No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 8- Diversion

Hiding us from prying eyes.

Interesting.

I leaned against the desk, arms crossed, a smirk curling at my lips. "Wow," I drawled, tilting my head. "Sinara mo pa talaga 'yung curtains, Ms. Navarro. May binabalak kang masama?"

Aiah turned slowly, her eyes dark, unreadable.

"Sit."

I raised a brow. "And if I don't?"

She stepped closer, her presence towering even without trying. "You will."

Tension crackled in the air between us.

I held her gaze for a moment, then-with a slow, exaggerated sigh-I sank into the chair across from her desk, stretching out my legs lazily.

"Happy?" I taunted.

Aiah ignored me. She walked around her desk, taking her seat, fingers intertwining as she studied me.

I could see the irritation in her posture, the barely restrained frustration in the way her nails tapped against the polished surface.

I smirked wider. This is fun.

"So," I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. "Ano 'to? Interrogation?"

Aiah's expression remained cold. "What exactly do you think you're doing, Mikha?"

I blinked innocently. "Working. Like a good employee."

Her jaw tensed.

I could tell she was holding something back.

I grinned, leaning in just a fraction more. "Or are you asking about something else, hmm?"

Aiah's eyes narrowed. "Don't test me."

The warning was clear.

But instead of backing down, I chuckled, shaking my head. "You know, Aiah... if you wanted my attention, you didn't have to send Ian away. I'm very approachable."

The muscle in her jaw twitched.

Gotcha.

I tapped a finger against my chin, pretending to think. "Or... maybe you didn't like seeing me so close to him?"

Aiah didn't move, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop.

"Don't flatter yourself." Her voice was cool, detached. "I don't have time for your childish games."

Childish, huh?

I slowly stood, leaning forward to rest my hands flat on her desk, meeting her gaze head-on.

"So, what do you have time for, Ms. Navarro?" I murmured, lowering my voice just enough.

A flicker of something crossed her face-annoyance? Frustration?

Or something else?

For a split second, neither of us moved.

Then, Aiah exhaled sharply, shaking her head.

"This conversation is over."

I bit back a laugh. Aww, did I get under her skin?

She reached for a folder, flipping it open like I wasn't even there.

I took that as my cue to leave.