No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 21- Enjoying the moment

And there she was-Mikha, completely focused on her laptop. Oblivious to the fact that four lunatics were celebrating my decision just a few feet away.

I stared at her for a moment, watching the way she absentmindedly tucked her hair behind her ear, the little furrow of her brows when she was concentrating.

She was still the same Mikha. The girl I fell for.

And I was going to make sure she fell for me again.

Sheena suddenly gasped, dramatically grabbing Stacey's arm. "WAIT. Baka makita niya tayo!"

Stacey smirked. "And so what? Hindi naman niya maririnig na pinag-uusapan natin siya."

"Yeah, but look at Aiah! Para kang stalker dyan, girl," Gwen teased, nudging me playfully. "You're literally staring at her like she's the only person in the room."

I rolled my eyes. "Damn it, can you all chill?"

Jho chuckled, crossing her arms. "Sinasabi lang namin, Aiah. You're not exactly subtle."

I sighed, finally looking away from Mikha. "I don't care. Hindi ko na itatago 'to. Matagal kong inisip kung dapat pa akong lumaban, and now that I know what I want, I'm going all in."

Sheena grinned. "Damn, CEO Aiah in love hits different."

Stacey laughed. "This is gonna be fun to watch."

Gwen nodded. "Better prepare yourself, Aiah. Mikha isn't the same girl from before. You'll have to fight hard for her."

I smirked, glancing at Mikha one last time. "I know. And I wouldn't want it any other way."

"Okay, tapos na ang chismisan. Labas," I said, waving them off as I sat at my desk. "May gagawin pa ako."

"KJ!" Sheena pouted but still stood up.

"Fine, fine, aalis na kami," Stacey said, raising her hands in surrender. "Pero Aiah, we expect updates, ha?"

Gwen smirked. "Yeah, don't you dare ghost us."

Jho just shook her head, smiling. "Good luck, Aiah. You'll need it."

I sighed, rolling my eyes playfully. "Just go."

One by one, they left, still giggling and teasing me on their way out. The moment the door shut, I finally exhaled, leaning back in my chair.

I glanced at my phone. My fingers hovered over Mikha's name, debating whether to text her or not. But then, I smirked.

No. I'll do this properly.

If I'm courting her again, I'll make sure she won't have any doubts.

I stood up, adjusting my blazer before making my way to Mikha's desk. My heartbeat was steady, but there was a strange nervous energy bubbling inside me. This was just lunch, right? Then why did it feel like such a big deal?

Mikha was busy typing on her laptop, brows slightly furrowed in concentration. I leaned on the edge of her desk, crossing my arms. "Mikha."

She looked up, startled for a moment before her expression shifted into something unreadable. "Yes, Ma'am?" she teased, but there was a glint of curiosity in her eyes.

I rolled my eyes at the unnecessary formality. "Lunch. Let's go."

She blinked. "Huh? Bakit?"

I smirked. "Kailangan ba ng dahilan para kumain?"

She narrowed her eyes slightly, as if trying to figure out my angle. "So... libre mo?"

I chuckled. "Obviously."

Mikha pursed her lips, tapping her fingers on the desk. "Saan?"

"Secret," I said, straightening up. "You'll find out when we get there."

For a moment, she hesitated, and I braced myself for a rejection. But then, she sighed dramatically. "Fine. Pero I swear, Aiah, kung sobrang fancy niyan-"

"Just come with me, Mikha."

She studied me for a second longer before finally nodding. "Okay. Let me grab my bag."

I turned around, catching the way Sheena, Stacey, and Gwen were obviously eavesdropping from their desks, their expressions filled with amusement. Sheena even gave me a thumbs-up.

I ignored them.

Because right now, this wasn't about them.

This was about me and Mikha. And if I was going to win her back, I had to take every chance I could get.

As we stepped into the elevator, Mikha glanced at me, arms crossed. "Saan nga tayo kakain?"

I smirked, shoving my hands into my pockets. "Sa kinakainan natin noon. Malapit sa UP."

Mikha froze for a second before her expression softened. "Wait... doon sa may maliit na café?"

I raised a brow, watching her reaction. "Ah, so naaalala mo pa pala?"

A small smile tugged at her lips, her eyes flickering with nostalgia. "Of course, I do. We used to go there after work. You always ordered the same thing-iced Americano and their signature pasta."

Napangiti ako. "And you always complained na bakit wala silang sweet coffee, tapos every time, nag-aaway tayo sa menu choices."

She let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Because I like caramel macchiatos! That place never had it."

"And yet, you still went with me every single time." I leaned slightly closer, lowering my voice. "Bakit nga ulit?"

Mikha cleared her throat, looking away as if pretending not to hear me. "Let's just go, Aiah."

I chuckled, taking that as a win. Maybe-just maybe-this lunch wouldn't just be about food. Maybe it would remind her of us.