Successful
The following days after their tense interaction at the café were filled with business as usual. Mikha buried herself in work, doing everything she could to avoid thinking about Aiah. Her mind kept wandering back to the heated moments they shared—the almost kiss, the way their breath mingled, the unspoken connection. She couldn’t explain it, but there was something about Aiah that always kept her on edge.
It was a Monday when Mikha found herself back at the Verda Co. building, ready to push through yet another set of meetings. The project was far from complete, and there were still numerous things to sort out. As she entered the conference room, her eyes immediately landed on Aiah, who was sitting at the table, looking as composed as ever.
She couldn’t help but feel that familiar mix of irritation and attraction.
“I thought you’d be late today,” Mikha said, her tone laced with subtle challenge as she took a seat across from Aiah.
Aiah raised an eyebrow, her lips curling slightly. “I’ve never been late for anything, Mikha.”
Mikha rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the smirk that tugged at her lips. “Right. Well, I’ve got updates, and we need to sort out the next phase of the project. Are you ready for this?”
Aiah’s expression shifted, more serious now. “Always.”
As the meeting unfolded, it was clear that neither of them was going to back down. They argued, debated, and exchanged sharp words, but the tension in the room was undeniable. Mikha found herself drawn to Aiah’s every move—how she leaned in when she spoke, how her eyes sparkled with determination.
It was the way Aiah carried herself that was both infuriating and alluring. Mikha had never met anyone like her. The constant friction between them only made the attraction more intense, as if every heated argument only served to build the unspoken connection between them.
But Mikha refused to admit it. She refused to acknowledge what was brewing between them.
“You’re being stubborn again,” Mikha muttered under her breath as Aiah shot down yet another of her suggestions.
Aiah didn’t miss a beat. “Stubborn? I call it knowing what’s best. You’re just afraid of change.”
Mikha scoffed, her patience starting to wear thin. “I’m not afraid of anything. You just want to control everything. You’re used to getting your way.”
“Maybe I am,” Aiah said coolly, her gaze locked onto Mikha’s. “But that doesn’t mean I’m wrong.”
The air between them crackled with tension, each word only pushing them closer to the edge. Mikha could feel her pulse quicken, but she refused to show it. She wasn’t about to give Aiah the satisfaction of seeing her flustered.
Aiah leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms as she studied Mikha. There was a slight smirk on her lips, as if she knew exactly how Mikha was feeling.
“I think we’re done here,” Mikha said abruptly, standing up from the table. “I have other things to do.”
Aiah didn’t respond immediately, just watching her with that unreadable expression. Mikha didn’t wait for a response. She turned on her heel and left the conference room, but she could feel Aiah’s gaze on her as she walked away.
Outside, Mikha leaned against the elevator, exhaling deeply. What was happening between them? It wasn’t just business anymore. There was something more—a friction that neither of them could ignore.
Mikha was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn’t notice Aiah walking towards the elevator until the doors slid open. Aiah looked momentarily surprised to see Mikha standing there, but her gaze quickly turned into something unreadable.
"Mikha," Aiah said, her voice a little cooler than usual. "Are you heading up?"
Mikha nodded absently. "Yeah, just needed a breather."
Without saying much else, Aiah stepped inside. Mikha followed, the door sliding shut behind her with a soft ding.
The two women stood there, side by side, an awkward silence hanging between them. Mikha glanced at Aiah, trying to gauge her, but Aiah’s eyes were focused on the display, waiting for the elevator to begin its ascent.
Suddenly, the elevator lurched, jerking them both off balance. Mikha’s heart immediately began to race as the sudden stop caught her by surprise. She felt the air grow thicker, the walls closing in on her. She tried to steady herself, but the elevator remained eerily still.
Her breath hitched, a cold sweat forming on the back of her neck.
"What's happening?" Mikha muttered under her breath, her hands shaking slightly. Her palms pressed against the wall, her heart hammering in her chest.
Aiah noticed the change in Mikha’s posture. "You okay?" she asked, her voice a little softer, though still laced with her usual calmness.
Mikha nodded, but she didn’t feel okay. Her breath came in shallow gasps, her chest tightening. The walls seemed to be closing in around her, and her mind raced. She hated small spaces. She had always hated them.
"Is this... normal?" Mikha managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper. The elevator felt like it was shrinking, the air becoming thick with tension and fear. The silence between them felt heavier with each passing second.
Aiah’s eyes softened, a flicker of concern crossing her face. "It’s just a temporary stop. The system must be having issues," she said, trying to reassure Mikha, though her tone remained steady and calm. "It’ll start again in a minute."
But Mikha couldn’t shake the unease settling in her stomach. "I—I don’t like this," Mikha admitted, her voice trembling now. She could feel the walls pressing in closer, the suffocating sense of being trapped becoming unbearable. Her breath quickened as she stepped back, her back hitting the opposite wall. "I can’t... breathe."
Aiah’s eyes widened slightly as she saw the panic rising in Mikha’s features. "Hey, hey, it’s okay," she said quickly, taking a step toward her. "Just breathe. You’re fine. It’s only temporary."
But Mikha couldn’t hear her, her mind spiraling. Every little movement in the elevator felt magnified, every inch of space around her seemed to shrink. The sound of her rapid breathing filled her ears, and she felt dizzy.
"I can’t... I can’t stay here," Mikha gasped, her hand fumbling for the button to open the door, but the elevator didn’t respond. "Let me out!"
Aiah moved closer, concern now fully evident on her face. "Mikha, listen to me," she said, her voice firm. "It’s not as bad as it seems. The door will open soon, just... just breathe with me, okay?"
Mikha’s head spun. She shook her head, her hands pressed against her forehead. "I need to get out. I can’t breathe."
Aiah reached out slowly, placing a hand on Mikha’s shoulder, her touch gentle but grounding. "Hey, you’re okay," she said again, this time with
more force, trying to steady Mikha’s frantic movements. "Just focus on me, okay? Look at me. You’re fine."
Mikha’s eyes met Aiah’s, her breaths coming in rapid, shallow gasps. There was something in Aiah’s gaze that made her hesitate, something calming, and for a moment, Mikha allowed herself to take a deep breath, to focus on Aiah’s steady presence.
"I’m not... I’m not good with small spaces," Mikha finally admitted, her voice cracking. "I’ve always hated being stuck like this."
Aiah didn’t respond right away, but Mikha could see the flicker of understanding in her eyes. Instead of offering more words, Aiah simply stood beside her, her hand still resting lightly on Mikha’s shoulder, offering her some semblance of comfort.
Mikha closed her eyes for a moment, trying to regain control of her breathing. It was hard, but with Aiah there, even if the tension was still thick, she managed to steady herself, even if just a little.
"I just want to get out of here," Mikha muttered again, her voice quieter this time.
Aiah gave a small nod. "We will. Just give it a minute."
The silence stretched between them, but this time, Mikha felt less alone in it. Despite everything, Aiah’s presence felt oddly comforting, and that confused her even more. But for now, she focused on the sound of her own breath, trying to calm herself in the stillness of the elevator.
Mikha’s breathing slowed, but her hands still trembled slightly. The elevator felt just as still, the air thick with an invisible pressure that seemed to press against her chest. She could feel Aiah’s presence beside her, but she couldn’t quite make sense of it. The tension between them, the closeness, the discomfort, all of it mixed together in a way that left Mikha feeling more unsettled than before.
"Are you okay?" Aiah asked again, her voice quieter now, more patient. Mikha couldn’t bring herself to answer immediately. Instead, she just nodded, but it felt like a lie.
Aiah didn’t push. She stayed silent for a moment, but her hand remained on Mikha’s shoulder, grounding her, offering an unspoken assurance that Mikha wasn’t quite ready to acknowledge.
The sudden ding of the elevator broke the silence, and Mikha flinched, her heart leaping in her chest at the sound. The doors slid open slowly, revealing the empty hallway beyond. Mikha exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
Without looking at Aiah, Mikha stepped out first, her footsteps quick and purposeful as she moved into the hallway. She didn’t know what to say or do. All she wanted was to escape the weight of the moment.
Mikha quickened her pace, the sound of her heels tapping against the polished floor echoing in the quiet hallway. She wasn’t sure where she was going—anywhere but back in that elevator with Aiah. The air felt suffocating after everything that had happened. She could still feel Aiah’s presence lingering, that slight touch on her shoulder, and it made her skin feel hot.
She turned the corner sharply, trying to shake off the thoughts that had gathered in her mind. But as much as she wanted to push everything away, the truth was still there, following her, looming over her every step. What was going on between them? She’d never felt this way before—not with Aiah, not with anyone.
The sound of footsteps approaching behind her pulled her out of her thoughts, and Mikha turned to find Aiah a few feet away, looking as composed as always. But Mikha noticed the slight tension in her jaw, the unreadable expression that never seemed to fully leave her face.
Aiah didn’t say anything at first. She just stood there, watching Mikha, and for a moment, it felt like the world had paused.
Mikha couldn’t take it anymore. “What do you want?” Her voice came out sharper than she intended, but she didn’t care.
Aiah raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. She wasn’t intimidated, not even slightly. Mikha’s tone had been sharper than usual, but it didn’t faze her. “You’re always on edge, aren’t you?” Aiah said, her voice low but not unkind.
Mikha didn’t answer right away, her fingers tapping anxiously against her side. The tension from the elevator earlier was still in the air, like static electricity that hadn't quite dissipated.
"I’m fine," Mikha finally muttered, her gaze darting to the floor, unwilling to meet Aiah’s eyes for too long. She couldn’t quite place it, but something had shifted. Something between them that felt… dangerous.
Aiah didn’t respond at first, but Mikha could feel her gaze boring into her, as if trying to decipher what was going on inside her head. The silence was heavy, like a weight they couldn’t escape.
Mikha took a deep breath, determined to stay composed. "Let’s just get through this," she said, pushing past Aiah without looking back. She didn’t want to admit that she was feeling anything—least of all the strange mix of frustration and something else that twisted inside her chest.
Aiah watched Mikha walk away, her back straight and her steps measured. There was something about the way Mikha carried herself, like a wall she’d built to keep everything in check. But Aiah couldn’t help but notice the way Mikha’s steps quickened, like she was trying to put more distance between them than necessary.
Aiah took a slow step forward, her eyes locked on Mikha’s retreating figure. "You know," she began, her voice calm but with an edge to it, "you don’t have to always act like everything’s fine."
Mikha paused, her hand on the doorframe. She turned her head slightly, her eyes narrowing. "Everything’s fine," she snapped, her tone sharp and defensive. "I don’t need your help."
Aiah stood there, unmoved. She wasn’t trying to make Mikha open up or anything like that. It was just a simple observation. "I didn’t offer help," she said quietly, her eyes steady. "I just said it doesn’t always have to be a fight."
Mikha’s jaw clenched, but instead of responding with more words, she simply nodded curtly, a sharp movement that barely acknowledged Aiah’s presence, and walked out of the room without another glance.
Aiah stayed where she was, watching the door close behind her. She didn’t know what she expected, but it definitely wasn’t that.
///
Mikha sat in her office, staring out the window at the city skyline. The hum of the city below was constant, but her mind was elsewhere. She couldn’t quite shake the image of Aiah from earlier—how she’d stood there, unwavering, challenging Mikha with just her presence. The thought made her clench her jaw, irritation simmering beneath the surface.
She picked up a pen, tapping it rhythmically on the desk, trying to push away the nagging feeling that wouldn’t go away. The idea that Aiah might be getting under her skin was infuriating. Mikha didn’t let people do that. She had spent too long building her empire to let anyone disrupt it, especially someone like Aiah.
Her phone buzzed again. Mikha glanced at it, hoping it was a reminder about something important, anything to distract her. But it was just a message from Jhoanna, asking for a meeting update. Mikha ignored it for the moment, her
thoughts drifting back to the meeting earlier in the day. The way Aiah had challenged her every step of the way—it was too much.
With a sigh, Mikha stood up, walking over to the window. The view was always soothing, but today it didn’t help. She needed to focus.
The constant fights between them was wearing on her, but Mikha wouldn’t admit it. She was stronger than that. More importantly, she had built Terra Firma from the ground up, and she wouldn’t let anything, or anyone, jeopardize her company’s future.
Her phone buzzed again, and this time she answered it, trying to push away any lingering thoughts about Aiah.
“Jhoanna,” Mikha said, forcing a calm tone into her voice, “I’ll look over the revisions. I need a full report by the end of the day.”
As she spoke, she caught her reflection in the glass. Her eyes looked tired, her posture stiff. But when she heard Jhoanna’s voice from the other end of the line, the sharpness in her demeanor softened, if only slightly.
Mikha couldn’t let herself get distracted. She wouldn’t.
///
Mikha clicked her pen nervously as she stared at the document in front of her. The launch plan was ready, the projections had been made, and the numbers were promising. But there was a lingering doubt in her mind that she couldn’t shake off. She knew Aiah wouldn’t settle for anything less than perfect, but the question was—was this the right moment to pull the trigger?
Her phone buzzed again, this time a message from Aiah. She hesitated before opening it.
Aiah: We need to talk about the launch. I have some suggestions. Let’s meet tomorrow morning.
Mikha sighed, feeling the familiar frustration bubbling up. There it was again. Aiah always had something to say, something to change. But Mikha wasn’t sure if she was ready for another round of debates about the direction of the project. They had already compromised so many times.
She texted back quickly.
Mikha: We’ve gone over this already. The plan is solid. If you have changes, let’s discuss them after the launch.
Mikha stared at the message for a moment before hitting send. The last thing she wanted was to get stuck in another back-and-forth with Aiah. But deep down, she knew this was only the beginning. There were still more decisions to make, and with Aiah involved, the arguments would never end.
///
Aiah stared at her phone, reading Mikha's message one more time.
Aiah knew her well enough by now to understand that she would never back down, but it frustrated her.
She couldn’t help but smirk at the thought of their next conversation. She already knew Mikha was probably sitting there, confident in her plan, believing everything was in place. But Aiah was the kind of person who didn’t settle, especially not when something didn’t feel right.
Aiah sighed, leaning back in her chair. The plan was good, yes, but good wasn’t always good enough.
She needed it to be perfect, to leave no room for doubt. That’s why she was so insistent—this wasn’t just about business. It was about proving to herself and everyone else that she could lead with precision and foresight.
She wondered if Mikha knew what was at stake. Not just the project, not just the success. No, it was something else, something unspoken between them that lingered in every exchange.
Aiah smirked to herself. If Mikha thought she’d let this go without a fight, she had another thing coming.
“Let’s see how long you can keep this up, Mikha,” she whispered to herself.
Aiah entered the office, the sharp click of her heels echoing in the hallway. It was a typical day at Verda Co., but there was something different today. She could feel it in the air—an invisible tension that seemed to settle every time Mikha entered the room. Today, however, was different. Mikha was still missing, and Aiah couldn’t help but notice the absence of her presence.
She sat down at her desk and reviewed the latest plans for the project. Her phone buzzed. A message from Mikha.
“Just checking in. Meeting on schedule. I’ll be there soon.”
Aiah rolled her eyes. Mikha was always so punctual, so precise. But today? Aiah wasn’t sure she was ready for another round of back-and-forth.
The minutes ticked by, and Aiah continued to look over the project proposal. There was a slight burn in her chest—a feeling that had nothing to do with the work at hand and everything to do with the pull that Mikha had on her. She couldn’t deny it.
Just as Aiah was about to call it a day, the door opened. Mikha walked in, her presence as imposing as ever.
Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world outside the office seemed to disappear.
Mikha walked in and sat across from Aiah, looking over the documents with that usual intensity. Aiah didn't look up immediately, her thoughts still on the last few moments they had shared. The silence between them wasn’t awkward, but it was heavy, like the calm before a storm.
"Okay, let’s get to it," Mikha started, glancing up briefly. "We need to finalize the details for the presentation tomorrow."
Aiah looked up and raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I know. Pero, do we really need to rush it? We still have time."
Mikha shook her head, not having it. "We can’t afford delays, Aiah. You know that."
Aiah leaned back, crossing her arms. "I know, but sometimes I feel like we’re pushing too much for something that’s already solid."
Mikha rolled her eyes, clearly frustrated. "And sometimes, you think we’re too slow to make progress. You don’t get it, Aiah. It’s all about staying ahead of the game."
Aiah let out a small laugh, leaning forward now, eyes narrowing. "Ahead of the game? You sound like a broken record. Maybe you should relax and not treat every minor thing like the end of the world."
Mikha stared at her, that usual fire sparking in her eyes. "I’m not the one who needs to relax."
The tension thickened, but neither of them was willing to break first. Aiah tried to soften her tone a little, just to break the cycle. "Look, we both know we want the same outcome, Mikha. We’re on the same team."
Mikha let out a sigh, rubbing her temples. "Yeah, yeah. Pero, let’s make sure we don’t screw this up."
Aiah smirked, crossing her arms. "I don’t screw up. You do."
Mikha shot her a quick glare but then relaxed just slightly. "I’m serious, Aiah. This project is important to both our companies. We can’t afford to slip up."
Aiah leaned forward again, suddenly serious. "I know. We both do, but sometimes, you need to take a breath and not act like the world’s going to end."
Mikha's eyes softened just a fraction, but her lips stayed pressed into a tight line. "I’ll take a breath when this project is done and successful."
"And it will be," Aiah said, almost teasing. "Just don’t choke."
The room was quiet, but the air between Mikha and Aiah felt thick, like they were both waiting for the other to say something they didn’t want to hear. Mikha glanced at Aiah, her eyes narrowing.
“Are you going to keep staring at me like that or are we actually going to get anything done today?” Mikha asked, her voice sharp.
Aiah smirked, but there was no humor behind it. “I’m just wondering if you’re going to keep acting like we’re in a race, or if you’ll finally see reason.”
Mikha’s jaw tightened. “You think I’m rushing things? We’re talking about a multi-million deal here, Aiah. We need to keep our momentum.”
Aiah raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “And you think moving at full speed is the way to go? You can’t bulldoze your way through everything. Sometimes you have to let things breathe.”
Mikha didn’t answer right away. Instead, she just stared at the papers in front of her, fidgeting with the pen in her hand. “You always say that, but it’s hard to breathe when you’re constantly breathing down my neck.”
Aiah leaned back in her chair, smiling slightly. “Maybe you should get used to it.”
Mikha shot her a look, but her lips twitched, as if she was holding back a smile. “I’ll survive.”
Aiah took a deep breath, glancing at Mikha. "I don’t understand why you’re so focused on rushing everything," she said, her tone a little softer but still firm.
"We have time. We can make this work without stressing ourselves out."
Mikha sighed, leaning back in her chair. "You don’t get it, Aiah. If we don’t move fast enough, someone else will swoop in and take the opportunity. I can’t let that happen."
Aiah crossed her arms, studying Mikha for a moment. "I’m not saying we should just sit back and relax.
But you need to trust the process, Mikha. Hindi mo kailangan kontrolin lahat."
Mikha frowned. "I’m just making sure we don’t miss anything. We’ve got one shot at this. If we fail, there’s no going back."
"That’s true," Aiah agreed, her voice a little softer now. "But it’s also true na hindi lahat ng bagay ay perfect. You don’t have to carry the weight of everything alone."
Mikha looked up, meeting Aiah’s eyes. She wasn’t sure what to make of the shift in tone, but something about it made her pause. "I don’t need anyone’s help."
///
The day of the launch finally arrived, and the pressure was palpable in the air. Mikha stood near the conference room window, looking out at the city below, her mind racing through all the details. The event was everything—success meant everything. But for some reason, her thoughts kept drifting to Aiah.
She shook her head, trying to focus. "Focus, Mikha," she muttered under her breath.
Just then, the door opened, and Aiah walked in, carrying a tablet and a file. “All set for the launch?” she asked, her voice calm but with that ever-present sharpness.
“Yeah. Everything's in place,” Mikha replied, not taking her eyes off the skyline. “I think.”
Aiah raised an eyebrow. “Think? Or are you just trying to convince yourself?”
Mikha turned, meeting Aiah’s gaze. “I’m sure,” she said firmly, though her heart was pounding in her chest.
Before Aiah could respond, the door opened again, and Jhoanna walked in, her usual friendly demeanor replaced with a more serious expression. "You both doing alright? This launch is huge. No room for mistakes," she said, her tone light but the meaning behind her words clear.
“We’ve got it covered,” Mikha said, trying to sound confident. She looked at Aiah, then back at Jhoanna, trying to ignore the tension still lingering.
“Yeah, everything's good. Just waiting for the right moment,” Aiah added, her voice steady. But Mikha could sense the competitive edge she always had, the drive to make sure they came out on top.
Stacey entered next, holding a drink in her hand. “Did I miss anything important?” she asked, taking a casual glance around the room, her lips curling into a playful smirk. "You guys look like you’re ready for battle."
“Always,” Mikha said with a forced smile, trying to lighten the mood. “Everything’s running smoothly, thanks to you two.”
The group stood there for a moment, looking over the final preparations. Gwen walked in with a clipboard, her eyes scanning the room. "Looks good, right? All set?" She asked, not waiting for a response as she approached Mikha, checking the setup one last time.
“I’m confident,” Mikha said, despite the fluttering in her stomach. “It’s a go.”
“Perfect,” Gwen said with a nod, then glanced at Aiah, her voice lowering a little. “You’ve got this.”
Aiah didn’t answer immediately, simply gave a curt nod in response. But Mikha caught the tension in her gaze.
As the event kicked off, the room filled with investors, journalists, and other high-profile attendees. Mikha and Aiah were front and center, leading the presentation, answering questions, shaking hands. Despite the tension between them, everything seemed to fall into place. Their plan was working, and people were taking notice.
Jhoanna, Stacey, and Gwen worked the crowd, answering questions and making sure everything was running smoothly. Mikha noticed how smoothly everyone was interacting, all the pieces falling into place. It wasn’t just business. It felt like a team—despite the friction with Aiah.
As the event started to wind down, Mikha couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. They had pulled it off. The launch had been successful, better than expected. But when she glanced over at Aiah, she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something was still unresolved between them.
“Looks like we made it,” Mikha said, her voice quieter now.
Aiah nodded but didn’t say anything, her eyes scanning the crowd. "Yeah, for now. Let’s just hope the results live up to this," she muttered, but Mikha could tell there was more behind her words.
///
As the applause from the successful launch began to die down, someone from the crowd spoke up, breaking the tension. "Well, looks like we all deserve a celebration, right?"
Mikha glanced around, the suggestion hanging in the air. "What do you have in mind?" she asked, her tone casual but with a hint of curiosity.
Gwen, always the life of the party, grinned and jumped in. "How about a weekend trip? La Union Beach, g ba kayo?" She looked at Aiah and Mikha, eyes sparkling. "You know, para mag-unwind and enjoy ourselves after this crazy event."
Aiah’s eyes narrowed slightly, clearly not expecting the idea to come from Gwen. Still, she couldn’t deny the suggestion had its appeal. "You know what? I think that’s a great idea," Aiah said, glancing at Mikha to gauge her reaction. "We’ve worked hard for this. Wala namang masama if we will have a little getaway for everyone."
Just then, a few high-profile individuals approached them, shaking their hands with congratulatory smiles.
One of them, a well-dressed man with a strong presence, extended his hand to Mikha. "Mikha, Aiah," he said warmly, his voice smooth and confident, "you’ve both done an incredible job today.
This launch was nothing short of impressive. I can already see how much of an impact this partnership will make in the industry."
Aiah gave a polite smile, shaking the man’s hand as well. "Thank you, we appreciate that. It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s all worth it."
"Your companies are doing amazing things. I’ll be watching your progress closely," the man continued, nodding with admiration. "If you ever need any further collaboration in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out."
"Thank you," Mikha replied, her tone professional, but there was a flicker of pride in her eyes. She didn’t let it show often, but hearing words of praise from someone with such stature felt good.
As they continued to receive compliments from several influential figures in the industry, the mood became even lighter. Everyone was excited about the future, the possibilities that awaited.
Gwen clapped her hands together, grinning. "Looks like we’re on a roll. How about that beach trip now?"
"We’ve worked hard for this. A little getaway could be good for everyone."
Mikha hesitated for a moment, but the thought of getting away from the constant pressure felt tempting. "Fine," she said, with a reluctant smile. "La Union it is."
The rest of the group seemed excited, Jhoanna clapping her hands. "I’m in! It’ll be nice to kick back and have some fun."
“Sama rin ako,” Stacey added, her voice light with amusement.
Colet and Maloi exchanged a look before joining in. "We could all use a little break," Maloi said, grinning.