Chapter 20

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Guys if mababasa niyo yung last chapter bago to may iniba akong scene. I can’t take it na maging malaking Red flag si Mikha. Sorry for the confusion… 🙏🙏🙏

……

Mikha’s POV

Pagkatapos naming kumain, Aiah remained silent. She was just staring at her empty plate na para bang she’s having a realization,lost in her own world. The silence was deafening.

I felt scared and guilty.

Even though she didn’t ask where I’d been, I felt the urge to explain. My conscience was screaming.

But I could only tell her half of the truth.

brought out some homemade strawberry ice cream for her. Na ginawa ko last night, and I hoped it would at least make her feel better.

Then I started cleaning the dishes

Slowly humahanap ng tamang tyempo..

“I didn’t know na hihintayin mo ako,” I tried to explain softly, not daring to look her in the eye. 

“Sorry, Aiah. I made you wait. Medyo traffic din kasi. Ayoko nga sana, but it was an important meeting with my business pa-partner. She just got back from Spain to discuss a new venture with me… Hayaan mo, babawi ako.”

She still didn’t speak. She just stared at the pink ice cream, her expression unreadable.

It was getting late. Ayoko naman siyang pauwiin because its sounds rude, pero it felt awkward to ask her to sleep here.

“By the way, finish that ice cream. It’s healthy, don’t worry. Magpapalit lang ako ng damit… and if you’re not sleepy yet, let’s talk,” I said, trying to sound as normal as possible.

I headed to the bathroom to take a quick shower. I needed to wash off the guilt and the exhaustion of the night. 

But while the water was running, I heard a faint movement. Someone went to my laundry area.

Aiah’s POV (Short Insight)

I shouldn’t have done it. 

But the curiosity was killing me. 

I know hindi siya pumunta lang sa  sinasabi niyang meeting..

The moment the bathroom door clicked shut, my inner sneaky mode switched on. My feet moved on their own patungo sa laundry area. I saw her long sleeve polo inside the basket, looking all innocent and white.

​I picked it up with extreme prejudice. I leaned in and took a deep, investigative

 sniff.

​Vanilla. Jasmine. Expensive perfume.

I know her smell hindi niya pabango to..

Then I saw it: a red lipstick stain on the collar.

Alam ko wala akong karapatan, but my blood instantly boiled. Sumabog ang lahat ng selos at galit sa dibdib ko. The realization hit me like a truck. Habang nanginginig ako sa takot dito kanina at halos mamatay sa pag-aalala, she was out there wrapped in someone else’s scent.

​My blood didn’t just boil; it turned into a freaking volcano. It wasn’t just a scent na “nadikitan”—it was the kind of smell that says, “Hi, I was hugging your Janna for a long time while you were crying outside the door.”

Mikha’s POV

​I was just finishing my shower, feeling like I had dodged a bullet, when I heard it.

​BLAG!!!

​The sound of my front door slamming was so loud it felt like a gunshot. The walls of the condo literally vibrated.

​”Aiah!!?” nag madali akong mag bihis tapos lumabas

​I looked at the laundry area and my soul left my body. My polo was on the floor, crumpled, with a clear shoe print over the lipstick stain.

​”Shit,” I whispered, slamming my fist against the dead air. Idiot.

….

Aiah’s POV

I leaned my back against the door if my room. closing my eyes tight, but the image was practically burned into my retinas. That red smudge. That expensive, suffocating scent of jasmine and vanilla. It was everywhere.

“Pa-meeting-meeting ka pang nalalaman!” I whispered-yelled, my voice thick with bitterness. “Spain business partner? Wow. Just wow, Mikhaela Janna Lim!”

I hated this feeling. The logical side of me was fighting a losing battle, repeating over and over: 

“It’s her life, Aiah. You have no label. She’s free to do what she wants.” 

I know I have no right to act like her wife. I have no right to mark her territory.

But even if I’m not officially claiming her, even if I keep telling myself I don’t own her… I just couldn’t stand the thought of her in someone else’s arms. Just the thought of someone else getting that close—touching her or kissing her, smelling her, leaving a mark on her—it made me feel physically sick.

Ang sakit sa puso, and it’s so frustrating! I looked at the large teddy bear sitting on my bed. It looked so peaceful, so innocent, like it was mocking my misery. Suddenly, the annoyance just boiled over.

“Aaaaaahhh I hate you Janna!” I let out a muffled scream of frustration.

I grabbed the teddy bear and threw it across the room with all my strength. “Bwisit ka,! Mag-sama kayo ng business partner mo!”

Blag! The bear hit the wall and slumped sadly on the floor. I immediately felt a pang of guilt because the bear didn’t do anything, but I was just so mad! I’m mad at her for being so careless, and I’m mad at myself for caring this much. Paano ko sasabihing lumayo ka sa iba, kung hindi ko naman siya pagmamay ari?

“You should have been more careful,” I hissed, hugging my knees. “You should have known I was here… waiting for you. Nag-aalala ako, tapos ikaw, nakikipag-landian sa iba!”

I didn’t want to be the girl crying over a scent on a polo, but the thought of my Mikha being that close to another woman felt like a fire I couldn’t put out.

….

Lumipas ang mga araw, and I stayed consistent. I didn’t let her pick me up from work anymore—iniwasan ko talaga siya. I’d go to the office extra early, and pag-uwi naman, I’d take different routes para lang hindi kami magtagpo.

​My phone was constantly vibrating. It was always her. She wasn’t demanding my time, but her texts were filled with that quiet, consistent care that she always shows. I didn’t bother to open them, but I could see them on my screen:

​Janna: Aiah, are we okay? Please talk to me.

Janna: What’s wrong? Did I do something?

Janna: take your supplements, okay? I left them on your table earlier.

Janna: Hatid na kita tomorrow? 

Janna: iniiwasan mo ba ako?

​I ignored every single one. She even went the extra mile—baking cakes and leaving them with Stacey. But the moment I’d hear her voice sa labas, I’d head straight to my room and slam the door. I didn’t give her an ounce of my attention. I was mad. Mad because she treats me so well, like I’m someone special, yet she could be so careless at the same time.

…..

One Day at the Office

​I spent the whole day feeling sad and wala sa mood, but I pushed through my work anyway. Everything felt heavy until Jeremy, one of my close friends in the office, walked over to my desk.

​”Napapansin ko lately, you’re not as lively as you usually are. Something wrong?” he asked with a kind smile, handing me a cup of coffee.

​”Thanks, Jeremy! Ah, yeah… I’ve been doing okay, just a minor problem. Don’t worry about me,” I said, stopping my work to look at him.

​”That’s great to hear. How about this… later, are you free? Libre ko, just to make your day better,” he offered.

​I think for a while. I’ve known Jeremy for a long time. I know he likes me and he actually tried to court me, but its not my priorities. Still, he never stops doing small, sweet gestures like giving me breakfast or coffee without asking for anything in return.

​Maybe I do need a distraction. Maybe I need to be around someone who makes things simple and clear.

​”Sure, Jeremy. Let’s do it,” I said.

…….

No one’s POV

The guilt was still heavy, a constant weight in her chest. She knew she messed up by meeting Daniela, and the cold shoulder Aiah was giving her was proof. But Mikha wasn’t about to let things stay this way. She wanted to take care of Aiah, even if she was currently being ignored.

She had a plan. Pupuntahan niya ito sa office. That way, wala na siyang rason para hindi siya harapin.

When she arrives at the building.

​Mikha wasn’t wearing a suit—just a simple, clean-cut jacket over a plain tee—but she still looked like she stepped straight out of a magazine. 

She had that effortless pretty-pogi energy that didn’t need any fancy styling to command a room. In her hands, she carried a perfect bouquet, her “one shot” at making things right.

​As she stepped into the sleek lobby, the atmosphere shifted instantly. Mikha, being her usual oblivious self, didn’t notice the way heads turned as she walked.

​”Ghad, she’s so cute…,” one girl whispered, clutching her phone.

” Bagong client ba siya shet ang pogi? Go na, girl, take her number!” another giggled.

​Mikha just kept walking, her gaze fixed on the elevator. She had no idea that her simple presence was making everyone kilig. Because of her natural charm, even the lobby staff didn’t bother to check her ID strictly—they just let her pass and tinuro agad kung anong floor yung office ni ms.Arceta.

Mikha arrived at the office floor, her heart heavy with a sincere apology. But as she approached the lounge, she froze. Through the glass, hindi sinasadyang marinig but she saw Aiah laughing and talking comfortably with a guy named Jeremy.

“So, see you later for our date?” Jeremy asked, leaning in with a smile.

Mikha didn’t stay to hear the rest. She turned away immediately, her chest tightening. Tinanggap naman niya sa sarili niya na kasalanan niya ang lahat—she deserved the cold shoulder. But why did it hurt so much seeing Aiah with someone else? 

In That moment, napapaisip na siya: 

Do I have feelings for Aiah? 

This wasn’t just guilt anymore. 

It wasn’t her ego either..

It was a sharp, biting pain she couldn’t explain.

Feeling like an intruder, she headed back down to the lobby.

(Aiah’s Perspective)

Aiah was finishing her talk with Jeremy when her assistant approached her.

 “Ma’am, may naghahanap po sa inyo kanina. She was really striking—pretty.  muka nga siyang artista, she’s holding flowers. Pero bigla po siyang umalis hindi ko alam kung bakit.”

Aiah’s heart hammered. Janna! “Did she hear our conversation with Jeremy?” she whispered, panicked. Actually, dapat wala siyang pakialam. She was supposed to be mad. Pero being her, she couldn’t just let it go. She dropped everything and ran toward the elevators.

Mikha walking at the lobby, 

Nasasayangan siya sa flowers na dinala niya kaya kesa itapon she decided to give it away.

She noticed a cute girl nearby who had been stealing glances at her. Mikha approached her with a small, tired smile.

 “Miss, do you want these flowers? Sayang naman kung itatapon ko lang.”

The girl’s face turned bright red. Seeing Mikha’s “pogi” charms up close, the girl totally thought Mikha was hitting on her.

Mikha felt a sudden chill. The air felt thick, as if someone was watching her with an intense, dark gaze. She looked around but saw no one familiar.

“R-really? Thank you! Ang sweet mo naman…” the girl stammered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Uhm, since binigyan mo ako ng flowers.. may I know you’re name?”

Mikha, being a gentleman she answer it right away

“I’m Mikha..” then inabot niya yung kamay niya and they shake hands.

“Sige miss mauna nako” 

“If you don’t mind can you give me your number you know incase”

Hindi basta-basta ibinibigay ni Mikha ang number niya sa kung sino-sino lang. Pero bigla siyang nag-alangan—naisip niya na baka magamit niya itong contact para mas mabantayan si Aiah.

​and she was about to answer, “my number is—”

Before she could finish, a hand reached out and snatched the bouquet with force.

“She’s not giving you her number, and those flowers are mine.”

Aiah’s voice was like ice. She stepped directly between Mikha and the girl, her aura radiating a level of possessiveness that made the entire lobby go silent. 

She didn’t care that they weren’t in a relationship; seeing the girl flirt with Mikha made her blood boil.

The girl scrambled away, terrified by the look in Ms. Arceta’s eyes.

Aiah turned to Mikha, her eyes flaming. “Did you come here para sunduin ako, or para makipag-landian sa lobby?”

“I thought you had a date,” Mikha replied, her cool starting to crack as she saw how affected Aiah was. “I didn’t want to get in the way.”

Aiah’s grip on the flowers tightened. “Let’s go home. I’m tired,” she commanded. She grabbed Mikha’s hand tightly, pulling her toward the exit, making it clear to everyone that label or no label, Mikha was hers.

….

They reached the car in total silence. Aiah didn’t let go of Mikha’s hand until they were both safely inside. The moment the doors clicked shut, the air turned heavy.

She tossed the flowers into the backseat like they were a burden—kahit na kanina lang, kulang na lang ay makipag-away siya para lang mabawi ang mga iyon. It was a contradiction that Mikha couldn’t quite wrap her head around.

“Aiah—” Mikha started, her voice barely a whisper.

“Drive, Mikhaela. I don’t want to talk.”

Mikha looked at her. Aiah was staring fixedly out the window, but her reflection in the glass betrayed her. She was biting her lip, her chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. 

The electricity inside the car was suffocating—it was the raw, biting energy of Aiah’s jealousy. It wasn’t just about the girl anymore; it was the realization that she couldn’t stand the thought of anyone looking at Mikha that way. It was a possessiveness that scared her, an uncontrollable fire she couldn’t put out.

But Mikha? She was stuck in her own head. Galit pa rin siya sa akin, she thought. She hates me for what I did. She thought she was being punished for her past mistakes, never imagining that Aiah was actually drowning in a sea of feelings she wasn’t ready to admit.

Natapos ang gabi nang halos walang imikan. When they reached the condo, Mikha turned off the engine and looked at her softly.

“Goodnight, Aiah. Rest well,” Mikha whispered, waiting for even a small acknowledgment.

Aiah didn’t say it back. She just nodded slightly, clutching the strap of her bag, and stepped in at her condo. She wanted to say it—she wanted to tell Mikha to stay—pero nilalamon siya ng selos at sakit na hindi niya maipaliwanag. The “goodnight” hung heavily in the air, unfinished and cold.

In the days that followed, Mikha remained her constant shadow. She never missed a day of picking Aiah up or dropping her off. And even though Aiah was giving her the cold shoulder, Mikha’s care never wavered. Every morning and every night, Mikha would spend time in the kitchen, carefully cooking Aiah’s favorite meals.

Sinisiguro niya na masustansya ang kinakain nito para sa baby, but deep down, it was her way of saying sorry. Aiah would eat the food in silence, tasting the effort and the love in every bite, yet she still couldn’t bring herself to break the wall she had built.

The atmosphere was awkward—a thick, unspoken tension that had nothing to do with the baby and everything to do with the way Aiah’s heart hammered every time Mikha leaned in. Aiah was hurting, her jealousy lingering like a bruise that wouldn’t heal, while Mikha continued to serve her with a quiet, guilty devotion.

Lumipas ang mga araw, and the inevitable arrived. They had to face Aiah’s parents to break the news about the pregnancy.

Hindi lang silang dalawa ang luluwas. Their friends—Maloi and Stacey—insisted on coming for support. And surprisingly? Sumama rin si Joanna.

…….

🌈🌈🌈I just want to say thank you po for all the support.
Sobrang kinikilig ako sa mga comments. This is my first time na may nakabasa ng stories ko and na-appreciate.
Love you guys! 🥹💖