No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 14- Move of vengeance

MIKHA'S POV

I sat in the conference room, staring blankly at the presentation on the screen. The words and numbers blurred together, my mind refusing to focus.

Damn it.

I clenched my jaw, gripping my pen tighter than necessary. My eyes flickered to Aiah, who sat at the head of the table, listening intently as one of the department heads spoke. She looked completely composed-calm, professional, like she wasn't just teasing the hell out of me ten minutes ago.

Like she didn't spend last night with Zara.

My grip on the pen tightened even more.

I shouldn't care. I don't care. Kung gusto niyang magpakasaya kay Zara, ano bang pakialam ko?

But the image wouldn't leave my head-Aiah, smirking, her lips slightly swollen from a kiss that wasn't mine. The way she casually admitted to enjoying whatever that was. The way she leaned in too close, like she wanted to see me react.

And worse? I did react.

I exhaled sharply, shifting in my seat.

"Tuloy natin 'yan sa next quarter," someone said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I blinked, realizing everyone was looking at me.

Shit. I was supposed to be taking notes.

"Noted," I said quickly, pretending to type something on my tablet.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Aiah smirking. She knew I was distracted.

And that pissed me off even more.

Pagkatapos ng meeting, mabilis akong lumabas ng conference room, pilit na binabalewala ang inis na kanina pa bumabagabag sa akin. Pero bago pa ako makalayo, biglang sumulpot si Sheena sa tabi ko, may malisyosong ngiti sa labi.

"Uy, Mikha," she singsonged, sabay siko sa tagiliran ko. "Parang ang lalim ng iniisip mo ah. Affected?"

Tumaas ang kilay ko, pilit na nagkunwaring wala akong alam sa sinasabi niya. "Affected saan?"

Sheena grinned, crossing her arms. "Come on, Mikha. Wag mo akong lokohin. Kanina ka pa di mapakali sa meeting. Tapos yung mga tingin mo kay Aiah? Halatang may something."

I rolled my eyes. "Wala akong iniisip, okay? Busy lang ako."

"Busy?" Sheena snorted. "O naiirita kasi mukhang masaya si Aiah sa ginawa nila ni Zara kagabi?"

Napahinto ako sa paglalakad, kasabay ng pagbilis ng tibok ng puso ko. Lalo lang lumawak ang ngiti ni Sheena nang makita niyang napatigil ako.

"Tsk, tsk," she teased, shaking her head. "In fairness, Mikha, hindi ka pala marunong magtago ng selos."

"Hindi ako nagseselos," I snapped, crossing my arms defensively.

"Really?" Sheena smirked. "So kung sabihin ko kay Aiah na mukhang bitter ka, okay lang?"

"Gawin mo, Sheena, at isusumbong kita kay Stacey," I threatened.

Tumawa lang siya. "Okay, okay! Pero seriously, Mikha... aminin mo na. Hindi ka comfortable sa idea na may nangyari kay Aiah at Zara."

Hindi ako sumagot. Tumalikod na lang ako at naglakad palayo, pero narinig ko pa rin ang huling sinabi ni Sheena, puno ng panunukso-

"Kung gusto mong maagaw si Aiah, Mikha... baka dapat may gawin ka na."

Imbes na sagutin ang huling sinabi ni Sheena, mas pinili kong umiling at magpatuloy sa paglalakad. Pero syempre, hindi siya titigil sa pang-aasar.

"Kain tayo," biglang sabi niya, sabay hakbang palapit sa akin. "Doon sa malapit sa Ateneo. Maraming food spots doon, baka gumaan yang bigat ng dibdib mo."