The Trip to Sealost
The weekend had finally arrived, and the excitement was palpable as everyone packed into the van for the trip to La Union. Mikha sat quietly at the front, scrolling through her phone, trying to keep her focus on the work that would never seem to stop. But even she couldn’t deny the thrill of escaping the constant pressure of being a CEO for a few days.
“Uy, Mikha, magbago ka naman. Stop working,” Gwen teased from behind her. “We’re here to relax, not work.”
Mikha let out a small sigh but looked back at her, giving her a half-smile. “I’m just checking the updates. You know I can’t help it.”
“You workaholic ka talaga,” Gwen said with a playful tone, and Aiah chuckled from across the van.
“Hindi ko pa nga kaya magpahinga nang buo. I’m used to it,” Mikha replied. “Kaya, enjoy lang kayo.”
Stacey, always the carefree one, leaned over from the seat beside Jhoanna. “You need to chill, Mikha. There’s no Wi-Fi when we get there. So, you better learn to relax.”
Jhoanna grinned. “Oh, magkasama pala tayo lahat. Let’s see how long Mikha lasts without her precious phone.”
“Malalaman natin, for sure,” Colet added from the back row, smiling mischievously.
Aiah, who had been silently observing the group, finally spoke. “Let’s just get there first before we all kill each other from all the jokes.”
“You sound like the mom of the group, Aiah,” Gwen quipped, looking at her teasingly.
Aiah rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips. “I just don’t want to hear about how Mikha’s gonna die without her Wi-Fi.”
As the van sped down the road, everyone grew more comfortable with each other, the banter flowing freely. The closer they got to their destination, the more relaxed the mood became.
Maloi leaned forward to speak to Mikha, her voice slightly teasing. “Sige na, Mikha. I dare you to take a dip in the water when we get there. No excuses!”
Mikha raised an eyebrow. “Are you serious? You think I’m just going to dive into the ocean on a whim?”
“Why not? If I can do it, so can you,” Maloi replied with a sly grin.
“I’ll think about it,” Mikha said, clearly skeptical. “I’ll watch you first. That’s enough for me.”
“Oh, baka hindi na kaya ng katawan mo,” Gwen teased. “You’re too uptight to have fun.”
Aiah couldn’t help but laugh softly at the back-and-forth. She looked at Mikha and couldn’t deny that the way she tried to avoid the jokes made her all the more intriguing. There was something about the way Mikha’s controlled demeanor made everything she did that much more... interesting.
“We’re here!” Jhoanna suddenly announced, pulling Aiah and Mikha out of their thoughts. The van slowed to a stop, and everyone scrambled to grab their bags.
“Finally!” Colet exclaimed, jumping out of the van.
“Welcome to La Union,” Stacey said dramatically as she opened the door to reveal the view of the beach stretching out before them.
Aiah stepped out of the van, feeling the salty air hit her face, the sand beneath her feet, and for the first time in a long while, she could actually feel herself unwind. It was strange, how the ocean had always held this pull over her. Maybe it was the same for everyone else in the group, too.
Mikha hesitated for a moment, standing near the van as everyone scattered to take in the view. She hadn’t expected to feel this much relief from just being out of the office. But she didn’t want to admit it just yet.
“Walang Wi-Fi,” Gwen called out, shaking her phone teasingly in front of Mikha. “Better start learning to relax, Mikha.”
Mikha rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the slight smile that crept up on her face. “Fine, fine,” she muttered. “But only for a few hours.”
///
As the group made their way down the path towards the beach, the teasing continued. But now, it wasn’t just about work or Wi-Fi. It was about the simple joy of being together outside of their usual, competitive environment.
They were here to have fun.
As the group stood in front of the beachfront house, the atmosphere was still light, but the decision about the room assignments was a bit more serious now. With only four rooms, each with two beds, the pressure was on to figure out who would share with whom.
“Ano na, guys?” Gwen asked, her eyes scanning the group. “We need to settle the rooming situation.”
Sheena, standing beside her, nodded eagerly. “Oo nga, I don’t want to be stuck in a room with someone I’m not close with.” Her gaze quickly shifted to Colet and Maloi. “Colet, Maloi, I think you two should share a room. You guys can handle each other’s quirks, right?”
“Definitely,” Colet replied, giving Maloi a playful nudge. “I’m used to her loud snoring.”
“Hey, I do not snore!” Maloi protested, laughing. “Just because you’re a light sleeper doesn’t mean I snore.”
Jhoanna grinned as she looked at Stacey. “Well, I guess that leaves us to be roommates. We’re like, the least problematic pair anyway.”
Stacey raised her hand, playing along. “I volunteer as tribute.”
“Okay, so... it’s just me and Mikha left,” Aiah said, crossing her arms, clearly trying to hide her small smile. She had a pretty good idea where this was going.
The group’s eyes suddenly shifted, and without skipping a beat, Gwen piped up, “Well, I think it’s pretty clear who should share a room.” She pointed at Aiah and Mikha. “You two.”
“I... I don’t know,” Mikha said, feigning hesitation as she glanced at Aiah. “Are we sure we can survive a whole weekend in the same room?”
“I think we’ll survive just fine,” Aiah shot back, a teasing glint in her eye. "Though I might need earplugs for Mikha’s early morning workouts.”
“Oh please, I’m not the one who spends half the night texting,” Mikha fired back, the familiar tension between them swirling up again, though this time, it was lighter, like they both had accepted it was just part of their dynamic.
Jhoanna, now thoroughly amused, threw her hands up in surrender. “I don’t know what you two are trying to pull, but everyone knows you’re practically inseparable anyway. Just share the room already!”
“Fine,” Mikha muttered, though her lips curled up into a smile that betrayed her words.
“I think this is perfect,” Gwen added, her voice filled with satisfaction. “Aiah and Mikha, you two are already used to arguing with each other anyway. Might as well throw you together in a room.”
The rest of the group nodded, agreeing with Gwen’s statement.
“So, it’s settled then,” Aiah said, glancing at Mikha with a look that was a mix of amusement and challenge. “We’re roommates for the weekend.”
Mikha raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking upward. “Looks like it.”
///
The sun was now high in the sky, casting a golden glow on the beach as everyone settled in, drinks in hand and laughter echoing in the air. It was the perfect day for a little friendly competition, and with the volleyball net already set up, the girls were ready to dive into their next challenge.
"Okay, so, teams," Gwen called out, clapping her hands. "We’ll have two teams, and no backing out. Aiah, Mikha, you two are the captains, so choose your players."
Mikha immediately shot a look at Aiah, an unspoken challenge passing between them. As expected, Aiah smirked right back, not about to back down. The rest of the girls were already laughing, excited to see their competitive sides come out.
"Fine," Mikha said, her voice cool as she glanced at her teammates. "I’ll take Jhoanna and Stacey."
Aiah raised an eyebrow. "I’ll take Sheena and Colet."
"No fair," Maloi complained, mock-pouting. "I wanted to be on Mikha’s team!"
“You snooze, you lose,” Aiah teased, sticking her tongue out playfully before turning to face her team. “Alright, we’ve got this, girls. Let’s show them how it’s done.”
As the teams got into position, the mood shifted from casual relaxation to competitive energy. Aiah and Mikha were already eyeing each other from opposite sides of the court. It was like every time they locked eyes, that same tension returned, even though they both knew this was just a game.
Gwen blew the whistle, signaling the start of the match.
The ball was served, and Mikha leaped to spike it, sending it over the net with a precision that made it clear she’d played her fair share of volleyball. Her team immediately rallied behind her, working together like a well-oiled machine. Stacey’s solid blocks and Jhoanna’s quick reflexes kept Aiah and her team on their toes.
But Aiah wasn’t one to be easily outdone. She dove for the ball, sending it soaring back over the net with an impressive save. "Not bad," Mikha remarked, her eyes narrowing in competitive fire as she responded with a spike.
The game grew more intense, with both teams pushing their limits. The sound of the ball hitting the sand, the thud of quick footwork, and the laughter of the girls filled the air. Gwen, who was observing from the sidelines, couldn’t help but laugh at how hard both captains were going after each other.
It came down to the final point. Mikha, on her team’s side, bounced on her feet, her eyes locked on Aiah as she prepared to serve the ball. Aiah’s gaze was steady, ready to block whatever Mikha threw at her.
With a quick motion, Mikha served the ball with such precision that Aiah barely had time to react. It soared past her, landing perfectly in the sand.
"Game over," Mikha declared, breathing heavily but grinning triumphantly.
Her team cheered, running over to high-five each other. Jhoanna and Stacey jumped up and down, celebrating the victory.
Aiah, although clearly annoyed by the loss, couldn’t suppress the small grin tugging at the corner of her lips. "You got lucky," she muttered to Mikha, trying to hide her smile.
Mikha laughed, brushing the sand off her shorts. "I always get lucky."
The girls gathered around, their competitive energy slowly fading into shared laughter and light teasing. Despite their rivalry, the tension between Mikha and Aiah had faded for a moment, replaced with a camaraderie that only deepened their complicated dynamic.
“Next round?” Colet asked, her grin wide as she picked up the ball.
Aiah shot Mikha a sideways glance, then shrugged. “You know what? Sure. Let’s see who wins this time.”
///
After the volleyball match, everyone had settled into a more relaxed atmosphere. Some were lounging under umbrellas, while others dipped their toes in the water. But Aiah’s mind was elsewhere, her gaze fixed on Mikha, who had wandered off to grab a drink by the makeshift bar.
It was then that Aiah noticed her. A woman. Tall, with long, wavy hair, dressed in a casual summer dress that highlighted her toned figure. She was laughing, holding a drink in her hand, standing by the bar. Mikha was with her, talking animatedly and smiling in a way Aiah had never seen before. It wasn't a flirtatious smile, but there was something too comfortable about their interaction, something too… familiar.
Aiah's grip on her cup tightened. Her eyes narrowed, not missing the way Mikha seemed at ease, leaning in slightly as they exchanged words. She couldn’t place it, but something about the scene made her stomach churn.
Stacey, who had been sitting nearby, noticed Aiah’s stiff posture and followed her line of sight. "Oh, that’s Denise," Stacey said casually, taking a sip of her drink. "Mikha’s ex... well, ‘fling’ is probably the right word. They’ve been friends for a while now, though."
Aiah’s eyebrows furrowed. "Ex? Fling?"
"Yeah, they hooked up a couple of years ago," Stacey continued, clearly unaware of how Aiah was feeling. "But don’t worry, they're in good terms now. It's no big deal. Mikha’s told us about her. She’s chill."
Aiah felt a rush of heat in her chest, but she forced herself to maintain a neutral expression. "I see." Her voice came out colder than she intended. She glanced back at Mikha, who was now laughing at something Denise had said, clearly enjoying her company.
She hated how it felt, watching Mikha with her ex. They looked so comfortable, so… familiar with each other. It stung more than Aiah wanted to admit. The warmth from the sun didn’t do much to cool the tension rising inside her.
"Are you sure it’s no big deal?" Aiah muttered, more to herself than to Stacey.
Stacey, oblivious to Aiah's growing discomfort, shrugged. "Yeah. They’ve moved on from that. But Mikha doesn't exactly talk about it much, so don’t go poking around, alright?"
Aiah’s mind raced. She should’ve expected this. Of course, Mikha would have a past, and of course, it was with someone who clearly still had some sort of connection with her. But seeing it firsthand—seeing them together like that—was different.
"You sure seem to know a lot about Mikha's personal life," Aiah remarked, her tone sharp but controlled. She regretted it the moment the words left her mouth, but she couldn’t stop herself.
Stacey glanced at her, slightly puzzled. "I mean, magkaibigan na kami for years. Mikha doesn’t really hide stuff from us." She paused before raising an eyebrow. "Ayos ka lang, Aiah?"
Aiah quickly cleared her throat. "I'm fine," she replied tersely, though the tightness in her chest hadn’t loosened. "Just… wasn't expecting that."
Stacey gave her a skeptical look but didn’t press further. Aiah didn’t know why she was feeling this way. They weren’t even together. They were just business partners, enemies, at that. She should be indifferent to Mikha’s past—yet, here she was, feeling something she didn’t want to acknowledge.
As the day went on, Aiah couldn't help but keep glancing over at Mikha and Denise. The conversation between them looked effortless, as if they had never stopped talking after all this time. It was like she had no place in that moment, like she was an outsider looking in on something she shouldn’t care about.
///
Mikha couldn’t help but laugh as Denise made another sarcastic comment about the volleyball game, shaking her head with that same, familiar smirk that used to make Mikha weak in the knees. Their conversation was lighthearted, filled with teasing and old memories, as if no time had passed since they were last together.
"You're still as stubborn as ever, Mikha," Denise teased, nudging her playfully.
Mikha raised an eyebrow, enjoying the familiarity of their banter. "I can’t help it if you’re just too easy to mess with," she shot back, her grin wide.
It felt natural, almost too natural, to fall back into this rhythm with Denise. There was no tension, no expectations—just old friends catching up. But as the conversation continued, Mikha couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that someone was watching her.
Her eyes flicked to the side and, for a moment, she caught a glimpse of Aiah standing a few feet away, her gaze sharp and intense. Mikha’s heart skipped a beat. It was only for a second, but it was enough to make Mikha feel exposed, like she was under a microscope.
Denise seemed to notice the shift in Mikha’s attention. She leaned closer, her voice lowering. "I think someone’s watching you, Mikha," she said with a smirk. "Careful, you might get caught."
Mikha shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to respond. "It’s nothing," she muttered, trying to brush it off.
Denise, however, seemed amused. She reached out, cupping Mikha’s cheek in a brief but lingering gesture, then planted a soft kiss on her lips. "See you around," she said softly, giving Mikha one last smile before turning to walk away.
Mikha stood frozen for a moment, her mind still spinning. As she turned to glance back at the group, her gaze fell on Aiah again. This time, their eyes met for a heartbeat—Aiah's expression unreadable, but there was something in her eyes that Mikha couldn’t quite place. Something sharp. Something… jealous?
Aiah quickly looked away, but the tension in the air was undeniable. Mikha couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt, but she quickly pushed it aside. She wasn’t doing anything wrong.
///
Aiah tried to focus on the conversation at hand, but her mind kept drifting back to Mikha and Denise. She could still see the image of them together, the way Denise’s hand lingered on Mikha’s cheek, the soft kiss on her lips—everything about it felt like a punch to the gut.
She wasn’t sure why it bothered her this much. Mikha wasn’t hers. They were partners, not… anything else. But damn it, it stung.
As Mikha finally approached her, Aiah forced herself to keep her expression neutral, though her pulse was still racing. Mikha had that look on her face—the one where she thought everything was fine, where she was so damn confident. Aiah couldn’t shake the feeling that Mikha knew exactly what she was doing.
"What’s with the long face?" Mikha’s voice was teasing, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes that made Aiah’s breath catch. "Jealous?"
Aiah narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms in front of her. "I’m not jealous," she shot back, her tone a little sharper than she intended. "But you looked pretty cozy with Denise back there."
Mikha smirked, leaning in closer. "Are you sure? Because I could’ve sworn you were glaring at me from across the room."
Aiah rolled her eyes, trying to play it off. "Don’t flatter yourself, Mikha. I’m just… observing."
Mikha laughed, a low, almost mocking sound that sent a chill down Aiah’s spine. "Observing, huh? Funny. You looked like you were ready to murder me with your eyes. I thought we were just business partners, remember?"
The words stung, but Aiah refused to let it show. She wasn’t about to give Mikha the satisfaction of seeing how much it bothered her. "You’re right," she replied coolly, "just business."
Mikha raised an eyebrow, her gaze lingering a moment longer than necessary. "Well, if that’s how you feel..." She took a step closer, lowering her voice. "Then maybe you should stop watching me so closely."
Aiah’s breath hitched, and for a moment, she almost forgot how to speak. The tension between them was thick, and all she wanted to do was step forward and close the distance between them. But she couldn’t. She wouldn’t. "I’m not watching you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mikha just smiled, that knowing, infuriating smile. "Sure, Aiah. Whatever you say."
"Don’t get too comfortable," Aiah said, trying to sound nonchalant, but the words came out a little sharper than she intended.
Mikha’s eyes sparkled with amusement, her smirk growing wider. "Comfortable? Who’s getting comfortable? I’m just here to observe. You know, just like you."
Aiah fought the urge to roll her eyes. Mikha was always the one to deflect, to twist everything into something that made her seem in control. But Aiah wasn’t going to let her win this round, not when every part of her wanted to grab Mikha by the shoulders and shake some sense into her.
"Don’t you have anything better to do?" Aiah shot back, trying to divert the conversation, but Mikha didn’t let her.
"I could ask you the same thing." Mikha stepped a little closer, her voice dropping low and teasing. "You’ve been looking at me all night, Aiah. Are you sure you’re not a little jealous?"
"I’m not jealous," Aiah muttered, but the words felt hollow even as they left her mouth.
Mikha took another step forward, closing the distance between them. "Right. You keep telling yourself that," she said with a grin. "I’m sure you’ll believe it eventually."
Aiah clenched her fists, trying to keep herself steady. She hated that Mikha could make her feel this way. She hated that Mikha had the power to make her question everything she was trying to ignore.
"I don’t need to explain myself to you," Aiah finally replied, her voice steady but her pulse betraying her.
"Good," Mikha said, stepping back with a mock bow. "Then you won’t mind if I keep doing whatever I want."
Aiah watched her walk away, the smile never leaving her face.
///
The sun was shining brightly the next morning as the group gathered on the beach for their planned activities. Everyone was in high spirits, excited to try out the beach games.
“Okay, team!” Sheena called out, gathering everyone around. “Who’s ready for some fun in the sun?”
“Me!” Gwen cheered, raising her hand enthusiastically. “Let’s do this!”
The girls were split into teams, Aiah and Mikha’s rivalry still palpable. The tension from the previous day hadn’t quite faded, but the competitive atmosphere kept everyone distracted. Mikha, already in her swimsuit, stood with a confident grin, stretching out her arms as she looked at her team.
Aiah rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "You really think you're gonna win, huh?"
"Of course," Mikha replied smoothly, not taking her eyes off Aiah. “You know me. I’m always up for a challenge.”
Aiah raised an eyebrow, but before she could say anything, Denise walked over, flashing Mikha a warm smile.
“Hey, Mikha, ready to have some fun?” she asked, her voice light and friendly.
Mikha turned to her with a grin. “Of course, Denise. You know I’m always up for a challenge.”
Aiah’s heart skipped a beat as she watched Mikha interact with Denise.
It was clear they were comfortable with each other, the way Mikha’s posture shifted into something more relaxed, as if the weight of the world was a little lighter when Denise was around.
"Hey, Aiah!" Jhoanna called, noticing the way Aiah was staring. "Ayos ka lang?"
Aiah snapped out of her trance, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I’m fine," she muttered, but her eyes couldn’t help but flick back to Mikha and Denise.
"Selos ka, 'no?" Jhoanna teased, nudging her playfully.
“I’m not,” Aiah snapped, but the words came out more defensive than she intended. “Why would I be?”
Jhoanna raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Uh-huh, sure. Just don’t let them see you like this."
Aiah clenched her jaw. “I’m not jealous,” she repeated under her breath.
Meanwhile, Mikha and Denise were chatting as if they hadn’t seen each other in years. Mikha’s smile widened as Denise laughed at something she said, and Aiah could feel the jealousy clawing at her chest.
She quickly turned away, pretending to focus on the game, but her gaze kept flicking back to Mikha.
“Ready?” Gwen asked, interrupting her thoughts and handing Aiah a volleyball.
Aiah nodded, trying to push her emotions aside. "Yeah, let's go."
As the game began, Aiah tried to focus on her team. But it was impossible to ignore the way Mikha and Denise continued to stand too close, their body language open and comfortable. Aiah’s eyes narrowed.
"Is something going on between them?" Aiah asked Stacey, who was playing on her team.
Stacey glanced over at Mikha and Denise, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I don't think so. They're just old friends, right?"
Aiah wasn’t so sure. The way Mikha smiled at Denise, the way their conversation seemed effortless... it was almost like they were more than friends.
She tried to shake the feeling, but it lingered.
"Hey, Aiah, pass the ball!" Jhoanna shouted, snapping Aiah out of her thoughts.
Aiah tossed the ball to her team and ran to join the rest. But her thoughts kept drifting back to Mikha and Denise. She could hear their laughter in the distance, the sound of Mikha’s voice so carefree.
It wasn’t like she cared. Mikha could do whatever she wanted, right?
But somehow, the thought didn’t sit well with Aiah. She didn’t like seeing Mikha with someone else, even if they were just friends.
"Focus, Aiah!" Gwen shouted, catching her off guard.
“Right, right,” Aiah muttered, shaking her head. The game wasn’t over, and she wasn’t going to let Mikha’s presence distract her. Not again.
///
The next hours, the girls decided to take advantage of the beach’s activities. After a quick break, they found themselves gathered near the shore, facing a line of colorful kayaks.
“Kayaking tayo!” Sheena suggested, her excitement evident. “Para maiba naman!”
“Game!” Gwen quickly agreed, already pulling Colet and Maloi toward the life jackets. “Tara na bago pa tayo lamangan ng iba!”
Aiah took a deep breath, grateful for a distraction. The memory of yesterday’s volleyball game — and seeing Mikha with Denise — still lingered. She glanced at Mikha, who was adjusting her sunglasses while talking to Denise. Aiah's grip on her life jacket tightened.
“Partner?” Jhoanna grinned, nudging Stacey.
“As always!” Stacey laughed, bumping her shoulder.
Aiah hesitated, looking for a partner. Maloi and Colet were already paired, as were Gwen and Sheena. That left...
“Aiah!” Denise suddenly called out, her smile bright. “Wanna partner up?”
Aiah opened her mouth to agree, but Mikha’s voice cut in smoothly, “Actually, Denise, we were partners last time. Why don't you join Gwen and Sheena? I think Aiah and I should team up.”
Denise blinked, a little surprised, but quickly nodded. “Oh, sure! No worries.”
Aiah raised a brow at Mikha. “Since when do you make decisions for me?”
Mikha shrugged, a smirk playing at her lips. “Since we need to make this a little more interesting. Kaya mo ba?”
Aiah scoffed, forcing down the butterflies in her stomach. “Siyempre naman.”
They both climbed into the kayak, the instructor giving them quick tips before they pushed off. Mikha took the back seat, paddling steadily while Aiah led at the front.
“So,” Mikha began as they found their rhythm, “naka-move on ka na ba sa pagkatalo kahapon?”
Aiah scoffed, looking back at her. “Akala ko ba this is supposed to be a relaxing activity, not a competition?”
“Everything is a competition,” Mikha replied, her eyes glinting mischievously. “Lalo na kapag kasama kita.”
Aiah rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smirk forming on her face. The tension from yesterday had slightly eased, but it was clear there were still unspoken words lingering. Their paddles hit the water in synchronized strokes, the gentle splash filling the silence between them.
Ahead, the other pairs were already laughing, some playfully splashing each other. Denise’s laughter rang out, catching both their attention.
Mikha’s gaze flicked briefly to her, and Aiah didn’t miss the way her expression softened, even for just a second.
“Kanina ka pa nakatitig,” Mikha teased, her voice low. “Do you like what you see?”
Aiah snapped her head back to Mikha, cheeks flushing. “Feelingera. Hindi ako nakatitig.”
Mikha chuckled, clearly enjoying Aiah's reaction. “Sure ka? Akala ko kasi—”
“Ssh. Paddle ka na lang,” Aiah muttered, but the warmth on her cheeks didn’t fade.
///
Back at shore, the group gathered around their kayaks, catching their breaths and wiping off the seawater from their faces. The sun was dipping lower, casting a golden hue over the sand. Everyone looked pleasantly exhausted yet exhilarated from the day's activities.
“Grabe, ang intense ng kayaking!” Colet exclaimed, plopping down on the sand. “Akala ko talaga matutumba na kami ni Maloi.”
“Eh kasi naman, Colet! Ang likot mo!” Maloi complained, lightly nudging Colet, earning chuckles from the others.
Denise, who had stuck with them the whole time, laughed along. “You guys were really fun to watch. Parang lahat competitive.”
Mikha chuckled, her eyes glancing over to Denise. “That’s what happens when you put CEOs together—lahat gusto manalo.”
“Speaking of competitive,” Gwen cut in with a smirk, “Aiah, chill ka lang kanina ha. Baka mamaya manapak ka na sa intensity mo.”
Aiah managed a tight-lipped smile. “Hindi naman. You know me—just giving my best.”
Denise stretched her arms above her head and grinned. “Well, since everyone's here, I was thinking... Baka gusto niyong mag-bar mamaya? I know a nice spot nearby. Drinks on me.”
That got everyone’s attention. The group exchanged excited looks, and even the tired ones perked up.
“Uy, game!” Sheena quickly agreed. “Sakto, I’ve been wanting to experience the nightlife dito.”
“Free drinks? Who's saying no to that?” Jhoanna laughed, bumping Stacey with her shoulder.
Aiah tried to keep her face neutral, but her eyes betrayed her. Mikha noticed the slight tension and couldn't help but smirk a little. Denise's gaze shifted between Aiah and Mikha, curiosity flashing briefly in her eyes before she clapped her hands.
"Great! Then it's settled. We’ll meet at the lobby later?" Denise suggested.
“Game!” everyone chorused, their excitement palpable.
As they dispersed to prepare for the night out, Aiah caught Stacey's smirk from the corner of her eye.
She didn't bother acknowledging it, heading back to her room with a measured pace. She wouldn't let this bother her. Not tonight.