Green Eyed Surprise

Orm missed Lingling. After several days of Lingling drowning in work, Orm decided to surprise her with lunch and a pastry—a small gesture, but one she hoped would brighten Lingling's stressful day. With the bag in hand, she walked confidently into Lingling's sleek corporate building.

The receptionist, familiar with Orm by now, gave her a tight-lipped smile that almost looked like she was holding back laughter. "Ms. Kwong is... occupied at the moment."

Orm frowned. "Occupied? She's expecting me, right?"

The receptionist hesitated. "Not exactly, but you're welcome to head in."

Orm raised an eyebrow at the cryptic response but shrugged it off, making her way to Lingling's office.

Orm pushed the door open and froze. Sitting casually against Lingling's desk was a stunning woman with sharp features, a polished demeanor, and an aura of confidence that rivaled Lingling's.

Ranee.

She was leaning slightly toward Lingling, laughing softly as she said something Orm couldn't hear. Lingling's lips were curved in a faint smile—the kind of smile Orm selfishly thought should be reserved only for her.

The sight made Orm's stomach twist in ways she didn't like.

"Am I interrupting something?" Orm asked, her tone deceptively sweet as she stepped inside.

Both women turned to look at her. Lingling's smile disappeared, replaced with a mix of surprise and... guilt?

"Orm," Lingling said, standing quickly. "What are you doing here?"

Orm held up the lunch bag, her eyes flicking briefly to Ranee before locking onto Lingling. "Thought I'd surprise my girlfriend. Didn't realize she had company."

Ranee's lips curved into a playful smile as she extended a hand. "You must be Orm. Lingling's mentioned you."

Orm glanced at the outstretched hand but didn't take it. Instead, she smiled—all teeth, no warmth. "Good to know I've been a topic of conversation."

Lingling cleared her throat, stepping between them. "Ranee is an old friend. She stopped by unexpectedly."

Orm tilted her head, her voice dripping with faux politeness. "Old friend, huh? Funny. She doesn't seem very... old."

Ranee chuckled, unbothered by the thinly veiled jab. "Ling and I go way back. She's always had a special place in my heart."

Orm's eyes narrowed slightly, but her grin widened. "How sweet. But I hope you understand she's got a permanent place in mine now."

Lingling sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Ranee was just leaving."

"Was I?" Ranee teased, casting a lingering glance at Orm. "It's been lovely catching up, Ling. And Orm, it was... enlightening meeting you."

Orm's smile didn't waver. "Likewise."

Ranee finally left, leaving a charged silence in her wake. Orm turned to Lingling, raising an eyebrow. "So, that was interesting."

Lingling sighed, walking over to her desk. "Ranee is harmless. You didn't have to be so... territorial."

"Territorial?" Orm repeated, setting the lunch bag on the desk. "Ling, she was practically drooling over you."

Lingling smirked. "Jealous, are we?"

Orm crossed her arms, her voice firm but not raised. "I don't like the way she looks at you. And, honestly, I don't care if she's 'harmless.' She's still got that look like she's waiting for a chance."

Lingling stepped closer, her smirk softening into something warmer. "Orm, you have nothing to worry about."

Orm huffed but leaned into the hand Lingling placed on her arm. "You're lucky you're cute," Orm muttered.

Lingling chuckled, brushing a light kiss against Orm's cheek before whispering, "See you at home tonight." Orm's smirk softened into a genuine smile, her eyes warming as she nodded. "Can't wait."

Back at the café, Orm recounted the scene to Becky and Freen, who were already in fits of laughter.

"Wait, wait," Becky wheezed, clutching her sides. "You stared her down like some jealous wife? Oh, priceless."

Orm groaned, burying her face in her hands. "She was flirting with Ling right in front of me! What was I supposed to do?"

"Play it cool?" Freen offered with a shrug, a teasing smirk playing on her lips. "But nah, you went full alpha. Gotta say, I admire it."

"I don't blame you," Freen added, sipping her coffee. "Ranee's gorgeous. I'd be worried too."

Becky froze mid-laugh, her smile vanishing like it had been snatched by a vacuum. She slowly turned toward Freen, her voice dangerously calm. "Oh? Gorgeous, huh?"

Freen blinked, suddenly realizing her mistake. "I meant... you know, objectively. Like, from a neutral perspective?"

"Neutral perspective?" Becky repeated, leaning forward with her signature death glare. "Go on, Freen. Tell me more about your objective observations. I'm fascinated."

Orm, sensing the brewing storm, tried to intervene. "Becky, she didn't mean—"

"Oh, no, no, no," Becky cut in, her sharp gaze never leaving Freen. "I want to hear every detail. Symmetry? Bone structure? Maybe a dissertation on why she's 'worry-worthy.'"

Freen, now visibly sweating, held up her hands. "Babe, you know you're the only one I'd ever admire. I'm just saying... she exists! That's all!"

"She exists?" Becky deadpanned, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Well, congratulations to her for existing. Now tell me, Freen, do I exist to you?"

Orm had to grab the counter to steady herself as she burst into laughter. "Becky, I think she's learned her lesson."

Becky crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at Freen, who now looked like a deer caught in headlights. "Oh, she's not done learning. Freen, you're buying me dinner tonight. And dessert. And maybe a designer bag."

"Yes! Done!" Freen yelped, clutching Becky's arm like a lifeline. "You're the only gorgeous person in my life. The sun rises and sets with you. Ranee who?"

Becky smirked, finally leaning back. "Good answer."

Orm shook her head, tears in her eyes from laughing. "You two are worse than Ling and me."

Becky grinned. "That's because we're the upgraded model."

Freen grinned. "Let's just hope Lingling doesn't encounter another admirer of yours. That'd be fun to watch."

Becky smirked. "Fun? Freen, Lingling's probably shaking right now. I bet she's the one terrified of jealous Orm."

Orm rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah, well, I'll keep her on her toes. Can't have her thinking I'm always the cool one."

Becky raised her mug. "To the happy chaos of love."

Freen clinked her mug against Becky's. "And to Ranee, who unknowingly unleashed jealous Orm."