The air was thick with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the gentle sizzle of eggs frying in the pan. Lingling stood by the stove, flipping pancakes with a level of concentration that had nothing to do with cooking. Her mind was spinning, the weight of tomorrow pressing heavily on her chest.
October 16.
She had one more day to change fate.
Orm was alive. Safe. Breathing.
But for how long?
Lingling's hands shook slightly as she reached for the pepper grinder, trying to steady her nerves.
A pair of warm arms suddenly wrapped around her waist from behind, pulling her into a familiar embrace. A soft kiss landed on her bare shoulder.
"Baby, why are you up so early?" Orm's voice was husky from sleep, her lips brushing against Lingling's skin as she spoke.
Lingling tensed for a moment before melting into Orm's touch, closing her eyes. She's here. She's real.
"I couldn't sleep," Lingling murmured, trying to keep her voice steady. "So I thought I'd make breakfast for you."
Orm hummed in delight, pressing another kiss to the back of Lingling's neck. "Mmm, that's a first. Should I be worried?"
Lingling turned in Orm's embrace, her hands sliding up Orm's arms until they rested on her shoulders. She took a moment to just look at herâat the messy morning hair, at the sleepy eyes that still held a glint of mischief.
She swallowed hard. How could she live without this?
Orm tilted her head. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Lingling reached up, cupping Orm's face. "I just missed you," she whispered.
Orm's lips curled into a slow smile. "Missed me? Baby, I was just beside you the whole night."
Lingling said nothing, just leaned in and kissed herâslow, deep, desperate.
Orm gasped softly before responding, tightening her arms around Lingling's waist, pulling her closer. The kiss was different this timeâLingling wasn't just kissing her out of habit or affection. It felt like she was memorizing her, like she was terrified this moment would be taken away.
When they finally pulled apart, Orm studied her carefully.
"Something's wrong," Orm said, brushing Lingling's cheek with her thumb. "Talk to me, love."
Lingling forced a smile, shaking her head. "It's nothing. I just... want to be with you."
Orm didn't seem convinced but let it slide. She leaned in again, kissing the tip of Lingling's nose before stepping back. "Alright, but only if you promise to actually eat breakfast with me."
Lingling exhaled, nodding. "Deal."
They sat together at the table, plates filled with pancakes, eggs, and fruit. Orm ate happily, but Lingling's appetite was nonexistent. She forced herself to take small bites, her stomach twisted in knots.
As they ate, Orm suddenly put her fork down. "Ling, let's go out today."
Lingling stiffened. No.
"You've been stressed with work, and we've been staying at home for days. Let's go out for dinner, maybe grab some groceries?"
Lingling's chest tightened.
"NO."
Orm blinked in surprise. "Baby, what's wrong?"
Lingling clenched her fists. "We'll stay home. I'll ask someone to do the groceries for us."
Orm frowned, looking hurt. "Ling, we can't just stay home forever. Besides, I have a meeting tomorrowâI need to meet my client in person."
Tomorrow.
October 17.
The day she lost Orm.
Lingling's hands started shaking. "Can't you just send the designs online?"
Orm sighed, reaching across the table to hold Lingling's hands. "Baby, I can't. My client flew in from Hong Kong just to see the designs in person."
So this was it.
This meeting was part of what led to Orm's accident.
I can't let you go.
Lingling inhaled sharply. "I'll go with you," she said quickly. "And I'll drive."
Orm studied her carefully, then smiled. "Alright. If that gives you peace of mind, I'd love to have you there."
Lingling exhaled, gripping Orm's hands tighter.
I won't lose you this time.
____
The soft hum of the air conditioning filled the quiet room, mingling with the faint scratching of Orm's stylus against her tablet. She was focused, completely absorbed in her designs, her back turned to Lingling.
Lingling, on the other hand, hadn't been able to focus for days. Tomorrow. Tomorrow was the day she was supposed to lose Orm.
She gripped the sheets beneath her fingers, staring at Orm's figure, at the way her hair was carelessly tied up in a messy bun, the way her shoulders moved ever so slightly as she worked. She looked so alive.
Lingling bit her lip to stop it from trembling. What if this was the last time she would ever see this?
A lump formed in her throat, suffocating, heavy. The weight of the past few days was crushing her, pressing against her chest like a vice. She couldn't take it anymore.
She pushed the laptop away, stood up, and silently walked over to Orm. Without saying a word, she placed her hands on Orm's shoulders, her touch trembling as she massaged her lightly.
Orm sighed, relaxing under her touch. "Mmm... that feels nice," she murmured, still focused on her screen.
Lingling swallowed hard, blinking back tears. This is real. She is here.
"Are you not tired, baby?" Lingling asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Orm smiled. "Not anymore," she said, still tapping at her screen.
Lingling leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss to the exposed skin of Orm's nape. She closed her eyes, inhaling her scent, letting it ground her.
"I love you," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly.
Orm chuckled, tilting her head slightly. "Why are you so extra sweet lately?" she asked teasingly.
Lingling forced out a small laugh, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Am I not allowed?"
Orm finally stopped what she was doing, turning around to face her. The moment she saw Lingling's expression, her smile faltered.
Lingling kneeled before her, her hands trembling as she held Orm's. She looked up at her, eyes shining with unshed tears.
"I just... I just want to make up for all the lost time I had with you," she whispered, her voice shaking.
Orm's brows furrowed in concern. "Baby, what's wrong?" she asked, squeezing Lingling's hands gently.
Lingling shook her head, a tear finally slipping down her cheek. She reached up and cupped Orm's face, her thumbs brushing over her soft skin. "Nothing... I justâ" She let out a shaky breath. "I just love you so much."
Orm's expression softened, and without another word, she leaned down and kissed Lingling, slow and deep.
Lingling kissed her back desperately, wrapping her arms around Orm's waist and pulling her closer. She wanted to feel her, to reassure herself that Orm was still here, that she was still warm, still alive.
Orm stood, pulling Lingling up with her. Their lips never parted as Lingling guided her toward the bed.
Orm giggled breathlessly as they fell onto the soft sheets. "You're acting so weird today," she whispered, brushing a strand of hair away from Lingling's face. "What's gotten into you?"
Lingling didn't answer. Instead, she cupped Orm's face and kissed her again, her hands roaming over every inch of her, memorizing her warmth, the way she shivered under her touch.
Orm gasped when Lingling's lips trailed down her neck, her hands gripping the sheets. "I love you," Orm murmured between kisses.
Lingling closed her eyes, her heart aching. I love you more.
She wanted to say it, but the words got stuck in her throat.
Instead, she showed itâwith every kiss, every touch, every whispered breath against Orm's skin.
If this was the last time... she wanted Orm to feel how much she was loved.
And as they lay tangled together, Lingling held Orm as if she could keep her safe, as if by holding on tightly enough, tomorrow would never come.