Officially Yours

The morning began like any other at Blooming Beans, except for the unusual sight of Lingling sitting at her usual corner table... smiling. Not her usual faint smirk, but an actual, full-blown soft smile.

Becky, peeking out from behind the counter, nudged Orm with her elbow. "Look who's got hearts in her eyes. Wonder who's responsible."

Orm didn't bother looking up from the espresso she was crafting. "Probably the coffee. It's addictive."

Becky snorted. "Sure, the coffee. You keep telling yourself that."

Lingling caught the exchange and raised a single brow, sipping her coffee while maintaining her cool composure. But the intensity of her gaze on Orm didn't go unnoticed.

"Orm!" Lingling called, her tone calm but commanding.

Orm sighed dramatically, wiping her hands on her apron. "You rang, Your Majesty?"

Becky muffled a laugh, retreating to the back before she could burst into full-blown laughter. Lingling narrowed her eyes but smirked despite herself.

"Can we talk?" Lingling asked, gesturing to the chair across from her.

Orm arched an eyebrow, untied her apron, and slung it over her shoulder. "If I must."

Orm plopped into the chair, leaning back casually. "So, what's up? Planning another surprise penthouse dinner?"

Lingling ignored her teasing tone and got straight to the point. "Orm."

The serious tone made Orm sit up slightly straighter. "Yeah?"

Lingling hesitated for just a second before letting out a soft breath. "I've been thinking a lot about us."

"Us, huh?" Orm teased, though her heart skipped a beat. "That's a bold word for someone who insists I'm annoying half the time."

Lingling rolled her eyes, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "You are annoying."

"But charming," Orm quipped, leaning forward. "Admit it."

Lingling shook her head but chuckled softly. "You're impossible."

"And yet, here we are," Orm replied, her grin widening. "So, what about us?"

Lingling straightened, meeting Orm's gaze with surprising vulnerability. "I've spent most of my life in control. Everything structured, calculated. But with you... I don't want to control it. I just want it to be."

Orm blinked, her teasing demeanor melting. "Ling... are you saying what I think you're saying?"

Lingling's cheeks warmed, but her voice was steady. "Be my girlfriend."

For a moment, Orm just stared, her brain processing the words. Then, a slow, mischievous grin spread across her face.

"Wow," she drawled. "I didn't think you were the type to propose over coffee. No roses? No kneeling?"

Lingling groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I should've known you'd make this difficult."

Orm leaned forward, her grin softening into something more genuine. "Yes, Lingling. I'll be your girlfriend."

Lingling's lips parted, her composed exterior cracking just enough to reveal a glimmer of giddiness. But before she could respond, Orm closed the small gap between them and placed a quick, soft kiss.

Lingling froze, her heart doing an Olympic-level somersault as the warmth of Orm's lips lingered on her lips.

"Just sealing the deal," Orm said, sitting back with a wink.

From behind the counter, Becky reappeared, having witnessed the tail end of the moment. "Did that just happen?!" she exclaimed, her jaw practically hitting the floor. "Oh my god, Orm, you sly fox!"

Orm turned, groaning. "Becky, could you not?"

"I'm just saying," Becky said, throwing up her hands. "You kissed the Ice Queen! And you're still alive to tell the tale!"

Lingling cleared her throat, regaining her composure. "I'm right here."

Becky grinned mischievously. "Oh, I know. And you're blushing, by the way."

"Becky," Lingling warned, her tone icy, but the pink tinge on her cheeks betrayed her. Becky just laughed and slipped away before either of them could retaliate.

Becky was practically vibrating with excitement as she texted Freen.

Becky: Breaking news! Lingling just went full-on girlfriend mode.

Freen: WHAT?! Give me details. Did she propose? Are there rings? Tell me everything.

Becky: No rings, but they made it official. They kissed and Lingling looked like she was about to ascend to heaven. It's hilarious.

Freen: Oh, my god. I need to see this for myself.

The moment Orm returned to the counter, Lingling stayed in her seat, sipping her coffee with an unusual air of satisfaction.

Becky, still grinning, leaned over to Orm. "I can't believe it. You've tamed the Ice Queen."

Orm shrugged, trying to play it cool, but the slight blush on her cheeks gave her away. "I wouldn't say tamed."

"Oh, come on," Becky teased. "She's practically staking her claim in public. That's next-level girlfriend behavior."

"I heard that," Lingling called, her tone calm but unmistakably possessive.

Becky stifled another laugh, whispering to Orm, "She's got it bad."

Orm smiled, glancing over at Lingling, who was now scrolling through her phone with a small, content smile. "Yeah," Orm said softly. "And I don't mind."

When Lingling finally stood to leave, she walked up to the counter with a graceful yet commanding air. "I'll pick you up tonight," she said, her tone cool but laced with an unspoken warmth.

Orm raised an eyebrow. "Pick me up for what?"

"Dinner," Lingling said simply, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I want to celebrate."

"Celebrate what?" Orm asked, feigning ignorance.

Lingling leaned in slightly, her voice dropping just enough to make Orm's pulse quicken. "Us."

Orm blinked, momentarily flustered, but managed a grin. "Right. Us. Got it."

Lingling smirked, satisfied, and turned to leave. But just as she reached the door, she glanced over her shoulder. "Don't keep me waiting, Kornnaphat."

As the door closed behind her, Becky erupted into laughter. "Oh, you're doomed."

Orm shook her head with a grin. "The best kind of doomed."

Lingling entered her office with a faint smile playing on her lips, but her moment of peace was shattered when Freen burst in without warning, her grin wide enough to light the entire city.

"Well, well, well," Freen said, dropping into a chair. "If it isn't Lingling 'Attached At The Hip' Kwong."

Lingling didn't even glance up from her tablet. "Don't you have work to do?"

"Not when there's juicy gossip to uncover," Freen said, leaning forward. "Becky told me everything. Kisses? Lingling blushing? Texting like a lovesick teenager? Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend?"

Lingling sighed, setting her tablet aside. "You're being dramatic."

Freen smirked. "Am I? I hear you're picking Orm up, having private dinners, and acting like the clingiest CEO in town. Should I book a wedding venue now, or...?"

Lingling shot her a sharp look but couldn't entirely suppress her smile. "It's none of your business."

"Oh, but it is," Freen said, grinning. "I've been rooting for you two for ages. Don't mess this up, Ling."

Lingling's expression softened as she leaned back in her chair. "I don't intend to."

Freen clapped her hands in mock celebration. "Finally. Progress. So, what's next? A romantic getaway? A declaration of undying love?"

Lingling rolled her eyes. "Get out, Freen."

Freen stood, laughing. "Fine. But seriously, I'm happy for you, Ling. Orm's a keeper."

Lingling's lips curved into a small smile. "I know."

Back at Blooming Beans, Becky couldn't stop giggling as she watched Orm's phone buzz repeatedly.

Lingling: Don't forget I'm picking you up tonight.

Lingling: Have you eaten lunch yet?

Lingling: Stop letting Becky distract you. She's a terrible influence.

Orm shook her head, smiling as she typed a reply.

Orm: Someone's acting very girlfriend-y today.

Lingling: I'm allowed. You're mine now, officially.

Becky peeked over Orm's shoulder and burst out laughing. "She's totally smitten. And so are you."

Orm shrugged, her grin giving her away. "She's... something else."

"Admit it," Becky teased. "You love the whole territorial CEO vibe."

Orm rolled her eyes. "Maybe a little."

Just as they were laughing, Lingling stepped into the café, her heels clicking against the floor. The customers straightened instinctively, sensing her commanding presence. She ignored them, her focus solely on Orm.

"Ready?" Lingling asked, her voice softening slightly as she approached the counter.

Orm untied her apron and grabbed her bag. "Yep. Let's go."

As they headed for the door, Becky couldn't resist one last jab. "Bye, lovebirds! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

Orm shot her a look, making Lingling chuckle. "Your friend is... unique."

"You have no idea," Orm said as they stepped outside.

Lingling's penthouse was as stunning as ever, its sleek, minimalist design glowing in the soft light. The dining table was set elegantly, and a private chef moved efficiently in the open kitchen.

"You really don't do anything halfway, do you?" Orm asked, taking in the scene.

"Not when it matters," Lingling replied, her tone laced with warmth. "I wanted this to be special."

Orm smiled, touched by the sentiment. "Well, mission accomplished."

Over dinner, the conversation turned personal. Lingling, usually reserved, found herself opening up about her upbringing and the pressures of running her family's empire. Orm, in turn, shared stories of her younger days.

After dinner, they stood by the door, the air between them charged but comfortable.

"Thanks again, Ling," Orm said, her usual playful tone softer. "I had a great time."

Lingling hesitated for a moment, then stepped closer. "So did I."

Orm tilted her head, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Is this the part where I'm supposed to kiss you goodnight?"

Lingling rolled her eyes but smiled. "If you insist."

Orm chuckled, leaning in. Instead of her usual playful peck on the cheek, she pressed a soft, lingering kiss to Lingling's cheek, letting her lips hover for just a moment before pulling back.

Lingling froze, her heart pounding. She wasn't used to feeling this flustered, but Orm's touch had a way of disarming her entirely.

"Goodnight, Ling," Orm said, stepping back with a grin.

Lingling touched her cheek, her voice unusually soft. "Goodnight, Orm."