DAY 1
By the time Aiah arrived at her client's office, she had managed—mostly—to push thoughts of Mikha to the back of her mind.
The morning was a whirlwind of introductions, PowerPoint slides, and discussions about project timelines. She was good at this part—the rhythm of consulting, the way she could slip into her professional mode with ease. The moment she walked into a boardroom, she was sharp, efficient, all business.
Still, between discussions about strategy and deliverables, her mind betrayed her.
Every now and then, her thoughts would flicker—unwelcome—to a pair of dark eyes, a flickering smirk, the way Mikha had leaned just slightly away from her in the café, like she wasn't sure if she wanted to get closer or bolt entirely.
Aiah shook it off. Focus.
By noon, she was starving, and thankfully, she had lunch plans—ones that had nothing to do with unreadable hotel receptionists.
"AIAH ARCETA, YOU MENACE!"
Aiah barely had time to react before a whirlwind of energy crashed into her, nearly making her drop her bag. She burst out laughing as she was pulled into a tight hug.
"Maloi!" she gasped. "Diyos ko, para kang bagyo!"
Maloi pulled back, grinning wildly. "Aiah, one whole year tapos ang ganda mo pa rin? Samantalang ako, stress na stress na sa trabaho dito sa New York?"
Aiah snorted. "Ang dami mong sinasabi, pero naka-Burberry coat ka diyan, ha?"
Maloi flipped her hair dramatically. "Excuse me, hindi ko kasalanan na umaayon ang yaman sa akin."
Aiah rolled her eyes, laughing. She had missed this—really missed this. Video calls weren't the same as seeing Maloi in person, loud and animated and effortlessly stylish, like she had been born to take over New York.
"Come on," Maloi said, looping her arm through Aiah's. "We're going to my favorite spot. Hindi ako papayag na fast food lang kakainin mo."
Aiah let herself be pulled along, grateful to finally relax.
They ended up at a cozy little French bistro tucked into a quiet street, the kind of place that Maloi probably had bookmarked in an extensive list of places to be fabulous in NYC.
As they settled into their seats and ordered, Maloi leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "Okay, spill. Kamusta ka na? Any hot developments sa love life mo?"
Aiah snorted, shaking her head. "Ito talaga unang tanong mo?"
"HELLO?" Maloi gestured dramatically. "You being in a relationship is rarer than me finding a cab in the rain. Mas importante 'to!"
Aiah rolled her eyes, sipping her water. "Nothing new. Work, travel, repeat."
Maloi gasped in mock offense. "Ang boring mo na, friend. Hindi kita kilala."
Aiah smirked. "Boring? Eh ikaw nga, ako kaagad tinanong mo tungkol sa love life. Wala ka rin bang ganap?"
Maloi dramatically placed a hand over her chest. "Excuse me, at least ako, may roster."
Aiah nearly choked on her drink. "Roster? Talaga?"
Maloi grinned. "Well, isa lang naman 'yung consistent, si Sam. Pero wala pa kaming label, kasi alam mo naman ako—commitment is my villain origin story."
Aiah shook her head, amused. "At ikaw may ganap, samantalang ako, wala."
Maloi squinted at her, suddenly suspicious. "Hmm. Wala talaga? Parang... wala kang sinasabi pero iba ang aura mo."
