Youth [MikhAiah] [Book #1]

27

—🦊—

MIKHA

The charity gala swirls around me, a blur of formal smiles, elaborate gowns, and polished crowns. Monarch families from every region of the Philippines fill the castle's grand open area, their chatter a cacophony of elegance and formality. I pretend to enjoy it—laughing at jokes I barely hear, nodding along to conversations I'm not really part of. I keep my posture straight, my face calm, but deep down, I feel an ache that I can't shake.

Denise stands beside me, playing her part to perfection. She clings to my arm as we smile for the cameras, a perfect image of royal unity. But the smile doesn't reach my eyes, and every glance at her only reminds me of the truth—that this is all a lie.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Juno. He's positioned at the edge of the crowd, and he raises his hand ever so slightly, signaling to me. Something important. I know Juno's tells, and this isn't good. I murmur a quick excuse to Denise, leaning in to her ear.

"I need to step away for a moment. I'll be right back."

Denise nods, keeping up appearances with a warm smile to the others as I slip away. I weave through the crowd, careful not to draw too much attention to myself, and make my way toward the hallway where Juno waits.

As soon as I reach him, he leads me into my private quarters, his movements swift but composed. He closes the door behind us, checking the hallway one last time before turning to face me.

"Your highness, there's something you need to see," Juno says, his voice low. He pulls a folded letter from his jacket pocket and hands it to me.

I hesitate for a second, my heart picking up speed as I take the letter. Juno wouldn't bring something like this unless it was serious. As I unfold it, my eyes scan the page, and with every line, my blood runs hotter.

Marc.

His words drip with malice, his veiled threats weaving through the lines. He knows about Aiah and me. He's made it clear that he's not backing down—and worse, he knows where Aiah is. The bastard is playing mind games, trying to corner me.

My hand tightens around the letter, crumpling the edges. A low growl escapes me as my chest fills with a storm of anger. I hand the letter back to Juno, my voice tight. "Sweep my quarters. Now. Make sure nothing else is compromised."

Juno nods without a word and steps out, leaving me to fume in silence. I can't alert my father. If he finds out about this, he'll tighten his grip on my life even more, and I can't risk that—not with Aiah involved.

I take a moment to compose myself before I rejoin the gala, slipping back into the crowd as if nothing's happened. As soon as I find Denise, I lean in close, my voice barely above a whisper. "We have a problem," I murmur. "Marc knows about me and Aiah."

Her expression doesn't falter as she nods slightly, keeping up the façade for the surrounding monarchs. "Shit," she whispers back, her voice low. "What's the plan?"

"We keep up the act for now," I reply, my jaw tight. "But I'm not letting him get to Aiah and as long as my father doesn't know."

As the gala continues, I can't stop the swirl of thoughts in my mind. I can't stop worrying about her—Aiah, alone, with Marc lurking in the shadows. I curse under my breath, wishing I could be there to protect her, to make sure she's safe. But for now, I'm stuck in this gilded cage, playing a role I never wanted.

—🐶—

AIAH

I watch my friends with a heavy heart as Maloi, Stacey, and Sheena sit in my living room, their faces filled with concern. They've been staying with me for days, ever since Marc's flowers showed up at my door. But now, reality's creeping back in—work, commitments, all the things we can't avoid forever.

Maloi sighs, glancing at the clock. "I really hate to say this guys pero may fanmeet kasi ako kailangan puntahan at baka mapatay ako ng management."

Stacey runs a hand through her hair, clearly torn. "Yeah... May model shoot din ako mamaya tapos si Sheena, you've got that dance class to teach, right?"

Sheena nods slowly. "Yeah pero kasi hindi naman na basta basta kong iiwan 'to si ate Aiah."

I shake my head quickly, forcing a smile even though the weight of their words makes my chest tighten. "Guys, I'll be fine. You've all stayed long enough, and I don't want you missing important stuff for me. I'll keep in touch naman, I promise. Tatawagan ko kayo agad."

Maloi looks unconvinced, but eventually, she sighs in defeat. "Okay, siguraduhin mong tatawag ka ha."

I nod. "Opo nanay."

They reluctantly pack their things, double-checking that I'll be okay on my own. As they head toward the door, I watch them with a bittersweet feeling. They've been my rock, my support—but I can't keep them here forever.

Once they've gone, I lock the door and close all the windows, pulling the curtains tight. The apartment feels too quiet without them. I glance down at the burner phone that Mikha gave me, holding it in my hand as if it's a lifeline.

I check the news again, and there it is—Mikha and Denise, arriving at the charity gala, arm in arm. They look perfect together, every bit the royal couple. It hurts to see. Even though I know it's all for show, the sight of them together stirs something deep inside me. Fear, insecurity... a whisper of doubt that I can't quite shake.

The images of Mikha and Denise bring back flashes of Marc—how he manipulated me, twisted my trust, made me doubt everything I believed about myself. The times he gaslighted me, convincing me I was overreacting or that things were my fault. I'd promised myself I wouldn't let anyone make me feel that way again, but the fear is still there, lurking.

I try to shake it off, focusing on the burner phone instead. I text my parents back in Cebu, asking how they're doing. It's been a while since I've spoken to them, and part of me hopes their reply will distract me from the spiral of thoughts.

But as I wait for their response, the heaviness in my chest remains, and the worry about Marc lingers, unshakable.