The Constant Beat (Completed)

Chapter 12

Keia'S POV

Keia woke up slowly, her head throbbing and heavy from the remnants of last night's drinking. She winced as the sunlight filtered through the curtains, intensifying the dull ache in her temples. Memories of the previous night drifted back in fragments, lights, music, and laughter. And then Seline.

The thought of her brought a slow smile to Keia's lips. She reached up, fingertips brushing lightly against her lips, remembering the way Seline's kiss felt, soft, urgent, and unexpected.

It had been a whirlwind of a night. Keia recalled being on the dance floor, lost in the beat of the music, her friends Ying and Prigkhing dancing. They'd been having fun, just the three of them until a familiar figure appeared amidst the crowd.

Seline, her cheeks flushed and eyes hazy with alcohol, had made her way through the crowd of people and walked right up to her.

Keia had barely registered her presence when Seline wrapped her arms around Keia's waist, Pulling her closer.

To her surprise, Keia instinctively placed her hands around Seline's neck, feeling the heat radiating off her skin.

Seline's voice was low, a little rough, and very close to her as she murmured, "Is this your first time at a bar, Keia?"

Keia had laughed softly, the sound lost in the pulse of the music. "No, it's not my first time." she'd replied, the words coming out breather than she intended.

Something about the proximity made everything feel electric.

Seline's perfume, the subtle floral notes, hit Keia's senses, sending a shiver down her spine.

She barely had time to react before Seline's body shifted, her movements fluid and graceful as she started to dance, grinding against Keia's hips.

They moved together, bodies swaying in sync as if they'd done this a hundred times before. When Keia turned to face her, Seline's gaze was already on her, intense and focused.

Then, she felt Seline's fingers gently trace over her lips, the touch so light it made Keia's pulse race.

Before she could process what was happening, Seline leaned in, closing the distance between them. And then a kiss. Hot and lingering, it sent a thrill through Keia's veins that she hadn't felt in a long time.

The memory made her heart skip a beat. Keia had been the one to pull away, breathless and wanting more. "Do you want to take this somewhere else?" She'd asked, voice low. Seline had nodded, and they'd slipped away from the bar, into the cool night air.

But before Keia could sink deeper into that recollection, her phone rang snapping her back to reality.

It was her Dad.

"Dad?" Keia answered, blinking to clear the fog of lingering sleep and memories. "What's wrong? Why are you calling so early?"

Her father's voice sounded concerned on the other end. "Your aunt called me and said you didn't show up at the grocery store like you promised, Where are you?"

Keia winced. She'd completely forgotten. "I'm sorry, Dad. I'm at Ying's place. We went out last night, and I drank too much. I'll call Auntie after I freshen up, okay?"

Her Dad sighed, the worry in his voice easing slightly. "Alright, Kha. Just make sure you're alright, and eat some hangover soup, Okay?"

"I will. Promise." Keia managed a small smile, despite the guilt chewing at her.

"I will. I love you, Dad."

The call ended.

Keia immediately shot out of bed. She couldn't afford to be late for work today, especially after standing her aunt up for her grocery run. She rushed through a shower and changed into a fresh pair of jeans and a simple white shirt from a nearby boutique charging it to her black credit card without hesitation.

After grabbing a quick sandwich and coffee to go, she flagged down a motorcycle taxi and sped through the morning traffic, weaving through the streets to make it to the grocery store her aunt owned.