Distraction

As the days passed, the atmosphere in the office had only grown more charged. Lingling had tried to focus on the usual daily tasks—meetings, budget reports, strategy sessions—but Orm's presence still loomed in the back of her mind. It wasn't just the office gossip. No, it was something deeper, something unsettling.

Lingling had always been in control, always had the upper hand in any situation. She was known for her icy professionalism, her no-nonsense approach to business. But Orm had thrown that all into chaos. Lingling had no idea how someone so seemingly carefree and unbothered could so effortlessly disrupt the carefully constructed environment of her office.

The more Lingling thought about it, the more complicated the situation seemed. Orm's beauty was undeniable, but it wasn't just that. There was an aura about her—a confidence that made her magnetic. And then there was the way she had casually addressed Lingling, as if they were old friends, as if the corporate CEO had just been another person in her day. It had rattled Lingling in a way she couldn't explain.

But what was even more unsettling was the way Lingling had felt, deep down. She wasn't used to feeling jealous, but there it was, gnawing at her as she tried to move past it. Freen had been right. Lingling had felt a pang of something—envy, desire, or maybe something even more complicated—that she couldn't shake off.

"Lingling, you're acting like a teenager," she muttered to herself, standing in front of her full-length mirror as she prepared for another day at the office. Her reflection stared back at her, cold and composed as ever, but she knew the truth. Orm had gotten under her skin.

The decision had been made. Lingling couldn't let Orm continue to invade her space, her workplace, and her thoughts. It wasn't just the employees' fawning admiration for her, nor Freen's incessant teasing about her flirtation with the coffee shop owner. No, it was deeper than that. Lingling's entire focus was on the future of her company, and Orm was a distraction—a dangerous one.

She knew that when Freen made up her mind about something, she was nearly impossible to stop. Freen had been giddy ever since Orm had walked into the office. Lingling couldn't quite decide if she was annoyed or secretly amused by Freen's flirtation. It was clear that Orm wasn't interested in any of the advances that had been thrown her way by the employees, but Freen, with her usual charm, had set her sights on Orm.

"Maybe I should join her," Lingling muttered, her mind suddenly flooded with doubt. What if she went to Blooming Beans herself? It wasn't about Orm, of course. It was about professionalism, about assessing the competition, about staying ahead in the market.

The internal debate raged on as Lingling made her way to the office. But as the elevator doors opened and she stepped out onto her floor, she immediately felt a shift in the air. The employees had gathered again, whispering in hushed tones, casting sideways glances as Lingling approached her office.

"I can't believe she's coming in today," one of the assistants whispered.

"Yeah, she's been here every day this week. Do you think she's trying to win over the CEO?" another said, her voice dripping with curiosity.

Lingling's jaw tightened. She had told herself that she wasn't going to let this get to her. Yet here she was, walking into an office that felt more like a circus than a corporate headquarters.

She forced herself to maintain composure as she walked into her office, only to be greeted by Freen, who was sitting at her desk with an air of smug satisfaction.

"Well, well, someone looks like they're about to explode," Freen remarked, her eyes twinkling with mischief. She leaned back in the chair, watching Lingling closely.

"I'm fine," Lingling snapped, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "I just don't get what all the fuss is about. She's just a coffee shop owner."

Freen raised an eyebrow. "Is that what you think? Just a coffee shop owner? I think you've got your wires crossed, Lingling."

Lingling clenched her fists, but her gaze was unwavering. "What do you mean?"

Freen leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Orm has something special about her. You've felt it too, haven't you?"

Lingling's heart skipped a beat, but she refused to give Freen the satisfaction of admitting it. Instead, she crossed her arms, taking a deep breath. "You're the one who's been flirting with her, not me."

Freen smiled sweetly, but there was a hint of something more behind her eyes. "Oh, I know. I'm just having fun. But you, Lingling—you're not fooling anyone. You've been distracted ever since she walked in here."

Lingling bit her lip, suppressing a groan. It was true. Every time she closed her eyes, Orm's image was there, smiling that carefree smile, her eyes filled with mischief, her laughter like a melody that refused to fade. Lingling hated how easily Orm had embedded herself into her thoughts. It felt like an invasion.

"I'm handling it," Lingling muttered, though even she wasn't convinced.

Freen stood up, her smile fading slightly. "Handling it, huh? Good luck with that. But just so you know, Orm is not like the others. She's not someone you can just push aside."

Lingling's gaze flickered toward the door, where she knew Orm would likely make her next appearance. She didn't know how to explain it, but something about Orm unsettled her. It wasn't just the physical attraction—though Lingling couldn't deny that Orm was stunning—it was something else entirely. Something deeper.

The next few days passed in a blur, each one more difficult than the last. Lingling couldn't stop thinking about Orm. She told herself it was just the novelty of the situation. Orm was beautiful, yes, and her carefree attitude was intoxicating. But Lingling had never let herself be swept up by that kind of charm before. So why was it different this time?

The answer was simple: it was Orm.

Lingling's frustration mounted as the week continued. She couldn't seem to shake the feeling that Orm was somehow slipping away from her grasp, and that idea was intolerable. She needed to reassert control. She needed to remind herself why she was the CEO, why she was the one who held the reins at her company.

One fateful morning, as Lingling made her way to the elevator, she was met with a surprise. There, standing outside the building, was Orm. The sight of her instantly made Lingling's heart race, her breath catching in her throat. She didn't know if it was the unexpected encounter or the sheer force of Orm's presence, but for a moment, Lingling found herself speechless.

Orm, noticing Lingling's approach, smiled warmly. "Good morning, CEO," she said in that familiar, teasing tone.

Lingling's heart skipped, and for a moment, she thought she might lose control. But she quickly masked her feelings, her usual icy demeanor slipping back into place. "What are you doing here?" she asked, voice cold but with a slight edge of curiosity.

"Oh, just wanted to drop off some coffee for you. Figured it'd be a nice change of pace," Orm replied casually, as if this were a normal visit.

Lingling narrowed her eyes. "You shouldn't be here. This is a workplace, not a social event."

Orm's smile didn't falter. "I know. But I couldn't help myself. I thought I'd drop by and say hello. Besides, who doesn't like a good cup of coffee?"

Lingling felt her control slipping, but she refused to let it show. "I'm not interested in distractions," she said firmly.

Orm's eyes glinted mischievously. "Well, it looks like the distraction is already here."

Before Lingling could respond, Orm turned and walked away, leaving Lingling standing there, stunned. There was no denying it—Orm had once again gotten under her skin.

As Lingling stood there, her mind racing, she knew one thing for certain: she couldn't avoid Orm forever. And maybe, just maybe, she didn't want to.