CH-13

Orm let out a relieved sigh as she gazed at the neatly arranged breakfast on the table. After making sure everything was prepared for Ling, she returned to the kitchen to tidy up the cooking utensils.

In the kitchen, Orm washed the dishes while humming softly—a familiar tune that always made her mornings feel a little warmer. Every movement of her hands as she cleaned felt light, reflecting the calmness in her heart. Once she was done, she dried her hands with a cloth and turned to leave. But the moment she turned around, she was startled to find Ling standing silently behind her.

"Since when have you been here, P'Ling?" Orm asked, her voice slightly unsteady, stumbling over her words.

"Just now," Ling replied briefly, her gaze locked onto Orm without blinking.

Orm forced a stiff smile, feeling awkward at Ling’s sudden presence. "Ah… I’ve prepared breakfast for you," she said, trying to compose herself. Without waiting for a response, she quickly walked past Ling toward the dining table.

Ling followed her at a relaxed pace, taking a seat while watching Orm arrange the plates in front of her. Something felt different about Orm today, Ling thought. For the past two days, the usually cheerful Orm—who always met her gaze so easily—had seemed distant, as if deliberately avoiding eye contact.

"I'm going to visit my parents today. I'll be back tomorrow," Orm said without looking at Ling, focusing on the table instead.

Ling furrowed her brows, sensing an unusual distance between them. "No need to rush back. My schedule doesn’t start until late afternoon, right?" she replied, her eyes never leaving Orm’s face, trying to read her expression.

Orm nodded slightly. "That’s true, but I have a few things to take care of before I return to work tomorrow." She took a small step backward, as if preparing to leave. "I’ll get going now, P'Ling."

"Wait."

Ling’s voice was firm as she reached out, gently grasping Orm’s wrist, stopping her in her tracks. "Why are you acting like this?"

Orm looked at her, confused. "Like what?"

"Like you're trying to avoid me… ever since that incident." There was an unmistakable seriousness in Ling’s tone, making the atmosphere between them suddenly feel heavy.

"P'Ling, let’s not talk about it. It was an accident," Orm quickly responded, turning her gaze away to avoid Ling’s eyes. She could already feel her face growing warm, the memory of that moment flashing vividly in her mind.

Ling wasn’t willing to let it go so easily. "I’m not bringing it up. I’m just asking why it feels like you're avoiding me."

"That's just your imagination. I'm not avoiding you." Orm's voice was quiet yet firm, though her heartbeat betrayed her.

Ling held her gaze, unconvinced. "Is that so?"

Orm was about to say something else, but before she could react, Ling suddenly pulled her onto her lap. Her arms wrapped tightly around Orm’s waist, holding her in place. Orm’s heart pounded even harder as panic set in.

"Let me go, phi. I need to leave," she said, wriggling slightly to free herself.

"I won’t let go until you look at me and say it properly," Ling said, her tone calm yet unwavering, tightening her embrace. "Tell me you’re not avoiding me."

Orm took a deep breath, gathering the courage to meet Ling’s eyes as she always had. Despite the erratic beat of her heart, she forced herself to stay composed. "I’m not avoiding you, P'Ling," she stated firmly, though a hint of nervousness still lingered in her voice.

Ling smiled, satisfied with the answer. "Good… Maybe it really was just my imagination." Her gaze softened, but the playful glint in her eyes remained as she noticed the deep blush on Orm’s face. "But why is your face so red?"

"Huh?" Orm instinctively cupped her cheeks, as if trying to cool them down. "It’s not red," she denied quickly, though her tone wasn’t very convincing. "You promised to let me go, so let me go now," she demanded, lightly swatting Ling’s hands still wrapped around her waist.

Ling chuckled before finally releasing her. The moment she was free, Orm quickly got up and hurried to her room, exiting without another word—leaving Ling behind at the dining table, still wearing that amused, triumphant smile.

•••••

Orm’s return home felt deeply emotional. Her parents, especially Mae Koy, welcomed her with a warm, heartfelt embrace. It had been nearly three months since Orm had rarely come home due to her work with Ling, and her presence this time brought immense joy to her family.

“Come in, dear…” Mae Koy gently took Orm’s hand and led her to the sofa in the living room. “Mae is so happy you finally came to visit,” she added with a relieved smile.

Orm gave a small smile and nodded before following her mother to the sofa. “I’m sorry, Mae. I just managed to visit now. My studies and work have kept me really busy,” she replied politely, though the fatigue was evident on her face.

Her father, who was seated across from them, finally spoke, his tone firm. “You’re not neglecting your studies because of that celebrity job, are you?”

Orm quickly responded with a small smile, trying to ease his concern. “No, Phoo. P’Ling’s schedule doesn’t always clash with my classes, so I can still manage my time.”

Her father let out a quiet sigh, though his expression still showed clear dissatisfaction. “I saw on social media that you seem quite close to that celebrity. Don’t forget, you already have Meen as your boyfriend,” he said sharply.

Orm felt the tension within her rise, but she remained composed. “P’Ling and I are just colleagues. There’s nothing more than that, Phoo,” she explained calmly.

Despite her reassurance, her father remained worried. “Even if you’re no longer with Meen, I don’t want you involved in a same-sex relationship. Especially with that celebrity.”

“Her name is Khun Lingling, Phoo,” Orm murmured softly, as if correcting him.

Her father immediately responded, his voice growing harsher. “I don’t care what her name is. I will never approve of you being in that kind of relationship. It will only bring suffering, not happiness.”

Orm fell silent, unwilling to argue. Her heart was filled with a whirlwind of emotions, but she chose to hold them in.

Mae Koy, however, finally spoke up. “There’s nothing wrong with a same-sex relationship, Khun,” she said, her voice calm yet firm. “Even a heterosexual relationship can bring suffering if you choose the wrong person.”

Orm’s father didn’t seem fully convinced, but he toned down his anger slightly. “Maybe that’s true, but I don’t think that woman is good for you. She doesn’t seem like someone with strong convictions. She could end up hurting you.”

Mae Koy turned to her husband and spoke with quiet determination. “Don’t be too hard on Orm. She’s old enough to decide what’s best for herself.”

“Phoo, I don’t have a special relationship with P’Ling,” Orm finally said, her voice soft yet heavy with emotional exhaustion. She lowered her head, unwilling to prolong the conversation.

Sensing the tension escalating, Mae Koy took the initiative to change the subject. “Sweetheart, you must be tired from the trip. Why don’t you rest for a while?”

Orm forced a small smile, trying to reassure her mother. “I’m fine, Mae. I’m not that tired.”

Still, Mae Koy stood up and gently urged Orm to follow. “Even so, come to your room and put your things away first.”

Without waiting for a response, Mae Koy took Orm’s hand and guided her to her bedroom, leaving her father sitting in silence, lost in his own thoughts.

°°°°°

A Few Days Later~

The long-awaited 54th-anniversary concert of Channel 3 had finally arrived. Since morning, the actors and actresses performing at the event had been arriving at the venue for rehearsals, preparing for their performances that would be watched by thousands. The concert was scheduled to start at 2 PM, and with excitement running high, fans had begun gathering since early morning, hoping to secure the best spots to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars.

One of the actresses set to perform was Ling, who had just finished her rehearsal. Despite her packed schedule, she returned to the dressing room to refine her appearance and have her makeup done before the concert began in a few hours. Every detail mattered—her performance was one of the most anticipated of the night.

After finishing her makeup, Ling turned toward Orm, who was chatting with some crew members nearby. In a soft voice, she asked, “How do I look?”

Orm immediately shifted her gaze to Ling. Smiling, she responded, “P’Ling, you look beautiful.” Then, without hesitation, she stepped closer to fix a few strands of Ling’s slightly messy hair. “Let me tidy this up a little,” she said with gentle care.

Ling, watching Orm’s thoughtful gesture, smiled warmly. She gazed at Orm with an expression full of meaning. “Orm…” she called, her voice softer than usual.

“Yes, P’Ling?” Orm replied while continuing to fix Ling’s hair.

“This Friday, my friend invited me on a trip to Phuket for the weekend,” Ling spoke slowly, pausing for a moment before continuing, “and I want you to come with me.”

“Phuket?” Orm furrowed her brows, surprised by the invitation. “But isn’t that a trip with your friends, P’Ling? Why do you want me to come along?”

Ling gave a faint smile. “I don’t know… Maybe because you’re my friend too,” she replied lightly, though there was an unspoken depth to her words.

Orm hesitated for a moment before asking in a quiet voice, “Hm… Can I have some time to think about it, phi?”

Ling nodded gently. “Of course, I’ll give you time. But don’t take too long, okay?”

Orm smiled softly. “I won’t. I’ll give you my answer as soon as possible.”

Ling then reached for Orm’s hand, which was still busy fixing her hair. Her gaze shifted from the mirror, locking directly onto Orm’s eyes. “I’ll be waiting,” she said, her words filled with meaning.

•••••

A few hours had passed, and the 54th-anniversary concert of Channel 3 had finally come to an end. The event concluded with a group photo session featuring all the performers and the fans in attendance. Cheers and applause filled the air, marking the end of a night filled with excitement. After the photo session, the performers were directed backstage to rest and prepare to return to their respective waiting rooms.

Ling, one of the night’s main stars, finally let out a relieved sigh. She sat down for a moment, feeling the weight lift off her shoulders after completing a rather demanding performance. As an actress, Ling rarely sang and danced unless it was for major events like this concert—one that had certainly drained her energy. After spending so much time on stage, her body felt exhausted, but deep down, she was satisfied knowing she had given her best.

After changing into more comfortable clothes, Ling walked toward Orm, who was busy organizing their belongings in the waiting room. Orm was meticulous, ensuring that all of Ling’s items were neatly packed into the bag before they left.

“Are you done?” Ling asked, watching Orm, who was still occupied.

Orm looked up and smiled. “Almost done, phi,” she replied while continuing her task.

Ling felt uneasy just standing there and watching. “Let me help you,” she offered, stepping closer and preparing to assist in packing.

However, Orm quickly held Ling’s hand back. “No, P’Ling,” she said gently. “You should rest. This is my job.”

Ling shook her head slightly, still wanting to help. “I just want to help so we can finish faster and go home sooner,” she said with a small smile, unwilling to give up.

Orm politely declined again. “It’s okay, P’Ling. Let me handle this. You should just sit down.”

Just as Ling was about to insist on helping, a voice called her name.

“Khun Ling…”

Ling turned around and saw Khun Dew, a well-known producer, standing not far from them. She greeted her politely. “Khun Dew, is there something you need?” she asked curiously.

“Can you come with me for a moment? There’s something I’d like to discuss with you,” Khun Dew said in a serious yet friendly tone.

Ling nodded, putting her task on hold. “Of course, Khun Dew,” she replied, then followed her to a private room backstage.

Once inside, Khun Dew smiled at Ling, who looked slightly tense. “Why do you look so nervous?” she teased lightly.

Ling gave a faint smile, still feeling a bit uneasy. “It’s because I’m talking to you, Khun Dew. I thought it might be something serious,” she admitted softly.

Khun Dew chuckled. “Don’t worry, it’s nothing too serious,” she reassured her casually. “I just wanted to talk about the replacement actor for your co-star in My Cherie Amour.”

Ling’s interest was piqued. “Have you already found a replacement, Khun Dew?” she asked, eager to know.

Khun Dew nodded. “Yes. Mean will be taking the role and starring alongside you in the drama.”

At the mention of Mean’s name, Ling fell silent. Her mind wandered back to the past, recalling the memories they once shared. Mean had been a significant part of her life. Lowering her gaze slightly, she tried to mask the mix of emotions stirring within her.

“I believe Mean is the perfect choice for this role,” Khun Dew continued. “Besides, Mean has no objections to working with you. What do you think?” She asked, studying Ling’s expression.

Ling remained quiet for a moment before asking in a low voice, “Aside from Khun Mean, are there any other candidates who could be my co-star in My Cherie Amour?”

Khun Dew nodded slightly. “There are a few other candidates, but we would have to go through another selection process, which would take more time. We’re on a tight schedule, and filming needs to start soon. The drama is still set to air by the end of the year as planned.”

Ling bit her lip, hesitant to give an immediate answer. She knew this was an important opportunity, but working with Mean again made her uncertain.

Sensing her hesitation, Khun Dew placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I know Mean is your ex, but you two ended things on good terms, didn’t you? There’s no bad blood between you. I hope you can work together professionally, just for My Cherie Amour.”

After a moment of contemplation, weighing all possibilities, Ling finally nodded. “Alright, I agree to work with Khun Mean,” she said, her voice carrying a newfound resolve. Though a hint of doubt still lingered in her heart, she knew professionalism had to come first—especially with Khun Dew, a producer she deeply respected.

“Great,” Khun Dew said with a satisfied smile. “I’ll start rearranging the schedule for fitting and pre-production preparations.”

Ling gave a small smile, though a storm of emotions still swirled inside her. “Alright, I’ll be waiting,” she replied.

•••••

"What would you like for dinner, P'Ling?" Orm asked while driving, occasionally glancing at Ling beside her. But after waiting for a response, she was met with silence. The only sound accompanying their journey was the quiet hum of the car. Growing concerned, Orm stole another glance, trying to read Ling's mood.

"Are you okay, P'Ling?" she asked again, her voice softer this time, realizing that Ling had been unusually quiet, only responding in brief, detached sentences.

Ling finally turned her gaze toward Orm, her eyes reflecting a deep emotional exhaustion. "Khun Dew spoke to me earlier," she said in a low voice, heavy with emotion. "She told me that Mean will be my co-star in My Cherie Amour."

Orm remained silent for a moment, processing the information. "And… what did you say?" she asked cautiously.

Ling let out a deep sigh, as if the weight on her chest had grown heavier. "I couldn't refuse... I had no choice but to accept Mean as my partner in the series," she admitted, her voice laced with reluctance. Doubt clouded her expression. She was tired of seeing Mean, of being reminded of their past, but she didn't have many options. Professionalism demanded that she set aside her personal feelings and face the situation head-on.

"Even though P'Mean hurt you before," Orm said gently, her voice filled with quiet reassurance, "I believe that as a professional actress, you’ll be able to work with him just fine."

Ling lowered her head, shaking it slightly. "But for some reason… I still feel hesitant. I still remember how much he hurt me," she whispered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as memories of past wounds resurfaced.

Without another word, Orm pulled the car over to the side of the road. She turned off the engine and reached for Ling’s hand, holding it firmly yet gently, offering the warmth she knew Ling needed. "That’s all in the past, P'Ling," Orm said, her voice steady and comforting. "The pain you felt back then was just a part of your journey—one that’s leading you toward happiness in the future. That pain doesn’t define who you are now."

Ling looked down at their intertwined hands, feeling the sincerity radiating through Orm’s touch. A small smile crept onto her lips as her fingers gently brushed over Orm’s. "Thank you for making me feel a little better, N'Orm."

Orm returned her smile, modest as always. "You don’t have to thank me, phi. This is what I’m here for."

For a moment, they sat in a comfortable silence, letting the weight of the conversation settle between them. Then, Orm suddenly spoke in a more cheerful tone, as if determined to lift Ling’s spirits. "I know what will make you feel even better…"

Ling raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what’s that?"

"I’ve decided—I’ll go to Phuket with you," Orm said with a bright smile. "Once we get back, I’ll clear my schedule and take care of everything. We can go together."

The gloom that had clouded Ling’s face slowly dissipated, replaced by a radiant smile. For the first time that night, her expression lit up with genuine happiness. "Thank you… You really do know how to make me feel better." She gazed at Orm with a look so full of meaning before murmuring softly, "You're right. That pain has finally led me to happiness… and I’ve found it in you."

Orm froze, caught off guard by Ling’s words. "Huh?"

Ling gave a small, bashful smile. "It’s nothing," she said, releasing Orm’s hand and leaning back into her seat. "Let’s go home. I’m tired and need some rest."

Orm, still slightly puzzled by Ling’s words, decided not to push further. Instead, she restarted the car and continued driving. But even as they moved forward, Orm couldn't shake off Ling’s words.

Ling was a mystery—always speaking in riddles, leaving Orm questioning the deeper meaning behind her words. And tonight, more than ever, Orm felt like there was something beneath the surface, something she couldn’t quite grasp yet.