CH-09

The peaceful morning in Bangkok felt different for Orm. Instead of enjoying the tranquil start of the day, she had been busy since dawn at Ling’s house—specifically, in the kitchen. The soft morning sunlight streamed through the kitchen window, as if offering encouragement for Orm as she prepared breakfast.

She opened the refrigerator and carefully took out the ingredients she had prepared beforehand. Eggs, flour, milk, and a few seasonings were neatly arranged on the kitchen counter. Beside her, a pan was already set on the stove, waiting to be used.

"Let's get started," Orm murmured to herself, stretching her fingers like an athlete preparing for an important match. Today’s challenge was making Chinese-style egg pancakes—a simple dish, yet one that required skill to get just right.

The first step was pouring flour into a large mixing bowl. With swift, practiced movements, she cracked the eggs and added them to the batter.

Meanwhile, Ling had just finished her morning workout. Beads of sweat trickled down her temples, and without a second thought, she reached for a small towel to wipe her face and neck. Her eyes glanced at the wall clock—it was already eight in the morning. Deciding it was time to wrap up her session, she got ready to start the day.

Walking out of her home gym, Ling strolled leisurely down the hallway toward the main living area. As she approached the kitchen, the sound of clattering utensils reached her ears. A small smile formed on her lips—she already knew who was in there. Without hesitation, she stepped inside and paused at the doorway.

"Good morning, N'Orm," Ling greeted warmly as she spotted the familiar figure busy at the kitchen counter.

"Good morning, P'Ling," Orm replied with a quick glance and a smile, her hands still moving skillfully as she focused on the task at hand.

Ling stepped closer, curious about what Orm was making. "What are you cooking?" she asked, eyeing the neatly arranged ingredients.

"Egg pancakes, Phi. Is that okay?" Orm asked, briefly looking up at Ling, knowing how particular she was about food.

Ling chuckled at the concern in Orm's voice. "I like anything you cook, Nong. Don't worry," she reassured her. Though she was indeed selective, Orm’s cooking had never once disappointed her.

Orm let out a relieved smile. "I'm making Chinese-style egg pancakes. It might not be as authentic, but I’ll make sure it tastes good."

"Oh? I haven't had egg pancakes in a while," Ling said, showing genuine interest.

"Yeah, I hope it turns out well. But it probably won't be as good as the ones in China."

Ling nodded and walked over to the sink to wash her hands. After drying them, she stood beside Orm. "Let me help," she offered, reaching out her hands.

Orm immediately hesitated, stopping what she was doing. "No need, Phi. I can finish this on my own," she said softly, worried that something unexpected might happen if Ling got involved.

But Ling was persistent. "Come on, it'll be faster if we cook together," she insisted, slowly reaching for the pan Orm was using.

"But… can you even cook? I'm worried the hot oil might splatter on you," Orm said doubtfully, rarely seeing Ling in the kitchen.

Ling laughed at Orm’s concern. "Of course, I can cook. When you're not around, I sometimes make my own meals. I get tired of eating takeout all the time."

Orm eventually nodded, albeit reluctantly. "Alright, then."

As they worked together, Ling observed Orm’s technique. "That's not how you cut it, Nong," she pointed out, glancing at the sliced ingredients on the counter.

Orm paused and looked at her. "Then how should I do it, Phi?"

"Let me show you," Ling said. She picked up the knife and demonstrated the proper way to slice. Her movements were quick, making Orm focus intently to follow along.

"Like this, Phi?" Orm asked, struggling slightly with the technique.

"Yes, in China, they usually cut the meat this way," Ling explained.

Stepping closer, she gently adjusted Orm’s hand position, guiding her through the motion. Orm stiffened as Ling stood so close, almost enveloping her from the side. Her heartbeat quickened.

"Do you get it now, Nong?" Ling asked, her face so close that Orm could feel her breath.

Orm turned her head, only to realize their faces were inches apart. Her pulse raced. "Yes, Phi," she replied quickly, pulling back slightly, trying to steady herself.

Ling smiled in satisfaction. "Good," she said before returning to her task.

Despite her composed demeanor, Ling felt it too—her heart beating faster than usual. She found it increasingly difficult to act normal whenever she was near Orm.

"Oh, Phi, after this, I need to stop by my university before taking you to work," Orm said while tidying up the kitchen tools she had used.

Ling, who was enjoying her breakfast, looked up at Orm and replied without hesitation, "I’ll go with you."

Orm, caught off guard, paused and frowned. "Go with me? What do you mean, Phi?"

Ling calmly finished chewing before answering, "I’ll go to your campus with you, so we can head straight to work afterward. That way, you won’t have to go back and forth just to pick me up."

Orm looked unsure. "But…"

Before she could finish, Ling cut her off. "No ‘buts.’ You should save your time and energy for accompanying me today."

Orm exhaled quietly, then nodded in reluctant agreement. "Alright, Phi…" she sighed, still unsure about bringing Ling to her university.

•••••

"P'Ling, wait here for a moment, okay?" Orm said, glancing at Ling, who was seated beside her.

Ling nodded slowly, a small smile tugging at her lips in response to Orm’s request. "Alright, Nong," she replied gently, not wanting to interrupt Orm’s schedule.

"I just need to submit an assignment. It won’t take long," Orm added, as if reassuring Ling that she wouldn’t be gone for too long. With that, she quickly opened the car door and stepped out, leaving Ling in the passenger seat.

Ling took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Her gaze shifted to the phone in her hand. She tried to distract herself by scrolling through a few apps, but her mind wasn’t entirely focused. Every now and then, she glanced outside the car window. The atmosphere around the university felt somewhat unfamiliar.

"It’s been a long time," Ling murmured to herself, realizing just how much she missed the days when she was still a student.

As she continued waiting, her thoughts drifted back to her college days—reminiscing about the moments she spent with her friends, laughing in between classes. Work and daily responsibilities had gradually distanced her from those memories.

Ling busied herself with her phone again, her fingers scrolling through the screen with casual ease. A small, amused smile played on her lips. In the middle of browsing, a movie trailer caught her attention. Her smile widened slightly.

"This looks like a good movie... Maybe I should invite N'Orm to watch it today," she mused quietly.

However, as she glanced out the window again, her smile slowly faded. Her eyes narrowed, locking onto Orm, who had just stepped out of the building. But she wasn’t alone—she was walking alongside a man. And something about their interaction made Ling uneasy. Their gestures seemed close, almost intimate. The man spoke to Orm with a smile, and Orm responded with the same warmth.

A strange sensation stirred in Ling’s chest, an unfamiliar feeling creeping in and making her heart feel tight. For a moment, she just sat there, silently watching them.

"Who is that guy?" Ling wondered, the question taking over her thoughts.

After submitting her assignment, Orm made her way back to the car, her steps light and unhurried. She opened the door and slipped into the seat. Once settled, she turned to Ling, who was still engrossed in her phone.

"Did P'Ling wait long?" Orm asked, a small smile on her lips. Her voice was light, though there was a hint of concern—worried that Ling might have grown bored from waiting.

Ling looked up, offering a faint smile. "Not really, N'Orm," she replied softly, not wanting to make Orm feel bad for making her wait.

"Alright then, let’s go," Orm said, her voice carrying a cheerful tone. She started the engine, the smooth hum filling the quiet space as they drove away from the university.

The atmosphere in the car felt different from usual. Conversations between them, which typically flowed effortlessly, were now sparse. Orm focused on the road, occasionally checking the rearview mirror and monitoring traffic. Even so, she made small attempts to chat, sharing random thoughts or trivial things she noticed along the way.

On the other hand, Ling mostly listened, occasionally glancing at her phone. She didn’t comment much, but she absorbed everything Orm said, responding only when necessary.

"Nong Orm..." Ling suddenly called out.

"Yes, P'Ling?" Orm replied, her eyes still on the road, though her tone showed she was ready to listen.

"What time does work end today?" Ling asked, her voice soft but carrying a hint of hesitation.

"In the afternoon, Phi. Today’s just a shoot for a pilot trailer, so it shouldn’t take too long," Orm answered, briefly glancing at Ling before refocusing on driving.

Ling bit her lower lip, as if debating whether to speak again. After a brief pause, she finally said, "There’s a good horror movie playing today... I was thinking we could go watch it." Her eyes stayed fixed on Orm, waiting for a reaction.

"A horror movie?" Orm asked, raising an eyebrow. There was a slight note of surprise in her voice. "Why horror, Phi?"

"Because people say it’s really good, so I want to watch it," Ling replied casually but with a hopeful expression. "Why? Are you scared of horror movies?"

Orm hesitated, as if carefully choosing her words. "Uh..." she muttered before finally answering, "I’m not scared, Phi. It’s just a movie, and the ghosts are just people too, right? Why should I be afraid?"

Ling chuckled at Orm’s response. "Alright then. After work, let’s go to the theater."

Orm nodded, though deep down, she wasn’t entirely sure. Horror movies weren’t exactly her thing, but she didn’t want to disappoint Ling.

•••••

The clock struck six in the evening as Ling and Orm finally arrived at Siam Paragon Mall—the place Ling had chosen for their movie night. The mall was lively but not overly crowded. Walking side by side, they strolled leisurely through the elegant hallways, making their way to the cinema on the third floor.

Upon reaching the cinema, Ling immediately purchased two tickets without hesitation, already knowing exactly what movie she wanted to watch. With that settled, they both moved to the snack counter, joining the queue.

"What do you want to order, Nong?" Ling asked, glancing at Orm to make sure she got something she liked.

Orm studied the menu board above the counter for a moment before replying, "Just popcorn and maybe a soda, Phi."

"Alright, then." Ling nodded and, when their turn came, ordered a large popcorn and two sodas.

When their order was ready, Ling struggled slightly to carry everything. Noticing this, Orm immediately stepped in. "Let me help you, Phi," she offered gently.

Ling smiled and handed her one of the popcorn buckets along with a drink. "Here, take this," she said, while carrying the other drink and a few extra snacks herself.

They made their way to the theater’s waiting area and decided to sit while waiting for the doors to open. Orm occasionally glanced around, observing the other patrons, while Ling enjoyed the ice cream she had ordered earlier.

"Do you want some, Nong?" Ling suddenly asked, holding up a small spoonful of ice cream toward Orm.

Orm shook her head slightly with a polite smile. "No, Phi. I’m not really into ice cream."

"Oh, really? But you have to try this one—it’s really good," Ling teased playfully. Without waiting for a response, she scooped up another bite and held it in front of Orm’s mouth. "Aaa~~," she cooed, clearly hoping Orm wouldn’t refuse.

Orm hesitated for a moment, looking at Ling’s warm smile before finally giving in. She opened her mouth and took the bite, subtly glancing around to make sure no one was watching them too closely.

"Well? It’s good, right?" Ling asked, eyes filled with anticipation, as if waiting for praise.

Orm gave a small nod. "Yeah, it’s good, Phi," she admitted, a faint, rare smile appearing on her lips.

Encouraged by Orm’s response, Ling beamed. "Then I’ll give you another bite," she said excitedly, scooping up more ice cream for herself before offering another spoonful to Orm.

This time, Orm smiled and, without hesitation, took another bite. However, as soon as the spoon entered her mouth, a mischievous thought crossed her mind. She briefly glanced at Ling before lowering her gaze.

"If we’re eating from the same spoon… does this count as an indirect kiss?" she wondered, feeling a sudden wave of embarrassment at the thought.

"Nong Orm…"

"Nong Orm…"

Orm snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of Ling’s voice calling her name. She turned to face her, blinking in slight confusion.

"What is it, P'Ling?" she asked softly.

"The theater doors are open. Are you okay?" Ling asked gently, concern in her tone as she had noticed Orm zoning out.

"I’m fine." Orm gave a small smile, then stood up, carrying the popcorn bucket and drinks. "Come on, let’s go in, Phi."

Walking side by side, they entered the theater and found their assigned seats. The cinema was quite packed, but the chatter of the audience soon faded as the lights dimmed and the movie began.

From the very first scene, Ling watched attentively, her expression calm and composed. Despite it being a horror movie, she showed no signs of fear. Meanwhile, Orm was not as composed. She fidgeted in her seat and even covered her eyes with her hand during some of the scarier scenes.

"You said you wouldn’t be scared..." Ling whispered teasingly, amused by Orm’s reaction.

"The movie is scarier than I expected," Orm admitted, sounding slightly embarrassed. She occasionally peeked through her fingers but quickly shut her eyes again whenever another terrifying scene appeared.

Ling chuckled softly before gently pulling Orm closer, resting her head on her shoulder. "If you’re scared, you can hide here," she murmured reassuringly.

Orm responded with a small nod, though her cheeks flushed slightly. Each time a frightening scene played, she leaned into Ling’s shoulder a little more.

Ling, amused, let out a quiet giggle. It was funny how Orm, who was usually so confident and composed, now seemed so vulnerable.

.

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.

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Two hours had passed, and finally, Death Whisperer, the movie Ling and Orm had been watching, came to an end. As the theater lights gradually brightened, Ling turned to her side and smiled softly at the sight of Orm fast asleep, her head resting against Ling’s shoulder. Orm's face looked peaceful, partially hidden by a few strands of hair that had fallen over her features. Gently, Ling tucked the stray strands behind Orm’s ear, making sure they wouldn’t disturb her slumber.

The light touch on her face made Orm stir slightly. She blinked a few times, her drowsy eyes slowly adjusting to her surroundings. Within moments, she realized they were still inside the theater.

"Oh no! Has the movie been over for a while, Phi?" Orm asked in a slight panic, noticing that many people were already getting up and making their way out.

Ling let out a small smile and nodded. "Yes, it just ended. I was about to wake you up, but you woke up on your own," she replied calmly.

Still feeling a little disoriented, Orm rubbed her face in an attempt to shake off the lingering drowsiness. She even gave her cheeks a light pat to wake herself up completely. Once she felt more alert, she turned to Ling. "So, are we heading home now? Or do you want to go somewhere else first?"

"Let's just go home," Ling answered simply before standing up. Without a second thought, she reached for Orm’s hand and guided her out of the theater.

Orm, feeling slightly flustered, instinctively tried to pull her hand away. Since earlier, she had sensed a few lingering gazes on them—perhaps from people noticing how close they seemed. However, instead of letting go, Ling tightened her grip, unfazed by the attention around them. Side by side, they walked toward the parking lot, Ling’s hand firmly holding Orm’s the entire time.

Once they reached the parking area, Ling came to a stop and looked at Orm seriously. "I'll drive. There's no way I’m letting you get behind the wheel when you're this sleepy," she said firmly.

"But..." Orm attempted to protest, feeling like she could still handle driving despite being a little tired.

"No buts," Ling cut her off immediately. "Driving while drowsy is dangerous. You know that, right? I’m not going to take that risk," she added, holding out her hand, silently demanding the car keys.

Orm hesitated for a moment but eventually gave in. Without arguing further, she handed the keys to Ling, knowing deep down that she was right. It was safer this way.

Taking the keys, Ling walked over and opened the car door for Orm. "Go ahead, get in," she said, offering a small, reassuring smile.

"Thank you, P’Ling," Orm murmured with a faint smile of her own before slipping into the passenger seat. A warm feeling settled in her chest at the way Ling was looking after her.

After making sure Orm was comfortable, Ling gently closed the door and walked around to the driver's side. She quickly started the engine, and soon, they were on the road, leaving the theater parking lot behind.

As they drove, Ling kept her focus on the road but occasionally glanced at Orm. There was something different about being around her. Despite being a public figure used to constant attention, Ling felt free whenever she was with Orm. The world’s eyes, the cameras, the expectations—none of it seemed to matter.

With Orm, Ling felt at ease, as if, for once, the world revolved around just the two of them.