Chapter Text
Aiah hunched over her computer screen, the fluorescent lights of the advertising agency buzzed overhead, mirroring the frantic activity within her head. With a sigh that ruffled the stack of papers on her desk, Aiah pushed herself back from the chair, her lower back protesting the long hours. Grabbing her phone and purse, she made her way out of the stifling office environment. A quick text to Sheena, her confidante and cousin, secured her a much-needed caffeine fix and a break from the corporate monotony.
"Mas mukhang kailangan mo ng bakasyon, hindi coffee break," Sheena greeted, gesturing for Aiah to sit opposite her.
"Just trying to stay on top of everything before I leave for Colet's wedding,"
"Ah, yes, the wedding. How do you feel about it?"
Aiah let out a weary sigh, her shoulders sagging with the weight of her emotions. "Honestly, I'm not sure. Excited, nervous, apprehensive... a whole mix of emotions, really."
"And what about seeing Jhoanna again? Handa ka na ba teh?" Sheena said teasingly while her gaze was directed at the counter where Gwen was taking orders.
"Huy! Matunaw yan, mawalan pa ako housemate," Aiah joked.
"Sobrang cute kase! Pwede bang pa-ampon sa inyo?"
"No."
"KJ naman neto!"
"Anyway... no choice ako sa wedding. The worst part? She recently broke up with Stacey, the girl she left me for."
"Wow updated tayo ah. Worst part is may feelings ka pa!" the younger girl chuckled. "Tapos idagdag mo pa yung ibang relatives na tatanungin ba't single ka pa. Huhu."
Aiah winced. Sheena hit the nail on the head. Family gatherings, especially extravagant ones like Colet's, were notorious for the relentless "singlehood inquiries" from well-meaning but intrusive relatives.
And then there was Jhoanna. Despite the pain she had caused, Aiah couldn't deny that a part of her still held onto the love they had shared. They had been together for so long, their relationship blossoming from childhood friendship into something deeper and more profound.
"But what iiifff---OMG! I have an idea!"
"Do tell."
"Well, why don't you bring one? A special someone... fabricated, of course."
"Ulol no!"
Sheena shrugged, undeterred by Aiah's skepticism. "Think about it. If Jhoanna sees you with someone else, it might ignite a spark of jealousy. Show up with a stunning partner on your arm, someone who makes Jhoanna do a double take. It might be the perfect revenge – or at least a confidence booster."
Aiah chewed on her bottom lip, considering Sheena's words. It was a bold plan, one that carried its fair share of risks. But the prospect of turning the tables on Jhoanna, of reclaiming her power or her first love back was undeniably appealing.
Aiah scoffed. "Like I could find someone to pretend to be my girlfriend in two weeks, especially someone willing to fly to a remote island."
"Hmm, not just someone!" Sheena countered, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Dapat yung medyo shocking and complete opposite ng taste mo ha. That would certainly catch Jho's interest. Yung free-spirited, kung pwede nga immature, and broke."
The cafe door chimed momentarily silencing their conversation. It was Mikha, Gwen's best friend, her fiery red hair a stark contrast to Aiah's sleek black.
"Gwen! Double espresso, now na." Mikha declared, her voice booming across the cafe. Her gaze landed on Aiah, and a mischievous glint sparked in her eyes. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the corporate queen herself. Good afternoon po, kamahalan."
"Get lost, Lim!" Aiah replied dryly.
Mikha and Aiah's dynamic was made complicated by a series of incidents in the past. One time, Aiah was alone at home when she heard noises outside her room, startled and possibly mistaking the presence as a break-in, she mistakenly reported Mikha to the authorities. They ended up blaming each other for the embarrassment.
It also didn't help that Mikha's impulsiveness clashed with Aiah's need for order and control.
Gwen, sensing the familiar tension rising between her housemate and bestfriend intervened with coffee in hand. "Huy! Kape mo. Maka-order ka wala ka naman pambayad."
"Libre mo naman eh. Bawi ako pag gumaling na si Haru."
"Speaking of finances..." Sheena interjected, leaning forward. "Miks, may alam akong raket!"
"No!" Aiah's eyes widened aware of what Sheena was suggesting.
"But perfect sya!" Sheena nudged Aiah with a knowing look. "Not your type, free-spirited, immature, and perpetually broke."
"Ouch ha."
"Thirty thousand, sagot ko na. Pretend to be Aiah's girlfriend for 2 weeks. All expenses paid, sa resort kayo mag-istay for a wedding."
"Teka pumayag ba ako?" Aiah said in protest.
"Hard pass! Mas madali pang maghalo ng semento for a living kesa maging jowa neto noh," the red haired girl exclaimed as she sauntered away.
"Girl, tinanggihan ganda mo!" Sheena chuckled as Aiah rolled her eyes.
***
The shrill ring of Aiah's phone sliced through the silence in her room. Glancing at the screen, she saw it was her sister, Colet.
"Aiah," her sister's voice bubbled with nervous energy. "Have you booked your flight yet? The wedding is just two weeks away."
"Uh, bukas siguro gagawin ko, may hinihintay lang," she mumbled, hoping to buy some time.
In the background, a cacophony of voices erupted. Aiah could faintly make out snippets of conversation – "...single pa rin ba si Aiah? Poor thing, she must be so lonely." A wave of annoyance washed over her. "Dapat boyfriend na dalhin nya." "Baka di pa nakamove on"
Here it comes, the inevitable family interrogation about her relationship status.
"Colet, may trabaho pa ako ng maaga bukas," Aiah mumbled, hoping to cut the conversation short.
"Oh okay, send me your flight details pag naka-book ka na."
Aiah sighed. This whole fake-girlfriend plan had seemed impulsive the other day, but now, with the weight of family expectations pressing down on her, it felt more necessary than ever.
She saw Gwen and Mikha talking as she entered the living room. Mikha's usually playful demeanor seemed muted, her brow furrowed in worry.
"What's going on?" Aiah asked, concern lacing her voice as she took a seat beside them.
Gwen glanced at Mikha before turning to Aiah. "Si Haru," she said, referring to Mikha's beloved cat. "Kailangan daw operahan,"
"Aside from surgery, meron pang current treatment plus confinement. Ubos na talaga ipon ko."
Aiah's mind raced as she considered their options.
"Actually," Aiah continued, feeling a surge of determination, "the offer still stands. Double what Sheena mentioned, and you pretend to be my girlfriend for the wedding."
Mikha's head snapped up, her fiery red hair practically bouncing with curiosity. "Wait, are you actually considering it?"
Aiah blinked fast, the absurdity of the situation hitting her. Yet, the thought of silencing the whispers from her family and the chance to maybe, just maybe, get a rise out of Jhoanna, held a certain appeal.
"What's the deal though?"
"I wanna make my ex jealous."
"BS. You want me to help you get the girl."
Aiah shrugged.
"So you're saying," Mikha began slowly, "I would pretend to be your girlfriend, then libreng bakasyon sa sosyal na resort, and have enough money to pay for Haru's surgery?"
"Mga baliw!" Gwen finally interjected. "But considering the circumstances..." She trailed off, her gaze flickering between Aiah and Mikha.
Pinching the bridge of her nose, Mikha muttered, "Deal."///