CH - 30

Six Months Later...

That morning, Ling was busy in the kitchen. After finishing her gym session, which had become part of her morning routine, she eagerly headed straight to the kitchen with renewed energy. With a recipe app open on her phone, she checked the ingredients she had prepared the night before. Today, she planned to make a healthy breakfast for Orm—something different from their usual meals. Ling wanted to make sure that Orm's food was not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, essential for both Orm’s health and the baby she was carrying.

Since Orm’s pregnancy was confirmed four months ago, Ling's attitude had gradually changed. She had become more protective and even more attentive than before. Everything related to Orm had become her top priority. Ling meticulously monitored Orm's diet, ensuring she consumed well-balanced and nutritious meals. If she had thought she was already caring enough before, now everything felt even more profound. Every little detail, no matter how small, caught her attention.

Today, Ling decided to prepare a vegetable omelet with low-fat cheese and fresh avocado slices on top—a healthy yet delicious choice for breakfast. She carefully chopped the vegetables, making sure everything was prepared perfectly. As she cooked, her thoughts wandered to how she could ensure Orm didn’t get too tired, how to make sure this pregnancy went smoothly, especially after the struggles they had gone through with IVF, and how she would be a good parent in the future.

She often asked Orm if she was comfortable, if she needed anything. Small things like this brought them even closer, as if the presence of the baby in Orm’s womb had deepened their bond even more.

The gentle sound of Orm’s voice from the kitchen doorway made Ling turn around for a moment. A smile remained on her lips as she saw her wife approaching. “Do you need help?” Orm asked softly, her eyes radiating warmth and affection.

Ling shook her head while smiling. “No need, sweetheart. This is almost done,” she replied calmly, trying to reassure Orm to just sit and rest.

However, seeing Ling struggle a little with some of the ingredients on the kitchen counter, Orm couldn’t just stand by. She slowly walked closer and picked up another spoon to help. “Here, let me help,” she said gently.

Ling quickly reached for Orm’s hand, stopping her small movement with care. “Baby…” she whispered, her voice soft and full of concern. “Just sit down and let me finish this. I don’t want you moving too much. What if your stomach starts hurting again?” A hint of worry flickered across Ling’s face, remembering what had happened yesterday when Orm suddenly felt pain in her stomach while Ling was busy at work. Not being home at that time had only added to Ling’s anxiety, making her even more cautious about Orm’s well-being and their baby’s health.

Orm sighed softly, trying to ease Ling’s worries with an explanation. “Yesterday was just mild cramps, Phi. Probably because I sat too long watching TV,” she said reassuringly. “The doctor even said I should move around more to keep the pregnancy healthy.” She tried to convince Ling that light activity would actually make her feel better.

Ling paused for a moment, her gaze lowering to Orm’s slightly rounded belly, her expression filled with tenderness. Slowly, she placed her hand on Orm’s stomach, as if trying to communicate with their little one. “I know, but I just don’t want anything to happen to you or our baby,” she murmured softly, sincerity evident in her voice.

Hearing those words, Orm smiled and placed her hand over Ling’s, offering warmth and reassurance. “I understand that you’re worried,” she replied gently, her eyes shining with affection. “But trust me, I will take good care of our baby.”

That was enough to make Ling nod slowly, her anxiety easing bit by bit. “I trust you,” she said in a calmer tone. “But this time, let me finish this meal by myself. It’s a special dish just for you, sweetheart,” she added with a meaningful smile.

Hearing that, Orm smiled and leaned in to plant a small kiss on Ling’s cheek. “Okay, I’ll wait for the food then, Phi,” she said sweetly before making her way to the dining table, watching as Ling continued to cook.

Once the omelet was perfectly cooked, Ling carefully arranged it on a plate, adding fresh avocado slices on the side. Slowly, she brought the plate to the dining table and placed it in front of Orm. “Breakfast is ready~” Ling announced excitedly.

“Woah…” Orm murmured in awe, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the plate of omelet in front of her. The delicious aroma instantly awakened her appetite, making her eager to take a bite. “Just from the smell alone, I already want to dig in,” she said enthusiastically, admiration clear in her expression.

Ling smiled and sat beside her, watching with gentle eyes. “Try it and tell me how it tastes,” she said with a small nod, eagerly waiting for Orm’s reaction.

Orm carefully took a bite, letting the flavors spread across her tongue. Her expression instantly changed, her lips forming a wide smile, and her eyes brightened with joy. “This is so delicious, baby!” she exclaimed, giving Ling two thumbs up. The genuine admiration on her face was undeniable.

Ling, who had been holding her breath in anticipation, finally sighed in relief and smiled. “Really delicious?” she asked again, wanting to make sure the taste met her expectations.

Orm chuckled softly, her eyes still shining as she answered confidently, “Of course! I love it.” She then took another bite, savoring each mouthful with a happy expression.

“I’m glad you like it…” Ling whispered, gazing at Orm with deep affection. Seeing her wife eat so heartily was a happiness in itself.

After a few bites, Orm lifted her fork and extended it toward Ling. “Do you want to try some, Phi?” she asked eagerly, wanting to share.

Ling shook her head gently, declining with a warm smile. “No, this is all for you, baby. A pregnant woman needs to eat a lot,” she said lovingly, signaling for Orm to finish her meal without hesitation.

Orm giggled at Ling’s attentiveness. “Alright then, I’ll finish it all,” she replied with a sweet smile.

Ling folded her arms on the table, watching Orm eat with satisfaction. Every bite Orm took only made Ling happier. She remembered the times before Orm was pregnant when her wife often ate small portions. Now, Orm was eating more, though sometimes she was still picky because of her changing cravings.

As Orm enjoyed her meal, a sudden thought crossed her mind, making her pause. She looked at Ling with a certain expression before softly calling out, “Teerak~”

That sweet call made Ling smile and shift her full attention to Orm. “What is it? Are you full already?” she asked, her voice full of care.

Orm took a slow breath, as if searching for the right words. “I…” She paused, her eyes meeting Ling’s patient gaze. “Can I go out with Prikhing, View, and Milk today?” she asked softly, her tone careful.

Ling furrowed her brows slightly, her expression turning more serious. “Go out where? Just the four of you?” she asked, wanting to be sure of Orm’s plans.

Orm gave a small smile, trying to reassure Ling. “I’m feeling a little bored at home, so I want to go out with them. Besides, it’s been a while since I last saw them,” she answered gently, hoping Ling would understand.

Ling fell silent, her expression thoughtful. Her mind weighed the pros and cons of letting Orm go, especially given her current condition. She wanted to make sure Orm stayed safe and didn’t get too exhausted, but at the same time, she knew how important it was for Orm to socialize and relax.

Seeing Ling’s hesitation, Orm moved closer, gazing at her with those “puppy eyes” that always made Ling give in. “Please, baby?” she pleaded sweetly, gently holding onto Ling’s arm.

Ling stared at Orm for a few seconds before finally sighing deeply. “Alright, you can go with them,” she relented, unable to resist that adorable expression. A small smile formed on her lips, though it was clear she was still a bit worried.

“Yay!!” Orm cheered happily, immediately hugging Ling and planting a warm kiss on her cheek. Her face radiated joy.

But before she got too excited, Ling added firmly, “But… only if someone picks you up and drops you off safely. Also, you have to keep me updated throughout the day, okay?”

Orm nodded eagerly. “View already agreed to pick me up and take me home, so you don’t need to worry. I’ll also make sure to update you, so you’ll feel at ease.”

Ling smiled, stroking Orm’s hand gently. “Alright then, just be careful and don’t overexert yourself, okay?” she reminded softly.

Orm smiled brightly, feeling grateful for Ling’s understanding and care. “Thank you for trusting me, Phi. I promise I’ll take care of myself and not make you worry,” she replied, holding Ling’s hand tightly.

•••••

That day, the fresh air greeted Orm as she stepped into the mall with View. It had been quite some time since she last spent a day out like this. Her pregnancy had kept her at home more often due to constant fatigue, and her friends had been busy with their own lives. Even Ling, who was an actress, rarely had free time to accompany her for a simple walk.

Walking side by side, Orm followed View to the area where Prikhing and Milk were already waiting. A bright smile spread across Orm’s face, as if she was determined to enjoy the day to the fullest.

"You’re finally here!" Prikhing greeted them enthusiastically as she saw Orm and View approaching.

Milk, always curious, immediately commented, "It’s rare for P’Ling to let you out, Orm."

Orm smiled and explained, "I managed to convince her. Besides, I sometimes hesitate to go out myself because my mood keeps changing during pregnancy. Not to mention the terrible nausea I had in the first two months."

Prikhing smiled, placing her hand gently on Orm’s stomach, as if welcoming the life growing inside. "Your belly is getting bigger! In just a few months, we’re going to be aunts!" she said with a small laugh.

Milk, equally curious, placed her hand on Orm’s stomach as well. "Have you felt the baby move yet, Orm? I haven’t felt anything in Love’s pregnancy, and it’s already been a month," she asked eagerly.

Orm shook her head and explained, "Usually, babies start moving around five or six months into pregnancy."

Milk nodded, slightly disappointed. "Ah, so I still have to wait a few more months," she murmured.

View, who had been quiet the entire time, suddenly said, "Don’t worry, Milk. A few months will pass quickly if you wait patiently." Her words made the others turn to look at her.

"That’s true," Prikhing agreed, then added with a smirk, "though not everything we wait for ends well, right, Khun View?"

Noticing View’s expression change, Orm gently patted Prikhing’s shoulder as a reminder. "Let’s not bring that up again. View just got out of a long-term relationship. Don’t reopen fresh wounds," she said softly.

Milk quickly tried to change the topic. "Alright, enough of that. Let’s go explore the mall now! I can’t wait!" she said excitedly.

"Me too! Let’s go!" Orm responded enthusiastically. She linked arms with View, who still seemed a bit down, while Prikhing and Milk walked ahead of them.

They spent hours wandering around the mall, watching a movie, shopping, and exploring every interesting spot. Eventually, hunger kicked in, and they decided to eat at a well-known sushi restaurant inside the mall, following View’s suggestion. Once they arrived, they chose their seats and ordered a complete sushi platter for the four of them.

As they waited for their food, the table fell into silence as everyone became engrossed in their phones. Suddenly, View placed her phone in the middle of the table, catching the attention of Prikhing, Orm, and Milk.

"What’s wrong, View?" Prikhing asked, curious.

"Look at this," View said, pointing at her phone screen.

The three of them leaned in to see an article about a new Girls’ Love (GL) film being produced by CH3. The poster clearly featured Yoko Apasra and Lingling Kwong as the lead actresses. Orm’s expression immediately changed.

Milk glanced at Orm, noticing her reaction. "You didn’t know about this, Orm?" she asked.

Orm slowly shook her head, taking a deep breath. "I knew she had a new film project, but she never mentioned that it was this kind of theme," she replied.

"Oh…" Prikhing, View, and Milk exchanged looks, realizing this might be something unsettling for Orm.

"It looks like there’s going to be a world war after this…" View muttered under her breath.

"Sshh… don’t say that," Milk scolded, quickly covering View’s mouth with her hand.

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy. Orm just stared seriously at View’s phone screen, making her friends hesitant to speak.

"Our order is here!" Prikhing suddenly announced, trying to lighten the mood as their food arrived.

View took the chance to grab her phone back from Orm. "Alright, let’s eat! I’m starving!" she said cheerfully, hoping to shift the conversation.

Orm, still visibly uneasy, just stared at the food in front of her. She picked up a small piece but barely spoke. Her eyes kept returning to her phone, her fingers scrolling as if searching for something.

•••••

The clock showed seven in the evening when Ling finally arrived home. After bidding farewell to her assistant, Best, who left immediately after dropping her off, Ling felt a sense of unease. The house, usually filled with sound, was now quiet, almost as if no one was there.

"Orm… Sweetheart…" Ling called out, her voice echoing through the room. But there was no response, no sign of movement that indicated Orm's presence. Ling frowned in confusion. At this hour, Orm was usually still awake, sitting in front of the TV watching her favorite show. But this time, the house felt unusually silent.

Ling slowly climbed the stairs, trying to shake off the worry creeping into her mind. "Did she fall asleep early?" she murmured while turning the doorknob of their bedroom.

As the door opened, Ling saw Orm leaning against the headboard of the bed. However, she remained silent, focused on her phone, without acknowledging Ling's arrival. A mix of relief and concern filled Ling's heart. "How was your outing today? Are you feeling okay?" she asked with a hint of worry.

Ling reached out, intending to touch Orm’s cheek, but to her surprise, Orm pulled away, leaving Ling stunned. "Huh? What’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?" she asked, confused.

Orm stayed silent, her eyes glued to her phone screen. Ling sat at the edge of the bed, thinking hard, trying to recall if she had made any mistakes. Suddenly, realization struck her. "Oh no!" Ling gasped. "Oh, I’ll go get you some milk tea now, okay?" she offered in an attempt to cheer Orm up.

"There’s no need," Orm finally replied, but her voice was flat and cold.

Growing more confused, Ling stared at her wife intently. "Did I really do something that bad?" she asked softly.

"Yes!" Orm finally spoke up, her voice louder than usual. "Why didn’t you tell me you accepted a GL film project? Why didn’t you ask for my opinion first? Does my opinion not matter to you anymore?" A flood of questions spilled out, reflecting her disappointment.

Ling was silent for a moment, then picked up her phone. As she looked at the screen, she smacked her forehead, realizing that today was the scheduled release date for CH3’s new film poster—the one she starred in.

"Oh… about that…" Ling scratched her head, feeling nervous. "Let me explain everything one by one…"

"I’m listening," Orm responded flatly, staring at Ling with an unreadable expression.

Ling swallowed hard, carefully choosing her words. "I didn’t ask for your opinion because I assumed you would agree, just like with my other projects. So, I went ahead and accepted Khun Dew’s offer."

Orm stood up from the bed, her gaze sharp. "I never agreed to you starring in a GL film," she stated firmly.

Ling looked even more shocked. "Huh? Why? I thought you wouldn’t mind since it’s just like the heterosexual films I’ve done before."

"BECAUSE I DON’T LIKE SEEING YOU HAVING PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH ANOTHER WOMAN!" Orm shouted, her voice rising, revealing the jealousy she felt.

Ling tried to remain calm. "It’s just acting, Nong. Think of it the same way as when I act with male co-stars."

"Look at all the famous GL pairings. They keep getting cast together, and some even fall in love on set," Orm argued, refusing to back down.

Ling took a deep breath, trying to control herself. "Orm, that won’t happen to me. I know how to separate work from real life. I’ve worked with many male actors before, and nothing ever happened. Besides, I already have you," Ling said, looking at Orm with certainty.

Orm was not convinced so easily. "That’s because you’re not attracted to men. But now, you’ll be acting with a woman. Who’s to say you won’t develop feelings?"

Ling remained patient. She knew Orm was jealous, and her emotions might be heightened by her pregnancy. "I promise, I won’t get carried away. I will do my job professionally, as an actress," Ling reassured her.

Orm was still firm. "I want you to cancel the contract for that film."

"Huh? That’s impossible, Orm. I’ve already signed the contract, and this is a huge opportunity for my career," Ling said softly.

Orm stared at her sharply. "So, you refuse to cancel it?"

Ling shook her head slowly. "It’s not that I don’t want to, but I can’t…"

"Fine. If that’s what you want." Fueled by emotion, Orm pushed Ling toward the bedroom door.

"Orm… What are you doing?" Ling tried to resist, but Orm was strong enough to shove her out of the room. In an instant, Orm slammed the door shut, leaving Ling in shock.

"Sweetheart, open the door…" Ling knocked, calling out to Orm.

The door opened again, but only for a brief second. From inside, Orm threw a pillow, blanket, and Ling’s pajamas at her.

"This… What’s the meaning of this? Where am I supposed to sleep?" Ling asked, picking up her belongings from the floor.

"I don’t know… Your car is expensive, so maybe sleep there. Or anywhere you like," Orm replied before shutting the door again.

Ling let out a long sigh. Without putting up a fight, she chose to give in for the night. Carrying the pillow and blanket, she headed downstairs and lay down on the sofa, hoping that by morning, Orm would have calmed down and they could talk things through with a clear mind.