CH-14

The clock still showed 7 a.m., but Ling and Orm had already arrived at the airport, ready to begin their journey to Phuket. Walking side by side, each pulling a small suitcase, they headed toward the VIP terminal. This trip was sponsored by Freen, Ling’s close friend, who had arranged the entire vacation. Ling had ensured that all her work commitments were taken care of, giving her the freedom to fully enjoy the break and ease the physical and mental exhaustion that came with being a celebrity.

"Lingling Kwong~" Freen’s cheerful voice greeted them with enthusiasm. She quickly made her way toward Ling, then subtly glanced at Orm, smiling meaningfully before whispering, "You finally managed to bring Orm along."

"Um…" Ling only responded briefly, offering a small smile but choosing not to comment further.

"Sawadee, N’Orm," Freen then turned to Orm with a warm greeting, her wide smile unwavering. "I’m Freen, Ling’s friend from Mahidol University."

"Sawadee, Phi…" Orm responded politely in a soft voice, maintaining a respectful smile.

Before long, more of Ling’s friends began arriving. Charlotte was there with her partner, Engfa, followed by Lookmhee and Sonya, all of whom greeted Ling with enthusiasm. However, when an unexpected figure appeared—Anda—Ling’s expression subtly changed.

Orm, who had been relatively composed, started feeling a bit uneasy. She hadn’t anticipated that so many of Ling’s friends would be joining the trip. Leaning in slightly, she whispered, "Why didn’t you tell me there would be so many people coming?" Her voice carried a hint of nervousness.

Ling whispered back, "This is just a few of them. They’re just my friends from Mahidol University."

"Oh, Lingling Kwong~~" Charlotte approached Ling with Engfa beside her, both wearing teasing smiles. "You really kept your word about bringing Nong Orm." Engfa spoke in a playful tone, her gaze shifting between Ling and Orm.

"Ling usually comes alone on trips like this, even when she was still dating Mean," Charlotte added with a chuckle.

"That’s right! You’re the first person Ling has ever brought and introduced to us," Engfa chimed in, grinning widely, making Ling even more flustered.

"Enough, you two!" Ling suddenly scolded Charlotte and Engfa, her eyes narrowing slightly in warning. "You’re talking too much."

"Oops, looks like Lingling Kwong is getting flustered," Engfa teased again, causing Charlotte to giggle in amusement.

Amidst the lighthearted atmosphere, a soft yet composed voice suddenly emerged. "Nong Orm, right?" Anda had finally approached. "Nice to meet you again, I’m Anda." She extended her hand toward Orm, a gentle smile gracing her lips.

"Orm…" Orm replied briefly, reaching out to shake Anda’s hand. However, before she could make contact, Ling swiftly pushed Anda’s hand away, abruptly shifting the mood.

Anda’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Ling in confusion. "What’s wrong, Ling? I just wanted to reintroduce myself to N’Orm."

Ling’s voice was curt. "You already know her, so what’s the point of introducing yourself again?"

"True…" Anda murmured, but her gaze remained on Orm, carrying an unusual glint. "Perhaps N’Orm has forgotten about me. That’s okay, we can always get to know each other again," she said with a subtle smile directed at Orm.

Orm responded with a small, polite smile, but Ling’s irritation was evident. She rolled her eyes, trying to suppress the discomfort building inside her. Ling knew all too well that back in their university days, Anda had shown interest in Orm. What she didn’t expect was that Anda’s interest still lingered even now.

The previously cheerful atmosphere took on an awkward tension. Sensing the shift, Engfa quickly attempted to steer the conversation elsewhere. "How did you end up joining us, Anda? Weren’t you busy with your restaurant?" she asked in a bright tone, trying to ease the tension.

"Oh, I happened to run into Freen, and she invited me along," Anda answered casually, her smile never faltering. "At first, I wasn’t planning to join, but now… I don’t regret my decision at all," she added, sneaking another glance at Orm.

For a brief moment, an uncomfortable silence hung in the air, heavier than before. Fortunately, Freen’s voice soon cut through the tension. "Alright, everyone, let’s get going! The plane is ready," she called out, effectively saving them from the increasingly awkward conversation.

Ling and Orm began walking toward the departure gate along with the rest of the group. Yet, as they moved forward, Ling couldn’t shake the subtle pang of jealousy and concern settling in her chest.

Meanwhile, Orm remained silent, though she could feel the growing tension between Ling and Anda. She wasn’t entirely sure what was going on, so for now, she chose to stay quiet.

•••••

After a four-hour journey, Ling's group finally arrived at Freen's private villa in Phuket. Situated near the beach, the villa looked grand from the outside. As they stepped inside, they were immediately greeted by the luxurious interior—an elegant fusion of modern design and tropical ambiance.

"This villa has five rooms—three upstairs and two downstairs. You can choose your own," Freen explained as they all gathered in the spacious and cozy living room. "Becky and I will take one of the upstairs rooms."

Lookmhee glanced at her friends before speaking. "How should we decide on the rooms?"

"I prefer to stay downstairs," Sonya responded, gently holding Lookmhee's hand.

Lookmhee nodded in agreement, respecting her lover's request. "Alright, I'll take a room downstairs too," she said with certainty.

Meanwhile, Anda, who was sitting on the sofa, turned to Ling. "Ling, you usually like having your privacy, right? I'll share a room with N'Orm."

Ling, who had been silent until then, immediately shot Anda a sharp look. Her hand suddenly tightened around Orm’s. "Who said I want to be alone?" she retorted, her tone firm. "I'm sharing a room with Orm."

Anda paused for a moment, slightly taken aback by Ling’s reaction. "Alright, alright…" Anda murmured, unwilling to escalate the situation.

Once the room assignments were settled, Ling and Orm made their way upstairs. Orm felt slightly awkward. This was the first time she had to share a room—let alone a bed—with Ling. Normally, they only interacted at work, never in such a relaxed setting.

When they entered the room, Orm stood still, lost in thought. Ling, busy unpacking her things, noticed the unusual silence. "What's wrong, N'Orm?" she asked gently.

"Huh?" Orm snapped out of her daze. "Oh, it's nothing, P'Ling," she replied quickly, though the nervousness on her face was evident.

"Alright, then let's unpack first. After that, we'll head out for lunch," Ling said with a slight smile, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yes, Phi," Orm answered as she began taking her belongings out of her suitcase. The room fell into silence again, with both of them focused on their luggage. Yet, curiosity started to creep into Orm's mind.

"P'Ling…" she called softly.

Ling, in the middle of folding her clothes, paused. "Yes, N'Orm?" she responded, looking at Orm with a warm smile.

"I have something I want to ask…" Orm hesitated for a moment but eventually gathered the courage to continue. "Why do you seem to dislike P'Anda? Are you two on bad terms?"

The smile on Ling’s face slowly faded. She remained quiet for a moment before replying, "We're not enemies. I just don’t like how Anda flirts with every woman she meets," she said curtly but clearly.

Orm nodded slowly, seeming to understand. "Oh, I see…" she murmured.

Ling gazed at Orm a little longer this time. "Why do you ask?" she inquired, intrigued.

"Oh, it's nothing. I was just curious," Orm replied, returning to her unpacking. But shortly after, she moved closer to Ling. "I thought maybe P'Ling didn't like P'Anda because you were jealous of her getting close to me."

Ling fell silent, staring at Orm with a serious expression. "Jealous? Why would I be?" she asked flatly, though deep down, she knew the feeling was real—the jealousy that surfaced every time Anda got too close to Orm.

Orm gave a small smile, trying to lighten the atmosphere. "I was just joking, Phi. There's no way P'Ling would be jealous…" she said with a soft chuckle. She then stepped back, ready to leave the room. "I'm done unpacking. I'll head out first."

But before Orm could take another step, Ling quickly reached for her hand. "N'Orm, wait for me," she said softly, holding Orm’s hand firmly. "You have to stay with me."

Orm looked at Ling, puzzled. "Why?"

Ling smiled knowingly. "Because I know Anda will definitely try to get close to you again. Besides, an artist should always be near her assistant, right?" she reasoned, giving an explanation that made sense.

Orm simply nodded, no longer protesting. "Hm… that’s true."

The two of them left the room together, heading to the living room to join the others. The awkwardness that had lingered between them gradually faded, replaced by warmth and familiarity. That day, they prepared to enjoy lunch together, surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of Phuket—marking the start of a vacation that promised unexpected surprises.

•••••

After having dinner together, Ling and her group of friends decided to go to a nightclub not far from the beach. The club was packed, with people filling every corner of the space. Colorful lights flickered in sync with the deafening beat of the music. Orm, unaccustomed to such an environment, felt increasingly uncomfortable. The blaring music made her ears ache, and a dull throb began to form in her head.

"This..."

Orm was taken aback when she realized that both Ling and Anda, seated on either side of her, were offering her a glass of wine at the same time. Ling had a faint smile, while Anda had an equally intense gaze. Orm’s eyes darted between the two glasses, uncertain which one to take.

"I can pour it myself..." Orm finally said, politely declining both offers. She then reached for the bottle of wine on the table, poured herself a glass, and took a silent sip.

Meanwhile, Ling grew more irritated. From the very start, Anda had been looking for ways to get closer to Orm. Ling could sense Anda hidden intentions but tried to keep her composure. She didn’t want to ruin the mood of this vacation just because of the emotions stirring inside her. In silence, she observed Orm, who looked uneasy, only responding briefly whenever their friends asked her something. The situation made things slightly tense—at least for Ling.

"P'Ling..." Orm suddenly whispered into Ling’s ear, her voice barely audible over the pounding music.

Ling turned, her gaze deep and searching. "What is it?"

"I need to go to the restroom for a bit," Orm said.

Ling nodded. "Okay, do you want me to come with you?"

Orm offered a small smile and shook her head lightly. "No need, Phi. I can go by myself."

Without waiting for a response, Orm gently patted Ling’s shoulder before getting up. She walked away from the table, weaving through the crowded hallway toward the restroom.

After finishing, Orm stepped out of the stall and was slightly surprised to see Anda standing by the sink, washing your hands. Anda caught her reflection in the mirror and smiled warmly.

"Oh, N’Orm, you’re here too," Anda greeted her casually.

"Yeah, Phi, this was the closest restroom from where we were sitting," Orm replied awkwardly as she stepped forward to wash her hands, feeling somewhat forced into this encounter.

Anda smiled while observing her face. "What a coincidence that we ran into each other here," Anda remarked, her tone carrying a subtle meaning.

"Yeah, Phi..." Orm replied with a faint smile, though a slight unease lingered in her expression.

After rinsing her hands, Anda turned back to Orm with a more serious look. "No wonder Ling likes you," Anda suddenly said.

Orm froze for a moment, confused. "Huh?"

"I should probably apologize if my behavior has made you uncomfortable since this morning," Anda admitted, her voice dropping slightly, almost like a confession. "I was actually just carrying out a secret mission."

"A secret mission?" Orm repeated, her confusion deepening.

"Yeah. The rest of us planned something to make Ling realize her feelings for you," Anda explained without hesitation. "I used to be interested in you and even asked Ling to set us up, but she kept refusing, always coming up with different excuses."

Orm was speechless, partly from shock and partly because she didn’t know how to respond.

"I was teasing you just to provoke a reaction from Ling. I know she gets jealous because she once told me she didn’t like me getting close to you back in college."

"Oh... I see..." Orm finally said, though there were still many things she didn’t fully understand.

Anda stepped closer to her. "So, if you also want to know Ling’s true feelings, I need your cooperation," Anda added, extending her hand as if sealing a deal.

Orm stared at Anda hand for a moment before nodding and shaking it. A faint smile appeared on her lips, but it quickly faded when she saw Ling walk into the restroom.

Ling's eyes briefly met Orm’s, and Orm immediately noticed the displeasure in her expression. Without a word, Ling turned around and left.

"P'Ling!" Orm called out, quickly pulling her hand away from Anda. "I have to go after her," she said hastily before rushing out.

Outside the restroom, Orm’s heart pounded in panic when she couldn’t find Ling in the club. After searching for a while, she decided to step outside, and sure enough, she spotted Ling standing by the shoreline, not far from the club. The gentle night breeze brushed against her face as she approached.

"P'Ling..." Orm’s voice was soft, almost a whisper, as she finally reached her.

Ling didn’t turn. "Why are you here? You should be with them," she said coldly.

Orm gazed at her with warmth. "I’m here to be with you," she replied gently. "As for P’Anda, we were just having a brief conversation."

Ling scoffed. "Tsk... A conversation?"

"Yes," Orm nodded. "Are you jealous of P’Anda?" she asked, stepping closer.

Ling finally turned to face her, his eyes intense. "Yes, I am. I don’t know why, but I feel jealous every time you talk to or smile at someone else besides me." Her words were firm, as if she had finally let go of the weight she had been carrying. Ling didn’t want to hold back anymore—this was the moment to be honest.

Orm listened calmly, then smiled. "Jealousy? That means you love me, right?" she asked softly, searching for certainty in Ling’s words.

Ling fell silent for a moment, doubt still lingering within her. "Yes, but I’m still not entirely sure about my feelings for you," she admitted honestly. However, her hand tightened around Orm’s, as if afraid to let go. "I can’t stand it when someone else tries to get close to you, especially if they make you happy. It drives me crazy."

Orm gazed at Ling with pure affection. "No one can make me happier than being with you. If you’re still unsure about your feelings, I’ll give you time. We can take things slow and get to know each other better." Her voice was sincere, offering Ling the space she needed to sort through her emotions.

Ling’s eyes glistened at Orm’s words. "Thank you for understanding, Orm. I won’t make you wait too long," she whispered, relieved to know Orm was willing to wait until she was certain about her feelings.

Gently, Ling raised a hand to caress Orm’s cheek. They looked at each other with soft smiles before Ling slowly leaned in, pressing her lips against Orm’s in a tender kiss. Orm was momentarily surprised but didn’t pull away. Instead, she let Ling deepen the kiss, responding with a gentle pull on her lower lip.

Their lips remained connected for a few lingering moments, warm and unhurried, until Ling finally pulled back.

"I like the taste of wine on your lips," Ling murmured, her eyes fixated on Orm’s lips as she lightly traced them with her fingertip.

Orm chuckled softly. "If you like it, why not taste it again?" she teased, pressing a small kiss to Ling’s fingertip.

Without hesitation, Ling captured Orm’s lips once more, placing soft, lingering kisses before pulling her into a tight embrace. Orm wrapped her arms around Ling, resting her head against her shoulder, closing her eyes as she savored the moment.

Their relationship wasn’t official yet, but Ling felt at ease. At the very least, she had finally expressed her feelings to Orm, and now they were one step closer to something more than just colleagues.