No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 3- Still in love

I scoffed. Of course. Her credentials were impressive. Too impressive for a mere secretary role. So why apply here? Under me?

My fingers drummed against my desk. Was she testing me? Trying to prove something? Or was this some kind of sick joke?

The thought made my jaw clench.

I had buried her years ago. Locked her away in a place where she couldn't touch me anymore.

And now, she was forcing her way back in.

A sharp knock at my door snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Ano?" My voice came out sharper than I intended.

The door creaked open, and Stacey stepped inside, arms crossed.

"Damn, CEO mode na agad?" she teased. "Mukhang may bumabagabag sa'yo."

I exhaled through my nose. "I'm busy, Stacey."

She raised an eyebrow, then her gaze dropped to the folder on my desk. "Wait. Is that the applicants list?"

Before I could stop her, she strode forward, plucking the folder off my desk like she owned the place.

"Stacey, don't-"

Her eyes scanned the names. Then she froze.

A slow smirk curled her lips. "Oh. Oh. You have got to be kidding me."

I glared. "Stacey-"

"Mikha?!" She practically shouted the name like it was the juiciest gossip of the century.

I shut my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Lower your voice."

She plopped into the chair across from me, grinning like the devil herself. "Aiah, what the actual hell? Ex mo 'to, 'di ba?"

"Obviously."

"And she's applying to be your secretary?" Stacey let out a low whistle. "Either gutsy siya... o may balak siyang sirain ang buhay mo."

I shot her a look. "Thanks for the insight."

"So? Ano gagawin mo?"

I leaned back, folding my arms. "Reject her."

Stacey hummed, watching me closely. "You sure?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Why wouldn't I be?"

She shrugged, a knowing smirk on her face. "Eh kasi, kung talagang gusto mo siyang i-reject... bakit hindi mo pa ginagawa?"

My fingers tensed.

I had no answer.

And Stacey-**annoying, perceptive Stacey-**knew it.

Stacey leaned forward, resting her elbows on my desk, her smirk only growing wider.

"Aiah, let's be real here. If naka-move on ka na talaga, you wouldn't hesitate to accept her."

I shot her a glare. "Anong point mo?"

She shrugged, flipping through Mikha's file again. "Look, she has the best credentials out of everyone here. Smart, experienced, and-" she smirked, "-you know for a fact na kaya niyang sabayan ang work ethic mo. Swak na swak siya sa secretary na hinahanap mo."

I clenched my jaw, refusing to let her words get to me. "That doesn't mean I have to hire her."

"But it also means you don't have a valid reason to reject her," she countered smoothly. "If she were just any other applicant, you'd give her a shot. But dahil ex mo siya, biglang may issue? Sounds like someone's still affected."