Lunch With Friends

The sound of clinking cups and quiet chatter filled the air as Orm wiped down the counter at "Blooming Beans." Becky was perched on a stool, dramatically recounting her latest encounter with a customer who had no idea what an oat milk latte was.

"Seriously, Orm," Becky sighed, "what kind of person walks into a cafe and asks if oat milk comes from an oat cow?"

Orm smirked, her sharp wit ever-ready. "The same kind of person who probably thinks almond milk is squeezed from tiny udders."

Becky snorted, nearly spilling her coffee. "I swear, you're wasted here."

Before Orm could retort, Becky checked her watch and nudged her friend. "Lunch time. Let's grab something to eat outside for a change."

They settled at a sunny table outside a small bistro down the street. Becky dug into her salad while Orm sipped a cold brew, her usual calm demeanor making her the perfect foil to Becky's theatrics.

"I'm just saying," Becky began, pointing her fork for emphasis, "if we don't get better coffee customers soon, I'm staging a coup. I'll take over the cafe and turn it into a nightclub."

Orm rolled her eyes. "Because nothing screams 'nightlife' like pastries and cappuccinos."

Becky was about to reply when a familiar voice interrupted. "Orm? Becky? Fancy seeing you two here."

Both women looked up to see Ying, tall and radiant as always, standing with a casual grace that seemed almost rehearsed. She had a hint of a smirk, as though she knew she was about to upend their peaceful lunch.

"Ying," Orm greeted, her tone friendly but neutral. "What brings you here?"

"Oh, I was just passing by," Ying said breezily, though the gleam in her eye suggested otherwise. "Mind if I join you?"

Becky's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Of course not. The more, the merrier."

Ying slid into the seat across from Orm, her presence instantly shifting the dynamic. "So, what's the topic of conversation? Orm's impeccable taste in friends, perhaps?"

"More like Becky's plans to turn my cafe into a nightclub," Orm replied dryly.

"Ah, ambitious," Ying remarked, leaning back. "Though I imagine Lingling wouldn't be thrilled about that."

Becky grinned, clearly enjoying the tension Ying's presence brought. "Lingling's thrilled about very little that doesn't involve Orm."

Orm shot Becky a warning look, but Ying's chuckle softened the mood. "True enough. But you can't blame her. Orm does have a certain charm."

Becky's laughter bubbled up. "Oh, Ying, don't go making Lingling jealous. She'll sense it from miles away."

As if summoned by Becky's words, Lingling appeared moments later, her sharp gaze locking onto the trio from across the street. She strode over, her every step purposeful, and took the seat beside Orm without so much as a greeting.

"What a surprise," Lingling said, her tone light but her eyes flashing. "Lunch with friends."

"Ying was just passing by," Orm explained, sensing the tension. "She decided to join us."

"How nice," Lingling replied, her smile tight. She reached for a drink thinking it was Orm's, taking a sip without asking. "Oops."

Ying's lips twitched with amusement. "No worries. I'm happy to share."

Lingling placed the drink back firmly on the table to hide her embarassment. "Sharing isn't really my style. Especially not when it comes to Orm."

"I see," Ying said smoothly, leaning back with a serene smile. "But then again, Orm seems perfectly capable of deciding who she spends her time with."

"And she chooses me," Lingling shot back, her tone sweet but firm. "Always."

"Is that so?" Ying replied, her eyes glinting. "I guess that makes me lucky to even get a lunch date."

Lingling leaned in slightly, her voice dropping. "Let's keep it that way. Friendly lunches, nothing more."

Becky, trying to stifle her giggles, leaned toward Orm and whispered, "I feel like I'm watching a soap opera."

Orm sighed, placing a calming hand on Lingling's arm. "Relax. It's just lunch."

"Of course," Lingling replied, her voice sweet but her posture stiff. She picked up the menu and held it up like a shield, muttering, "Just lunch with some... distractions."

Freen appeared moments later, carrying a takeout bag and pausing to take stock of the scene. Her grin widened as she spotted Lingling glaring at Ying. "Did I miss the fireworks?"

"You're just in time," Becky quipped, patting the seat next to her. "Ying and Lingling were about to start a duel."

Freen dropped into the chair, setting her bag down. "Let's not have bloodshed over sushi. I mean, I get it, Orm's great and all, but can we not?"

Ying smirked, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "Bloodshed? I'm much too graceful for that."

"And I'm too smart to waste energy," Lingling countered, her smile razor-sharp. "It's not really a competition when the outcome is obvious."

Becky slapped the table, unable to contain her laughter anymore. "This is better than reality TV. Freen, where's the popcorn?"

Freen pulled out a small bag of chips from her takeout and slid it toward Becky. "Close enough."

The two of them munched noisily, thoroughly entertained by the escalating tension. Orm pinched the bridge of her nose, half-amused and half-exasperated. "Can we focus on lunch, please?"

As the meal progressed, Becky and Freen continued to interject with their antics. Becky pretended to interview Lingling like a talk show host, holding up her fork as a microphone. "So, Lingling, how does it feel to defend your title as Orm's number one?"

Lingling smirked, playing along. "Exhausting, but rewarding."

Freen chimed in, pointing her chopsticks at Ying. "And Ying, how do you handle coming in second place?"

Ying leaned back, pretending to ponder. "Gracefully, of course. It's not about winning; it's about making an impression."

"Mission accomplished," Becky said, winking at Orm. "You've impressed everyone at this table—mostly me."

By the time lunch ended, the air was thick with unspoken words, laughter, and barely concealed smirks. Ying stood to leave, her parting shot delivered with impeccable timing. "Lovely seeing you all. Lingling, always a pleasure."

Lingling's smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "Uhm, yeah."

Becky, unable to resist, clapped her hands together as the group dispersed. "Well, that was entertaining. Let's do it again sometime."

Freen snickered, throwing an arm around Becky. "Next time, we'll sell tickets."

Lingling shot them a glare but softened as Orm took her hand. "You're the only one for me," Orm murmured, her voice steady.

Lingling's pout melted into a genuine smile. For now, her world was back in balance.