No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 20- finally home

Yes, Drew was just a friend. But why did Aiah care so much?

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.

"Yes, Aiah," I said, meeting her gaze. "Drew is just a friend. He confessed to me last night, but I didn't give him any answer because I don't feel the same way."

Aiah's expression remained unreadable, but her fingers slightly tensed on the desk.

"Then why were you running after him?" she pressed.

Napakurap ako. "Huh?"

She leaned back against her chair, arms crossed. "I saw you, Mikha. You ran after him. You handed him something. You talked."

Napahinga ako nang malalim. "He left a paper bag sa sofa ko. That's it. Hinabol ko lang siya para ibigay 'yon. After that, umalis na siya. Wala nang iba."

Aiah was silent for a moment, her sharp eyes studying my face, searching for any sign of a lie.

"So, you're not interested in him?"

I frowned. "Of course not. Kung gusto ko siya, siguro matagal ko nang sinagot, 'di ba?"

Aiah let out a quiet scoff and looked away. "Good."

My brows furrowed. "Good? Ano 'yun, interrogation?"

Her jaw clenched. "Wala lang. Just making sure."

"Making sure of what?" I challenged.

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Nothing. You can go now."

"Aiah-"

"I said you can go, Mikha."

Napatingin lang ako sa kanya, naghihintay na may sabihin pa siya-kahit ano. But she just looked down at her laptop, effectively shutting me out.

Kahit masakit, tumayo na lang ako at lumabas ng office niya.

Bakit pa rin siya ganito? At bakit kahit anong gawin ko, siya pa rin ang gusto kong intindihin?

Pagkaupo ko sa desk ko, hindi pa man lumilipas ang ilang minuto, biglang sumulpot si Stacey sa tabi ko, may dala pang kape at may malisyosong ngiti sa labi.

"Uy, Mikha," bungad niya, habang pabagsak na naupo sa upuan sa harap ko. "Anong nangyari sa inyo ni Miss CEO?"

Napairap ako. "Stacey, hindi ko trip ngayon ang asar mo."

She gasped dramatically. "Uy, defensive? Hindi pa kita inaasar nang todo ah!"

Sinandal niya ang siko niya sa desk ko at sumandal palapit. "Pero seryoso, ano 'yang chika? Bakit parang nag-usap kayo ni Aiah nang seryoso? Nagkabati na kayo o nagkadevelopan na ulit?"

I groaned and covered my face. "For the last time, wala!"

Napataas ang kilay niya. "Hmm. Wala nga ba? O wala ka lang lakas ng loob na aminin?"

"Stacey, please," I sighed. "Nag-usap lang kami. Tinanong niya ako tungkol kay Drew."

Mabilis na kumislap ang mata niya. "At bakit siya interesado kay Drew?"

I bit my lip. "I don't know. Maybe she thought something was going on, pero I told her wala namang ganon."

She smirked. "So selos."