Hookup [MikhAiah] [Book #3]

13

 —🐶🐺—

Aira's fingers absentmindedly trace the delicate chain of her necklace, her thumb brushing over the pendant as she stands alone in the elevator. The cool metal rests lightly against her skin, but its emotional weight feels much heavier. Her mind drifts to her mother—this necklace, the last thing her mother ever gave her, has become a bittersweet memento. A symbol of a love she barely remembers and a loss that haunts her more than she's willing to admit. She sighs softly, tucking the necklace under her shirt, hiding it from the world just as she hides her grief.

The soft chime of the elevator interrupts her thoughts, and as the doors slide open, Aira's gaze meets the warm, familiar figure of Chase, smiling at her like always.

"Hi," Chase greets her, stepping inside with a grin. "Napa-aga ka ata. I wasn't expecting you just yet."

Aira quickly pulls herself from the weight of her memories, smiling back at Chase. "Yeah, wala rin naman ako magawa sa bahay and dad's stuck in meetings with sponsors, so I figured I'd come in early."

Chase nods, her eyes scanning over Aira before catching on the laptop bag slung over her shoulder. "Mabigat ata yan," Chase comments, offering her hand. "Let me take that for you."

Aira hesitates for a moment, but the ache in her arm reminds her just how much of a relief it would be to let go. She hands the bag over, giving Chase a grateful smile. "Thanks, Chase."

 —🐶🐺—

As the elevator doors open again, they step out into the quiet hallway, walking side by side toward the studio. The hum of their light conversation fills the space between them as Chase swings the keys from her hand, ever the responsible leader. She stops in front of the studio door, sliding the key into the lock and glancing at Aira with a playful smirk.

"After you," Chase says, pushing the door open with a slight flourish.

Aira chuckles softly at the gesture, stepping inside the familiar room. "Thanks," she murmurs, glancing around the spacious yet cozy studio, the soft overhead lights flickering on as Chase flips the switch.

"Iwan ko muna here yung bag mo ah," Chase offers, placing the laptop bag down as she moves toward the locker room. "I just need to drop off my things."

Chase enters the locker room with an easy stride, but as soon as her foot hits the tile floor, something feels wrong. Her shoe slides slightly, and she frowns, eyes darting down to the ground. A yellow caution cone stands near the corner, and suddenly, it clicks in her mind—it's Tuesday. Cleaning day. The staff always mop the studio floors on Tuesdays.

"Aira?" she calls out, her voice echoing through the studio. "Be careful, the floor's—"

But before she can finish, Aira's voice floats from the other room, cheerful and oblivious. "Chase! May note dito saying they've cleaned the studio! The floors are slippery, so watch—"

Aira steps into the locker room just as Chase's eyes widen, time seeming to slow down in that fleeting second.

"Care..." Chase starts, her voice trailing as she watches in horror as Aira's foot hits the slick floor, her balance faltering almost instantly.

Before Aira can fully process what's happening, she's already slipping. But Chase is quicker, instinctively reaching out, her arms wrapping around Aira just in time to stop her fall. Aira stumbles into her, their bodies colliding softly as Chase holds her steady. The sound of their breaths—sharper now—fills the space as they both freeze in the aftermath of the near-accident. "...ful..."

Chase's hands tighten their grip around Aira's waist, her heart pounding rapidly in her chest. They're so close, Aira's face just inches from hers, their breaths mingling in the small, intimate space between them. The warmth of Aira's body pressed against her, the soft brush of her hair against Chase's cheek—it's all too much. Chase's mind goes blank as her gaze locks with Aira's, and for a moment, she forgets how to breathe.

In the dim light of the locker room, with no one else around, Chase sees Aira in a way she never has before. The slight flush of her cheeks, the way her lips part as she catches her breath, the softness of her eyes as they meet Chase's—it all sends a jolt of electricity through her.

How is it that she looks this beautiful up close? Chase thinks, her heart racing faster than she ever thought possible. She can feel every thud of her heartbeat in her chest, can practically hear it echo in the silence between them.

And then it hits her—this is Aira, their temporary manager. The rational part of Chase's brain screams at her to pull away, to let go. But for just a moment, she doesn't want to.

Before either of them can say a word, the sound of voices shouting outside the locker room snaps them out of their trance. Johanne and Gale's loud chatter fills the studio, breaking the bubble that had formed around Chase and Aira. Instantly, they pull back from each other, both of them awkwardly adjusting their postures, the heat of the moment still lingering.

Chase clears her throat, her voice tight. "I'll—Mauna ka na muna, may aayusin lang ako here." She motions toward the main room, her heart still hammering in her chest as she tries to act like nothing happened.

Aira, clearly flustered herself, nods quickly. "Right, I'll—I'll go greet them," she stammers, slipping out of the room with her cheeks still flushed... or so what Chase saw from the very corner of her eyes.

The moment Aira leaves, Chase is left standing in the silence of the locker room. Her breath comes out in a shaky exhale, and she presses her hand to her chest, right where her heart continues to race uncontrollably. She clutches the fabric of her shirt, feeling the rapid, erratic beating beneath her palm.

What just happened? Why does her heart feel like it's ready to leap out of her chest?