Cold Feet

The penthouse was unusually quiet. Lingling sat in her home office, staring at her wedding checklist. Normally, the perfectly organized document would bring her comfort, but tonight, she couldn't shake the unease creeping into her chest.

A knock interrupted her thoughts, and before she could respond, Freen strolled in, holding a bottle of wine and two glasses.

"Figured you'd need backup," Freen announced, plopping into the chair across from her. "What are we overthinking tonight?"

Lingling sighed. "I'm not overthinking."

Freen raised an eyebrow, pouring two glasses. "You're staring at that checklist like it owes you money. Spill it, Ice Queen."

Lingling hesitated, then finally admitted, "What if I'm not enough for her?"

Freen blinked, momentarily stunned. "Wow. Okay, didn't think I'd see this day."

"Freen," Lingling said sharply, though her voice lacked its usual edge.

"Alright, alright," Freen said, waving a hand. "But seriously, what are you even talking about? Orm's obsessed with you. You're the only thing she sees."

Lingling sighed again, her gaze dropping to her lap. "She's so... incredible. What if she realizes she could've done better?"

Freen snorted so hard she nearly spilled her wine. "Done better? Ling, Orm had hundreds of admirers practically worshiping her, and guess what? She picked you. She could've had her pick of anyone, but she has eyes only for you. That should tell you everything."

Lingling looked up, her lips twitching into a faint smile. "Hundreds?"

Freen smirked. "Hundreds. Maybe thousands. And every single one of them would be devastated if they knew how disgustingly in love she is with you."

Lingling chuckled softly, some of the tension in her shoulders easing. "You're annoyingly good at this."

Freen leaned back, grinning. "I know. Now, hug your ridiculous stuffed penguin and stop doubting yourself."

Lingling reached for the oversized penguin in the corner—the one Becky had given her as a joke. "Satisfied?"

"Very," Freen said, raising her glass. "Just remember, you're the center of her universe. Tomorrow's just the formality."

At the café, Orm sat in her usual booth, staring into her coffee. Becky, perched on the counter with a cookie in hand, watched her with a knowing smirk.

"You're awfully quiet," Becky remarked, breaking the silence. "That's not like you."

Orm sighed, swirling her coffee. "Just thinking."

"Ah, pre-wedding jitters," Becky said knowingly. "What's on your mind?"

Orm hesitated, then finally confessed, "What if I'm not enough for her?"

Becky blinked, momentarily speechless. Then she laughed. "Are you kidding me? Lingling Kwong, queen of spreadsheets and icy glares, is obsessed with you. She probably has a five-year plan for your marriage already."

Orm chuckled. "She's just... so perfect. What if I can't live up to that?"

Becky rolled her eyes, leaning forward. "Orm, listen to me. Lingling doesn't want 'perfect.' She wants you. The coffee, pancake-obsessed weirdo who managed to thaw her frozen heart."

Orm smiled faintly. "Coffees were involved."

Becky smirked. "Exactly. And tomorrow, when she sees you walking down that aisle, she's going to forget spreadsheets and projections even exist."

Orm exhaled, the tension in her chest easing. "Thanks, Becky."

Becky grinned. "Anytime. Now finish your coffee. You've got a wedding to crush tomorrow."

Later that night, Lingling sat on the couch, the checklist abandoned on the coffee table. She looked up as Orm walked in, her presence instantly grounding her.

"You seem calmer," Orm noted, sitting beside her.

"Freen fixed me," Lingling replied, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "Apparently, I'm a penguin."

Orm laughed. "A penguin?"

"Competitive and clingy," Lingling explained, rolling her eyes. "Her words, not mine."

Orm chuckled, wrapping an arm around her fiancée. "Sounds about right. And I love every bit of it."

Lingling tilted her head, studying Orm's face. "What about you? Did Becky fix you?"

Orm smiled softly. "She reminded me that you're stuck with me, and I'm okay with that."

Lingling sighed, resting her head on Orm's shoulder. "Tomorrow, we start forever. Are you ready?"

Orm kissed her forehead, her voice steady. "I've been ready since the day I met you."

Lingling smiled, her earlier nerves replaced with calm. "Good. Because I'm never letting you go."