CH-12

The clock showed 7 a.m. The fresh morning air filled every corner of the house, but the peaceful atmosphere was disrupted by the repeated sound of loud, forceful blows. In the training room, Ling was focused on the punching bag, which swung back and forth in response to her strikes. Thirty minutes had passed, yet she showed no signs of stopping, channeling her emotions into each energetic and aggressive movement.

Normally, boxing wasn’t Ling’s preferred workout. Her routine was much calmer—yoga or jogging in the park. But today was different. She needed an outlet, a way to release the frustration that had been weighing on her since last night, keeping her from sleeping soundly. Her mind was restless, flooded with thoughts that refused to settle, and the punching bag before her became her only escape from the frustration gnawing at her.

Each punch landed harder than the last. Sweat dripped down her face and body, yet she didn’t slow down. Her eyes remained locked on the punching bag as if she could shatter her irritation with sheer force. Last night, she had witnessed something that refused to leave her mind—something that sparked relentless questions in her head.

"Is that guy Orm’s boyfriend?" The question replayed over and over, disturbing her already fragile composure. The sight of Orm and that man—Meen—looking so at ease with each other haunted her thoughts. The way they talked, the casual laughter they shared, the effortless familiarity between them—it all made her chest tighten.

"If he is her boyfriend, then why does it bother me so much to see Orm close to someone else?" The voice in her head grew louder. She knew she had no reason to feel this way, yet the unfamiliar emotion burning within her was impossible to ignore.

Ling threw another punch at the bag, as if trying to rid herself of the irrational feelings clouding her mind. She was confused by her own reaction. Why was she so affected by Orm’s relationship with Meen? Why did the memory of them together make her stomach churn? She had always seen Orm as just a friend, a colleague. But after last night, those feelings had morphed into something far more complicated—something she had never felt before.

She hadn’t dared to ask Orm anything. A quiet fear had crept into her, warning her against confirming the thoughts swirling in her mind. She wasn’t ready to hear an answer—especially one that would only unsettle her further. So, she chose silence. But even in silence, her frustration and unease continued to fester.

The punching bag bore the brunt of her turmoil. Each strike carried the weight of her confusion, irritation, and a gnawing anxiety she couldn't put into words.

Kring... Kring...

The sudden ringing of her phone shattered her concentration, forcing her to stop. She exhaled sharply, allowing exhaustion to seep into her limbs. Slowly, she lowered her hands and peeled off the gloves that had been tightly wrapped around them.

The phone continued buzzing, vibrating lightly on the table in the corner of the room. Ling walked over, picking it up to find a flood of unread messages in her group chat.

She scrolled through the conversation, her fingers moving swiftly as she skimmed through the backlog of messages. A few voice notes had also come in, but she ignored them. The group chat had been buzzing since last night, but she had been too preoccupied to join in.

After briefly catching up on the conversation, she decided to call it a day. Her emotions had drained her more than the workout itself, leaving her feeling empty. A deep fatigue settled in, making her realize that what she needed most right now was a shower to cool down and, perhaps, a moment of rest to clear her mind.

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After resting and taking a shower, Ling’s body felt refreshed. She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her hair and clothes. Once satisfied with her appearance, she left the room, descending the stairs at a steady pace. In the dining area, the enticing aroma of freshly cooked food wafted from the kitchen, making her stomach growl even more.

"Good morning, P'Ling," Orm greeted her with a bright smile, as usual.

"Morning…" Ling replied flatly. Unlike before, Orm’s smile failed to draw any expression from her. Her face remained unreadable, and Orm could sense the shift in her demeanor.

Not wanting to make things awkward, Orm chose to act as if everything was normal. "I’ve prepared breakfast for you. I need to head to campus after this," she said casually while setting the table.

Ling glanced at the food before sitting down with an air of indifference. "Going to campus with your boyfriend?" she asked, her fingers lightly touching the plate, yet she didn’t look at Orm.

Orm paused for a moment, quickly realizing the reason behind Ling’s cold attitude. Since last night, Ling had been fixated on the word "boyfriend," clearly referring to the time she saw Orm with Meen. Slowly, Orm took a seat beside her, gazing at her intently.

"Are you mad at me?" Orm asked cautiously.

"No," Ling answered shortly. "Why would I be mad at you?"

"Because of P'Meen last night…" Orm carefully responded, observing how Ling’s expression subtly shifted at the mention of Meen’s name. "Could it be…"

"Could it be what?" Ling looked at her, waiting for an explanation.

"Could it be that you were jealous seeing me with P'Meen?" Orm asked casually, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

"Jealous?" Ling’s eyes widened slightly. "Why would I be jealous? That makes no sense," she replied quickly, almost as if she was trying to convince herself.

"Alright then…" Orm murmured, leaning back in her chair. She shifted her gaze away from Ling, staring blankly ahead. "P'Meen and I aren’t dating, and we never will. We’re like siblings. Our fathers are friends, and my dad asked P'Meen to look after me because he was worried I might experience bullying again, like before."

Orm paused, making sure Ling was listening. "And about last night—my car broke down, so P'Meen offered me a ride home," she added, stealing a glance at Ling from the corner of her eye. "I just thought I’d explain, in case you were curious."

Ling remained silent, but her eyes betrayed the fact that she was processing every word Orm had said. The tension between them lingered until Orm decided to shift the conversation.

"Oh, by the way, have you heard from Khun Dew that P'Mikey has withdrawn from My Cherie Amour?" Orm asked, breaking the stiff atmosphere.

"I found out yesterday," Ling replied calmly. "Khun Dew said filming will be delayed while they look for a replacement."

"I'm sure you'll find a co-star who fits well as your on-screen partner in My Cherie Amour," Orm said with a playful smile before glancing at her watch. "It's already 10. I need to get going."

Ling looked up as Orm stood. "Your car is still in the shop, right? How are you getting to campus?"

"I already booked a ride," Orm replied before leaning in slightly, lowering her voice near Ling’s ear. "Don’t worry, I’m not with P'Meen," she whispered teasingly, grinning.

"...." Ling was speechless. Her lips parted as if to say something, but no words came out.

"See you at two, P'Ling," Orm said cheerfully, waving before dashing out of the dining room.

Ling could only watch as Orm’s figure disappeared from view. After she left, Ling sat back down and resumed her breakfast. Yet, her mind lingered on Orm’s words. A subtle sense of relief began to settle in her heart after hearing the explanation.

Unknowingly, a small smile played on her lips—though she tried to hide it.

•••••

In a luxurious restaurant filled with an elegant atmosphere, Ling stepped inside, following the directions shared in her friends' group chat. From a distance, she spotted the table they had mentioned, where Freen, Engfa, and Charlotte were already waiting for her.

"Lingling Sirilak Kwong... We thought you wouldn't come," Engfa greeted her with a teasing smile as soon as she arrived.

"That's right," Charlotte added with a grin. "Didn't you say a few days ago that you had rehearsals today for Channel 3’s anniversary celebration?"

Ling pulled out the chair beside Freen and sat down calmly. "My schedule isn’t until two in the afternoon. There's no harm in dropping by for a bit," she replied casually, though deep down, an unexpected feeling had urged her to be there.

With a playful smirk, Freen immediately teased, "Since Lingling is here, how about she treats us to today’s meal?"

Ling responded with composure, showing no sign of reluctance. "Alright, I'll cover today's bill."

Soft laughter echoed around the table. "Okay, okay… In that case, let’s order," Freen said, wrapping up the joke, and they all turned their attention to the menus in their hands.

Once the waiter finished taking their orders and walked away, the conversation that had briefly paused resumed. Freen broke the silence with the topic she had been planning to bring up.

"I asked you all here because I want to invite you on a trip to Phuket next week. Becky and I are celebrating our anniversary there," Freen announced, looking at her three friends with hopeful eyes.

Ling listened carefully, then let out a slow sigh. "Phuket? I'm not sure if I can go. My schedule next week is quite packed," she replied hesitantly.

Not wanting to take no for an answer, Freen quickly added, "If you have no work scheduled, you have to come. Think of it as a short getaway. Just two days and two nights—it won’t be too long."

Charlotte, who had been quiet until now, jumped in enthusiastically. "Engfa and I are definitely going! You should come too, Ling. If you want, bring Orm along so you won’t be alone."

Ling looked surprised at the mention of Orm’s name. "Bring Orm?" she muttered doubtfully. "I wouldn’t even know how to ask her…"

Engfa eyed Ling curiously. "Just tell her you want to take her to Phuket," she suggested. "Besides, you and Orm seem really close. People on social media have started talking about your relationship."

Without missing a beat, Freen added, "Yeah, you and Orm make a better pair than you and Mean."

Ling fell silent, staring down at the table. Her friends’ words echoed in her mind. "I've only ever dated men. I'm not sure how I feel now because Orm is also a woman," she admitted in a soft voice.

Freen, sitting beside her, took a deep breath and looked at her seriously. "How do you really feel about Orm? Be honest with us."

Ling hesitated again, her heartbeat quickening. "I feel comfortable when I’m with Orm. Every day is more enjoyable when she’s around. And besides…" She paused, unsure if she should continue.

"Besides what?" Engfa leaned forward, eager to hear more.

Ling swallowed hard before continuing in a quiet voice, "Besides that, I get jealous whenever I see Orm with someone else. I don’t like it when other people try to get close to her. I… I don’t know what this feeling is."

Charlotte smiled knowingly. "It’s obvious—you like Orm. But you're hesitant because she’s a woman."

Freen suddenly asked, a playful glint in her eyes, "Have you and Orm ever kissed?"

Charlotte, startled by the blunt question, immediately cut in, "Are you crazy? Asking something like that out of nowhere?"

Unbothered by Charlotte’s reaction, Freen calmly replied, "I’m just curious. Besides, sometimes a kiss can make things clearer. It’s more effective than just holding hands or being close."

Ling, intrigued by Freen’s statement, finally asked, "Is that true? Can a kiss really help you understand your feelings for the same gender?"

Engfa nodded and added, "Yeah, it’s usually a good way to figure things out."

"In that case, you should try it, Ling," Freen suggested, draping an arm over her shoulder. "It might help you sort out your feelings."

But Ling simply shook her head slightly. "I can’t just suddenly ask Orm something like that. I don’t even know how she feels about me…"

Charlotte reached out and patted Ling’s hand gently. "Just wait for the right moment. Don’t rush it."

Ling gave a faint smile, though uncertainty still lingered in her heart. "Alright then…"

Their conversation came to an abrupt halt when the waiters arrived, setting down the dishes they had ordered. Ling looked at the table, now filled with food, and realized that, as usual, her friends had ordered a lot—especially since she was the one paying.

•••••

The Channel 3 building was bustling as usual. Fans gathered around the entrance, eagerly hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite celebrities. Known as home to many talented and stunning actors and actresses, Channel 3 always had an air of excitement lingering around its grand premises.

Ling’s car pulled up in front of the building, and her personal assistant, Orm, was the first to step out. She swiftly grabbed several bags containing Ling’s essentials for today’s rehearsal. Shortly after, Ling followed, stepping out of the car with her signature poise, her dark sunglasses shielding her eyes from the blazing midday sun. Her star aura was undeniable, immediately drawing the attention of those nearby.

With steady strides, Ling entered the Channel 3 building, while Orm trailed behind, carrying the bags she had just collected. The moment fans spotted Ling, an excited buzz spread through the crowd. However, despite their enthusiasm, they remained respectful, keeping a considerate distance.

“Sawadeekha,” Ling greeted warmly, waving at her fans. A sweet smile graced her lips, amplifying the already lively atmosphere. She even took a moment to answer a few questions and graciously accepted the gifts they handed her.

As her hands became increasingly full with presents, Ling turned to Orm, who stood close by. “Here,” she said, handing over a few of the bags to Orm, who instinctively reached out to take them.

“I can carry everything, phi,” Orm offered softly, feeling guilty that Ling was holding more than she was.

Ling gave a small shake of her head, her expression gentle. “It’s fine. I can carry some,” she replied in a low voice, giving Orm’s shoulder a light pat, reassuring her that she didn’t mind.

The fans couldn’t contain their excitement as they witnessed the subtle yet affectionate interaction between the two. Small cheers erupted from the crowd, signaling their fondness for Ling and Orm’s bond. Though Orm was merely Ling’s personal assistant, to the fans, she had already become an inseparable part of Ling’s world.

“N'Orm kha~” some fans called out, prompting Orm to smile warmly and wave in return.

“Does N'Orm have a Girlfriend Line?” one fan suddenly asked.

Orm blinked in confusion. “What’s a Girlfriend Line?” she asked, tilting her head slightly with an amused smile.

One of the fans eagerly explained, “It’s a queue for those who want to be your girlfriend! Since so many people like you, they have to line up first.”

Ling and Orm exchanged glances before Orm playfully responded, “Well then, go ahead and line up if you want to be my girlfriend.”

The fans erupted in excitement. “Oui, oui!” they cheered, laughing and shouting with glee, while Ling merely crossed her arms over her chest, gazing at Orm with a neutral yet knowing expression.

Another fan excitedly called out, “P’Ling, can we date N'Orm?”

Ling, still composed, nodded slowly and replied with a cool smile, “Sure.”

With that, she gave one final wave. “See you all later,” she said warmly before she and Orm continued walking into the building, heading toward the rehearsal hall.

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The training room was unusually quiet that morning. Ling had arrived 30 minutes earlier than scheduled—not because she was in a hurry, but because she wanted to record a VLOG for her YouTube channel. It was a routine she often did, especially when she felt the need to share her daily activities with her fans.

With a camera in hand, Ling began recording herself. She spoke casually, talking about her training schedule for the day while showing the contents of her bag, which included shoes, a water bottle, and other essentials. In the corner of the room, Orm sat quietly with an iPad in her hands, focused on her work. She had deliberately chosen to sit far away, ensuring she wouldn't accidentally appear in Ling’s vlog, knowing how engrossed Ling was in her recording.

After a few minutes, Ling felt she had recorded enough. Just as she was about to turn off the camera, her eyes landed on Orm sitting in the corner. Something about the sight caught her attention. Without saying a word, Ling pointed the camera toward Orm, recording her secretly. A faint smile appeared on Ling’s lips as she observed Orm’s serious expression, completely absorbed in her work.

“N'Orm…” Ling called out softly, her smile widening as Orm’s face came into focus on the camera screen.

Orm, initially unaware, looked up, her expression puzzled. It took her a few seconds to realize that Ling’s camera was pointed straight at her. “Are you recording me, P’Ling?” she asked, eyeing Ling suspiciously.

Ling shook her head, still smiling. “No, I’m not,” she denied, though the mischievous glint in her eyes said otherwise.

Orm wasn’t convinced. “You definitely are!” she protested, setting her iPad down and rising to her feet. She took a determined step toward Ling, unwilling to let it slide.

Ling, barely holding back a laugh, maintained her calm composure. “I’m not,” she repeated teasingly, but her amusement only grew as Orm moved closer.

“P’Ling! Stop recording me!” Orm huffed as she sat beside Ling, reaching for the camera. “Give it to me! I’ll delete it.”

Ling, still grinning, quickly hid the camera behind her back. “No way,” she replied playfully. “I’ll delete it… after I send it to my phone.”

Orm was relentless. “I want it gone now!” She leaned in, attempting to snatch the camera from Ling’s grasp. What started as a simple attempt to delete the footage quickly turned into a playful struggle.

For a few moments, they wrestled over the camera, both laughing in the process—until suddenly, Ling lost her balance. She slipped, falling backward onto the floor, and in the midst of trying to grab the camera, Orm ended up tumbling down with her.

Everything happened in an instant. Orm’s eyes widened as she realized their lips had pressed together. The training room fell into absolute silence. Time seemed to freeze.

The kiss lasted only a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity. Orm, in shock, quickly pulled away, her face burning with embarrassment. Her hands trembled as she finally managed to snatch the camera from Ling. But instead of deleting the footage, she hesitated before handing it back.

“I… I need to go to the restroom,” Orm stammered, her voice unsteady. Without waiting for a response, she stood up abruptly and rushed toward the door, leaving Ling still lying on the floor.

Ling watched her leave, puzzled yet unfazed. Sitting up, she adjusted her position and muttered under her breath, “Weren’t you going to delete the recording?”

Orm didn’t respond. The door to the training room closed softly behind her.

Meanwhile, inside the restroom, Orm stood in front of the large mirror, staring at her own reflection in disbelief. Her face was flushed, her heart pounding so loudly it almost drowned out her thoughts. Instinctively, she pressed a hand against her chest, feeling the rapid beat of her heart, before slowly touching her lips. The accidental kiss with Ling replayed over and over in her mind, leaving her completely shaken.

On the other hand, while Orm was panicked and overwhelmed, Ling remained remarkably calm. She sat comfortably on the floor, still holding the camera in her hands, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Orm’s reaction intrigued her—it wasn’t just amusing, it was… interesting.

Her friends had once jokingly said that she should "kiss Orm" to truly understand her feelings. But ironically, without any deliberate effort, fate had arranged the perfect moment for her. And more than that, Ling hadn’t needed to make the first move.

Ling brushed her fingertips over her lips, the memory of Orm’s soft touch still lingering. The kiss had been brief, but it left a lasting impression. Taking a deep breath, she let herself relive the moment, only to realize—this wasn’t just amusement anymore. There was something deeper, something undeniable.

For the first time, Ling acknowledged the truth. Her feelings for Orm had changed. Without even realizing it, she had already fallen in love.