Give me that smile

In a room (part3)

"Just someone I know," Aira mumbled, unsure how to explain the hug without revealing her tangled feelings.

Ahan's jealousy flared. "Someone, you know, huh? Did it look like a hug someone else might know too?" He leaned in, his voice low. Who was this guy?

Before Aira could stammer a reply, a new voice sliced through the air. "Yup, that's her Boyfriend!"

Aira spun around, heart leaping into her throat. There stood Kai, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. Talk about bad timing!"Your boyfriend?" Ahan repeated, surprised. "I thought you were single, Aira?"

Aira tried to explain, but Kai pulled her closer, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Do you have a problem with our relationship, buddy?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of challenge.

The air crackled with tension. Ahan and Kai glared at each other, a silent battle brewing. Aira felt trapped between them.

"No, no, it's a misunderstanding!" Aira blurted out. "Ahan, let me explain..."

Ignoring her, Kai wrapped an arm possessively around Aira. "Baby, why should you explain our relationship to a stranger?" he said, his voice dripping with mock sweetness.

Aira shot Kai a serious look. This wasn't helping!

"But as far as I know, Aira was single," Ahan countered, his jaw clenched.

Aira opened her mouth to speak, but Kai interrupted. "We're in a long-distance relationship," he declared, effectively cutting her off. Ahan's eyes narrowed. He wasn't buying Kai's story for a second, and just as he opened his mouth to question it further, Kai cut him off. "babe," Kai said sweetly, pulling Aira close. "Mind if we step outside for a sec? Need to chat."Before Aira could object, Kai whisked her out of the cafe, leaving Ahan speechless. Once outside, Aira didn't have it. She pushed Kai away, her eyes narrowed.

"My boyfriend?" she hissed. "Seriously? Why are you even here, causing a scene?"Kai flashed a charming smile and patted her hand. "Of course, you're my girlfriend, what else?"

Aira's anger flared. "Cut the cute act, Kai! Why are you here?"

His smile faltered a bit. "I just... missed you, Aira. Came to check in."

Aira raised a doubtful eyebrow. This whole "long-distance boyfriend" thing felt fishy. "Yeah, right. Just leave, okay?"

Kai sighed, his shoulders slumping. He mumbled a goodbye and walked away, leaving Aira alone with a tangled mess of thoughts.

"What's gotten into him?" she thought, bewildered. "Sure, he's got a nice face, but boyfriend material? No way! But something's definitely off. How am I supposed to explain this to Ahan? And the biggest question of all..."

A shiver ran down her spine. "Why did Ahan seem so jealous? Does he actually like me?"Aira pushed open the cafe doors again, the bell tinkling overhead. Stepping inside, she tried to clear her head. Her primary mission of finding dirt on the manager remained paramount, but the whole boyfriend situation had thrown everything into chaos. Getting close to Ahan now seemed like a minefield.

Ignoring the butterflies in her stomach, Aira forced a smile at a customer and began her shift. As she went about her tasks, she couldn't help but steal glances at Ahan. He was working too, but his gaze kept flitting towards her, a strange blankness in his eyes. It gave her the creeps.

Taking a deep breath, Aira decided to take action. On a scrap of paper, she scribbled a quick note: "It's a misunderstanding! Can we talk? I have something to tell you." She folded the note in half and slipped it into Ahan's locker, hoping it would spark a conversation and clear the air. Now, all she could do was wait and see if he'd respond. Aira waited for a reply from Ahan, but days turned into weeks and radio silence. Kai never reappeared, leaving her even more confused. Ahan kept his distance, their interactions limited to awkward glances across the cafe.