ALIBI

Chapter 14: Gravity

Trigger warning: language, violence

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Back at the NBI headquarters, the air was thick with exhaustion. Everyone was visibly drained from the rescue mission, but the atmosphere felt heavier than just fatigue.

Mikha and Stacey sat apart, avoiding each other's gaze, still feeling the weight of their reckless actions and the fact that they'd been caught in the middle of something they couldn't quite explain. Stacey couldn't meet Mikha's eyes, her cheeks flushed with a mix of guilt and awkwardness.

Mikha, usually so composed, shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her fingers drumming nervously on her knee. She avoided the stares of their teammates, her mind racing through the events that had unfolded, events that should never had happened in the first place.

The room was silent, except for the faint hum of the air conditioning. No one dared to speak, but the unspoken questions filled the air. Both women felt exposed, as though their most private selves had been laid bare in front of everyone.

Stacey cleared her throat, trying to steady her voice, but the words she wanted to say were stuck. Mikha glanced at her, their eyes meeting briefly, and in that fleeting moment, they both knew that things had changed.

Colet paced the room, her anger boiling just beneath the surface. Finally, she snapped, turning on Mikha. Her frustration from earlier still simmering, she cornered Mikha and Stacey in the operations room along with the rest of the team.Her eyes were sharp and her tone was ice-cold.

"Ano bang pumasok sa isip mo Mikha?"

Mikha clenched her jaw, her patience wearing thin.

"Anong pinagsasabi mo? I didn't compromise our objective, I saved Stacey and we neutralized Ruiz's men!"

"That's not the point!" Colet's voice rose, stepping closer, her anger flaring.

"You're supposed to lead Mikha.This is not just about you and Stacey!"

Before anyone knew it, the argument escalated. Mikha took a step toward Colet their faces inches apart, both unwilling to back down.

"That is my call and you have to respect me as your leader!" Mikha said firmly, her voice low but full of warning.

"I didn't put anyone at risk!" she added.

Her voice was sharp, cutting through the tense silence.

"How do you expect me to respect you after what we've just witnessed?Napaka- unprofessional mo, hindi ka nag-iisip!Nakatakas si Ruiz and the mission is compromised and all because of your personal issues!"

Mikha clenched her jaw, her eyes narrowing, but she said nothing.

Colet wasn't done. She pointed at Stacey. "Ano bang relasyon meron kayo ha? Ipaliwanag nga ninyo sa amin para maintindihan namin!"

Stacey tried to speak, her voice shaky but determined. "Walang namamagitan sa amin Colet, you have to understand-"

"Understand what Stacey? Na sasabihin mong wala tapos ano we'll just pretend na this didn't happened ganon ba!?" Colet cut her off, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Ikaw naman Mikha you're doing this all over again hindi ka ba nadadala you're making everything personal! First with Charlotte tapos ngayon si Stacey, you're making the same mistakes all over again!"

Mikha's eyes widened, her body stiffening at the mention of Charlotte's name. She could feel the tension coil inside her, ready to snap. Colet's words stung like needles, digging into old wounds.

"You're letting your emotions cloud your judgment!" Colet continued, stepping forward.

Mikha riled stepping forward, her own anger flaring.