Cold Brews and Mixed Signals

Freen lounged comfortably in the plush chair across from Lingling's desk, scrolling through her phone with a sly smile. The occasional giggle or smirk from her direction had been irritating Lingling for the past ten minutes.

Lingling's patience finally snapped. "What's so funny?" she asked, setting down the document she had been attempting to read.

"Nothing," Freen said innocently, though the mischievous glint in her eyes said otherwise.

Lingling folded her arms, arching a brow. "Who are you texting?"

Freen looked up, the grin widening. "Orm."

Lingling's stomach dropped. "Orm?" she repeated, trying to keep her tone neutral.

"Yeah," Freen said casually, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. "We swapped numbers when I stopped by Blooming Beans. You know, for... networking."

Lingling's composure faltered for a brief moment. "Networking," she echoed, her voice clipped.

Freen, either oblivious or deliberately ignoring the growing tension, chuckled at something on her phone. "She's hilarious. Did you know she—"

"I need a moment," Lingling interrupted abruptly, rising from her chair. Without waiting for a reply, she headed to the private restroom attached to her office.

Inside, Lingling gripped the edge of the sink, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her chest felt tight, and her thoughts raced. They exchanged numbers?

Lingling took a deep breath, willing herself to calm down. This is ridiculous, she told herself firmly. Why does it matter?

After splashing her face with cool water, she straightened her posture and returned to her office, her mask of professionalism firmly back in place. But the moment she stepped through the door, her carefully constructed composure cracked again.

Freen was now leaning back in her chair, her phone pressed to her ear, speaking in an unmistakably sweet and flirty tone.

"Oh, come on," Freen said, her voice practically dripping with charm. "Let me pick you up tonight at the coffee shop. We'll have some fun, just you and me."

Lingling froze in the doorway, her stomach twisting uncomfortably. She's inviting Orm out. Tonight.

Freen laughed softly, her tone warm and teasing. "Great. It's a date, then."

Lingling didn't wait to hear more. She stepped forward, her heels clicking sharply against the floor, and Freen turned to glance at her, a sly smile playing on her lips.

"Ling! You're back," Freen said, her tone light. She ended the call with a quick, "I'll text you later," and set her phone on the desk.

Lingling's jaw tightened. "I didn't realize you and Orm were so... close," she said, her voice icier than she intended.

Freen's grin was pure mischief. "Oh, we get along great. She's a real catch, don't you think?"

Lingling didn't respond. Instead, her frustration boiled over, and without a plan or even a good excuse, she grabbed her bag and strode toward the door.

"I'll be out for the rest of the afternoon," she announced curtly.

"Where are you going?" Freen asked, clearly enjoying this more than she should.

"To check on something important," Lingling snapped before disappearing out the door.

Blooming Beans was buzzing with energy as usual. The warm, aromatic scent of coffee mingled with the sound of laughter and chatter. Orm was at the counter, expertly pouring a latte while a line of customers—many of whom were clearly there for more than just the coffee—watched her with unabashed interest.

"Thanks," Orm said, handing the latte to a particularly flustered man who tripped over his words as he tried to thank her. She chuckled softly and turned her attention to the next customer, only to pause when she spotted a familiar figure entering the shop.

"Lingling?" Orm blinked, genuinely surprised.

Lingling stood near the door, looking out of place in her sharp blazer and heels. She hesitated for a moment, scanning the room before meeting Orm's gaze.

Orm's smile widened as she approached. "Didn't expect to see you here, CEO. What's the occasion?"

Lingling's mind blanked. She hadn't thought this through at all. Now, under Orm's amused gaze, she struggled to come up with an excuse.

"I was... in the area," she said stiffly.

Orm tilted her head, clearly unconvinced but amused. "Oh? And you decided to stop by for coffee?"

"Yes," Lingling said quickly, her tone still clipped. "I thought I'd check out the competition."

That earned her a laugh. Orm leaned on the counter, her posture relaxed and inviting. "Competition, huh? Well, I hope we're living up to your high standards."

Lingling's lips thinned, and she looked around the shop as if assessing it. "It's... adequate."

Orm smirked, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "High praise coming from you. Want me to whip up something 'adequate' for you? Or do you just want to stand there looking intimidating?"

Lingling's cheeks flushed faintly, though she refused to let it show. "A black coffee. To go."

"You got it," Orm said cheerfully, turning to prepare the order.

Lingling watched her work, her movements fluid and precise. The way Orm smiled at everyone, the ease with which she handled the bustling energy of the shop—it was mesmerizing in a way Lingling didn't want to admit.

When Orm handed her the coffee, their fingers brushed briefly, and Lingling pulled her hand back as if burned.

"Here you go, CEO," Orm said, her tone teasing. "Anything else I can do for you?"

Lingling shook her head, gripping the cup tightly. "No. That will be all."

"Alright," Orm said, leaning slightly closer. "Come back anytime. You know, for more... adequate coffee."

Lingling's lips pressed into a thin line, but before she could respond, one of the customers at a nearby table called out to Orm, pulling her attention away.

Orm waved at the customer, then glanced back at Lingling with a playful grin. "Catch you later, CEO."

Lingling turned on her heel and strode out of the shop, her heart pounding for reasons she refused to analyze.

Back at her office, Freen was waiting, her expression positively gleeful.

"So," Freen said, spinning her chair around. "Did you 'check on something important'?"

Lingling shot her a glare, but Freen only laughed.

For the rest of the day, Lingling tried to focus on her work, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the coffee shop—and to Orm's easy laughter.

And to the fact that she hadn't stayed long enough to see who Freen's "date" actually was.