Chapter 12- Try again

Lingling spent the night at Orm's house. She stayed in Orm's room while Orm took the guest room. Neither of them slept well—Lingling lay awake, staring at the ceiling, while Orm tossed and turned, resisting the urge to knock on Lingling's door.

The next morning, Orm stood outside her bedroom door, hesitating before knocking. "Ling?" she called softly. "Are you awake?"

Inside, Lingling had just woken up, her heart racing at the sound of Orm's voice. She took a deep breath before answering, "Yeah, I'm up."

Orm pushed the door open slightly. "Come have breakfast. Mom's waiting."

Lingling hesitated, still feeling the weight of last night's emotions. But she eventually nodded. "Okay."

She got out of bed and realized she had nothing to wear except the clothes from last night. Orm noticed her hesitation and tossed her a neatly folded shirt and sweatpants. "Wear this," she said casually. "It might be a bit big, but it's comfortable."

Lingling took the clothes without a word and changed quickly. When she stepped out, Orm was waiting by the door. Without thinking, Orm reached for Lingling's hand and held it as they walked to the dining area.

Koy was already at the table, sipping her morning tea. When she saw them walk in together, her eyes lingered on their joined hands, but she chose not to comment. Instead, she smiled warmly.

"Good morning," Koy greeted.

"Good morning, Mom," Orm replied, pulling out a chair for Lingling before sitting down.

"Good morning, Auntie," Lingling said politely.

Breakfast was already set—steamed rice, omelets, grilled pork, and a hot bowl of soup. Lingling swallowed hard. These were all her favorites.

"You didn't have to go through all this trouble," she murmured.

"It's no trouble at all," Koy said simply.

As they ate, silence stretched between them. Orm barely touched her food, stealing glances at Lingling, who was focused on her meal. The atmosphere felt thick with unspoken words.

After a while, Koy finally spoke. "So, how was the gala?"

Orm and Lingling both tensed slightly.

"It was... fine," Orm answered vaguely, stabbing her rice with her fork.

Koy raised an eyebrow, sensing the avoidance. She turned to Lingling. "What about you, dear?"

Lingling forced a small smile. "It was... eventful."

Koy hummed, clearly noticing their lack of enthusiasm. She decided not to press further, taking a sip of her tea instead.

Silence settled once more, but Lingling could feel Orm's gaze on her. And despite everything, she wasn't sure if she wanted to pull away.

As soon as they finished breakfast, Orm and Lingling headed back to Orm's room. Lingling sat on the edge of the bed, still feeling the weight of everything that had happened the night before. Orm, on the other hand, leaned against the door, watching her intently.

"So, what's the plan today?" Orm finally asked, her voice softer than usual.

Lingling exhaled, rubbing her hands together. "I don't have a flight today. I usually just stay home, do some errands, and check in at my agency."

Orm nodded, but her eyes never left Lingling. "And what if I steal you for the day?"

Lingling looked at her, confused. "What?"

Orm didn't answer immediately. Instead, she stepped forward and knelt between Lingling's legs, wrapping her arms around Lingling's waist and pressing her forehead against her stomach.

"Let me take you out," Orm murmured against her shirt.

Lingling stiffened. The warmth of Orm's embrace sent a wave of emotions crashing over her. She hesitated, unsure of what to say, but her hands instinctively found their way into Orm's hair, fingers lightly brushing against her scalp.

"Orm..." she whispered, her voice shaky.

Orm tightened her hold. "Just for today, Ling. Just let me have today."

Lingling closed her eyes. She wanted to resist, to remind herself why she should walk away. But at that moment, all she could feel was Orm—the warmth, the desperation in her voice, and the way her touch made her heart ache with longing.

"...Okay," Lingling finally whispered.

__________

Orm took Lingling on a drive around the city, keeping the atmosphere light. They stopped by a convenience store, grabbing snacks and drinks before continuing their aimless journey. The whole ride was mostly silent, aside from the soft music playing in the background.

Orm stole glances at Lingling every now and then, as if making sure she was real and beside her. Lingling, on the other hand, was deep in thought, still adjusting to Orm's presence after everything.

After an hour of driving, Orm pulled into a quiet gas station along the expressway. It wasn't crowded—just a few passing travelers refueling. She got out of the car.

"I'll grab some coffee. Want anything?" Orm asked.

Lingling shook her head. "I'm good."

Orm nodded and disappeared inside the store. Lingling leaned back against her seat, exhaling deeply. What was she even doing here? She wasn't sure how to feel—part of her was still guarded, while another part of her felt the familiar comfort of being beside Orm again.

A few minutes later, Orm returned, holding two iced americanos and a bag with pastries. She handed one to Lingling.

"I got you coffee. Thought you might change your mind," Orm said, grinning.

Lingling accepted it without a word.

They sat in the car, eating quietly. Orm broke the silence first.

"You know... I'm really proud of you."

Lingling looked up, confused. "For what?"

Orm hesitated for a second, then said, "For everything. For the life you built for yourself. I was there, you know."

Lingling blinked. "Where?"

Orm took a sip of her coffee. "At your graduation."

Lingling froze, her grip tightening around the cup. "...You were there?"

Orm nodded. "Yeah. Stood in the back. Watched you walk across the stage." She gave a small, sad smile. "You looked so happy."

Lingling's heart clenched. She had searched for Orm that day, hoping, even just for a second, that she'd see her. But she never did.

"I thought I saw you," Lingling admitted. "But when I turned to look, you were gone."

Orm let out a small chuckle. "I left before you could see me. Thought it would be easier that way."

Lingling sighed, shaking her head. "Easier for who, Orm?"

Orm didn't answer. She just stared at her coffee, the weight of their past lingering between them.

After a moment, Lingling sighed, taking a sip of her drink. "You're still an idiot."

Orm laughed softly. "Yeah. But I'm your idiot."

Lingling didn't reply. She just looked at Orm, her expression unreadable.

Orm reached out, hesitantly brushing her fingers against Lingling's hand. "Ling..."

Lingling didn't pull away.

Lingling stared at her coffee, then her fingers tracing the rim of the cup. The words sat heavy on her tongue, but she finally found the courage to ask, "Orm... what really happened?"

Orm let out a deep sigh, leaning back against the car seat. "I don't know, Ling," she admitted, her voice laced with regret. "I really got scared. Everything was a mess back then. The pressure, the expectations... I was drowning. And then there was you."

Lingling frowned. "Me?"

Orm nodded, turning to face her. "You were the one thing in my life that made sense, Ling. And that terrified me. Because I didn't know how to handle something that real. I thought if I pushed you away, I'd be saving you from... from all of it." She let out a bitter chuckle. "But I only ended up hurting the person I loved most."

Lingling clenched her jaw, staring at Orm as she continued.

"And then my dad—when I lost him, I just... shut down. I blamed myself for everything. For the company, for him, for you. I wanted to fix things, but every time I tried, something else would go wrong. And eventually, I just stopped trying." Orm's voice cracked at the last words, and for the first time that night, her walls crumbled.

Lingling watched as Orm wiped at her eyes, her usual confidence stripped away. It was strange seeing her like this—vulnerable, exposed.

"You left me, Orm," Lingling finally said, her voice quieter now, but no less firm. "I waited for you. I wondered every day if you would come back, if you even thought about me." She scoffed, shaking her head. "You broke my heart."

Orm swallowed hard. "I know. And I hate myself for it."

Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words.

After a moment, Lingling sighed, running a hand through her hair. "So why now? Why come back and say all of this?"

Orm didn't hesitate. "Because I never stopped loving you."

Lingling's breath hitched, but she forced herself to keep her composure. "Love isn't just about words, Orm. It's about actions."

Orm nodded. "Then let me prove it to you."

Lingling looked at her, searching her face for any sign of doubt. But all she saw was sincerity.

"I don't know if I can trust you again," she whispered.

Orm took a shaky breath. "Then let me earn it."

Lingling didn't answer right away. She wasn't sure if she was ready to forgive. But for the first time in years, she felt something crack in the walls she had built around her heart.

And maybe, just maybe, she was willing to let Orm try.

Orm squinted her eyes. "Your house or my house?"

Lingling scoffed. "Please take me to my house."

Orm hesitated, gripping the steering wheel. "But Charlotte is there. I don't want you near her."

Lingling sighed. "Orm, I need to go back to my house."

Orm let out a frustrated breath and tapped her fingers against the wheel. "Fine. But I'm not walking you up. I don't wanna see Charlotte."

Lingling smirked slightly. "Good. I wasn't gonna ask you to."

As Orm drove toward Lingling's place, a tense silence settled between them. She was dying to ask what Lingling planned to do, but she didn't want to push too much.

When they finally arrived in front of Lingling's apartment, Orm parked but didn't unlock the doors right away. "So... you gonna leave her?"

Lingling looked at her, unreadable. "I'll deal with her, Orm. But don't expect anything."

Orm tilted her head. "Not expecting. Just... hoping."

Lingling sighed, reaching for the door handle.

Before she could step out, Orm grabbed her wrist gently. "Wait."

Lingling turned back, eyebrows raised. "What?"

Orm swallowed. "Let me see you again tomorrow.."

Lingling held her gaze for a moment before nodding. "I will text you, Orm."

Orm let go of her wrist. "Goodnight, Ling."

Lingling stepped out without another word and walked toward her apartment, disappearing inside.

Orm leaned back in her seat, exhaling. She stared at the building for a few more seconds before shaking her head and starting the engine.

"God, please give me this one," she muttered, driving off into the night.

___________

Charlotte was sitting on the couch with her laptop when Lingling walked in. She looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Hey. Haven't heard from you since the gala."

Lingling set her keys down, taking a deep breath. "Yeah... Char, we need to talk."

Charlotte sighed, closing her laptop. "That doesn't sound good."

Lingling hesitated but pushed forward. "I think... I want to give it a try again with Orm."

Charlotte didn't flinch. She just leaned back, watching Lingling carefully. Then, after a beat, she chuckled. "Well. That didn't take long."

Lingling frowned. "I'm sorry."

Charlotte shrugged. "I kind of saw it coming."

Lingling exhaled. "I don't want to hurt you."

Charlotte smirked, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Too late for that, babe." She rubbed her temple. "So what's the plan? You want me to move out?"

Lingling shook her head. "No. I'll be the one leaving. You co-signed the lease. It's only fair."

Charlotte studied her for a moment before nodding. "Fine. When are you leaving?"

"A few days," Lingling said.

Charlotte sighed, stretching her arms. "Guess that's that, huh?"

Lingling sat down beside her. "Char—"

Charlotte shook her head. "Ling, don't. I get it. I always knew where your heart was. I was just hoping you'd let me have a little piece of it."

Lingling's throat tightened. "You did."

Charlotte gave her a sad smile. "Just not the part that mattered most."

Lingling looked down. "I do love you, Char. Just... not the way you deserve."

Charlotte nodded slowly. "Yeah. I know."

A brief silence filled the room before Charlotte exhaled sharply and stood up. "Well, I need a drink. And space. Lots of space."

Lingling offered a weak smile. "I understand."

Charlotte grabbed her jacket. "For what it's worth, I really did love being with you."

Lingling swallowed the lump in her throat. "Me too."

Charlotte gave her a lingering look before stepping out of the apartment, leaving Lingling alone.

She took a deep breath, pulling out her phone.

Lingling: I told her.

A response came almost immediately.

Orm: And?

Lingling: I'm moving out in a few days.

Orm: So that means you're mine again?

Lingling rolled her eyes but smiled.

Lingling: Don't get ahead of yourself.

Orm: Can I see you again tomorrow?

Lingling: I have a flight tomorrow.

Orm: To where?

Lingling: Paris. I'll be gone for four days.

Orm: Four days???

Lingling: Stop overreacting. Let me do my job.

Orm: Fine. I'm gonna miss you.

Lingling: Stop overreacting.

Orm: What time is your flight?

Lingling: Early morning. 4 AM.

Orm: Okay.

Lingling stared at her phone, shaking her head at Orm's dramatic reaction. She put her phone down and started packing.

Orm sat on her bed, her phone in hand, staring at Lingling's last message. Her mind raced as she replayed their conversation. Four days? she thought, feeling the weight of the time apart already.

Determined to not let Lingling go without a trace, Orm quickly pulled up her browser and started searching for flights to Paris. With a quick search for flights, Orm found a flight that was scheduled at the same time Lingling's was. She smirked, knowing she could easily book herself on the same one.

In no time, Orm had her flight booked for the morning—4 AM, the same as Lingling's.

She leaned back in her chair and smiled to herself, knowing that soon, she'd be able to see Lingling again, and maybe have more time to figure things out between them.