The Constant Beat - LingOrm (Completed)

Chapter 18

The drive to the restaurant was quiet, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a knife. They ordered their food in silence, and as the waiter left, Keia finally spoke.

"I owe you an explanation, Seline," Keia began, her voice tentative.

"My name is really Keia Kornnaphat. I love games, and yes, I make money streaming, but there's more. I studied economics, and I have a master's in film. I'm also the marketing director of my family's company and a part-owner of the bar."

Seline felt her heart tighten, betrayal clawing at her insides. "So, what? You're just... rich? And you never told me? Were you playing games with me this whole time?" she snapped, her voice sharper than she intended.

Keia's eyes softened, a flicker of pain crossing her face. "No, Teerak, I wasn't playing games. I hid it because... well, I've been betrayed before. People get close to me to use me, and when they get what they want, they leave. It's hard to trust anyone, so I kept my background from you."

Seline's anger wavered. She understood what it felt like to be used, to be betrayed by people you trust. Slowly, the pieces fell into place. "That's why you were working at the grocery?" she asked, her voice quieter now.

Keia nodded. "Yes. My dad wanted me to experience life as a regular worker. It wasn't just a game."

Seline sighed, leaning back in her chair as the weight of Keia's words settled in. The hurt was still there, but it was fading, replaced by a deeper understanding. "I get it now," she murmured. "But you need to know that I love you for who you are, not for your money or your position."

Keia reached across the table, her hand trembling slightly as she took Seline's hand in hers. "Thank you, Teerak. That means more to me than you know."

As they finished their lunch, the air between them had softened, the tension easing as they reconnected. Back at the office, Seline's colleagues bombarded her with questions, but she simply smiled and confirmed the truth.

"Yes, Keia's a marketing director. And yes, she's a part-owner of the bar," Seline said calmly.

"Wow," Nene muttered in disbelief.

"And you're okay with that? Even though she didn't tell you?" Jaja asked.

Seline glanced at her desk, where Keia's project proposal lay neatly stacked. She smiled, nodding. "Yeah, I'm okay with it. I love her."

Later that day, when Seline left the office, she found Keia waiting for her again, this time casually dressed in comfy clothes, looking every bit like the gamer she had fallen in love with.

"You waited for me in this heat?" Seline asked with a laugh, eyeing Keia's outfit. "And what's with the clothes?"

"I like being comfy. I save the formal stuff for work," Keia replied with a grin.