Good Morning, CEO Kwong

Lingling's phone buzzed as she was reviewing a report. A small distraction wasn't uncommon, but when she glanced at her screen, her breath hitched.

"Good morning, CEO Kwong! I hope today is as sharp and brilliant as you are. 😊 - Orm"

She stared at the message longer than she should have. It was straightforward yet annoyingly charming, and the little smiley face at the end felt almost smug, as if Orm knew this would rattle her.

After a moment, she typed back a curt reply:

"Noted. Thank you."

She hit send before she could overthink it. As soon as the message disappeared into the ether, regret settled in her chest like a stone. Was she too cold? Should she have said something more?

Her internal monologue was interrupted by Freen strolling into her office, holding two cups of coffee.

"Morning!" Freen sang, setting one cup down in front of Lingling. "You look like you're plotting someone's demise. Who's the unlucky victim today?"

"No one," Lingling snapped, turning her phone face down on the desk.

Freen arched a brow and sat in the chair opposite Lingling. "No one, huh? Then why do you look so guilty? Wait..." A grin spread across Freen's face as she leaned forward. "Did someone text you? Was it Orm?"

Lingling didn't answer, but the subtle tightening of her jaw was enough. Freen laughed, delighted. "It was Orm! What did she say? Was it flirty? Sweet? Wait, don't tell me-you replied with something ridiculously cold, didn't you?"

Lingling glared at her. "I don't see how that's any of your business."

Freen sipped her coffee, still grinning. "Oh, it absolutely is. I'm living for this. So, what did she say?"

Lingling muttered something under her breath, but Freen wasn't about to let it slide. After a minute of relentless teasing, Lingling relented and showed Freen the message.

"Aw, that's adorable!" Freen cooed. "And you responded like a robot. Classic Lingling. Bet she's sitting there wondering if you secretly hate her now."

Lingling felt a pang of guilt but quickly masked it. "She'll manage."

Later that morning, Lingling and Freen sat side by side in the conference room, reviewing the proposal Orm had sent over. Lingling had expected something casual-maybe even sloppy-but the document on her screen was anything but that.

Every section was meticulously organized, the numbers were solid, and the ideas were innovative yet practical. Lingling found herself genuinely impressed.

"This is... good," she admitted grudgingly.

Freen smirked. "Just 'good'? Come on, Ling, give credit where it's due. This is great. Orm knows her stuff."

Lingling shot her a suspicious look. "You seem oddly unbothered by this. You're impressed but not surprised. Why?"

"Oh, didn't I mention?" Freen said, feigning innocence. "Orm has a master's degree in Business Management. She graduated top of her class, too."

Lingling froze mid-scroll. "What?"

"Yup. She's not just a pretty face, Ling. She's the whole package."

Lingling stared at the screen, processing this new information. A part of her felt foolish for underestimating Orm, while another part-the louder, more stubborn part-felt annoyed that Freen hadn't mentioned this earlier.

Freen, meanwhile, was thoroughly enjoying herself. "You know," she began with a sly grin, "this is the first time I've seen you personally review a proposal and even consider a collaboration this quickly. And let's not forget your personal visit to her shop. The great Lingling Kwong, charmed by a small business owner. Who would've thought?"

Lingling glared at her. "I'm not charmed. This is purely business."

"Sure, sure," Freen said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Despite her denial, Lingling couldn't stop thinking about the proposal-or its creator. She spent the rest of the day oscillating between irritation and intrigue. By the time late afternoon rolled around, she found herself drafting an email to Orm, formally accepting the collaboration and proposing a timeline for the next steps.

Just before hitting send, her phone buzzed again. Another message from Orm.

"Hope your day was as productive as your mornings! Let me know if you have any questions about the proposal. 😊"

Lingling sighed, typing a response that was slightly less curt this time:

"The proposal is satisfactory. I'll be in touch regarding next steps."

She hesitated for a moment before adding:

"Good evening."

It wasn't much, but it felt like a monumental step for her.

At the coffee shop, Orm was chatting with Becky about the collaboration. Becky, as always, was full of sass.

"So," Becky began, smirking, "when are you going to admit that this whole 'business collaboration' thing is just an excuse to see Lingling again?"

Orm laughed, though her cheeks turned slightly pink. "It's not an excuse! This is a legitimate opportunity for both our businesses."

"Uh-huh," Becky said, unconvinced. "And it has nothing to do with the fact that you like her?"

"Of course not," Orm said, though the mischievous twinkle in her eye gave her away.

Their conversation was interrupted by a customer who clearly had eyes for Orm. As the customer flirted shamelessly, Becky rolled her eyes and mouthed, "Another one?"

Orm handled the interaction with her usual charm, but when she glanced at the door and saw Lingling walking in, her smile widened.

Lingling entered the shop with her usual commanding presence, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on Orm. Orm greeted her warmly, while the flirting customer quickly excused themselves, intimidated by Lingling's aura.

"Lingling," Orm said, genuinely surprised. "What brings you here?"

Lingling straightened her posture, her expression unreadable. "I thought I'd... check the atmosphere. See if it aligns with our collaboration."

Becky stifled a laugh in the background, muttering just loud enough, "Sure, that's why she's here."

Orm threw a mock glare at her best friend before turning her attention back to Lingling. She couldn't hide her amusement. "Can I get you something to drink? Or are you strictly here for business?"

Lingling hesitated, clearly caught off guard. "A cappuccino. Light foam."

"Coming right up," Orm said, flashing her a grin.

As Orm prepared the drink, Becky sidled up, leaning on the counter with her trademark sass. "So, you're the famous Lingling Kwong," she said, her tone equal parts impressed and playful.

Lingling's brow arched slightly. "Famous?"

Becky smirked. "Orm doesn't stop talking about you. It's 'Ling this' and 'Ling that.' I figured you were either a rival or... something else."

"Becky," Orm interjected quickly, shooting her friend a warning look as she set the cappuccino on the table in front of Lingling. "Ignore her. She has no filter."

"Not true," Becky said with mock indignation. "I filter all the boring stuff out."

Lingling studied Becky for a moment, then gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "It's good to know Orm has... loyal company."

"Oh, I'm more than loyal," Becky quipped. "I'm the brains of this operation."

Orm rolled her eyes, her grin betraying her fondness. "Becky, meet Lingling Kwong, CEO extraordinaire. Ling, this is Becky, my best friend and part-time pain in the neck."

Becky feigned a dramatic bow. "A pleasure."

Lingling, to her credit, responded with a faint but polite smile. "Likewise."

Becky then leaned in closer to Orm, glancing dramatically at Lingling. "Honestly, you came at the perfect time, Ling. I was about to stage a rescue mission for Orm. Couldn't take any more of her admirers practically throwing themselves at her." She threw Orm a pointed look. "I swear, if they don't stop with the googly eyes, I might have to charge them a cover fee."

Orm chuckled, shaking her head. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just running a coffee shop."

Becky smirked. "Right, and all these customers just happen to fall for the coffee? Sure, sure."

Lingling couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Admiring the barista seems... common." She sounded more like she was observing a strange phenomenon than passing judgment, but it was clear there was something behind her words.

"Well, when the barista is this good-looking, what do you expect?" Becky said with a grin, clearly enjoying the discomfort she was causing.

Orm simply shrugged, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "It's not like I ask for it. I'm just here to serve coffee."

Lingling glanced over at Orm and felt a flicker of something strange twist inside her. She'd never imagined that someone like Orm, with her easy confidence and sharp charm, would have such an effect on people. She quickly brushed it off.

"The cappuccino," Lingling said, setting her cup down with a soft clink. "It's good." She said it almost reluctantly, as if admitting she enjoyed it was a betrayal to her cool, professional demeanor.

Orm's eyes lit up with mock pride. "I'll take that as high praise."

Becky leaned in from the counter, grinning like she'd just won a game. "Careful, Orm. If she smiles, you might faint."

Lingling shot Becky a pointed look, but Orm just chuckled. "She's not wrong. It's not every day I get praise from the CEO herself."

Lingling set her cup down a little more firmly than necessary, her gaze steady on Orm. "Don't let it go to your head."

"Too late," Orm replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Lingling stayed for a little while longer, leaning back in her seat and quietly observing the lively exchange between Orm and Becky. It was clear that the two were used to this back-and-forth banter, each one pushing the other's buttons with a carefree ease that made Lingling smile without realizing it.

"I'm just saying," Becky said, leaning over the counter to grab a napkin, "you really should consider getting a new playlist. I'm about two seconds away from pulling the plug on this 'smooth jazz' nonsense."

Orm gave her a deadpan look. "The people like it."

"Who? The elderly and the slightly less elderly?" Becky retorted, snatching the napkin and tossing it in Orm's direction. "You're supposed to be a trendsetter, not a walking obituary."

Lingling smirked at Becky's bluntness, secretly enjoying the way she completely disregarded any attempt at polite conversation. It was refreshing to hear someone speak so honestly, and though she wasn't used to such openness, it amused her more than she expected.

Orm rolled her eyes. "Well, maybe you should quit criticizing and suggest something better."

Becky paused, holding her chin in mock contemplation. "Fine. How about something with a little more soul, a little more vibe? I mean, it's a coffee shop, not a retirement home."

Lingling chuckled softly to herself, watching the dynamic unfold. She found herself oddly charmed by the ease with which Orm and Becky interacted, as if they were two halves of a whole. There was something... warm about their friendship that was contagious.

"So, Becky," Orm said with a mischievous grin, "you going out tonight or are you just here for the free caffeine?"

"Ha, ha," Becky deadpanned, "You know me too well. But yes, I'm meeting someone."

Orm raised an eyebrow. "Anyone special?"

Becky flashed a grin. "Of course. Someone who appreciates my sarcasm." She glanced over at Lingling. "You, however, don't look like you're appreciating anything at the moment. What's the deal, Ling?"

Lingling blinked, her attention snapping back to the conversation. "I'm just... enjoying the show," she said, shrugging. "It's not every day I get to witness this level of chaos."

"Oh, honey," Becky said, dramatically placing a hand over her heart. "You have no idea. This is mild."

Orm's grin widened, and she leaned across the counter toward Becky. "Mild? I've seen you cause a riot with just a smile."

Becky winked. "Guilty as charged. I am a menace."

Lingling couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head. She was usually a bit more reserved, always on edge and focused, but something about their energy made her feel a little lighter. It was strange, but nice.

As the conversation continued, time seemed to fly by. The shop was beginning to empty out as the final customers trickled out, and Becky's shift was finally over. She stood up, stretching dramatically and grabbing her bag from behind the counter.

"Alright, I'm off to save the world-or at least to make someone else's night interesting," she said with a wink, tossing a look over her shoulder at Orm. "You two behave or I'll have to come back and mediate."

Orm chuckled, shaking her head. "Have fun, Becky. Don't break anything."

Becky gave her a salute and a cheeky grin. "No promises," she called over her shoulder as she headed toward the door.

Lingling watched her go, the shop suddenly feeling quieter, emptier. The door chimed softly as Becky exited, leaving just the two of them behind in the quiet café.

Orm wiped down the counter as Lingling sat, her cappuccino now just a memory in the empty cup.

Lingling shifted in her seat, her thoughts returning to the question she had barely been able to get out of her mind all evening: Should she ask Orm to hang out sometime? The thought flickered in her chest, an unexpected warmth that she quickly dismissed.

It was foolish, wasn't it? They barely knew each other. She didn't even know what she was really feeling. All she knew was that, for some reason, it felt different with Orm.

But she wasn't ready for any of that. Not yet.

Her driver's car pulled up outside the window, signaling that it was time to go.

Lingling stood, smoothing out the front of her suit and glancing over at Orm, who was still absorbed in cleaning the counter. There was a brief moment when Lingling thought she might actually ask Orm to join her for a drink or maybe even suggest they do something tomorrow.

But the words got stuck in her throat.

Instead, Lingling simply nodded, offering a faint smile. "Thanks for the coffee, Orm. I'll see you soon."

Orm looked up, her eyes softening with something almost like understanding. "Anytime, Ling."

Lingling lingered for a second longer, her gaze resting on Orm. She could feel the strange pull in her chest again, the one that made her want to stay just a little longer, to see what else might unfold between them.

But she turned away, walking out the door and into the cool evening air, leaving Orm and the coffee shop behind.

As her driver pulled away from the curb, Lingling found herself staring out the window, wondering, not for the first time, if maybe she had just let something slip away before it even had a chance to begin.

As the door chimes faded, Becky had already started texting Freen, grinning as she typed out her update.

Becky (texting Freen):

"Lingling's here. Not just for business, though. Girl was giving off 'I'm checking out my competition' vibes the whole time. It was adorable."

She paused for a moment, looking over at Orm, who was still cleaning up.

Becky (texting again):

"Also, she's totally into Orm. I saw the way she watched her, like she was trying to figure out if Orm could be a real person or just a walking distraction. I have to say, though, Orm's got her intrigued. It's hilarious. They're basically playing this weird game of cat and mouse."

Becky looked up as Orm approached, raising an eyebrow. "Are you still here? You're sending your girlfriend another update?"

"Just sharing the love," Becky replied, smirking. "You should see how Lingling looked at you, Orm. It's practically palpable."

Orm rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the amused look on her face. "Stop being dramatic."