A few days have passed since that conversation.
But the question… and the silence that followed… still echo in my head like a stubborn notification I can't swipe away.
Things with Ben haven't changed on the surface—we still argue over layouts and font sizes, he still drinks his coffee black, and I still roll my eyes at him daily—but something has shifted. Something in the air—something unspoken and thick, like smog after the rain.
Why didn't he just say no?
We're not dating. We're barely tolerating each other most days. So why did he avoid answering Kevin's question? And Kevin… why would he even ask that? After all this time—does he still feel something?
I barely have time to spiral deeper when a familiar voice jolts me out of my thoughts.
"Ms. Dela Cruz."
"Sir?!" I shoot up from my chair, heart racing. Where did he even come from? Kevin's sudden presence is unnerving.
He doesn't seem to notice my minor heart attack.
"Today's the shoot for the new advertisement," he says, checking his watch. "You'll come with me to oversee the photography."
"Me?" I blink. "But usually the senior graphic designer handles the shoot… I'm just the assistant."
Before Kevin can respond, Ben steps in, voice firm. "I'll go with you, sir. This is my task, not Mia's."
The tension in the room thickens.
Jella pauses mid-typing and glances up from her desk, exchanging a quick look with Jay.
He raises an eyebrow slightly, as if silently asking, Did I miss something? Jella shrugs, but her eyes linger on the three of us, curiosity clearly sparked.
Kevin's eyes don't leave mine for a moment too long before turning to Ben. "I specifically requested Mia this time. I want her perspective."
Ben hesitates, jaw tightening—but he doesn't argue.
So now, I'm going on this shoot… with Kevin. And Ben is staying behind.
Kevin leaves the office without another word.
I grab my things—my sketchpad, my tablet, my nerves—and follow behind him, my steps uncertain.
I can feel Ben's gaze trailing after us like a shadow.
When I reach the hallway, I can't help myself—I turn.
He's still standing by his desk, eyes fixed on me.
There's something in his expression that makes me falter.
Not annoyance. Not frustration. Something... quieter. Harder to define.
Worry? Disapproval?
Maybe even something else entirely.
My brows pull together as I glance at him, my concern showing more than I mean it to.
I don't even know what I'm supposed to be doing on this shoot. Ben was right—it's not part of my job description. I'm just the assistant. I create drafts. I follow instructions.
So why does Kevin want me?
Before I turn back around, I catch one last glimpse of Ben's face—and this time, there's a flicker in his eyes I don't quite recognize.
Like he's trying to figure something out.
Like he wants to say something, but won't.
Like he's... unsure of something.
I follow Kevin through the hallway, unsure of what I'm walking into. But more than anything, unsure of what I just left behind.
_________________________________________________
We arrive at the studio, and as soon as we walk in, the atmosphere shifts. Lights flash, cameras click, and the smell of food styling products fills the air.
"Good morning, Mr. Garcia," the team greets Kevin in unison.
"How's the shoot going?" he asks politely, his tone as composed as ever.
"It's going smoothly, thanks to our model," the photographer replies with a grin.
Model? The word sticks in my head for a second. I barely have time to process it before a voice cuts through the studio—soft, feminine, and oddly familiar.
"Kevin," she says warmly. "You're here. You came to see me?"
Before I can even turn, she's already walking toward him, confidence in every step. She hugs him like they've done this a thousand times before, her smile bright enough to make the room feel smaller.
She's beautiful.
I blink, caught off guard by how naturally stunning she is. Something about her presence feels... intimidating.
But more than that—familiar.
As I try to place her face, Kevin speaks again.
"Daisy, so how's the shoot going? This is your first gig modeling for a food campaign, right?"
"I only said yes because you work for this company," she answers with a soft laugh, her eyes never leaving his.
And just like that, a memory hits me.
There was a fleeting glimpse of the beach. Two silhouettes against the setting sun.
A girl calling out, "Kevin!"
A boy, surprised. "Daisy? You're here?"
Then a hug—exactly like the one I just saw.
It's her.
She's the girl I saw with Kevin six years ago.
The girl from that summer.
And now… she's here.
Back.
Right in front of me.