Chapter 10: Chapter 9 : Angry & End

The night was alive with pulsing beats and neon lights as Orm entered the club, cake in hand, eager to surprise Kai for his birthday. The anticipation of seeing him after a week apart filled her with excitement. However, as soon as she turned the corner to their usual spot, her heart sank.

There he was—Kai—entangled in a passionate kiss with another girl, hands all over each other. Orm froze, cake still in her hand, her vision blurring for a second. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The shock hit her like a punch to the gut. She blinked rapidly, her grip tightening around the cake box, the corners digging into her palms.

Her breath quickened, and her chest tightened in anger. This wasn’t just a kiss; it was everything she had feared. He had been lying to her, toying with her emotions. She couldn’t hold back anymore.

“Kai!” Orm’s voice was sharp, cutting through the music as she stormed toward him. The crowd around them seemed to pause, sensing the storm brewing. The girl with Kai pulled away, confused and startled, while Kai turned to face Orm, a smirk forming on his face.

Orm couldn’t hold back the anger, her voice rising in fury. “What the hell is this, Kai? After everything? You’re here kissing some random girl while I’ve been planning to surprise you for your birthday? How dare you?!”

Kai raised an eyebrow, clearly unbothered, and shrugged. “Calm down, Orm. It’s just a kiss. We weren’t serious anyway.”

Orm’s blood boiled at his nonchalant attitude. “You think this is just a kiss? You think I’m some fool you can string along like this?” She was shaking now, her hands trembling with fury, the cake still clenched tightly in her grip.

“I’m done, Kai. This is over!” she screamed, stepping forward. Her fury was overwhelming, and before she could stop herself, she slapped him hard across the face.

The sound of the slap echoed in the room, and for a brief moment, everything went silent. Kai’s smirk faltered for a second, but then he sneered at her. “You’re acting like a child, Orm. You were never anything serious to me.”

The slap only made Orm more enraged. She grabbed the cake box and, in a burst of frustration, shoved it right into his face, splattering the frosting all over him.

“You ruined everything, Kai!” Orm shouted, her voice thick with emotion. “You’re pathetic! You think you can just play with people’s hearts like this?”

Kai wiped the cake from his face, looking more annoyed than hurt. “Go ahead, Orm. You were never really invested anyway. You’re just mad because you’re busy with your so-called ‘future wife.’”

The words stung more than Orm expected, but she wasn’t going to let him win. With a scornful laugh, she grabbed his collar and yanked him forward, glaring into his eyes. “I was too invested, you idiot! But you know what? I’m done with you.”

At this point, Lingling had entered the club, unaware of the scene unfolding. She froze at the sight of Orm and Kai arguing, the tension between them so thick it was almost tangible. She saw Orm standing there, fists clenched, tears of frustration in her eyes. She didn’t even think. Lingling rushed forward, standing in between Orm and Kai, trying to calm the situation.

“Orm, please, stop,” Lingling said softly, trying to hold Orm back. But Orm, still seething with anger, pushed Lingling’s hand away.

“Get off me, Lingling!” Orm snapped, her voice shaking with fury. “He deserves this! He’s been lying to me, messing with my emotions!”

Kai, clearly relishing the tension, threw a taunting comment. “You really think I cares, Orm? You're  too busy with your arranged marriage to even notice.”

The words hit Orm like a slap to the face, but she wasn’t backing down. Not now. Not after everything. She turned to Kai, fists clenched.

“This is the last time you get to talk to me like that, Kai,” Orm said, her voice cold and venomous. “I won’t waste another minute on someone like you.”

Without another word, she grabbed Lingling’s hand and yanked her toward the exit. Lingling followed, unsure of what had just happened but feeling a strange mix of anger and sympathy for Orm.

As they made their way out of the club, Orm’s breath was ragged, still reeling from the confrontation. Lingling, who had been quiet the entire time, finally spoke.

"Orm, are you okay?" Lingling asked gently, her voice filled with concern. She knew that Orm had been seething with anger inside the club, but now that the confrontation was over, she could see the hurt beneath the surface. Orm didn’t answer immediately, keeping her eyes on the ground. Lingling could tell she was fighting back tears, even though her tough exterior hid them well.

Orm didn’t say anything. She just kept walking, her pace slow and heavy as if each step was a burden. Lingling stayed quiet, understanding that Orm needed space but wanting to do something to help. She wasn’t sure how to fix this—how to help Orm process what had just happened—but she knew she couldn’t let her go home alone, feeling this way.

They reached the car, and without a word, Orm got in, slamming the door behind her. Lingling stood for a moment, just looking at her, before getting into the driver’s seat. The engine started, and she drove off into the quiet streets, the weight of the night hanging between them.

As they drove, Lingling kept glancing at Orm, who was staring out of the window, lost in her thoughts. Lingling’s heart ached, seeing how deeply hurt Orm was, even though she wasn’t showing it. She wanted to say something—anything—to comfort her, but nothing seemed right.

The silence in the car was deafening, but Lingling kept driving, trying to think of something that might bring Orm out of her shell, something to distract her from the anger that still clouded her mind.

Finally, as they passed a small ice cream shop, Lingling pulled over to the side of the road.

“Hey,” she said softly, trying to break the silence. “I know it’s not the best time, but how about we get some ice cream? I think we both need something to cool down.”

Orm turned her head slightly but didn’t look directly at Lingling. Her expression was still distant, as though she were still caught in the whirlwind of everything that had happened.

“I’m not really in the mood for ice cream,” Orm muttered, her voice tight with frustration.

Lingling smiled gently, trying to ease the tension. “I get it, but maybe this will help. Just pick something. I promise, it'll be good.”

There was a pause, and then Orm finally sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. “Fine, I’ll take something... But you pick. I really don’t care right now.”

Lingling returned to the car, holding two packed cups of ice cream. She had hoped that the small gesture would lift Orm’s spirits a bit, but when she opened the door and handed Orm her cup, Orm’s expression was still blank. Her eyes were distant, still haunted by what had happened at the club.

“I thought maybe you’d want this,” Lingling said softly, setting the ice cream on her lap. “I packed it so we could enjoy it later, but if you don’t feel like eating right now, it’s okay.”

Orm didn’t look at her. Instead, she stared straight ahead, her face unreadable.

“I don’t want to go home,” Orm said flatly, her voice void of any emotion. “Not yet.”

Lingling’s heart tightened seeing Orm like this. She didn’t want to push Orm too much, but she also knew that they couldn’t just sit in the car all night. Orm needed something—anything—to help her break free from the fog of anger and frustration.

Lingling thought for a moment, then an idea came to her. It wasn’t much, but it might be enough to give Orm a little escape.

“How about…” Lingling started slowly, “we go somewhere else? Somewhere you can just… be yourself. It’s not far.”

Orm turned her head toward Lingling, her expression still a little cold, but with a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. “Where?”

Lingling smiled softly, not wanting to force her but also wanting to offer some comfort. “My old apartment. The one I lived in before I moved in with your parents. It’s not much, but… it’s quiet. And it might help.”

For a long moment, Orm didn’t respond. Lingling wondered if she’d have to convince her more, but then Orm gave a small nod, her blank expression finally softening.

“Okay,” Orm muttered, her voice just above a whisper. “Let’s go.”

Without saying another word, Lingling started the car and drove through the quiet streets. The night felt heavy in the air, but as they passed familiar roads, Lingling felt a strange comfort in the idea of going back to her old apartment. It wasn’t home anymore, but it held memories—memories that felt distant but familiar.

After a short drive, Lingling parked the car outside the building. She could tell Orm was still in her own head, but Lingling wasn’t going to press her. They could take their time.

She turned to Orm, who was staring out the window. “Come on. Let’s go inside.”

Orm didn’t argue. She just followed Lingling into the building, her movements slow and deliberate. The apartment building wasn’t the fanciest, but it was quiet and small—just enough space for Lingling to have her own privacy. When they reached the apartment door, Lingling unlocked it, and they stepped inside.

It was still the same: a small living room with simple furniture and a couple of plants that Lingling had kept alive despite the lack of time she’d spent there recently. The space felt comforting, though, with a sense of calm that was different from the bustling mansion.

Lingling set the ice cream on the small table in the corner of the room, then turned to Orm. “I thought maybe you’d like to have a little break here. No pressure, just… us.”

Orm looked around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings. She didn’t say anything at first, but there was a small shift in her posture. She seemed to relax just a little.

“Thanks,” Orm finally said, her voice softer than it had been in the car. “I didn’t expect this.”

Lingling smiled, feeling a sense of relief that Orm seemed to be warming up. “You don’t have to expect anything. Just… relax, okay? We don’t need to talk about anything if you don’t want to.”

Orm nodded, walking over to the couch and sitting down. Lingling joined her, and they sat in silence for a while, both of them lost in their own thoughts. Lingling could feel the tension still lingering in the air, but at least it wasn’t as suffocating as it had been earlier. The space between them felt a little less heavy.

Eventually, Lingling broke the silence. “Do you want to talk about what happened at the club?” she asked gently, offering Orm an open door if she wanted to vent. “Or maybe we can just enjoy the ice cream?”

Lingling’s  words hung in the air, but Orm didn’t respond immediately. She just sat there, her face still blank, but Lingling could see the subtle signs—the way her hands clenched and relaxed, the tightness in her jaw. She knew Orm was holding something back, something big.

A moment later, Orm's breath hitched, and then, without warning, tears welled up in her eyes. She blinked rapidly, but it was clear that the dam had finally broken. The tears began to flow down her cheeks, her face contorting with the weight of emotions she had been suppressing for so long.

Lingling froze for a second, unsure of what to do. She’d never seen Orm like this—so vulnerable, so raw. But she quickly reached out, her hand gently touching Orm’s arm, offering the comfort she knew Orm needed.

“Hey…” Lingling whispered softly, her voice tender. “It’s okay, Orm. You don’t have to hold it in.”

Orm looked at her, eyes red and full of hurt. "you know?  I was so serious about Kai… I really thought we had something special. But he… he wasn’t the person I thought he was. And now I feel so stupid for ever believing in him.”

Lingling’s heart ached hearing this. She could feel the weight of Orm’s pain, the frustration, the confusion, and the betrayal all at once. Orm was so strong, so proud—but in this moment, she was broken.

Lingling moved closer, wrapping her arms around Orm in a gentle, reassuring hug. Orm’s shoulders tensed for a moment, but then she let herself relax into Lingling’s embrace, her sobs growing louder. Lingling held her tightly, not saying a word but simply being there, offering the kind of comfort that words couldn’t provide.

“You’re not stupid,” Lingling whispered, her voice barely above a murmur. “You’re not stupid for caring. It’s not your fault, Orm. Sometimes people aren’t who we think they are, but that doesn’t mean you’re wrong for loving them. You did what you thought was right. It’s not your fault he didn’t live up to it.”

Orm cried harder, her arms trembling as she clutched onto Lingling. “I just… I don’t know how to move on from this. I feel so lost. I trusted him, and now I don’t even know who I am anymore. It’s like everything’s falling apart.”

Lingling’s heart broke for Orm, but she held her tighter, as if her embrace could somehow hold all the broken pieces together.

“I’m here,” Lingling said softly. “I’m here, and you don’t have to face this alone. You’re not alone, okay?”

Orm nodded shakily, her tears soaking into Lingling’s shirt. Lingling gently rubbed her back, soothing her, offering comfort without needing to fix everything right away. She didn’t need to have all the answers; she just needed to be there. And right now, Orm needed her more than ever.

As Orm cried, Lingling whispered comforting words, things that she hoped would help Orm feel a little less broken, a little more seen. She knew it would take time for Orm to heal, but in this moment, all she could do was hold her.

When the sobs finally subsided, Orm pulled back slightly, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. She looked at Lingling, her face still wet with tears, but there was something softer about her now. The vulnerability in her eyes was raw, but it wasn’t as sharp as before.

“I don’t know how you do it,” Orm said, her voice thick with emotion. “How you make me feel like… I’m not the only one who’s lost.”

Lingling smiled gently, reaching up to brush a tear from Orm’s cheek. “Because you’re not alone, Orm. You never have to be.”

Orm looked at her for a long moment, as if trying to find the right words, but then, with a soft sigh, she leaned in and hugged Lingling once more, this time with a gentler sense of comfort. She didn’t need to say anything else. The silence between them felt warm, and for the first time that night, the weight of Orm’s pain seemed just a little bit lighter.

Lingling’s heart swelled with something she couldn’t quite name. All she knew was that, in this moment, it felt like they were healing together, even if just a little bit at a time.

“Thank you,” Orm murmured, her voice barely audible. “For everything.”

Lingling squeezed her gently. “Always.”

And with that, they sat together, the quiet hum of the apartment enveloping them. The ice cream had melted by now, but it didn’t matter. They didn’t need to eat or talk or do anything. All that mattered was that, for now, Orm wasn’t alone—and neither was Lingling

_to be continued_