Love, Lattes

Lingling woke up, sunlight filtering through the curtains of her penthouse. For the first time in a long while, she'd slept poorly. She stared at the ceiling, thoughts of Orm's hurt expression replaying in her mind.

"I messed up," she murmured, sitting up with a sigh. "I really messed up."

Determined to make amends, she grabbed her phone and dialed Freen, who answered on the third ring with a groggy, "This better be good."

"I need your advice," Lingling said briskly, pacing the room.

Freen perked up immediately. "Wait, you need my advice? Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend?"

Lingling groaned. "Can you not?"

"No, seriously, this is groundbreaking." Freen's tone turned gleeful. "Miss Ice Queen, desperate to fix things with her girlfriend. Have you finally been domesticated?"

"Freen," Lingling warned, though the pink tinge on her cheeks betrayed her.

"Alright, alright," Freen said, stifling a laugh. "Step one: don't be your usual terrifying self. Step two: grovel. Step three: maybe try being a little romantic for once."

Lingling huffed. "Groveling is unnecessary. I'll handle this my way."

Freen snorted. "Oh, this I've got to see. Go on, Ling. Melt her heart. I'll be here to hear all about your inevitable crash and burn."

With that, Lingling hung up and started planning her day. Work could wait—Orm was her priority.

The bell above the café door jingled as Lingling walked in, carrying a neatly wrapped bouquet of lilies and a box of pastries from a high-end bakery. The customers looked up, surprised to see the usually intimidating CEO gracing the cozy shop.

Behind the counter, Becky nearly dropped a tray of cups. "Well, well, well," she said, grinning. "If it isn't the mighty Lingling Kwong. And what's this? Flowers? Pastries? Is this the apocalypse?"

"Good morning, Becky," Lingling said evenly, her composure intact. "Is Orm here?"

Becky smirked, leaning against the counter. "She's in the back, but wow, look at you. Flowers? Apologies? What's next? Writing her a love song?"

"Becky," Lingling said, her tone low but not unkind. "Just tell her I'm here."

Becky snatched her phone from her apron pocket and texted Orm with lightning speed. "Oh no, I'm not missing this. I'm documenting it for posterity."

As Lingling waited at a corner table, the café door jingled again. Lingling looked up to see none other than Ying stride in, her usual air of effortless confidence surrounding her.

Ying spotted Orm near the counter and made a beeline for her. "Hey, Orm," she said warmly. "I was in the area and thought I'd stop by."

Orm smiled, clearly pleased to see her. "Ying! What a nice surprise."

Lingling's eyes narrowed as she watched the exchange, her fingers tightening slightly around the coffee cup in front of her. She stood, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she approached the counter.

Lingling coughed, her presence demanding attention.

Ying turned, her eyes sparkled with amusement as she noticed Lingling's possessive posture. "You must be Lingling."

Lingling inclined her head slightly. "I am. And you?"

"Ying," she said, extending a hand. "Just a friend of Orm's."

"Just a friend," Lingling echoed, her sharp gaze flicking to Orm, who looked torn between amusement and alarm.

Ying chuckled softly, catching the tension in the air. "Relax, Ling. I'm not here to steal your girlfriend."

"I'm not worried," Lingling said evenly, though her glare suggested otherwise. "Orm knows where she belongs."

Orm coughed awkwardly. "Okay, let's all take a deep breath. Ying, what can I get you? Coffee? A pastry?"

"Just a latte," Ying said, her teasing smile lingering as she stepped back. "And don't worry, Lingling. I'll leave you two alone after this. For now." She winked, earning a glare from Lingling.

When Ying finally left, Orm gestured for Lingling to follow her to the back room. Lingling set the flowers and pastries down on a nearby table, suddenly unsure of how to start.

"Orm," Lingling began, her voice softer than usual. "I owe you an apology."

Orm crossed her arms, leaning against the counter. "I'm listening."

Lingling exhaled, her composed facade cracking. "I handled everything poorly. I let my work take over, and I took my stress out on you. That wasn't fair, and I hate that I hurt you."

Orm's gaze softened slightly, but she didn't let Lingling off the hook so easily. "It wasn't just the stress, Ling. You shut me out. You made me feel like I didn't matter."

Lingling's chest tightened. "You matter," she said firmly. "More than I've let on. And that terrifies me because I've never felt this way before."

Orm blinked, surprised by Lingling's honesty. "Ling..."

"I don't just like you," Lingling continued, her voice trembling slightly. "I love you, Orm. And the thought of losing you..." She trailed off, swallowing hard.

For a moment, the room was silent. Then Orm stepped forward, closing the distance between them. "You're an idiot," she said softly, her lips curving into a smile. "But you're my idiot."

Lingling chuckled despite herself. "I'll take that."

Orm reached out, brushing a strand of hair from Lingling's face. "I love you too, you know. But if you ever shut me out again..."

"I won't," Lingling promised, her voice steady. "Work-life balance. It's a new concept for me, but I'll figure it out."

"Good," Orm said, her smile widening. "Because I'm not going anywhere."

Lingling leaned in, pressing her forehead against Orm's. "Neither am I."

The space between them disappeared as Lingling leaned in, capturing Orm's lips in a kiss that was soft but full of emotion. It was a kiss of love, of relief, and of a promise for a fresh start.

Orm smiled against Lingling's lips. "I could get used to this."

"Don't," Lingling murmured, pulling back just slightly. "You'll only get addicted."

Orm laughed, the sound light and full of warmth. "Too late."

As they stepped out of the back room, Becky was waiting, her arms crossed and a smirk on her face. "Well, well, well. Look who finally made up."

Orm groaned. "Becky, can you not?"

Becky grinned. "I mean, I could. But where's the fun in that?"

Lingling raised an eyebrow. "Becky."

Becky held up her hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. But just so you know, I expect wedding invites when the time comes."

Orm and Lingling exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter. For the first time in days, everything felt right again.