Chapter 9 - Recovery

Orm pushed back her seat and stood up, adjusting the cuffs of her blazer before making her way toward the galley. She knew Lingling was avoiding her, but that wasn't going to stop her. Not now.

As she stepped into the small space, Lingling was busy organizing trays, her movements sharp and deliberate. She stiffened slightly upon sensing Orm's presence but didn't acknowledge her.

"What do you need, ma'am?" Lingling asked flatly, still focused on her task.

Orm smirked, leaning against the counter. "What do I need? Hmm... you."

Lingling scoffed, finally looking up at her. "Seriously, Orm? I'm working. Go back to your girlfriend."

Orm raised an eyebrow. "Girlfriend? Oh, you mean Milk?" She chuckled. "She's just my business partner."

Lingling turned away, opening a compartment a little too forcefully. "I don't care anymore. I don't even want to see your face, yet here you are."

Orm tilted her head, studying her. "That's funny, because you keep looking at me."

Lingling slammed the compartment shut. "You're so full of yourself."

Orm took a step closer. "Maybe. But I know when you're lying."

Lingling clenched her jaw, gripping the counter. "Just stop, Orm."

Orm sighed, shoving her hands into her pockets. "I can't." She held Lingling's gaze for a moment longer before finally turning away.

Just as she reached the galley exit, Lingling muttered under her breath. "Then you're an idiot."

Orm smirked without looking back. "Yeah... maybe I am." Then she walked away.

As soon as Orm settled back into her seat, Milk smirked, swirling the last bit of champagne in her glass.

"Let me guess? She pushed you away."

Orm shot her a glare. "Stop it."

Milk chuckled, crossing her legs. "Just stating the obvious." She leaned in slightly. "You're not used to being rejected, are you?"

Orm exhaled sharply, rubbing her temple. "I don't need this right now, Milk."

"Oh, but I think you do." Milk's voice dropped into something almost sultry. "You're all worked up, flustered even. And for what? A woman who doesn't even want you?"

Orm turned to face her fully, eyes dark. "You don't know anything about us."

Milk held her gaze for a second before shrugging, raising her hands in mock surrender. "Fair enough. But I do know one thing."

Orm stayed silent.

Milk smirked. "I'm still here."

Orm clenched her jaw, looking away.

The rest of the flight was spent in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

________________

The plane finally landed in Japan, Orm took a deep breath, fixed her blazer. The moment the seatbelt sign turned off, passengers started gathering their belongings. Milk stood up, stretching slightly before giving Orm a knowing glance.

"Ready to conquer Japan, partner?" Milk teased, grabbing her purse.

Orm ignored her, grabbing her carry-on instead.

When they exited the plane, Lingling and the rest of the flight crew stood by the door, sending off passengers. Her voice was professional, warm, yet distant.

"Thank you for flying with us. Welcome to Japan."

Orm paused in front of her. Unlike before, there was no smirk on her lips, no teasing glint in her eyes. Instead, her voice dropped to a whisper.

"I won't stop, Ling." She let the words linger between them before adding, "See you around."

Lingling's fingers twitched at her sides, but she remained composed, offering the same polite nod she gave every passenger.

Orm turned and walked away.

Milk, who had been watching the exchange with amused curiosity, leaned in toward Lingling with a smirk. "Good luck with that." Then, with a wink, she followed after Orm.

Lingling exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of the service counter as she watched them disappear into the airport.

Damn it, Orm.

__________

The drive from the airport to Vosbein Foods' Japan headquarters was tense. Orm sat in the backseat of the black luxury sedan, her fingers tapping against her knee. Milk sat beside her, one leg crossed over the other, watching her with an amused smirk.

"You look stressed," Milk teased.

Orm sighed, rubbing her temple. "This deal is important."

Milk chuckled. "Is that what's really on your mind? Or is it a certain flight attendant?"

Orm shot her a glare. "Enough."

Milk smirked but said nothing.

As the car pulled up in front of Vosbein Foods' glass tower, Orm took a deep breath. This meeting could determine the fate of Sethratanapong Group's international partnerships. If Vosbein pulled out, the ripple effect could be catastrophic.

"Ready?" Milk asked as they stepped out.

"I don't have a choice."

___________

The conference room at Vosbein Foods' Japan headquarters was filled with tension as Orm and Milk sat across from the executive team. Mr. Takeda, the head of international operations, adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat.

"Miss Sethratanapong, we have thoroughly assessed the risks associated with your company's recent legal troubles." His sharp eyes locked onto Orm. "Given our long-standing partnership, we are prepared to move forward, but there will be no room for further mistakes."

Orm remained calm, her posture composed despite the weight of the meeting. "I understand. I can personally assure you that Sethratanapong Group is handling all issues internally, and there will be no further disruptions."

Mr. Takeda nodded, then leaned forward slightly. "There is one condition."

Milk crossed her arms, waiting, while Orm's gaze remained steady.

"If another scandal arises—whether legal, financial, or reputational—Vosbein Foods will terminate our partnership immediately, with no negotiations."

Orm's fingers curled slightly against the table, but she kept her expression neutral. "Understood. That will not happen."

A few tense moments passed before Mr. Takeda exchanged glances with his colleagues. Then, he slid a signed document across the table. "Then we have an agreement."

Orm took the contract, scanning it briefly before signing.

As soon as they stepped out of the meeting room, Milk let out a dramatic sigh. "Well, that was fun."

Orm shot her a look. "Not the word I'd use."

Milk smirked, slipping her hands into her pockets. "You do realize they've basically put a knife to your throat, right? One wrong move and they'll drop you without a second thought."

Orm exhaled, rolling her shoulders. "I know."

Milk stopped walking and turned to face her. "So what's the plan now, Miss Chairwoman?"

Orm met her gaze with determination. "I fix everything. No distractions."

Milk chuckled, tilting her head. "No distractions, huh?"

Orm remained silent.

Milk's smirk widened. "Including a certain flight attendant?"

Orm's jaw tightened. Without a word, she walked past Milk and into their waiting car.

Milk slid in beside her, still grinning. "I'll take that as a no."

As they stepped into the car, Milk stretched her arms and turned to Orm with a smirk.

"Let's go to the hotel, freshen up, and celebrate tonight."

Orm raised an eyebrow, leaning back against the seat. "Celebrate?"

Milk chuckled. "Yes, Miss Chairwoman. You just saved your company from losing a major deal. That calls for a drink—or maybe something stronger."

Orm sighed, rubbing her temples. "I don't think I'm in the mood for a celebration, Milk. There's still a lot to fix."

Milk rolled her eyes. "That's exactly why you need to unwind. You've been exhausted and tense lately. If you keep this up, you'll burn out."

Orm remained silent, staring out the window as the city lights of Tokyo blurred past.

Milk nudged her playfully. "Come on, I know just the place. A high-end bar, exclusive crowd, no media, no stress—just good drinks and good company."

Orm let out a small laugh. "By 'good company,' you mean yourself?"

Milk winked. "Obviously. Who else would keep you entertained?"

Orm shook her head but couldn't fight the small smile forming on her lips. "Fine. One drink."

Milk smirked. "That's what they all say."

____________

Later that evening, Milk and Orm arrived at an exclusive bar tucked away in one of Tokyo's most luxurious districts. The dim lighting, soft jazz playing in the background, and the clinking of expensive glasses created an atmosphere of quiet indulgence.

Milk led them to a private booth, ordering their drinks without hesitation. "Two whiskey neats. Make it strong."

Orm raised an eyebrow. "Trying to get me drunk?"

Milk smirked, swirling her glass once the drinks arrived. "I don't have to try. You need it."

They started with business talk—going over potential solutions, strategies, and what it would take to keep the company from any further damage. But as the night stretched on and the whiskey burned their throats, the conversation shifted.

"Have you ever thought of it?" Milk asked suddenly, leaning back against the booth, her eyes locked onto Orm's.

Orm frowned slightly. "About what?"

Milk tilted her head. "Not giving us a real shot back then."

Orm sighed, taking a slow sip of her drink. "It was never meant to be serious, Milk."

Milk smirked but there was something else in her eyes—something unreadable. "And now? You still hung up on her?"

Orm clenched her jaw, looking away. "It's complicated."

Milk chuckled. "That's a yes."

Milk leaned forward, resting her elbow on the table as she swirled the remaining whiskey in her glass. "So, what really happened, Orm?" Her voice was softer now, less teasing.

Orm exhaled, staring down at her drink. "I got scared, Milk." She let out a bitter chuckle. "Lingling was my first relationship. I wanted her to be my last. But my life—my family, the media, the pressure—she didn't deserve to be dragged into that chaos."

Milk studied her for a moment before smirking. "And now?"

Orm looked up, eyes filled with quiet determination. "Now? No one can stop me." She tightened her grip on the glass. "Not my past, not my fears—nothing. I won't lose her again. It's just that my realization came too late."

Milk leaned back, amused. "Damn, Orm. That's the most romantic thing I've ever heard from you." She lifted her glass. "Then let's drink to that."

Orm and Milk stumbled out of the club, laughing as they leaned on each other for support. The neon lights reflected on the wet pavement, and the cool night air hit their flushed faces.

"I think we drank too much," Orm muttered, rubbing her temples.

Milk smirked, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "No such thing. You needed that."

They stood on the sidewalk, waiting for a taxi. Milk swayed slightly, still giggling over their off-tune singing inside the bar. "You were awful, by the way. Completely tone-deaf."

Orm chuckled but then fell silent. Her gaze lingered on Milk, her expression unreadable. Then, in a soft, almost broken voice, she whispered, "You look like Ling."

Milk's amusement faded as she held Orm's gaze. She took a slow step closer and, with a teasing yet serious tone, murmured, "I can be Lingling for tonight, Orm."

Orm just stared at her, frozen, as the taxi pulled up beside them.