Anthologies {MIKHAIAH AU}

the mayor and the firestarter pt 6

The late morning light poured through the café windows, casting a golden glow over the room. Aiah stirred her latte absentmindedly, a soft smile on her lips as she recounted an office mishap involving a runaway stapler and her coworker's terribly misplaced confidence.

Across from her, Mikha laughed, her head tilted back slightly, the sound loud enough to draw a few glances. Koko, stretched out comfortably on Mikha's lap, wagged her tail at the sound, enjoying the lazy strokes Mikha gave her as if this was a routine they'd all fallen into.

It felt natural, even domestic.

If anyone had told Aiah a month ago that she'd be spending her weekends like this—with Mikha Lim, of all people—she would have laughed. Maybe even choked on her coffee. But here they were. Mikha, who she thought would disappear after their first night together, had stayed. More than stayed. She'd wormed her way into Aiah's life in a way that felt... stable.

And that stability was both comforting and terrifying.

Aiah leaned back in her seat, watching as Mikha absentmindedly kissed the top of Koko's head before resting her chin on her free hand, her full attention still on Aiah's story. There was no trace of the notorious Mayor of Tinder persona here—no cocky smirk, no flirty innuendos. Just Mikha, listening, fully present.

It would have been perfect, if not for the nagging thought in the back of Aiah's mind.

They hadn't talked about it yet.

What they were. What this was.

Every time Aiah thought about bringing it up, her mind hit a wall. On one hand, Mikha had given her no reason to doubt her—she showed up, she listened, she stayed. On the other hand... this was Mikha. Mikha, who had a reputation, a history that everyone seemed to know. Mikha, who probably had a Rolodex of women who once thought they'd been special too.

And as if summoned by the universe itself, the door to the café jingled, and two women walked in.

Aiah didn't notice them at first, too caught up in Mikha's quiet laughter at her last joke. But then their voices cut through the gentle hum of the café, and Mikha stiffened ever so slightly.

"Oh my God, Mikha?"

Aiah glanced over her shoulder just in time to see two women approach their table. The taller one, a brunette with sharp features, smiled like she'd just run into an old friend she wasn't quite sure she wanted to see. The other, shorter with wavy hair, looked more amused than anything.

Mikha leaned back slightly in her chair, her hand still resting on Koko. "Sofia. Julia," she said, her tone casual but not quite as confident as usual. "Hey."

Aiah's eyes flicked between them. Sofia and Julia?

The brunette—Sofia—crossed her arms, her smile turning into a smirk. "Didn't expect to see you here. Though I guess you've always liked this place. Or maybe it's the dogs?"

"Or the company," Julia added, her tone dripping with something playful.

Mikha shifted slightly, her hand moving to rub the back of her neck. "It's been a while," she said, forcing a small smile. "How've you two been?"

Sofia and Julia exchanged a glance, their shared smirk suggesting a familiarity that made Aiah's stomach twist.

"Oh, you know," Sofia said breezily. "Keeping busy. Meeting new people. Though it's always interesting running into... old friends."

"Very interesting," Julia echoed, her gaze flicking briefly to Aiah before settling back on Mikha.

The implication was clear.