Her Unwanted Marriage | MikhAiah

Chapter 10

MIKHAEL'S POV

Nasa malaking conference room kami ngayon ng Lim Prestige Empire. Tahimik akong nakikinig habang ipinaliwanag ni Johann ang bagong business proposal na gusto nilang i-offer sa kumpanya ko. Ang iba't ibang board members ay abala sa pagbabahagi ng kanilang opinyon, pero ako—ako ay tahimik, malamig, at nakikinig lamang.

Then, my eyes shifted to Gideon Apuli, one of Johann's newest business partners. Matagal na rin mula nang huli ko siyang makita. High school pa yata ang huli naming pagkikita. Isa siya sa mga dati kong kaibigan, pero hindi ko kailanman inasahan na muli kaming magtatagpo—at lalo na sa ganitong sitwasyon.

"Miss. Lim, what do you think?" tanong ni Johann, pilit na hinahabol ang atensyon ko.

I glanced at her, maintaining my stoic expression. "It's an interesting proposal," sagot ko, malamig. "But I'd like to hear more details before making any commitments."

Napatingin si Gideon sa akin, bahagyang ngumiti na parang sinasabi niyang alam niya ang laro ko. She leaned back in her chair, her gaze unwavering. "Still sharp as ever, Mikhael," ani Gideon. "I remember back in high school, ikaw na talaga ang laging maingat sa mga desisyon mo."

Napataas ang kilay ko at saglit na ibinaling ang tingin sa kanya. "And you're still the same—always diving headfirst into things," sagot ko, diretso, pero may halong lamig.

Nagpalitan kami ng tingin na tila may hindi nasasabing tensyon. I knew Johann could feel it too, pero pinilit niyang gawing normal ang atmosphere.

"Actually, Gideon is one of the reasons why this proposal came together," paliwanag ni Johann, sinusubukang gawing mas pormal ang usapan. "Her expertise in entertainment and talent management has opened doors for partnerships that weren't possible before."

Napangisi ako, pero hindi iyon dahil impressed ako. It was more of a silent challenge. "Impressive," sabi ko, kahit pa halata sa tono ko na hindi ako gaanong interesado.

"I hope this means you're considering our offer, Mikhael," Gideon chimed in, her tone firm but not overly aggressive.

I gave her a curt nod. "We'll see. I'll need to review everything before giving my decision. I don't make decisions based on nostalgia or old friendships, Gideon."

Ngumiti siya, pero may halong mapanuksong expression. "Neither do I."

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang balak niya, pero malinaw na hindi pa kami tapos. High school may have been a long time ago, pero sa tingin ko, marami pa kaming hindi naaayos—at mukhang may mas mabigat pang dahilan kung bakit siya bumalik.

Matapos ang meeting, halos walang makitang kibo mula sa lahat ng board members. Isa-isa silang nagsialisan, at naiwan kami tatlo—ako, si Johann, at si Gideon. Tahimik ang paligid. I glanced around, trying to avoid looking at either of them for too long. Hindi ko kayang magpakita ng kahit anong emosyon habang andiyan sila.

Habang ako ay naglalakad papalapit sa pinto, naramdaman kong may mabigat na presensya sa likod ko. I couldn't quite place it, but I knew they were both watching me. I didn't care.

I stopped before I reached the door, my back still facing them. With a calm, deliberate tone, I spoke.

"Tell your fucking cousin of yours... leave my wife fucking alone." I barely raised my voice, but it was enough to cut through the tension that lingered. "Kaya kong alagaan mag-isa ang asawa ko, hindi ko kailangan ng alalay."

There was a beat of silence, and when I turned to face them, Gideon was looking at me, her expression a mixture of curiosity and amusement. Her eyes lingered on me for a moment before she responded, her tone dangerously calm.