The Cold CEO's Cheesy Glow-Up

Lingling strode into her corporate office building with an energy that was... unsettling. Her heels clicked against the polished floor, but her usual icy air of authority was replaced with something much softer. The most alarming part? She was smiling. Not a faint, barely-there smirk, but a wide, genuine smile that made her sharp-featured beauty all the more radiant.

And she was humming.

The receptionist blinked, wondering if this was some doppelgänger pretending to be their CEO. Was this a new HR initiative? Scare the employees with happiness?

As Lingling breezed past, her assistant looked up from her desk, gaping. "Good morning, ma'am," she said cautiously, bracing for the usual curt nod or dismissive glance.

"Good morning," Lingling replied, her voice light and pleasant. She even added a cheerful nod before disappearing into her office.

"Did she just smile at me?" whispered an intern near the water cooler.

"I think she did," muttered another. "Am I... fired? Or promoted? I don't know what's happening."

Even her assistant, Natt, did a double-take when Lingling swept by her desk. "Good morning, Natt," Lingling said, her voice smooth but unusually chipper.

"Good... morning, ma'am?" Natt stammered, her eyes wide as Lingling disappeared into her office. "Did I hallucinate that?"

Minutes later, Freen stormed into Lingling's office, her face twisted in mock horror. "Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend?"

Lingling, seated at her desk, was typing furiously on her phone. She looked up briefly, her smile unwavering. "What are you talking about?"

Freen pointed an accusatory finger. "You! Smiling. Lingling Kwong doesn't smile. She glares. She intimidates. She strikes fear into the hearts of board members."

Lingling waved her off, her fingers still flying across her phone screen. "Nonsense. I smile all the time."

Freen gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "Oh my god, it's worse than I thought. You've gone soft! What are you even doing?" She rounded the desk, peering over Lingling's shoulder to catch the text she was typing.

Lingling: Good morning! Did you sleep well? Did you dream of me? :)

Freen screamed. "WHO ARE YOU?!"

Lingling turned, her smile becoming a smirk. "I'm texting my girlfriend, obviously."

Freen collapsed into a chair, covering her face with her hands. "My best friend has turned into a lovesick teenager. I don't know how to handle this."

"Then don't," Lingling said coolly, her fingers already flying to send another message.

Meanwhile, at Blooming Beans, Orm leaned against the counter, scrolling through her phone. Her own grin tugged at her lips as she read Lingling's barrage of messages.

Lingling: Your coffee can't possibly be as sweet as you are.

Lingling: Do you miss me yet? Because I miss you already.

Lingling: Is it too soon to send you flowers?

Orm couldn't hold back her laugh. "She's relentless," she muttered to herself, typing a reply.

Orm: Good morning to you too, clingy girlfriend.

As she hit send, Becky emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray of muffins. "Why are you grinning like that?" Becky asked, narrowing her eyes. "Oh no. It's her, isn't it?"

Orm shrugged, setting her phone down. "What can I say? She's kind of cute when she's being overly sweet."

Becky stared at Orm as if she'd grown a second head. "Kind of cute? Orm, Lingling Kwong just sent you cheesy texts. You're dating the Ice Queen and she's practically melting for you."

Orm rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "She's not that scary."

"She's terrifying," Becky corrected, her tone serious. "And now that she's officially claimed you, I'm worried for anyone who so much as looks in your direction. That woman screams territorial."

Orm chuckled. "She's not that bad."

"Oh yeah?" Becky challenged, her eyes gleaming. "Wait until one of your regulars starts flirting with you."

Not long after, Lingling walked into Blooming Beans, exuding her usual aura of command. But this time, there was something warmer beneath the surface. The regulars glanced up nervously, the air thick with the unspoken knowledge that the CEO was here.

Orm looked up from behind the counter, her grin spreading instantly. "Well, if it isn't my clingy girlfriend. Couldn't stay away, huh?"

Lingling arched an elegant brow. "I came to check on the competition," she replied smoothly, though the hint of a smirk tugged at her lips.

Becky, sensing the tension, leaned over to Orm. "Oh yeah, competition. She's totally here for the pastries."

Lingling's sharp gaze flicked to Becky, who froze under the weight of it. "Do you have something to say, Becky?"

Becky grinned nervously, backing away. "Not a thing, ma'am. Carry on."

Lingling turned back to Orm, her expression softening. "Can I get my usual?"

"Black coffee, no nonsense," Orm said, already preparing it. "You're predictable, you know that?"

"Only with coffee," Lingling replied, her voice light.

Orm handed her the cup, their fingers brushing briefly. "So, what's the real reason you're here?"

Lingling hesitated, then leaned in slightly. "I wanted to see you."

Orm blinked, caught off guard by the directness. "Oh."

"Is that a problem?" Lingling asked, tilting her head.

"No," Orm said quickly, her cheeks heating. "Not at all."

As Lingling sipped her coffee, a regular customer walked up to the counter, smiling at Orm. "Hey, Orm," he said, leaning on the counter. "Busy later? Thought we could—"

Lingling's gaze snapped to the man like a laser beam. "She's busy."

The man blinked, startled. "Oh, uh—"

"Very busy," Lingling added, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Orm stifled a laugh, handing the man his coffee. "Thanks. See you around."

Later that day, Becky sent Freen an update about the café incident.

Becky: Your best friend almost scared off one of Orm's regulars.

Freen: LOL. Of course, she did. Ice Queen strikes again.

When Lingling returned to her office, Freen was waiting, grinning like the cat who ate the canary. "So," Freen began, "how's your new hobby of intimidating coffee shop patrons?"

Lingling sighed, sitting at her desk. "I wasn't intimidating. I was... clarifying."

"Clarifying that Orm's off-limits?" Freen teased.

Lingling smirked. "Exactly."

That night, Lingling sent Orm a message:

Lingling: Just wanted to say goodnight. You're special to me, Kornnaphat. Don't forget that.

Orm's reply came quickly:

Orm: Sweet dreams, Ling. You're always on my mind.

Lingling set her phone down with a soft smile, her heart feeling lighter than it had in years. For once, she let herself bask in the quiet joy of something that felt undeniably right.