No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 18- Mess

MIKHA'S POV

The morning sun filtered through the café windows, casting a soft glow on our table. Gwen, Colet, and I sat there, sipping our drinks, though I couldn't shake the feeling that my friends were waiting for me to crack.

Gwen grinned at me over her cup of coffee. "So, Mikha, still not going to talk about last night?"

I shot her a quick glance, a bit of annoyance creeping into my voice. "There's nothing to talk about."

Colet raised an eyebrow, teasing. "You're not fooling anyone. You were so out of it last night. What's going on with Aiah?"

I sighed, resting my chin on my hand. "It's complicated."

Gwen leaned forward, her eyes gleaming. "That's the understatement of the year. You left the party without a word, Mikha. What's going on with you two?"

I hesitated, then shrugged. "I just need space, okay? I can't keep doing this... this back and forth."

Colet smirked. "Aiah still has you wrapped around her finger, huh?"

I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my frustration. "Let's just eat, okay?"

Gwen chuckled, clearly enjoying teasing me. "Alright, alright. But we're not done with this conversation, Mikha."

I sighed again, realizing that my friends weren't going to let this go anytime soon.

When I got back to the office, the first thing I saw was Aiah, deep in conversation with someone inside her office. But what really set me off was seeing who it was-Zara. Zara, again. Why couldn't she stay away from Aiah?

It was like a constant reminder of how things had shifted. I used to be the one by Aiah's side, the one she'd talk to and confide in. But now it felt like Zara had taken that place. The more I saw them together, the more frustrated I became. Why was she always around? Why couldn't Aiah distance herself from her?

I stood there for a moment, just watching them. The sight was like a punch to my gut. I hated that it bothered me so much, but I couldn't help it. Every time I saw them together, it felt like I was losing her all over again. And I didn't know how to stop it.

I was lost in my thoughts when I heard my name being called. "Mikha!" Aiah's voice came through the office door, sharp and clear.

I blinked, snapping out of my trance. For a moment, I hesitated. Part of me wanted to just ignore her call, stay away from that tension, but I couldn't. I was her secretary, after all.

With a deep breath, I walked toward her office. As I approached, I saw Zara glance at me before exiting, offering a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. I kept my face neutral, even though my insides were churning.

Aiah's eyes flicked up from her desk when I entered. She looked at me for a second, her gaze unreadable. "Come in, Mikha. I need to discuss something with you."

I nodded, stepping inside, keeping my posture professional, though I couldn't shake the feeling that everything between us had become more complicated.

"Close the door," she added, her tone serious.

I obeyed, feeling the tension in the air thickening as I sat down across from her.

As I sat down, I watched Aiah move toward the windows. Without a word, she pulled the curtains shut, plunging the room into a more intimate, almost suffocating, darkness. My brow furrowed in confusion.