Chapter 3 : The Party Begins

The evening shimmered with elegance, the grand ballroom of the Sethratanapong estate bathed in soft golden light. The sound of crystal glasses clinking mixed with gentle laughter and the hum of polite conversations. Orm stood near the corner of the room, a polite smile plastered on her face as she greeted guests. She wore a soft blush-colored gown that hugged her figure delicately, the flowing fabric swaying gently as she moved. Her father had insisted on this party, a “celebration of partnerships,” he called it.

Orm’s fingers tightened slightly around her glass of champagne as she scanned the crowd. She was waiting—for her father’s other surprise.

As if on cue, Lingling Kwong entered the room. She paused at the entrance, her sharp, tailored suit catching the warm glow of the chandeliers. The black fabric was smooth and perfectly fitted, paired with a crisp white shirt and a slim black tie. Her long hair was neatly styled, and her natural charm seemed amplified tonight, though her expression was calm and unassuming.

The room shifted, conversations faltering as many eyes turned toward her. Some were impressed by her attire, others intrigued by her presence. Lingling, as usual, seemed oblivious.

Orm’s jaw tightened as she noticed the subtle stir Lingling caused among the guests.

Orm (to herself): “Of course, she had to show up looking like she owns the place.”

Lingling scanned the room, clearly looking for someone, before making her way toward Mr. Sethratanapong. Orm, despite herself, followed Lingling’s movements, her annoyance mixing with something unfamiliar.

Orm (to herself): “Okay, she looks… decent. Fine. But that doesn’t mean anything. I’m still furious.”

---

Lingling Meets the Guests

Lingling stopped by her boss, giving him a polite bow.

Lingling: “Thank you for inviting me tonight, sir.”

Mr. Sethratanapong smiled warmly, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Mr. Sethratanapong: “Nonsense, Lingling. You’re practically family now. Relax and enjoy the evening.”

Lingling’s lips curved into a small smile, though she was clearly unsure how to “relax.” This wasn’t her scene—she was used to simple gatherings, not luxurious parties filled with high-profile businesspeople and relatives.

As she walked toward the refreshment table, she couldn’t ignore the whispers.

Guest 1 (whispering): “Who is she? That suit… she looks incredible.”

Guest 2: “I heard she works for Mr. Sethratanapong. She’s gorgeous, though—not like anyone else here.”

Lingling shifted awkwardly, her ears burning. She wasn’t used to this kind of attention, but she tried her best to focus on the task at hand: surviving the evening.

Orm watched from across the room, catching bits of the murmurs.

Orm (to herself): “Great. Now she’s the center of attention. As if this night wasn’t bad enough.”

---

The Confrontation

Orm finally approached Lingling, her smile polite but her tone sharp enough to cut glass.

Orm: “You’re certainly making an impression tonight.”

Lingling turned, startled by Orm’s sudden appearance. She quickly composed herself, offering a small nod.

Lingling: “Good evening, Miss Sethratanapong.”

Orm raised an eyebrow at the formal tone, finding it almost amusing.

Orm: “Miss Sethratanapong? Are we back to formalities now?”

Lingling shrugged slightly, her hands resting casually in her pockets.

Lingling: “It seemed appropriate for the occasion.”

Orm’s eyes narrowed slightly, her irritation bubbling beneath the surface. But before she could reply, a group of young women approached, giggling nervously.

Guest 3 (to Lingling): “Excuse me, are you new in town? I don’t think I’ve seen you at one of these parties before.”

Lingling turned to them, her expression polite but distant.

Lingling: “No, I’m not new. Just… invited for the first time.”

The women exchanged glances, their interest evident.

Guest 4: “Well, you wear that suit better than most men I’ve seen.”

Lingling flushed slightly, scratching the back of her neck.

Lingling: “Thank you… I guess?”

Orm’s annoyance grew as she watched the interaction.

Orm (to herself): “What is wrong with everyone tonight? She’s not that special.”

But as much as she hated to admit it, there was something about Lingling’s awkward innocence that made her stand out in a sea of polished, overly confident socialites.

---

The Announcement

The room quieted as Mr. Sethratanapong stepped onto the small stage at the center of the room. He tapped his glass lightly, drawing everyone’s attention.

Mr. Sethratanapong: “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us tonight. This evening is not just a celebration of business partnerships—it’s a celebration of family.”

Orm stiffened, already knowing what was coming. Lingling stood frozen, her hands clenched into fists at her sides.

Mr. Sethratanapong: “It brings me great joy to announce the engagement of my daughter, Orm Sethratanapong, to Lingling Kwong.”

The room erupted in murmurs and applause, the mix of surprise and delight palpable. Lingling’s face burned, her polite smile plastered in place as she felt every eye on her.

Orm, meanwhile, clenched her jaw, her anger barely contained. She forced a tight smile as she walked up to the stage, standing stiffly beside Lingling.

Orm (leaning in, whispering): “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Lingling glanced at her, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lingling: “Enjoying being thrown into this mess? Not exactly.”

The cameras flashed as the two stood side by side, their contrasting outfits and strained expressions painting an interesting picture. To the audience, they looked like the perfect couple. To each other, they were anything but.

“Trust me, I didn’t plan this,” Orm hissed, keeping her face perfectly composed. “Just smile and wave, will you?”

Lingling sighed, giving a small, awkward wave to the room.

Orm’s father stepped down from the stage, beaming. “You two look perfect together,” he said, clapping Lingling on the shoulder. “Orm, my dear, take Lingling to the dance floor. Let everyone see what a great match you make.”

Lingling blinked. “Dance?”

Orm forced a sweet smile. “Of course, Father.” She turned to Lingling, leaning closer to whisper, “Follow my lead, Kwong. This is just for show.”

Lingling raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue as Orm grabbed her hand and guided it to her waist. The music swelled into a romantic melody, and the two stepped onto the dance floor, the spotlight squarely on them.

Lingling hesitated. “I’m not exactly an expert at this…”

“You’ll do fine,” Orm replied, her voice softer now. “Just try to keep up.”

As Lingling took her first cautious steps, Orm leaned in, her smile unwavering. “Here’s how this works,” she said under her breath. “We pretend to be the perfect couple for the next two years. I get the company, we divorce, and you can go back to your life. Simple.”

Lingling glanced down at her, her brow furrowing. “So, this is just a business deal to you?”

“Congratulations, you figured it out,” Orm said, her tone laced with sarcasm.

Lingling frowned. “And what about your boyfriend? What’s his name? Kai?”

Orm’s step faltered, but she quickly recovered. “You don’t bring up Kai. Ever. Especially not in front of my family.”

Lingling’s grip on her waist tightened slightly. “Why not just marry him instead of dragging me into this?”

Orm rolled her eyes. “Because my father would never accept him. He’s not from a respectable background, he’s jobless, and my dad thinks he’s a parasite. Which is why you are the better option.”

Lingling sighed. “So, I’m just your way out of a tough spot?”

Orm looked up at her, her gaze briefly softening. “Look, it’s nothing personal. I just… need this to work.”

The music swelled, and Lingling spun Orm gently, pulling her back close. The movement startled Orm, her cheeks flushing as she was drawn back into Lingling’s firm grip.

“Relax,” Lingling said softly, her voice steady. “You said to follow your lead, but it seems like you’re the one stumbling.”

Orm glared up at her, her face hot. “I’m not stumbling. Just don’t step on my feet.”

Lingling’s lips twitched into the faintest smile. “Noted.”

Around them, the crowd watched with approval, murmuring about how graceful they looked together. Orm’s father leaned over to a guest, saying, “Now that is a power couple.”

Orm heard the comment and rolled her eyes. “Power couple, my foot,” she muttered.

Lingling smirked down at her. “You’re awfully good at faking this.”

Orm sighed. “Years of practice.”

As the song ended, Orm pulled away, brushing down her dress. “You didn’t trip. Good job,” she said sarcastically.

Lingling tilted her head. “And you didn’t scowl once. I’m impressed.”

Orm shot her a glare before turning on her heel. “Let’s get some air. I need a break from all these people.”

Lingling followed her out onto the balcony, the cool night air a welcome contrast to the heat inside. Orm leaned against the railing, crossing her arms.

“Listen,” she began, her tone firm. “Now that this wedding is happening, we need to set some ground rules.”

Lingling nodded. “I’m listening.”

“First,” Orm said, “you don’t bring up Kai. Ever. Not to my family, not to anyone.”

Lingling raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”

“Because he’s not part of this,” Orm snapped. “And my dad would disown me if he found out.”

Lingling leaned casually against the railing. “Fair enough. But why not fight for him instead of going through with this charade?”

Orm hesitated before replying. “Because my dad made it clear—no wedding, no company. If I marry you and stay ‘happily wed’ for two years, the company will be mine. After that, we get a divorce, and you can go back to doing whatever it is you do.”

Lingling frowned. “So, I’m just a means to an end?”

Orm turned to face her fully, her expression unreadable. “I didn’t say it would be fair.”

Lingling sighed, her gaze softening. “Fine. But if we’re going to do this, maybe we should at least try to… get along?”

Orm huffed, turning back to the view. “Don’t push your luck.”

Lingling smirked. “Noted.”

_to be continued _