Miles Apart

Orm stretched her arms over her head, leaning casually against the doorframe as Lingling stuffed her carry-on with military precision. The CEO exuded her usual air of calm authority, but Orm didn't miss the subtle tightness in her movements or the way her gaze kept flitting toward the clock.

"You're acting like you don't want to leave," Orm teased, smirking. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're going to miss me."

Lingling froze mid-fold, shooting her girlfriend a sharp look. "Don't be ridiculous. I have work to do."

Orm snorted, stepping closer and gently tugging the bag away from Lingling's grasp. "You're folding socks like you're preparing for war. Relax. I'll still be here when you get back."

Lingling's lips pressed into a thin line. "That's precisely what worries me. You're too..." She paused, searching for the right word. "Approachable."

Orm grinned. "You mean irresistible."

Lingling rolled her eyes but didn't refute it, instead reaching for her phone. "Becky will keep me updated."

Hours later, as Lingling settled into the hotel suite with Freen—the CFO and her self-appointed life coach—her phone buzzed with a message from Becky.

Becky: Good news! Orm's fine. Bad news: Her fan club's growing. A guy just left his number on a napkin.

Lingling: Take care of it.

Becky: What does that mean? Should I burn it or mail it back with "she's taken" written in glitter glue?

Lingling: Becky.

Becky: Relax, boss. Your girl only smiled at him for three seconds before glaring him into oblivion.

Lingling's jaw tightened as she glared at her phone, muttering, "Unbelievable."

Across the room, Freen leaned back in her chair, sipping a glass of wine. "Who pissed you off now?"

"Becky," Lingling replied tersely. "She thinks everything's a joke."

Freen smirked. "She's not wrong. You're spiraling, Ling. How bad could it possibly be?"

Lingling thrust her phone at Freen, who read the messages with growing amusement. "Oh no, a napkin. Truly, the end of your love story."

Lingling glared. "I don't have time for this. Becky's supposed to handle admirers, not encourage them."

Freen raised her glass in mock salute. "To Becky, the real MVP. Keeping you on edge since day one."

By the second day, Lingling's professional facade was beginning to crack. Meetings dragged, deals closed, but all she could think about was Orm. During a rare break, she scrolled through photos of them on her phone, smiling faintly at one where Orm was mid-eye-roll at Becky's antics.

"You're pathetic," Freen said, not looking up from her laptop. "When's the wedding?"

Lingling shot her a glare but didn't put her phone away. "I'm not pathetic. I'm... distracted."

"Uh-huh," Freen deadpanned. "Distracted by love. It's disgusting. Stop it."

Lingling ignored her, instead pulling up Orm's contact and hitting FaceTime. It rang twice before Orm's face appeared, framed by the warm glow of the café.

"Hey," Orm greeted, her smile softening. "Shouldn't you be working?"

"Shouldn't you be... not smiling at strangers?" Lingling retorted.

Orm raised an eyebrow, her grin widening. "You miss me, don't you?"

Lingling hesitated, her pride warring with the truth. "I'm just making sure Becky isn't slacking."

"Uh-huh," Orm replied, leaning closer to the camera. "Miss you too, Ling."

Lingling's chest tightened at the warmth in Orm's tone, but before she could respond, Freen made a gagging noise in the background.

"Tell Orm to stop making you soft," Freen called. "We have spreadsheets to finish."

Orm chuckled. "Hi, Freen."

"Hi, favorite girlfriend stealer," Freen replied cheerfully.

Lingling ended the call with a sigh, glaring at Freen. "You're insufferable."

"You're in love," Freen shot back. "So technically, I'm suffering more."

The next morning, Becky sent another update, this time with a photo. Orm was laughing with a customer, her smile lighting up the café. Becky's caption read: "Don't worry, boss. She only laughed at their joke for a full minute. Nothing major."

Lingling stared at the image, her grip on her phone tightening. She hit the call button.

"What now?" Orm answered, clearly amused.

"What's going on?" Lingling demanded.

"I'm pouring coffee, Ling. Relax."

"You're too friendly," Lingling said, her tone sharp.

Orm grinned, though Lingling couldn't see it. "You're jealous."

"Maybe," Lingling admitted, her voice quieter. "Just... don't let anyone think they have a chance."

"Relax, babe," Orm said, her tone softening. "Becky's got it covered. Probably too much."

By the time Lingling's plane landed, she was practically vibrating with anticipation. She didn't even wait for her driver, opting to head straight to Blooming Beans herself.

Orm, wiping down the counter, looked up as the door jingled. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Ling?"

Lingling marched in and pulled Orm into a firm hug before she could say another word.

"I missed you," Lingling muttered, her voice muffled against Orm's shoulder.

Orm chuckled, gently pulling back to look at her. "I can tell."

Lingling didn't let go, instead leaning in to pepper quick kisses along Orm's cheek, forehead, and even the tip of her nose. "You have no idea how much I missed you," Lingling said between kisses.

Orm laughed, flustered but pleased. "Okay, okay, I get it! I missed you too, Ling. But you're making a scene."

From behind the counter, Becky made a loud gagging noise. "Oh my god, could you not? This is a café, not a rom-com."

Lingling turned her head just enough to glare at Becky. "Becky, leave."

"Becky, stay," Orm countered, smirking.

Lingling huffed but didn't stop, placing another kiss on Orm's cheek. "You're just jealous because Freen doesn't do this to you."

Becky's face turned beet red. "Freen doesn't—what?! I mean—mind your business!"

Right on cue, Freen strolled in, casually sipping her bubble tea and raised her bubble tea cup with a deadpan expression. "To love, jealousy, and Becky surviving another day."

Becky snorted, clutching her sides. "Bubble tea? Really?"

Freen shrugged, sipping noisily through her straw. "What? It's my emotional support drink."

Freen leaned against the counter, her smirk widening. "You know, Becky, if you want this kind of treatment, you just have to say the word."

Becky froze, her jaw dropping. "Excuse me?"

"I mean," Freen continued, her tone light and teasing, "if you're into it, I could start peppering you with kisses too."

Becky turned to Freen, her face a mix of horror and indignation. "You do that and I'll end you," she hissed, her death glare sharp enough to cut through steel.

Freen raised her hands in mock surrender, laughing. "Noted. But the offer stands."

Lingling smirked, clearly enjoying Becky's discomfort. "Let me know if you need pointers, Freen."

Becky groaned, covering her face. "Why are all of you like this?"

Ignoring the chaos, Lingling turned her attention back to Orm, her voice softening. "Let's go home."

Orm smiled, brushing a strand of hair from Lingling's face. "Whatever you say, clingy CEO."