BINI IMAGINES

BINI SERIES - Chained by Desire #4| MIKHA

THIRD PERSON'S POV

Mikha sat in her office, massaging her temples. The interview with Y/n had been draining, not because Y/n wasn't impressive, far from it, but because something about her left Mikha more rattled than she cared to admit. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but the constant throbbing in her head certainly wasn't helping her think straight.

Across the room, Jhoanna was lounging on the couch, laptop on her lap, completely absorbed in her work. Mikha glanced at her cousin. "You know, you have your own office, right?"

Jhoanna, without looking up. "Mhmm, but your office is so much comfier than mine. Plus, I tend to feel alone in that big, cold office. Yours has better vibes."

"Better vibes," Mikha echoed with a sigh, leaning back in her chair. "You're in here so often I should start charging you rent."

Jhoanna grinned. "Go on. I'll just take it out of your paycheck."

Mikha rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help the faint smile tugging at her lips. Their fathers, brothers who had started this company together, had made it clear that family came first. And even though Jhoanna had her own space, she often found her way into Mikha's office, making herself right at home.

The sound of the office door creaking open pulled Mikha from her thoughts. Her smile immediately faded when she saw who had entered.

Gelo, holding a large bouquet of roses.

"Ah, Mikha! I was hoping I'd catch you here," Gelo greeted, his voice brimming with confidence as he walked in with his usual swagger toward Mikha's desk, holding out the flowers.

Mikha suppressed the urge to sigh aloud, her headache worsening at the sight of him. She had made everything perfectly clear, several times. But Gelo either didn't get the hint or, more likely, didn't care.

"Hey, Gelo," Mikha said, her voice flat. "I thought I told you-"

"I know, I know," Gelo interrupted, smiling as though he hadn't a care in the world. "Hindi mo na kailangang sabihin pa ulit. But I just thought I'd drop by, bring you these, and, you know, remind you that I'm still here. Still proving myself."

Jhoanna, who had been quiet up until now, finally looked up from her laptop, her eyes narrowing at Gelo. "Ikaw na naman."

The tension in the room immediately spiked. Mikha shot her cousin a warning glance, but Jhoanna wasn't one to hold back, especially when it came to Gelo.

"I'm just here to make my girl's day better," Gelo said, unfazed by Jhoanna's hostility as he placed the bouquet on Mikha's desk. "What's wrong with that?"

Jhoanna crossed her arms, standing up from the couch. "What's wrong is that you keep showing up kahit na ilang beses ka nang sinabihang tumigil. You're like some sort of lovesick puppy that can't take no for an answer."

"Jho," Mikha warned, rubbing her temples again. She really wasn't in the mood for another round of their bickering.

Gelo chuckled, leaning against the desk casually. "I don't mind. I like a challenge. And besides, Gusto ko lang namang patunayan kay Mikhs na seryoso ako sakanya. Hindi katulad ng iba d'yan." he added with a pointed look at Jhoanna.

Jhoanna scoffed, stepping closer. "Sige nga, lubayan mo pinsan ko."

"Okay, enough." Mikha's voice was firm, cutting through the rising tension. She stood up from her chair, walking around her desk to face both of them. "Gelo, I appreciate the gesture, but I've told you before, there's nothing here. No matter how many times you show up with flowers or grand gestures, it's not going to change how I feel."