No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 15- A mistake

I took a deep breath and kept walking.

When I reached the office, the first thing I saw was Aiah. She was sitting at her desk, her expression unreadable as she focused on her laptop. Not even a glance in my direction. No reaction at all.

I swallowed hard, ignoring the weird feeling in my chest. I walked to my desk, sat down, and turned on my computer, pretending to be fully focused on work.

But no matter how hard I tried, one thought kept repeating in my head-What does Aiah know? Did she hear the whispers too? And worst of all... is there really a video?

I barely had time to process my thoughts when my phone rang. I glanced at the caller ID-Aiah.

Napalunok ako. My fingers hovered over the answer button, hesitation creeping in. But I couldn't avoid her, not when she was my boss.

Taking a deep breath, I pressed the answer button. "Yes, Miss Navarro?" My voice came out steadier than I expected.

"Come to my office."

That was all she said before the line went dead.

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stand despite the dull ache in my head. My body still felt sluggish, remnants of last night's chaos weighing me down.

As I walked toward her office, the whispers around me didn't stop. Some people glanced at me with knowing smirks, others with judgmental eyes. I kept my head high, pretending I didn't hear a thing.

When I reached her door, I knocked once before stepping inside. Aiah was sitting behind her desk, her fingers interlocked as she stared at me with a look I couldn't quite decipher.

I swallowed hard. "You called for me?"

Aiah leaned back in her chair, eyes never leaving mine. "Close the door, Mikha."

My pulse quickened. I did as she asked, the soft click of the door sounding way louder in the silence of the room.

Then, Aiah finally spoke again-her voice calm, but sharp enough to cut through me.

"Do you have any idea what people are saying about you?"

I smirked, leaning against the doorframe with my arms crossed. "Let me guess," I said, tilting my head slightly. "They're talking about how much fun I had last night?"

Aiah's jaw tightened. Her fingers drummed against the desk, slow and deliberate. "So, you do know," she said coolly.

I shrugged. "Of course. People love to talk. Let them."

Her eyes darkened. "And you're fine with that? With people looking at you like..." She trailed off, exhaling sharply through her nose.

"Like what, Aiah?" I challenged, stepping closer. "Like someone who actually enjoys her life? Someone who doesn't care what other people think?"

Aiah's lips pressed into a thin line. She was trying so hard to keep her composure, but I could see it-the irritation, the frustration, the something else brewing beneath the surface.

I smirked again. "Why does it bother you so much?"

Aiah stood up, placing her hands flat on the desk. "Because you work for me, Mikha," she said, voice low and firm. "And whether you like it or not, your reputation reflects on this company. On me."