Club Confessions and Drunken Truths

Orm slouched on Becky's couch, her arms crossed and her face clouded with frustration. Becky, ever the hostess, plopped down next to her with a bottle of wine and two glasses.

"Alright, Miss Mood Swings," Becky said, pouring the wine. "Drink up. Staying mad is bad for your skin, and we can't have you breaking out over Lingling."

Orm took the glass reluctantly, sipping it while Becky stared at her expectantly. "I'm not breaking out. I'm just... annoyed."

"Annoyed?" Becky raised an eyebrow. "You stormed out of her office like a thunderstorm on steroids. That's more than annoyed."

Orm groaned. "She doesn't even realize how ridiculous she looked with that Nittha woman hanging all over her."

Becky gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "Oh no! Lingling the Oblivious strikes again!"

"Becky," Orm said, shooting her a warning look.

"What? I'm just saying, your girlfriend is like one of those people who doesn't notice they're being flirted with until someone throws a billboard at them," Becky teased, waving her wine glass. "Anyway, she'll figure it out and grovel. Just enjoy the peace and my excellent company."

Orm couldn't help but laugh despite herself. "You're insufferable."

"And yet, here you are," Becky replied, smirking.

The next morning, Orm and Becky were at the café, sipping coffee when Suzy stormed in, looking like a melodramatic tornado. She threw her bag onto the table and collapsed into a chair with a heavy sigh.

"Good morning to you too, Drama Queen," Becky said, sipping her latte. "What's the tragedy today?"

"I'm heartbroken," Suzy announced, her voice dripping with despair.

Becky leaned forward, intrigued. "Ooh, details. Did someone finally beat you at Scrabble?"

"No," Suzy groaned. "I went on a date last night, and it was perfect—at least for me. But they didn't feel the same way."

Orm raised an eyebrow. "One date and you're this upset?"

"It was love at first sight!" Suzy wailed. "The way they smiled, the way they laughed... I'm doomed!"

Becky rolled her eyes. "Doomed? Sweetie, it was one date. You're acting like you've already written your wedding vows."

Suzy pouted, stirring her coffee dramatically. "You don't understand. It felt real."

"Well, maybe I should check in with Freen to see if she's done anything heartbreaking so I can join the mood," Becky said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Then we can all wallow together."

Suzy ignored her. "You know what we need? A girls' night. Clubbing. Drinks. Dancing. Forgetting about my broken heart."

Orm, still brooding about Lingling, perked up at the suggestion. "Why not? Could be fun."

Becky grinned. "Say no more. I'll make sure we're dressed to kill."

Meanwhile, Lingling was having one of the worst workdays of her life.

Freen walked in, holding a folder. "Ling, did you eat lunch?"

"No," Lingling replied flatly, not looking up.

Freen raised an eyebrow. "Okay, who ticked you off?"

"No one," Lingling said curtly, though the way she gripped her pen said otherwise.

Freen smirked. "It's Orm, isn't it? What happened?"

Lingling sighed heavily. "I messed up, Freen. When I go home tonight, I'm going to beg for forgiveness."

Freen opened her phone, scrolling through her messages. "About that... you might not get the chance tonight. Becky texted me earlier. Apparently, they're going clubbing."

Lingling's head snapped up. "Clubbing?"

"Yeah," Freen said nonchalantly. "You know, drinks, dancing, loud music. The usual."

Lingling frowned, her mind racing. "And Orm's going?"

"Obviously," Freen replied. "Becky's the one planning it. You know she's dragging everyone with her."

Lingling slumped back in her chair, restless thoughts swirling.

The club was alive with pulsing music, flashing lights, and a crowd that radiated energy. Orm, Becky, and Suzy were a striking trio at the center of it all. Orm wore a dress that hugged her figure perfectly, turning heads with every step she took.

Becky whistled loudly, spinning Orm around. "Hot damn, girl! If Lingling saw you right now, she'd combust on the spot."

Suzy, nursing her third drink, pouted dramatically. "Why does everyone look so amazing except me?!"

"Because we're queens and you're a mess," Becky replied, laughing. "Relax, babe. We're here to have fun."

Orm, trying to distract herself from her lingering frustration with Lingling, let herself get swept up in the music. They danced like they owned the place, drawing attention from everyone nearby. Admirers hovered, stealing glances, but Becky waved them off with exaggerated hand motions. "Back off, peasants!"

Suzy, still in her dramatic funk, pointed at Orm. "Do you even realize how perfect you look? It's not fair!"

Orm laughed, twirling Suzy. "It's called letting go and having fun. Try it!"

Becky leaned in, smirking. "Orm, if Lingling doesn't show up and drag you home, I'm going to assume she's broken."

Meanwhile, Lingling was having one of the most restless nights of her life. She sat alone in her home office, staring blankly at her laptop. The numbers on the screen blurred together as her mind kept drifting to Orm.

The room was quiet, except for the faint hum of her desk lamp. Lingling's dinner sat untouched on the side table. Her phone buzzed occasionally with work notifications, but nothing from Orm.

As the night dragged on, Lingling picked up her phone and aimlessly opened Instagram. The moment she saw Becky's stories, her heart stopped.

The first video showed Becky hyping up the camera. "Look at my besties! Gorgeous queens!" The camera panned to Orm, who was dancing effortlessly, her dress glimmering under the lights. Lingling's jaw tightened.

The next clip showed Orm surrounded by admirers, their eyes glued to her. Becky's voice in the background added, "Back off, peasants! She's taken!"

Lingling stood abruptly, grabbing her keys. Her thoughts raced. She's drunk, she's gorgeous and there are people everywhere.

She muttered to herself, "This is bad. Very bad."

Lingling entered the club, her eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on Becky's table. Orm was on the dance floor, her cheeks flushed, laughing with Becky and Suzy.

Lingling strode straight to the table, catching Becky's attention first. "Oh, look who decided to join us," Becky said with a knowing smirk. "Your timing is impeccable."

Orm turned mid-dance, her expression shifting from surprise to guardedness. "Lingling."

Lingling's eyes softened as they met Orm's, though her voice remained steady. "I came to check on you."

Orm raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Check on me? Or make sure no one else is?"

Lingling winced at the jab but held her ground. "Both," she admitted. "I couldn't sit back and not be here."

Her eyes flicked to Orm's dress, and her jaw tightened. "What are you wearing?"

"Clothes," Orm replied coolly, though the faintest hint of a smirk played at her lips. "Why? Don't like it?"

Lingling stepped closer, her voice soft but firm. "You look gorgeous, Orm. Too gorgeous to be here without me."

Becky clapped dramatically. "And there it is! Ladies and gentlemen, possessiveness at its finest."

"Becky," Lingling snapped, shooting her a glare.

Orm sighed, shaking her head. "Ling, it's just a dress. And it's just a night out."

Lingling reached for Orm's hand, her voice gentle. "Can we talk?"

The club's rooftop terrace was quieter, the hum of the city below blending with the muffled music from inside. Orm leaned against the railing, her arms crossed as Lingling approached.

"Start talking," Orm said flatly.

Lingling took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly. "Orm, I know I've been... too much. I didn't think and I hurt you. But I promise, I would never hurt us intentionally."

Orm looked at her silently, waiting for more.

Lingling stepped closer, her voice growing steadier. "You are the most important thing in my life, Orm. More than work, more than my pride, more than anything. And I've been an idiot not showing you that the way you deserve."

Orm softened, though she tried to maintain her resolve. "Ling, you can't just act like this and expect everything to go back to normal."

"I don't expect that," Lingling said quickly. "But I want to earn your trust again. I want you to know that you're my everything. I love you, Orm, and I'll spend as long as it takes proving that to you."

Orm sighed, her lips twitching into a faint smile. "You're an idiot."

Lingling managed a weak laugh. "Your idiot."

Orm's resolve crumbled as she pulled Lingling into a kiss. It was slow, tender, and full of unspoken forgiveness. Lingling's hands cupped Orm's face, and Orm wrapped her arms tightly around Lingling's waist, melting into the moment.

The sound of a throat clearing broke them apart. Becky stood in the doorway, grinning. "Oh my god. Am I in a rom-com? Someone cue the dramatic music."

Suzy groaned, slumping into her chair. "Even the angry ones get happy endings. What about me?"

Becky patted Suzy's shoulder. "Sweetie, this is why you don't fall in love on the first date."

The two walked out of the club, leaving Becky and Suzy behind.

Becky sighed dramatically. "Well, there goes my entertainment for the night."

Suzy pouted. "And my faith in romance."

"Relax," Becky said, smirking. "I'll buy you a drink. You'll live."

The next morning, Lingling arrived at her office earlier than usual. Her sharp heels clicked against the marble floor, her tailored suit exuding authority. She was determined to set things straight. With things resolved with Orm, she turned her attention to the source of her frustrations.

As she settled into her desk, there was a knock at her door. It was Nittha, carrying a coffee tray and her ever-confident smirk.

"Good morning," Nittha said cheerfully, setting the tray on the table. "Thought you could use this after the other day. Everything okay with the girlfriend?"

Lingling's expression instantly hardened, the warmth in her usual demeanor replaced with an icy edge. "Excuse me?"

Nittha blinked, feigning innocence. "I just noticed she seemed... upset when she left. I hope I didn't overstep."

Lingling rose from her chair, her gaze sharp enough to cut through steel. "Nittha, let me make something abundantly clear. My relationship with Orm is none of your concern."

Nittha raised her hands in mock surrender, a sly smile playing on her lips. "I didn't mean to pry, Lingling. I was just trying to be friendly."

Lingling took a step closer, her tone dropping to a dangerous calm. "Friendly? Is that what you call your behavior? Laughing too loud, standing too close, and conveniently forgetting boundaries?"

Nittha's smile faltered for the first time. "I... I didn't realize—"

"Oh, you realized," Lingling interrupted, her voice colder than the Arctic. "And I'm warning you now. Stay in your lane. You may be my business partner, but don't mistake that for an invitation to interfere in my personal life."

Nittha opened her mouth to respond, but Lingling raised a hand to stop her. "This conversation is over. Focus on the deal we're working on and nothing else. Do I make myself clear?"

Nittha nodded stiffly, her confidence visibly shaken. "Crystal."

"Good," Lingling said, turning back to her desk. "Close the door on your way out."

As the door clicked shut, Lingling exhaled slowly, her hands tightening briefly on the edge of her desk. The Ice Queen had spoken, and she wasn't about to let anyone meddle with what mattered most to her.