No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 16- In denial

AIAH'S POV

I watched her walk away, her back stiff, her fists clenched at her sides. Every step she took felt like a slap to my face, a reminder that I had let things go too far.

I should've just stayed in my office. I should've ignored the way my chest tightened when I saw her storming out, eyes red, lips trembling. But I didn't.

And now? Now she was acting like I was the villain.

I scoffed, running a hand through my hair. Tangina naman, Aiah.

Why did I even follow her? Why did I even ask?

"You said it yourself. Hindi mo dapat pinapakialaman kung sino gusto kong kant-"

I clenched my jaw at the memory. Hearing those words from her, the bitterness in her tone, the way she threw them back at me like a dagger-it stung more than I was willing to admit.

Because the truth was, I did care.

More than I should.

More than I wanted to.

Putangina.

I exhaled sharply, turning back toward my office.

If Mikha wanted to pretend this meant nothing, then fine.

Dalawa kaming magaling diyan.

As I turned to leave, the door to the office suddenly swung open.

"Aiah!"

A familiar voice broke through the tension, and I immediately recognized it before even looking up.

Jhoanna.

Dressed sharply in a fitted blazer and pencil skirt, her usual confident smirk in place, she strode inside like she owned the place. Jhoanna-one of the best corporate lawyers in the country and, more importantly, my best friend.

"Ano na? Bakit parang ang bigat ng aura mo?" she teased, raising an eyebrow as she took a seat across from my desk without waiting for an invitation.

I sighed, leaning back in my chair. "Not now, Jho."

"Wow. Ganyan ba talaga pag big-time CEO na?" she joked. "Dati kahit nasa courtroom ako, may time ka makipagchikahan. Ngayon, cold ka na?"

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the slight twitch of my lips. Jhoanna always knew how to break the ice.

"Akala ko ba, bibisita ka next week pa?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Well, surprise!" She grinned. "Namiss ko kayo ni Mikha. Akala ko ba, siya yung secretary mo? Nasaan na yun?"

At the mention of Mikha's name, my expression hardened again. I looked away, pretending to check my phone, but Jhoanna wasn't stupid. She caught the shift immediately.

She narrowed her eyes. "Okay. Anong nangyari?"

I sighed, massaging my temples. "It's complicated, Jho."

Jhoanna clicked her tongue. "Complicated? Or ikaw lang ang nagpapakakomplikado?"

I shot her a glare, but she just smirked knowingly.

"Ano, Aiah? Spill na," she pressed. "And don't even try to lie to me. Alam mong hindi ako papayag na hindi ko malaman."

Jhoanna stood abruptly, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she smirked at me. "Since ayaw mo magspill, I'll go straight to the source."