Beneath The Crown

THE FALLOUT

YALA POV

They entered her condominium building just a few doors down from the club.

She's walking ahead of Bec while her hand is holding hers. The elevator opened and they went inside; she let go of Bec's hand and closed her eyes to ease her dizziness. She opened her eyes after she heard the elevator dings and felt the door open.

Her luxurious home is located on the 37th floor of the Platinum, a 43-story building close to some of the most iconic NYC attractions and offering a sky-high view of the bustling metropolis.

What she likes about her condo is its proximity to world-class dining, shopping, and entertainment. She has everything she needs to live the ultimate New York lifestyle.

She took Bec to her room when they got inside her condo.

Her bedroom has a walk-in closet and a spacious free-standing soaking tub, while her spa-like bathroom has a glass-enclosed rain shower and Dornbracht polished chrome faucets. The second bedroom has plenty of closet space and beautiful views, so storage will never be an issue.

The subtle glow of city lights pouring through the windows filled her surroundings with a soothing brightness as she entered her bedroom. Her senses gradually adapted to the peaceful atmosphere of the far-off city lights as she stood in the centre of the dimly lighted room.

She guided Bec to her bed. "Wait here for a bit, okay." Bec didn't respond, she just proceeded to take off her boots.

The cool tiles beneath her feet were a pleasant relief from the jumbled sensations that confused her head.

As she walked out of the bathroom, feeling somewhat refreshed, she couldn't help but feel excitement and nervousness when she saw Bec's clothes scattered on the floor.

Looking at Bec's silhouette on the bed, her back facing her, she decided to reach out to her, her voice quiet but tinted with a mischievous yearning.

"Hey," she said quietly, the word bearing a hint of invitation.

As she got closer to the bed, she heard a faint snore.

"Oh, I thought she was just waiting for me," she said.

She left the girl alone with a tiny smile, understanding that the potential for intimacy was best dealt with, with mutual consent and respect.

Feelings surged within her—a mix of longing and the realisation that timing was not on her side in this situation.

Turning away from the bed, she undressed, each item slipping away to reveal her bare skin, leaving only her underwear to sleep in for the night.

As she sank into the softness of the bed, she felt the city lights, the girl's presence, and her own self intertwined in a tapestry of understanding and closeness.

JAI POV

A continuous pounding, a ruthless reminder of excess left to time's cold flow, rang through her brain as consciousness gradually recaptured her. Morning light poured through half-closed blinds, drawing patterns of unknown familiarity on the walls and creating a dreamlike atmosphere upon her awakening.

The room was an anonymous haven, a blank canvas on which her hazy memories had sketched only pieces.

However, as her senses gradually pieced together the pieces of her surroundings, a tint of unease began to emerge. She felt the space, a painting of subdued hues and strange textures, had mysteries that danced just out of reach. The sounds of laughter, talking, and clinking glasses from the previous night lingered in her mind like faraway, comfortable, and unsettling echoes.

Emotions symphonized within her, a melody of confusion, and a whisper of regret. Uncertainty grabbed her heart as she wrestled with the mystery of this strange bedroom. It was a space that suddenly held her presence and a jumble of questions concerning a night she couldn't fully recall.

Then her eyes were drawn to the figure lying near her, a girl with tangled hair facing her back to me; I could hear her snoring slowly as if the night commotion had bestowed a peaceful rest upon her.

"s**t s**t s**t," she couldn't control herself.

As if on cue, she looked under her blanket and was shocked to see that she was naked.

"Ahh!" then she kicked the girl hard and she fell on the bed.

A loud thud can be heard in the room, and it goes quiet for a bit. Then suddenly, the girl stood up.

"What's f*****g wrong with you?!" her eyes closed, and her right hand was trying to rub her back. She was probably in pain from falling.

Then their eyes met. Shock was written on both of their faces. Her initial surprise gave way to a mixture of anger and anxiety.

"What the hell!" her blood runs into her head, and she's fuming.

"How did you get here?!" Yala spat back. Confusion was written on her face.

She was still fuming mad, but she stopped trying to remember what happened, but the last time she remembered was someone grabbed her out in the club.

With her right hand on her head and left on the blanket, she looks at her as if shooting daggers from her eyes.

Realizing she was naked under the blanket, she asked, "Did you touch me!?" If looks could kill, Yala would've been long gone by now.

Feeling insulted, Yala retaliated, her tone edged with frustration. "You would be so lucky if I did, lady!"

"How dare you!" In an instant, she was in front of Yala. Not thinking clearly, she slapped her.

It left both of them stunned. Yala was more shocked by what happened.

Their former encounters, laced with warmth, kindness, and even more profound, were washed away instantly.

"I would never associate myself with you like this!" one can sense disgust laced in her voice.

"Look, I understand. But perhaps we should both take a deep breath and figure out what happened." Yala tried to be calm, but confusion was also on her face.

"Then why the heck am I naked?!" She looked at her stone cold.

"But why am I not naked if something happened between us?!" Yala's voice was suddenly laden with anger.

Looking at her briefly, I saw that her cheek had now turned red. I didn't even feel guilty one bit at that moment.

I had never associated myself with women in this way.

"Maybe you mistook my kindness for something else." And with that, she stood up, gathered her clothes, and wore them in a hurry.

"Don't just blame me. It takes two to tango." Yala is now sitting in the bed, her eyes focusing on the window, as if the answers would appear instantly.

"You want me to believe that crap?!" she spat angrily.

As if realizing something, Yala looked at her with a lighter expression. "Nothing happened Jai."

"And why would I trust you?" Pain came across Yala's face when she spat those words on her.

"Let's not cross our paths again." And with that, she stormed out the room not quite knowing where she was.

She took a big breath as she stepped out of the unfamiliar room, attempting to shake off the hangover and the emotional maelstrom she had just experienced. The hallway before her felt strangely familiar like a hazy memory was trying to surface.

As she walked down the hallway, details became evident in her thoughts. The artwork on the walls and the arrangement of the light fixtures all fit together like puzzle pieces that had been jumbled in her mind.

The realisation hit her like a lightning bolt: she wasn't in some unknown building; she was in her condo building.

Then she saw her door number just in front of her.

Her face flushed with relief and humiliation. How had she forgotten such an essential detail? She came to a halt, leaning against the hallway wall, letting out a sigh that was equal parts irritation and laughter.

"You've got to be kidding me," she grumbled.

As if fate wasn't happy enough that they're living in the same building, fate put her on the same floor as hers.

She just moved here last week, which is a decision she regrets with the turnout of the events.