It was evening, and the dining table at Orm's house was set with an array of delicious dishes. Orm's mom had made sure everything looked perfect. Lingling stood by the table, adjusting a vase of flowers with a satisfied smile. She wasn't nervous-she was excited. It had been years since she last saw her little sister, Sonya.
Orm, meanwhile, lounged on the couch, scrolling through her phone. "You're really going all out, huh?" she teased. "You act like Sonya's royalty."
Lingling smiled lightly. "She's not royalty, but she is my sister. It's been too long since we've had a chance to catch up."
Before Orm could reply, the doorbell rang. Orm's dad went to open the door, and moments later, the unmistakable voice of Sonya filled the house.
"Lingling!" Sonya exclaimed as she stepped inside, her radiant smile lighting up the room. She crossed the space in seconds, pulling Lingling into a tight hug. "I missed you so much, Jie!"
Lingling hugged her back just as tightly, her face breaking into a genuine smile. "I missed you too, Nong. Look at you! You haven't changed at all."
Sonya laughed, stepping back to take in the house. "Wow! So this is where you live now? Fancy. You've really stepped up, huh?" Her eyes fell on Orm, who had risen from the couch.
"And you must be Orm," Sonya said warmly, extending a hand. "I've heard a lot about you."
Orm shook her hand, her lips quirking into a polite smile. "All good things, I hope."
"Of course! Though I wasn't expecting you to be this stunning in person." Sonya winked at Lingling. "P', you've got excellent taste."
Lingling rolled her eyes with an amused grin as Orm's mom chuckled. "Sonya, you're such a breath of fresh air. Come, sit down. Dinner's ready."
Everyone gathered around the table, the atmosphere buzzing with warmth. Sonya immediately struck up a lively conversation, complimenting the food and decor, her energy infectious.
"You know," Sonya began, pointing her chopsticks playfully at Lingling, "I'm still trying to process that you're getting married. I thought work would always be your one true love."
Lingling gave her a look of mock exasperation. "I'm allowed to have a life outside work, you know."
"Oh, I know," Sonya teased, grinning. "But you never even hinted at dating anyone! And now you're engaged to the Orm Sethratanapong. It's wild."
Orm's mom smiled, her voice warm. "Well, your sister is incredible. She's been a wonderful addition to our family."
Orm stayed quiet, observing the exchange with a mix of amusement and curiosity. Sonya's lively personality was a stark contrast to Lingling's steady demeanor, but the bond between the two was evident.
As the meal went on, Sonya kept the room alight with stories and jokes, her laughter ringing through the air. She peppered Orm with questions about their relationship, leaning in eagerly whenever Orm gave a vague or teasing response.
"So, who made the first move?" Sonya asked at one point, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Orm smirked, glancing at Lingling. "What do you think?"
Sonya studied them both for a moment before pointing to Orm. "Definitely you. Lingling wouldn't know how to make the first move if someone handed her a script."
Lingling chuckled, shaking her head. "You underestimate me, Nong."
Sonya laughed. "Maybe I do. Either way, I'm just happy you found someone who clearly adores you." She turned to Orm, her tone turning serious for a moment. "Take care of her, okay? She deserves the best."
Orm nodded, her expression softening. "I'll do my best."
By the end of the night, the room was filled with warmth and laughter. When it was time for Sonya to leave, she hugged Lingling tightly once more. "I'm so proud of you, Jie. And I'm so happy for you. You look really happy."
Lingling smiled, her heart swelling at her sister's words. "Thank you, Nong. It means a lot."
As the door closed behind Sonya, Orm turned to Lingling, raising an eyebrow. "Your sister is... something else."
Lingling laughed. "She's always been like that. Full of energy and opinions."
Orm's mom smiled, wrapping an arm around Lingling. "We think she's wonderful. And for the record, so are you."
Lingling's cheeks flushed faintly, but her smile was genuine. "Thank you."
Orm stood off to the side, watching the exchange with an unreadable expression. For the first time, she found herself wondering if maybe, just maybe, this arranged marriage wasn't such a bad idea after all
__
The evening had quieted down as Lingling and Orm retreated to their shared room after dinner. The warmth from the lively family gathering still lingered, but the calm of the night was a welcome change. Lingling sat on the edge of the sofa, brushing her hair, while Orm leaned against the badhead, arms crossed, watching her thoughtfully.
"That wasn't too bad," Orm said after a moment, her tone light. "Your sister didn't ask too many invasive questions about our 'relationship.' I was expecting a full-blown interrogation."
Lingling chuckled softly, placing the brush on the nightstand. "Sonya's naturally curious, but she knows when to hold back. Still, I was a little worried about how much she'd press you."
Orm smirked, pushing off the desk and walking closer. "Oh, I noticed. You were practically holding your breath when she asked who made the first move."
Lingling's cheeks warmed, and she looked down, a shy smile forming. "Well, you handled it well. Thank you for... making up that little story. It sounded convincing enough."
Orm sat down beside her, her expression softening. "You don't have to thank me. It's not like it's the first time I've had to wing it in front of someone."
Lingling glanced at her, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "You've done this before?"
Orm shrugged nonchalantly. "Let's just say I've had my fair share of practice smoothing over awkward situations. But this time was different-it felt... easier. Like it wasn't a lie at all."
Lingling blinked at her, surprised by the sudden earnestness in Orm's tone. She tried to laugh it off, but her voice came out quieter than she intended. "Well, I guess you're a natural."
"Maybe," Orm replied
She casually on back to her bed
As the night deepened, Lingling settled on the sofa near the bed , wrapping herself in a soft blanket. The arrangement was unspoken but understood-Lingling always chose the sofa, leaving the bed for Orm. Orm, meanwhile, lay sprawled on the bed, staring at the ceiling with her hands tucked behind her head. The room was quiet except for the faint rustle of the blanket as Lingling adjusted her position.
After a while, Orm broke the silence. "You know, this whole arranged marriage thing is... strange."
Lingling looked over at her, her brows knitting slightly. "Strange how?"
Orm shifted onto her side, propping her head up on one hand. "I mean, we're practically strangers, forced into this situation because of our families' business arrangements. It's a lot to take in."
Lingling nodded, her gaze dropping to the floor. "It is. I think about it every day. How we're expected to navigate this like it's normal... when it's not."
Orm studied her for a moment before speaking again. "Maybe we should try being friends."
Lingling's eyes lifted, surprise flashing in them. "Friends?"
Orm shrugged, her tone casual but her words carrying a hint of sincerity. "Yeah. Look, we're stuck in this together whether we like it or not. We both have to deal with the awkwardness, the expectations, and... well, everything else. Wouldn't it be easier if we had each other's backs?"
Lingling stayed silent for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, she let out a soft laugh. "You make it sound so simple."
Orm smirked. "That's because it is. Think about it-we don't have to fake anything if we're just... honest. Friends can lean on each other, right? We can do that."
Lingling hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. "I guess... that makes sense. But are you sure you'd want to be friends with someone like me? I'm not exactly exciting or outgoing."
Orm raised an eyebrow. "You seriously think I care about that? You're way more interesting than you give yourself credit for, Lingling. Besides, I could use someone to keep me grounded."
Lingling blinked, taken aback by the unexpected compliment. A small smile tugged at her lips. "Alright. Friends, then."
"Friends," Orm echoed, her tone lighter now. She lay back down, a satisfied look on her face. "And as your new friend, I have to ask-why do you always take the sofa? It's not like I'm going to kick you out of the bed."
Lingling's smile faltered, and she glanced away. "I just... prefer it here. It's comfortable."
Orm snorted softly. "Liar. You're trying to be polite."
"I'm not-" Lingling started, but Orm cut her off with a wave of her hand.
"Relax, I'm not judging you. But seriously, Lingling, you don't have to do that. We can figure out a better arrangement. Share the bed, take turns-whatever works. You don't need to act like a guest in your own room."
Lingling's cheeks flushed faintly, but she nodded. "I'll think about it."
"Good," Orm said, stifling a yawn. "Because I'm not going to let my friend sleep uncomfortably every night."
Lingling chuckled softly, her heart feeling a little lighter. Maybe this arrangement wasn't ideal, but having someone like Orm to face it with made it seem just a little more bearable.
____
The early morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the shared room. The faint glow of dawn filled the room as Lingling quietly rolled out of bed, careful not to wake Orm. She had always been an early riser, and this morning was no different. Stretching her arms with a soft yawn, she grabbed her towel and stepped into the bathroom for a quick shower before getting ready for work.
The sound of water running filled the apartment as Lingling hummed softly to herself, enjoying the calmness of the morning.
Meanwhile, Orm stirred under the covers, groaning softly as her alarm buzzed. Half-awake and still drowsy, she barely registered the noise from the bathroom. Dragging herself out of bed, she shuffled toward the bathroom, rubbing her eyes.
Without thinking to knock, Orm pushed the door open. "Lingling, did you-" Her words froze mid-sentence as she took in the scene before her.
Lingling, her back turned, was rinsing her hair under the stream of water. Beads of water trickled down her toned back and abs, glistening in the soft bathroom light. It took Orm's sleepy brain a second to register what she was seeing.
Lingling yelped, quickly grabbing a towel to cover herself. "Orm! What are you doing?!"
Orm's eyes widened in panic. "Oh my God! I didn't- I mean- I didn't know you were in here!" She stumbled backward, nearly tripping over her own feet as she backed out of the bathroom.
The door slammed shut, and Orm stood outside, her face burning. She pressed her hands against her cheeks, muttering to herself. "What the heck, Orm?!"
Inside, Lingling was equally flustered, clutching her towel tightly as her cheeks turned crimson. After a few moments of silence, she finally called out, her voice laced with embarrassment. "Next time, knock, okay?"
Orm groaned, leaning her head against the door. "Yeah... noted. Sorry!"
The awkwardness lingered as Lingling finished her shower and stepped out of the bathroom, fully dressed and pointedly avoiding eye contact with Orm.
Orm, still embarrassed, rubbed the back of her neck. "So, uh... about earlier-"
"We're not talking about it," Lingling interrupted, her face still slightly pink. She grabbed her bag and headed for the kitchen.
Orm watched her go, a small, amused smile tugging at her lips. Despite the mortification, she couldn't help but think to herself, "Lingling works out?"
____
The kitchen was alive with the warm aroma of freshly brewed tea and sizzling food. Lingling sat at the dining table with Orm's parents, her back straight and her eyes firmly glued to the steaming cup of tea in her hands. Orm's mom placed a bowl of fruit on the table, smiling warmly.
"Lingling, you're such a disciplined girl. Always up early and so punctual," Orm's mom said, setting plates down.
"Thank you," Lingling murmured, her voice polite but quieter than usual. She avoided looking up, especially toward the staircase.
She couldn't shake the memory of earlier, the way Orm had accidentally walked in on her in the bathroom. Her cheeks still felt hot from the embarrassment.
The sound of heels clicking on the stairs made her grip her knife tighter. Don't look up. Don't look up, she told herself.
Orm strolled into the dining room, looking like she had walked straight out of a fashion magazine. Her fitted blazer and crisp blouse radiated confidence, but Lingling could still picture her in pajamas, barging into the bathroom earlier.
Orm greeted everyone with a casual, "Morning." Her voice was smooth, but there was a slight pause when her eyes landed on Lingling.
Lingling kept her gaze firmly on her toast, nodding slightly in response. Stay calm. Just act normal.
Orm's mom smiled brightly. "Orm, you're looking sharp today! Big meeting?"
Orm pulled out a chair, sitting down with a slight huff. "Something like that. Gotta impress the big bosses."
Lingling risked a quick glance at Orm, only to find Orm already looking at her. Their eyes met for a fleeting second before Lingling's dropped back to her plate, her face heating up.
Orm's dad folded his newspaper and cleared his throat. "Well, good luck with your day, Orm. And Lingling, you're always so dedicated in the mornings. It's refreshing."
"Thank you, Uncle," Lingling mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.
Orm stayed quiet, picking up a piece of toast. She looked calm, but inside, she was replaying the bathroom scene from earlier. The steam-filled room, the unexpected sight of Lingling's toned silhouette-she shook her head slightly, willing the memory away. It's not my fault, she thought, but a tiny part of her knew she could've knocked.
The silence stretched on for a beat too long. Finally, Orm broke it with a slightly awkward cough. "So, um... crazy morning, huh?"
Lingling stiffened, her blush returning with a vengeance. She didn't look up but managed a strained, "You could say that."
Orm's mom glanced between them, her brow furrowing slightly. "Everything okay, girls?"
"Yes! Fine!" Lingling blurted, her voice an octave too high.
Orm bit back a laugh, covering her mouth with her hand. "Totally fine. Just... the usual morning chaos."
Lingling shot her a quick glare, which only made Orm's lips twitch.
After Orm's parents left the table, the tension grew thicker. Orm leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "So, you're just not going to talk to me now?"
Lingling set her fork down carefully, still not looking at her. "What do you want me to say?"
Orm tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes despite her own lingering awkwardness. "I mean, I could start with, 'Nice abs.'"
Lingling's jaw dropped, and she finally looked at Orm, her face a mix of shock and mortification. "Orm!"
Orm smirked, though her cheeks were pink too. "I'm just saying, you shouldn't be so embarrassed. You're in great shape, Lingling."
Lingling's hands flew to cover her face. "Can we please not talk about this ever again?"
Orm leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "Oh, come on. It was an accident! I didn't mean to-" She paused, grinning mischievously. "Well, mostly didn't mean to."
Lingling peeked through her fingers, her eyes narrowing. "You're impossible."
Orm chuckled softly. "Maybe. But you're the one making it awkward now."
Lingling huffed, her lips twitching despite herself. "You're lucky I'm nice. Otherwise, I'd-" She trailed off, trying to come up with a suitable threat.
Orm raised an eyebrow. "Otherwise, you'd what?
Lingling groaned, grabbing her cup and standing abruptly. "I'm going to work. Enjoy your breakfast, Orm Sethratanapong the Troublemaker."
Orm laughed, watching her walk away. Despite the awkwardness, she couldn't help but enjoy the moments that made their mornings together unique-and maybe, just maybe, a little run
_to be continued_