No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 31- I love you

I opened my eyes, my gaze softening as I looked at her.

If only I could believe those words completely.

I leaned into her embrace, letting myself find comfort in her warmth, but my mind was still restless.

"Thank you," I whispered, though deep inside, doubts still lingered.

Aiah gently turned me to face her, cupping my cheeks with both hands. "Love, you've been so tense the whole day. Talk to me," she urged, her eyes searching mine.

I hesitated, debating whether to tell her what was really on my mind.

Those men. My apartment. The threats.

"Aiah..." I swallowed hard. "What if... something bad happens again?"

She tightened her hold on me. "It won't."

"But what if it does?" My voice cracked slightly. "What if they come back? What if-"

Aiah placed a finger on my lips. "Then I'll protect you," she said firmly. "No one's going to touch you. Not while I'm here."

Her confidence was reassuring, but it didn't erase the unease gnawing at me. I wanted to believe her, but something told me that this wasn't over.

Aiah sighed and took my hand, placing it over her chest. "Feel that?" she asked.

I nodded. Her heartbeat was steady, strong.

"It beats for you, Mikha," she murmured. "And as long as I'm breathing, I'll never let anyone hurt you."

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them away. "Aiah..."

"Shh." She pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. "Come on, love. Let's eat before your food gets cold."

I let out a small laugh despite myself. "Ikaw talaga..."

She grinned, guiding me back inside. But even as we sat down to eat, the uneasy feeling in my chest remained.

Because I knew-this wasn't the end of it.

I reached for Aiah's hand, gripping it tightly as if letting go meant losing her forever. My fingers trembled slightly, but I held on, not wanting to show how scared I really was.

"Love," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. "Don't leave me."

Aiah's eyes softened as she squeezed my hand back. "Mikha..."

I shook my head. "Please, Aiah. I don't think I can handle it if you walk away."

She looked at me, guilt flashing in her eyes, but I continued.

"You're the only one I have," I confessed, my voice cracking. "Ever since my parents died, I learned how to survive on my own. I learned how to be strong because no one else was going to fight for me. But then you came into my life, and for the first time, I didn't have to fight alone. For the first time, I let someone in. I let you in."

Tears pricked my eyes, but I forced them back.

"But now... I feel like I'm losing you." I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "And I don't know if I can take it, Aiah. I don't know if I can go through that kind of pain again."

Aiah's grip on my hand tightened as she pulled me closer. "Mikha, listen to me," she said, her voice shaking. "I would never leave you. Never."

"Then promise me," I whispered. "Promise me that no matter what happens, no matter what anyone says, you'll stay. That you won't shut me out. That you won't let me fight this alone."