigan. Chaos incarnate.

"Kuya!" Kerian shouted, running toward me.

I braced for a hug. But he swerved. Straight into Jay's arms.

"Ate! I missed you!" he said, clinging to her like she'd been gone for years.

Keigan grinned. "Welcome back, Ate. How's college?"

"Great," Jay said, laughing. "How was yours?"

They launched into conversation like they'd known each other forever.

Inside jokes.

Teasing.

Smiles.

I just stood there, watching.

It was wild. I thought Kerian and Keigan might take time to warm up to her.

But no.

In less time than I expected, they were already hers.