No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 4- Crossing of paths

It made me wonder… was this the same woman I once loved?

The same woman who used to sneak out of class with me just to grab isaw near UP Diliman?

The same woman who once whispered I love you against my lips as if she meant it?

I exhaled sharply, shutting my laptop. Enough.

Tomorrow, I wasn’t walking into Navarro Enterprises as her ex. I was walking in as Mikha Dela Cruz, the best damn secretary candidate they’ll ever interview.

And if Aiah thinks she can intimidate me?

She’s in for a surprise.

The alarm blared, pulling me out of my sleep. I reached for my phone, silencing it with a lazy swipe before lying there for a moment, staring at the ceiling.

Today was the day.

The first time I’d see Aiah Navarro since I walked out of her life.

A slow smirk curled on my lips as I pushed myself up. If I was going to face her, I sure as hell wasn’t going to look like some ordinary job applicant. No—I was going to make sure she remembered exactly what she lost.

I headed straight for the bathroom, turning on the shower. Habang bumabagsak ang malamig na tubig sa balat ko, I closed my eyes, letting the past rush in for just a second.

Aiah loved morning showers. She’d always pull me in, saying, "Para tipid sa tubig," but we both knew it was just an excuse to stay wrapped up in each other for a little longer.

I scoffed, shaking my head. That was before. Matagal na ‘yon, Mikha.

After freshening up, I walked to my closet, scanning my options. Should I go for intimidating and corporate? Or dangerously irresistible?

I settled on something in between. A crisp white blouse—fitted enough to show off my figure but still professional. I paired it with high-waisted black slacks that made my legs look longer and heels that gave me just the right amount of height.

My hair? Sleek, straight, and parted slightly to the side. The way Aiah used to like it.

Makeup? Minimal, yet sharp—soft matte lips, a hint of blush, and just enough eyeliner to make my eyes captivating.

And the final touch—my signature vanilla-musk perfume. Subtle, pero siguradong mapapansin.

I gave myself one last look in the mirror, tilting my head as I smirked.

"Mikha Dela Cruz, you’re a goddamn masterpiece."

Today, I wasn’t just walking into Navarro Enterprises as another applicant.

I was walking in as her ex—the woman she once loved, the woman she lost, and the woman she was about to see again.

And whether Aiah was ready or not…

That was her problem, not mine.

I grabbed my bag and keys, giving myself one last glance in the mirror before stepping out of my apartment. The sun was barely up, the Manila streets still shaking off the remnants of night. But my mind was already racing.

Today wasn’t just any ordinary day.

I was going to see Aiah Navarro again.

I slid into the backseat of a Grab car, leaning back as the driver pulled away from my building. Sa loob ng sasakyan, I absentmindedly scrolled through my phone, but my mind kept wandering.