No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 15- A mistake

I raised an eyebrow. "So, this is about business?"

"Of course, it is."

I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. "Right. Because Aiah Navarro, the great CEO, would never care about something as personal as this."

Her expression didn't change, but her grip on the desk tightened.

For a brief second, neither of us spoke. The tension in the room thickened, the air between us charged with something unspoken.

Then, I took a step back, flashing her an easy smile. "Don't worry, boss. I'll make sure to behave next time."

I turned on my heel, reaching for the door handle.

But before I could step out, Aiah's voice stopped me.

"Mikha."

I glanced over my shoulder.

Her eyes burned into mine, her next words coming out softer-but more dangerous.

"Don't play games with me."

I paused, gripping the door handle. A smirk still played on my lips, but it didn't quite reach my eyes this time.

"I don't want to play games with you anymore, Aiah," I said, my voice quieter but firm.

Aiah didn't move, but I caught the slight shift in her expression-like she wasn't expecting that. Like, for once, I had managed to catch her off guard.

I didn't wait for her to respond. I turned the knob and walked out, closing the door behind me without another word.

But even as I settled back at my desk, trying to focus on work, I could still feel the weight of her stare.

Hindi pa man lumilipas ang isang minuto mula nang bumalik ako sa desk ko, biglang sumulpot si Stacey, nakapamewang at may matalim na ngiti sa labi.

"Wow, Mikha," she said, amusement lacing her voice. "Mukhang masyado kang nag-enjoy kagabi."

I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Tangina naman, Stacey."

She snickered and leaned against my desk. "Ano ba kasi, girl? Ang wild mo kagabi, ha! At may video pa!"

Napamura ako sa sarili ko. "Putangina. Ang plano ko lang naman ay mag-enjoy, hindi mastress pagkatapos mag-enjoy!"

Stacey raised an eyebrow, obviously entertained. "Well, congrats! Kasi ngayon, stress na stress ka na."

Napatingin ako kay Aiah, subconsciously searching for any reaction. Pero wala. She just sat there, serious as ever, scrolling through her phone like nothing happened.

My jaw tightened.

I didn't know what annoyed me more-the fact that I got caught in a stupid situation, or the fact that Aiah wasn't reacting at all.

Napapikit ako, pilit pinapakalma ang sarili ko, pero wala-mas lalo lang akong nainis.

"Stupid. Stupid. Stupid." Paulit-ulit kong sinasabi sa isip ko, kasabay ng bigat na bumagsak sa dibdib ko.

Hindi ko alam kung saan ako mas naiinis-sa sarili ko dahil pinatulan ko ang kagabi, o sa katotohanang parang wala lang kay Aiah ang lahat.