The Constant Beat

Chapter 3

It was Tuesday morning, and Seline already felt like she was drowning under the weight of her workload. The outpouring of urgent requests from her manager was relentless, and it wasn't even noon yet.

She had already downed two cups of coffee, but the caffeine did little to calm her frayed nerves. Glancing at her wristwatch, she realized it was just 10 a.m.

She sighed, feeling the pressure mounting. "Jaja, could you check this file and send it to Nene? And this folder, please hand it off to Gap." she said, forcing a tight smile despite the stress bubbling beneath the surface.

"Okay kha," Jaja replied, giving Seline a reassuring nod. "I'll grab some food outside while I'm at it." Jaja added before making her way to Gap and Nene, relaying Seline's instructions with ease.

While her team worked efficiently to manage their own tasks, Seline decided she needed to step out of the office for a breath of fresh air and she went to their garden area, maybe a quick break would help clear her head.

Jaja went out to grab some food from a nearby cafe, hoping the short walk would relieve some of the tension coiling in her head.

But as she returned to the office, her eyes landed on a familiar figure standing near the entrance. Keia was there, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers in one hand and a takeout container in the other.

"N'Keia!" Jaja called out as she spotted Keia, who turned to face her with a broad smile.

"What are you doing here?" Jaja asked, her gaze flickering between the bouquet and the food, clearly puzzled by Keia's persistent appearance.

"I'm here for P'Seline," Keia replied casually, as if waiting for her ex-girlfriend outside her workplace with flowers was a normal part of her day. "I'll wait until she's done with work," she added, smiling earnestly.

Jaja raised an eyebrow. "Okay... but don't you have work or a game today?"

Keia shook her head. "Not today. I have a few errands to run, but that can wait," she said with a shrug, still smiling as if nothing could shake her mood.

"Right. Well, I'll head inside then," Jaja said, slightly taken aback but trying not to let it show. She bowed politely before stepping back into the office.

"See you around." Keia called out cheerfully, waving at her.

Once Jaja was back inside, she made a beeline for Seline's cubicle, holding a bag of food and a smoothie in her hands.

She places them on Seline's untidy desk. "I figured you've had enough coffee today, so here's something else." She said, offering a warm smile as Seline glanced up at her.

Seline unwrapped the sandwich, visibly grateful. "Thank you, Kha." she said, she took a small bite as she leaned back in her chair.

Jaja hesitated for a moment before talking, "Uhmmm.. I saw Keia." she said, observing Seline's reaction. "She's waiting for you outside."

Seline froze for a moment and pretended nothing happened, and her smile disappeared, her face hardened. "She doesn't give up, does she?" her voice tinged with frustration as she set her sandwich down.

Jaja who's nibbling on her food, shrugged. "She's persistent, I'll give her that. But... what are you going to do?"

Seline sighed, clearly annoyed. "I need to talk to her." Without another word, Seline stood up and walked out of the office, mentally preparing herself for yet another encounter with Keia.