CH-06

Ling stared blankly at the ceiling of her room. Sleep had felt impossible the night before, and the steady stream of tears had become her only companion in the silence. Slowly, her sobs faded—not because the pain had lessened, but simply because her body no longer had the strength to shed another tear. Her eyes burned with exhaustion, and the overwhelming sorrow had drained every bit of energy from her.

Breaking up with Mean was something Ling had never imagined—not even in her worst nightmares. For so long, he had been her anchor, the one who made her feel strong and whole. Now that everything was over, how was she supposed to continue without him? The world that once felt bright and full of joy now seemed empty, stripped of meaning.

Click.

Ling turned her head slowly. Standing at the doorway was Orm, a tray in her hands. Her expression flickered with surprise upon seeing Ling awake, though still lying motionless on the bed.

“Oh… P’Ling, you’re already up,” Orm said, offering a small smile, though it was clear she could see how fragile Ling looked. She stepped forward and placed the tray on the bedside table. “It’s time for breakfast.”

Ling shook her head weakly, her voice hoarse when she finally spoke. “I don’t have the appetite…”

Orm sat at the edge of the bed, concern etched on her face. “You should eat, even just a little. Your body needs the energy,” she urged gently.

As Orm reached out, her hand brushed against Ling’s, and instantly, she knew something was wrong.

“Wait… P’Ling, your skin is burning,” Orm muttered in alarm. She pressed the back of her hand against Ling’s forehead, and worry quickly spread across her face. “Oh no, you have a fever.”

Without waiting for a response, Orm stood up and rushed out of the room. Ling simply stared at the door, too drained to react. A few moments later, Orm returned, carrying a small basin of water and a clean cloth. She set the basin on the bedside table, dipping the cloth into the cool water before gently wringing it out and placing it on Ling’s forehead.

“This must be because of last night…” Orm murmured, more to herself than to Ling. With delicate yet steady hands, she wiped Ling’s face, moving from her forehead to her cheeks and down to her neck, her touch both careful and comforting.

Ling remained silent, not uttering a single word. Yet her eyes stayed on Orm, watching as she focused entirely on tending to her. In the stillness of the room, only the soft sound of water dripping from the cloth and Orm’s gentle movements filled the space.

“If your fever is this bad, you should eat something first, then take some medicine. It’ll help you recover faster,” Orm said, reaching for the bowl of porridge she had prepared. But before she could offer it to Ling, her phone buzzed.

Orm pulled out her phone and quickly read the notification. She hesitated for a moment before glancing at Ling. “P’Ling, I need to step out for a bit to meet P’Saint,” she said softly, as if reluctant to leave her alone in this condition.

Ling turned her head slightly, her voice faint but firm. “Go ahead. I’ll be fine here.”

Orm hesitated, her worry evident. “P’Ling… please don’t do anything reckless like last night, okay? I’m really worried.” Her voice was serious, filled with genuine concern.

Ling met Orm’s gaze, her expression unreadable. “I won’t,” she said simply.

Orm exhaled in relief, then, with a small smile, held up her pinky finger. “Promise?”

Ling paused for a moment, staring at Orm before shifting her gaze to the outstretched pinky in front of her. Slowly, she lifted her own hand and hooked her pinky with Orm’s. “I promise,” she whispered, her voice steady.

Orm’s smile widened in satisfaction. “Good. I’ll be back soon,” she said as she stood up, preparing to leave. But just before stepping out, she turned back one last time.

“Oh, and don’t forget to eat the porridge, okay? I also left some food in the kitchen in case you get hungry later.” Her voice was warm, filled with the same gentle care she had shown throughout. “I’ll see you soon.”

She waved briefly before carefully opening the door, making sure not to make too much noise as she left.

Ling remained still, her gaze following Orm until she disappeared beyond the doorway. She hadn’t realized it at first, but a faint, almost imperceptible smile had formed on her lips. Orm’s warmth lingered, wrapping around her like a quiet solace in the midst of her grief.

°°°°°

This morning, Lingling felt refreshed, as if all the exhaustion that had built up over time had gradually washed away with the flowing water. She looked at herself in the mirror and gently wiped the remaining droplets from her face with a soft white towel she had just taken from the shelf.

Three days ago, her body had been utterly weak. A high fever, accompanied by an unrelenting headache, had forced her to stop all activities and rest at home. It was as if her body was demanding a break after enduring the grief of breaking up with Mean, her former lover.

After getting dressed and tidying her hair, Ling stepped out of her room. A peaceful morning atmosphere filled the house, the only sound being her slow footsteps descending the stairs. As she reached the ground floor, a delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen. She paused for a moment, inhaling the mouthwatering scent before making her way toward the source.

Upon entering the kitchen, she was met with an unusual sight—Orm was busy cooking in front of the stove, completely focused on preparing something. Her expression was serious, yet her hands moved skillfully as she mixed and cooked the ingredients in the pan. Ling stood at the doorway, observing her friend and assistant with curiosity.

"P’Ling…" Orm called out softly as she lifted her head, finally noticing Ling standing near the kitchen entrance.

Ling stepped closer, raising an eyebrow. "What are you doing?" she asked flatly, though deep down, she was intrigued.

"I'm making breakfast for you," Orm replied, still stirring the pan without sparing a glance away.

Ling tilted her head slightly, her eyes scanning Orm's movements and the dish that seemed almost ready. "Why go through all this trouble? You could've just bought food like usual," she said, glancing skeptically at the meal in the pan. It was her habit to have Orm pick up breakfast from her favorite place, so this was unexpected.

Orm paused for a moment and met Ling’s gaze with a small smile. "Because it’s not healthy to always eat takeout. Especially since you just recovered from being sick. I figured it’d be better if I cooked for you myself," she said calmly.

Ling frowned slightly, as if unconvinced. She narrowed her eyes, inspecting Orm’s cooking with skepticism. "I bet it doesn’t taste good," she muttered, though her eyes remained fixed on the dish, unable to ignore how appetizing it looked. Unconsciously, she swallowed, tempted by the irresistible aroma.

Orm simply smiled at Ling’s remark. She transferred the cooked food onto a plate and handed it to Ling, along with a spoon. "Try it first, phi. I’m sure you’ll like it," Orm said, placing the spoon into Ling’s hand.

Ling stared at the spoon hesitantly but eventually took it. "Alright, but if this isn’t good, you have to go and buy my usual breakfast immediately," she declared firmly, giving Orm a sharp look.

"Deal," Orm answered without hesitation, unbothered by the challenge. She waited patiently, her eyes following Ling’s every move as she slowly scooped a spoonful from the plate.

Ling glanced at Orm before finally bringing the food to her mouth. As she chewed, her expression remained neutral at first. However, after a few seconds, something shifted—her face subtly softened. The taste was far better than she had expected. The seasoning was just right, and the texture was perfect, making her secretly enjoy every bite.

After what felt like a long silence, Orm asked with anticipation, "Well? How is it? It’s good, right?"

Ling stopped chewing and looked at Orm with an unreadable expression. She didn’t answer right away, instead shifting her gaze back to the food on her plate. "It’s just okay," she muttered quietly, though it was obvious she liked it much more than she was willing to admit.

Orm chuckled, recognizing that this was Ling’s way of acknowledging something without losing her pride. "I’m glad you like it," she said, her smile widening.

Ling pretended not to hear, but her hand instinctively scooped up another bite and brought it to her mouth without hesitation. Though she said little, her actions spoke volumes—Orm’s cooking had successfully won over her appetite that morning.

•••••

The atmosphere inside Siam Paragon that afternoon was lively, with crowds filling the main area. Hundreds of visitors had gathered around the grand stage, beautifully decorated for the Destiny Clinic event. Excitement filled the air, especially because the event would be attended by Lingling Sirilak Kwong, a renowned star who had recently been the center of media attention. Loyal fans and journalists had arrived early in the morning, cameras in hand, ready to capture every moment of the actress’s appearance.

The buzz grew louder when word spread that Lingling had arrived. Within moments, her name echoed through the crowd as fans lined the entrance leading to the stage. Lingling emerged gracefully, a faint smile gracing her lips. Every movement exuded charm, and she occasionally waved, acknowledging the devoted fans who tirelessly called her name.

Beside her, Orm, her ever-reliable assistant, walked calmly, her keen eyes scanning the unusually packed venue. Having accompanied Lingling to countless public events, Orm was accustomed to large crowds and flashing cameras.

She glanced at Lingling, ensuring she was alright. Though the actress maintained her signature elegant smile, Orm could sense a hint of unease beneath her composed exterior. They continued walking toward the backstage area, passing through the throng of fans and reporters eagerly seeking her attention.

Once backstage, Lingling took a seat, waiting for the event to begin. Ever attentive, Orm stepped closer and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright, phi?" she asked, her voice soft and filled with concern. Though Lingling appeared calm, Orm knew her well enough to sense when something was weighing on her mind.

Lingling glanced at Orm before giving a slight nod. "I’m fine," she replied in a low voice, attempting to reassure her. A faint smile curved her lips, but Orm could tell it didn’t fully reflect what she was truly feeling.

Having been in this situation before, Orm instinctively took action. She reached into her bag, pulled out a bottle of water, and handed it to Lingling. "Here, drink this, phi. It might help ease your nerves," she said with a gentle smile.

Lingling accepted the bottle slowly, her eyes lingering on Orm before taking a few sips. She took deep breaths, trying to steady herself. This was her first public appearance after a period of absence due to illness and her breakup with Mean.

"Everything will be fine, phi," Orm reassured her with quiet confidence, as if reading her thoughts. Her hand gently squeezed Lingling’s shoulder in a comforting gesture.

This time, Lingling's smile was a little more genuine. There was something about Orm’s presence that made her feel safe, like a steady force always supporting her through difficult times.

It was an odd realization for Lingling—how lucky she felt to have someone like Orm by her side. Someone who understood her better than anyone else, who always knew exactly how to make her feel better.

A voice over the loudspeaker signaled the start of the event. Lingling took one last deep breath before rising from her seat. She smoothed out her outfit and adjusted her hair, preparing to step into the public eye once again.

"Thank you, Orm," she said before making her way toward the stage. The words were brief, but they carried deep meaning. Orm simply nodded, standing close by as Lingling walked out.

"Nong Orm! Nong Orm!"

A sudden burst of excited voices called out to her from the crowd near the stage. Orm turned quickly, spotting eager fans waving at her from behind the barricade. Some were holding banners and posters of Ling, their faces lit with excitement.

"Yes?" Orm responded warmly, her familiar gentle smile never fading.

The fans immediately grew more animated, bombarding her with overlapping questions, their enthusiasm unmistakable.

Orm, ever composed and friendly, continued to smile as she faced the flurry of inquiries. As Lingling’s personal assistant, she often made time to interact with the fans. Her approachable nature had made her well-known within Lingling’s fan community—someone always willing to chat, share a laugh, or even take a quick photo with them.

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The Destiny Clinic event had concluded successfully, but Lingling Sirilak Kwong still had one final task before she could truly rest—an interview with the reporters waiting outside the stage.

A wave of nervousness crept over Ling once again, stronger than before. This wasn’t her first interview, yet something about this one felt different. Perhaps it was the weight of her thoughts over the past few days, or maybe it was the topics she knew would inevitably come up.

But as her eyes landed on Orm, standing not far ahead, that unease seemed to slowly fade. Orm offered her a small smile—a simple gesture, yet deeply reassuring. It was the kind of smile that carried an unspoken promise: You’ll be fine. For a moment, it felt almost hypnotic, as if it had the power to silence the turmoil in her mind. Ling inhaled deeply, steadying the rapid beat of her heart.

"P'Ling..."

Orm’s soft voice broke through her thoughts. Ling lifted her gaze and met her assistant’s eyes. "Yes? What is it?" she asked quietly.

Orm smiled again—the same warm, unwavering expression. "Come on, the reporters are waiting," she said gently but firmly.

Ling nodded slowly, drawing one more steadying breath before walking toward the press area. As she stepped forward, she was met with a sea of reporters and fans, cameras flashing from every direction. Countless microphones were raised toward her, the intensity of the moment captured in the bright, unrelenting lights. Yet, she maintained her composure, her expression poised and her smile intact.

The questions came swiftly, most revolving around the Destiny Clinic event and her flawless public appearance. Ling responded with ease, her voice smooth and confident. She detailed upcoming projects and collaborations, never once allowing her polished demeanor to slip.

But then, the atmosphere shifted.

A reporter asked the question she had anticipated yet never felt fully prepared to answer. "What about your relationship with Mean? Is it true that the two of you have broken up?"

For a fraction of a second, her expression faltered—barely noticeable, yet perceptible to those paying close attention. There was the briefest pause before she responded, but not long enough to seem hesitant.

"As you all already know, Mean and I have indeed gone our separate ways," she said calmly, her tone measured. "We parted on good terms and remain friends. There’s no conflict between us. It was a mutual decision, and we continue to support each other."

Ling, who had prepared herself for this moment, took the opportunity to address the lingering rumors surrounding their breakup. She clarified that there had been no dramatic falling out, no sensational story behind their split. Her private life, she assured them, was just fine.

•••••

That night, after a long and exhausting day, Ling finally returned home. Her life as a public figure was always filled with a relentless schedule, draining her energy every time she came back from an event. Without a second thought, she let herself collapse onto the couch, sinking into its cushions as if they were embracing her weary body.

The room was silent, save for the sound of Ling’s heavy breathing. But in the midst of that quiet, a soft voice broke the stillness.

“P’Ling…”

Orm, her personal assistant, called her name gently. She stepped forward cautiously, her presence carrying a sense of careful consideration. “Now that everything is done, I’ll be heading home,” she said politely, bowing slightly as a gesture of farewell.

Ling, who had been sitting motionless with heavy eyelids, suddenly felt a spark of impulse. Seeing Orm about to leave, something within her made her rise from the couch—swiftly, almost instinctively. Without thinking, she reached out and grasped Orm’s arm, stopping her in her tracks.

Now standing face to face, Ling gazed at Orm with an unreadable expression, yet she remained silent. Seconds passed without a single word, only their eyes locked in quiet exchange. Orm, startled by Ling’s sudden action, glanced at the hand still holding her arm before looking back up at Ling’s face, searching for an explanation.

“Thank you for today,” Ling finally spoke, her voice soft but laden with meaning. A faint smile touched her lips, adding warmth to the moment that had briefly felt tense.

“You’re welcome, P’Ling…” Orm replied just as softly, her eyes never leaving Ling’s. There was something in their gaze that seemed to settle the air between them, making the space feel calmer.

“And… thank you for helping me through the difficult times,” Ling added, her voice even quieter this time, as if the words had come straight from her heart.

As their eyes met once again, time seemed to slow. The two stood in silence, caught in a moment that stretched longer than it should have. The world around them faded into the background—just the two of them, held in an unspoken understanding.

Orm slowly nodded, then gently placed her hand over Ling’s, which was still holding onto her arm. “It’s my duty as your assistant… Besides, you once helped me through a difficult time, too,” she murmured.

“Huh?” Ling furrowed her brows, confusion flickering across her face. “What do you mean?”

“It’s nothing,” Orm answered quickly, realizing she had let something slip. Hastily, she changed the subject. “I should get going now, P’Ling.”

Before Ling could say another word, Orm turned around and hurried out of the room. Her steps were brisk—almost as if she was running away from a conversation she wasn’t ready to have.

Ling could only watch as Orm’s figure disappeared into the distance, her mind now filled with lingering questions.

What did she mean by that?

A thought surfaced, unsettling yet intriguing.

"Have I met Orm before?"