Chapter 5 - Mae Koy

As soon as Lingling and Charlotte stepped out of the restaurant, Lingling exhaled sharply. "Let's go to a club," she said, her voice tight.

Charlotte glanced at her. "You sure?"

Lingling nodded. "Get me drunk."

Charlotte didn't argue. She knew that tone—Lingling was trying to escape something.

They arrived at an upscale club in the city. The music was deafening, the lights flashing wildly. Without hesitation, Lingling ordered shots, downing them one after another. Charlotte followed her lead, though she kept a close watch on her.

An hour later, they were on the dance floor, bodies moving to the rhythm. Lingling laughed, letting Charlotte spin her around. But even as she danced, her mind was stuck on the image of Orm—elegant, breathtaking in that black dress, laughing with another person.

The drinks kept coming, and soon, everything blurred together.

By the time they reached Lingling's condo, they were both tipsy, slightly unsteady on their feet. As soon as the door closed, Lingling turned to Charlotte, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her in for a desperate kiss.

Charlotte responded, her hands sliding up Lingling's arms. But just as things were heating up, Lingling suddenly pulled away, breathing heavily.

Then, without warning, she broke down, her body trembling.

Charlotte didn't need to ask. She already knew.

Silently, she pulled Lingling into a hug, rubbing her back soothingly.

Lingling clung to her, pressing her face into Charlotte's shoulder as silent tears fell. "I hate her," she whispered, but even she knew it wasn't true.

Charlotte sighed, holding her tighter. "I know."

____________

It was Saturday afternoon when Koy entered Orm's room, pulling the curtains open without warning. Sunlight flooded the space, causing Orm to groan and bury her face deeper into the pillows.

"Mom, what the hell?" Orm mumbled, her voice muffled.

Koy placed her hands on her hips. "Are you really going to let yourself rot in here? We've been back in Bangkok for days, and all you do is stay home or drown yourself in work."

Orm sighed dramatically, rolling onto her side. "Ma, just leave me alone."

Koy scoffed. "Stop acting like a sulking teenager."

Orm peeked out from under the pillow, giving her mother a lazy glare. "What do you want?"

Koy sat on the edge of the bed. "Lunch. You're coming with me. No excuses."

Orm groaned, pulling the blanket over her head. "Pass."

"You don't have a choice," Koy said, yanking the blanket off her. "You've been moping around since we got back. This isn't you."

Orm sighed, rubbing her temples. "I'm not moping. I'm just... tired."

Koy softened. "Tired from what? Or from who?"

Orm stiffened for a brief second before forcing a chuckle. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Koy shook her head. "Sweetheart, I know you better than anyone. And I know when you're hurting."

Orm sat up, running a hand through her messy hair. "I'm fine, Mom."

Koy didn't push further. Instead, she smiled. "Then prove it. Get up, take a shower, and have lunch with me."

Orm sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine. But I'm choosing the restaurant."

Koy grinned. "Fine."

___________

Koy and Orm sat at the Omakase counter, enjoying the chef's meticulously crafted dishes. Orm poured her mother a cup of tea before hesitantly asking, "Mom, what do you think about moving to Europe?"

Koy paused, setting down her chopsticks. "Moving? Why?"

Orm shrugged. "We have a branch in Spain. I could manage it from there. A fresh start, maybe?"

Koy studied her daughter for a moment before gently squeezing her hand. "Bangkok is our home, Orm."

Orm sighed. "I know."

Koy gave her a warm smile. "Whatever's bothering you, I'm here."

Orm forced a smile back. "I know, Ma."

Koy sipped her tea, watching Orm with knowing eyes. "Why don't you try talking to Lingling?"

Orm scoffed, setting her chopsticks down. "I'm too little too late, Mom. It doesn't matter anymore. Let her live peacefully without any drama. And I'll live mine as peacefully as I can."

Koy muttered under her breath, "Coward."

Orm's eyes widened. "Excuse me? Mom, you're supposed to be on my side." She chuckled in disbelief.

Koy raised an eyebrow. "I'm just saying. What if I die? Who will take care of you?"

Orm immediately turned serious. "Mom, stop. Don't say that. You're all I've got."

Koy smiled softly, patting Orm's hand. "I'm just saying. Besides, I don't want to die without seeing my grandchildren from you and Lingling."

Orm shook her head, sighing. "Sure, Mom. Keep dreaming. I'm gonna buy you a dog."

Koy burst into laughter. Orm couldn't help but laugh too, shaking her head at her mother's persistence.

As they finished their meal, Orm felt a warmth in her chest—her mother's love was unwavering, even when she was lost in her own stubbornness. But deep down, she wondered... what if her mother was right?

_________

As Koy and Orm strolled through the mall, holding hands, Orm carried the bags filled with their shopping. It was a rare sight—Orm, the ever-composed chairwoman, being dragged around like a little girl by her mother.

They were chatting casually when Koy suddenly slowed down and nudged Orm's side with her elbow. "Hey, isn't that Lingling?"

Orm stiffened, following her mother's gaze. Sure enough, Lingling was walking a few stores ahead, carrying a shopping bag and casually browsing the storefronts.

Koy's eyes lit up. "Let's go say hi!"

Orm's face twisted in horror. "Mom, no—"

Too late. Koy was already waving enthusiastically. "Lingling!"

Lingling turned her head at the familiar voice, eyes slightly widening when she saw Koy. She quickly composed herself and walked toward them.

Koy smiled warmly. "Hi, Ling! Do you still remember me?"

Lingling gave a respectful bow. "Of course, Ma'am."

Koy frowned. "Enough with the formalities. Just call me Auntie or Mom—whichever you prefer."

Lingling hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Orm, on the other hand, remained awkwardly silent.

Koy glanced between them and then spoke again. "Orm, say hi to Lingling."

Orm sighed through her nose, looking at Lingling as if for the first time. "Hey."

Lingling gave a small nod. "Hi."

The air between them was tense, but Koy, oblivious or simply ignoring it, pressed on. "So, Ling, what are you up to these days?"

Lingling relaxed a little. "I work as a flight attendant. And at the same time, I put up a small business—a travel agency."

Koy's eyes widened in delight. "Oh, that's amazing! I knew it was you I saw last time on our flight back to bangkok. You always loved traveling, didn't you?"

Lingling smiled. "I do."

Koy looked at Orm. "See? That's the kind of passion you need in your life."

Orm rolled her eyes. "Thanks, Mom."

Lingling chuckled, and for a brief moment, the tension seemed to ease.

Koy then clasped her hands together. "Since we're here, why don't we have dinner together?"

Lingling hesitated. "I—actually, I have some errands to run."

Koy pouted. "Oh, that's too bad. My daughter asked me to invite you, you know."

Orm's eyes widened in disbelief. "Mom—"

Lingling raised an eyebrow, looking at Orm. "Really? You? wanted to have dinner with me?"

Orm opened her mouth, then closed it, unsure how to answer.

Koy, enjoying herself, sighed dramatically. "She was too shy to ask herself, so I did it for her."

Lingling's neutral face. She then nodded. "Well, I guess I can spare some time for coffee."

Koy beamed. "Perfect! Let's go."

As they made their way to a nearby café, Orm sighed, shooting her mother a glare. "You're gonna be the death of me."

Koy simply smiled, patting Orm's arm and whispered. "I love you."

________

As they walked toward the café, Orm kept her hands in her pockets, trailing slightly behind while Koy and Lingling carried the conversation.

"So, being a flight attendant must be exciting!" Koy said, smiling at Lingling.

Lingling nodded. "It is! I love traveling and meeting people from different places. But it can be exhausting, especially with the unpredictable schedules."

Koy's eyes lit up. "And you said you also run a business?"

Lingling chuckled. "Yes, a small travel agency. I started it a couple of years ago. Since I'm often flying, I have an assistant who oversees things when I'm away."

Orm, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke. "Didn't know you were into business."

Lingling glanced at her. "A lot can change in five years."

Orm held her gaze for a moment before looking away.

Koy, sensing the tension, quickly changed the subject. "Here we are! Let's get something sweet."

Once inside, they found a table by the window. Orm pulled out a chair for Koy before hesitantly sitting across from Lingling.

After placing their orders, Koy asked, "So, Lingling, are you seeing anyone?"

Lingling stirred her coffee, hesitating. "It's... complicated."

Koy tilted her head. "Complicated how?"

Lingling gave a small smile. "It's not something I can easily explain right now."

Koy nodded in understanding. Orm remained quiet, staring into her cup, as if she wasn't listening. But Lingling could tell—she was.