No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 3- Still in love

I stared at the name, my grip on the paper tightening. Mikha Dela Cruz.

The letters blurred for a second before snapping back into focus, mocking me.

Of all the names. Of all the possible applicants. Bakit siya?

My fingers curled around the edge of the folder, knuckles turning white. A rush of emotions-anger, confusion, something else I didn't want to name-simmered beneath my skin.

What the hell was she thinking?

I leaned back in my chair, inhaling deeply. Calm down, Aiah. There had to be an explanation. Maybe it was a coincidence. Maybe she just needed a job, and this was one of the many companies she applied to.

Or maybe-this wasn't a coincidence at all.

A sharp knock on the door broke my thoughts.

"Aiah?"

Maloi's voice. I closed my eyes briefly before schooling my expression back to its usual unreadable state.

"Pasok," I said, my voice steady.

Maloi stepped in, still holding her clipboard. "Nakalimutan kong sabihin, gusto mo bang mag-set ng interview for the shortlisted applicants? We can schedule it this week-"

"No."

She blinked. "No?"

I exhaled through my nose, carefully setting the folder down. "Just give me some time to go through the list first."

Maloi raised an eyebrow, her gaze flickering to the folder in front of me. She wasn't stupid-she probably noticed my sudden shift in mood.

"Okay... sure. Pero Aiah, may problema ba?"

I forced a smirk. "Why would there be?"

She studied me for a second before sighing. "Never mind. Basta, update me once you're ready."

I nodded, and she left, closing the door behind her.

The moment I was alone again, I turned back to the folder, staring at the name like it was a ticking bomb.

Mikha Dela Cruz.

After all these years.

After everything.

She was back.

And now, she was applying to work under me.

I leaned back in my chair, my fingers pressing against my temples. What the hell was she playing at?

My mind raced with a thousand questions, but one thing was clear-this wasn't an accident.

Mikha never did anything without a reason. She was calculated, too damn smart for her own good. If she wanted something, she found a way to get it. And now, she was trying to place herself right back into my life.

I should reject her application. Right here, right now.

It would be easy. I could send an email to HR, cross her name off the list, and move on. No confrontations. No reopening old wounds.

And yet-I didn't.

Instead, I found myself flipping through her file.

Mikha Dela Cruz. 27 years old. Bachelor's in Business Administration, UP Diliman. Former executive assistant at-