She Devil

Chapter 6

The sound of my office phone ringing snapped me out of my daze. "Hello?" I answered, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Ms. Gray, there's a package here for you," ang sabi ng receptionist.

"Send it up," I replied before hanging up.

I leaned back on my chair, sighing. The weight of yesterday clung to me, that kiss. Amara's teasing smirk, the way she disappeared after like it was nothing. As if she hadn't just turned my entire world upside down.

"Focus," I muttered, dragging a hand through my hair. The kiss was a mistake. A lapse in judgment. I wasn't going to let it mess with me, hindi pwede.

The knock on my door made me sit straighter. "Come in."

Ava stepped in, her arms crossed and her usual playful smirk plastered on her face. "Good morning, sunshine. How's our resident heartbreaker doing today?"

"Not now, Ava," I groaned, grabbing a file from my desk to look busy.

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh, not in the mood? Why kaya? Could it be... a certain someone?"

I glared at her. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Hmm, sure you don't," she said, settling herself in the chair across from me. "You've been off since yesterday. At lalo na kaninang umaga, parang ang lalim ng iniisip mo habang nakatitig sa wall. Spill, Gray. Did something happen?"

I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the edge of the folder. Ava knew me too well, and the way her eyes sparkled told me she wasn't going to drop this.

"Nothing happened," I finally said, a bit too defensively.

"Uh-huh," she drawled, leaning forward. "So why is there a lipstick stain on the collar of your suit?"

My eyes widened. "What?"

Ava burst out laughing. "Relax, joke lang. But the fact that you panicked? Tells me everything I need to know."

"Get out," I snapped, pointing to the door.

"Fine, fine. But I'm watching you," she teased as she stood. "Huwag mong sasabihin sakin na hindi kita binalaan, Gray."

I was halfway through reviewing the Solana Energy files when the door to my office opened without a knock.

"Gray."

My head shot up, and there she was, Amara, looking as composed and intimidating as ever. Her sleek black dress hugged her figure perfectly, and her confidence filled the room like a storm.

"Amara," I said, masking the sudden spike in my heartbeat. "What can I do for you?"

She stepped closer, placing a folder on my desk. "We're leaving tomorrow morning for Solana's follow-up trip. Three more days at the resort."

I blinked. "Wait, what? Tomorrow? Wala namang usapan tungkol diyan."

Amara crossed her arms, looking down at me with that infuriating mix of authority and calm. "I thought Mr. Montemayor made it clear yesterday, Gray. He invited us for a follow-up discussion. This is important for the partnership, so we're going."

"Bakit ako? Can't you handle this alone?" I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the irritation bubbling up.

She raised an eyebrow, smirking. "You're my partner on this project, remember? Besides, Montemayor specifically asked for both of us. Ayaw mo bang ipakita na kaya nating magdala ng ganitong kalaking deal?" She hissed. Halatang naiirita na sa akin.

I opened my mouth to argue, but her words hit a nerve. Ayoko ngang bigyan ng dahilan ang kahit sino na mag-doubt sa kakayahan ko. I hated that she was right, but I hated even more how her presence made it hard to think straight.