CH-19

Orm woke up with a pounding headache, the lingering effects of last night’s alcohol still weighing on her body. She blinked several times, trying to clear her blurred vision. As she attempted to sit up, a gentle hand stopped her.

"Don't push yourself. You need to rest," Ling's soft voice reached her ears, prompting Orm to lie back down.

"P'Ling..." Orm finally noticed that Ling had been sitting by her bedside all along. "I don't want to sleep anymore. It just makes my head hurt even more."

Ling nodded in understanding and helped Orm sit up against the headboard. She reached for a glass of water that had been placed on the nightstand and handed it to Orm.

"Thank you, phi," Orm said, taking the glass and drinking to soothe her dry throat. After returning the glass to Ling, she rubbed her temples, trying to recall how she had ended up here. The last thing she remembered was a party that ended with her getting completely drunk.

"P'Ling, who brought me home last night?" she asked, her curiosity growing as she looked at Ling.

"Ying brought you home," Ling replied, her tone flat, but the mere mention of Ying's name made her expression darken with irritation.

"Ah, so it was P'Ying," Orm murmured, fragments of last night’s events slowly piecing together in her mind.

"How did you end up coming home with her? Did you just run into her last night? You told me you were going to class—did you lie to me?" Ling's questions came one after another, her expression growing tense.

"P'Ling..." Orm spoke in a calm tone, trying to ease Ling’s rising emotions. "I really did go to class. After that, my friends and I went to a club. Running into P'Ying was purely coincidental," she explained patiently.

"What was your reason for going to a club? Ying said you got drunk because of me," Ling pressed on, her voice edged with demand.

Orm reached out, gently holding Ling's hand. "I was just hanging out with my friends, phi. As for drinking too much, that was because we were playing a drinking game," she explained, hoping to reassure Ling.

Ling studied Orm’s face intently, as if still doubting her honesty. She leaned in closer, her presence suddenly intimidating.

"Are you telling me the truth?" she asked in a quiet but firm voice.

Orm swallowed hard, feeling slightly pressured under Ling’s piercing gaze. "I am telling the truth..." she replied, her voice steady.

Ling’s sharp eyes remained locked on hers, but the sudden sound of a ringing phone broke the tension. Ling shifted her focus and reached for the phone on the nightstand. A glance at the screen made her eyes narrow slightly.

"P'Saint," Ling murmured, a hint of wariness in her voice. It was unusual for Saint to call this early in the morning.

"I need to take this call," she said as she rose from her seat, leaving Orm alone in the room.

Meanwhile, Orm reached for her own phone, which had been lying on the nightstand. Her eyes widened as she saw multiple missed calls and an avalanche of unread messages from her friends' group chat. Her breath hitched when she clicked on a link they had sent from social media.

Photos and videos of her kissing Ling in Phuket a few days ago had gone viral.

"How did this get leaked?" she whispered in panic, scrolling through the flood of comments under the post. Just then, Ling walked back into the room.

"N'Orm," Ling called out.

"P'Saint must have called because of the leaked photos, right?" Orm asked quickly, her gaze locking onto Ling with certainty.

Ling was taken aback. "How do you know?"

Orm exhaled, setting her phone down. "I saw them on social media. Turns out the photos and videos have been spreading since last night."

Ling let out a slow nod. "P'Saint wants us to go to the office, but I told him you’re sick, so I’ll go by myself."

"P'Ling, I'm coming with you," Orm said firmly, swinging her legs off the bed.

"You don't have to. I can handle this on my own. You should rest," Ling insisted, attempting to hold her back.

Orm met Ling's gaze with unwavering determination. "This involves both of us, so I have to go. I'm feeling much better now," she stated resolutely.

Ling let out a deep sigh. After a moment of contemplation, she finally nodded. "Alright, you can come with me."

•••••

Ling's heart pounded faster as she stood in front of Saint's office door. The atmosphere felt tense, and she couldn't control the rapid beating of her heart. Taking a deep breath, she tried to steady herself before finally reaching for the door handle. She hesitated for a moment, contemplating what would happen once she stepped inside. But there was no other choice. With determination, Ling turned the handle and opened the door to the room where Saint was waiting.

As the door swung open, the scene inside caught both Ling and Orm by surprise. Not only was Saint there, as expected, but Mean was also seated in the room. Ling and Orm exchanged glances, neither of them anticipating this turn of events.

"Finally, you're here," Saint's voice broke the silence. His gaze settled on Ling and Orm, who were still lingering at the doorway. "Take a seat first," he instructed, his tone firm yet composed.

Without a word, Ling and Orm stepped inside and sat as directed. Orm took a seat beside Ling, while Ling found herself right next to Mean. A subtle unease hung in the air. Ling glanced at Mean briefly before leaning in slightly to whisper.

"Why are you here?" she asked in a low voice, just enough for Mean to hear.

"P'Saint told me to come as soon as I found out about this mess," Mean replied in the same hushed tone, careful not to escalate the tension.

Now, Ling sat between Orm and Mean, her eyes fixed on Saint, who faced them with a serious expression. The room felt thick with unspoken words, uncertainty, and discomfort.

Saint, who had been observing them in silence, finally spoke. "Can you explain this?" He placed several photos on the table, each one capturing moments of Ling and Orm caught on camera—photos that had now gone viral and sparked controversy.

Ling and Orm exchanged glances before shifting their attention to the photos, studying them carefully. A heavy weight settled in Ling's chest as she braced herself for what was coming next.

"Are you two involved in something more than just a professional relationship?" Saint’s voice was sharper this time, seeking a clear, unfiltered answer.

Ling took a deep breath, knowing she couldn't avoid this any longer. "Let me explain, P'Saint," she began calmly. "It’s true that Orm and I went to Phuket a few days ago, but we were with my friends. As for the photos and videos, they weren’t intentional. We were both drunk and unaware of what was happening."

She paused briefly before continuing with a firmer tone. "We don’t have any kind of relationship. It was purely an accident."

Orm, who had remained silent, turned to look at Ling. A wave of disappointment washed over her. Though they had agreed to keep their relationship a secret, hearing Ling deny everything outright stung more than she expected. Still, Orm kept her emotions in check, choosing not to react.

"Is that true, Nong Orm?" This time, Saint directed his question at Orm, wanting to hear her side.

Orm gave a slow nod. "Yes, phi. It was an accident because we were drunk. After it happened, we talked and decided to put it behind us," she answered, her voice steady yet subdued.

Saint nodded, though his eyes held skepticism. He wanted more than just words—he wanted certainty.

Sensing the rising tension, Ling suddenly made a statement that Orm never saw coming. "We don’t have any relationship… In fact, I’ve gotten back together with Mean because I still love him," Ling said, turning toward Mean with a faint smile.

Orm froze. The disappointment she had tried to suppress now cut even deeper. Not only had Ling denied their connection, but she also claimed to have rekindled her relationship with Mean—all in one breath.

Saint, seemingly unfazed by this revelation, remained focused on the issue at hand. "Regardless, what’s done is done, and these photos are already out there. We could release a clarification, but it won’t be that simple," he explained, outlining the complications ahead.

Silence filled the room once more. Orm, feeling responsible and unwilling to let the situation spiral further, finally spoke with resolve. "I'll resign from this job, P'Saint. I don’t want to be a burden or make things worse."

Ling’s head snapped toward Orm, her expression sharp with disapproval. "I don’t agree with Orm resigning," she stated firmly. "If she leaves, it’ll only make things worse. Instead of running away, we need to focus on protecting our privacy and finding out who leaked these photos so we can take legal action."

Saint seemed to ponder Ling's words, weighing the risks. As their manager, his priority was to protect them, but the situation was undeniably complicated.

"Alright," Saint finally said. "I agree with Ling. We'll release a statement. Since you both claim there's no issue, you’ll continue working as usual. Does that work for you, Orm?"

Though the decision was hard to accept, Orm nodded. "I’ll go along with whatever you think is best, P'Saint," she replied, forcing a small, half-hearted smile.

"Good," Saint concluded. "I’ll take care of everything."

•••••

"Stop reading it."

Ying, who had been observing Orm for a while, finally reached out and took the phone from Orm's grip before turning it off. Orm had been engrossed in reading people's reactions on social media regarding CH3's official clarification about the leaked photos and videos. Her face was tense, her eyes glued to the screen.

After receiving a call from Orm and hearing everything she had been through that day, Ying immediately arranged to meet her. She even booked a private spot, knowing full well that Orm, whose name had become a hot topic, needed a quiet place to clear her mind.

"Give me back my phone, P'Ying," Orm demanded, reaching out her hand, trying to get it back.

"I'm not giving it back until you stop looking at social media," Ying replied firmly, keeping the phone hidden behind her back.

Orm let out a heavy sigh and rubbed her face with both hands. "Why does something like this have to happen?" she murmured under her breath.

Ying looked at Orm with understanding before answering, "It’s the risk of being close to an artist… A lot of people want to know about their private lives. That’s why I chose to be a model—there’s less invasion of privacy compared to being a celebrity."

"But P'Ying is a famous model," Orm countered, this time looking straight at Ying.

Ying smiled at the remark. "True, but a model's life doesn’t attract as much public scrutiny when it comes to personal matters," she replied gently.

Orm smiled faintly at Ying’s explanation, but it was a forced smile, one that barely concealed the turmoil inside her.

"N'Orm…" Ying spoke softly, her hand reaching out to hold Orm's. "I know you love Ling, but you don’t have to sacrifice yourself."

Orm took a deep breath before speaking again. "I love P'Ling, but at the same time, I don't know if she really loves me or if I was just a substitute when P'Mean wasn’t around."

Ying inhaled deeply, her gaze unwavering as she looked at Orm. "Ling doesn’t deserve your love. She’s a celebrity who always wants to be adored by everyone. She treats you like a toy, something she can control whenever she pleases," Ying said firmly, her tone sharp yet gentle, wanting Orm to truly hear her.

Silence fell between them for a moment. Orm just stared at Ying without saying anything, but it was clear she was processing those words.

"If Ling doesn’t love you, there are still people who can love you sincerely," Ying continued, her voice softer but just as resolute.

Orm let out a small, bitter smile. "I don’t think anyone will ever love me… not even P'Ling," she said, attempting to joke, though her voice carried a hint of pain.

Ying locked eyes with Orm, her expression intense. Then, after a brief pause, she finally spoke. "That person is me." She let the words hang in the air before continuing, "I’m the one who can love you sincerely… I’ve had feelings for you since our college days."

Orm froze, completely taken aback by Ying's confession. She wasn’t sure how to respond to such a revelation from someone she had always seen as a friend and an older sister figure.

Ying leaned in closer, her hand gently brushing Orm’s hair. Their faces were now only inches apart, and Orm could feel Ying’s warm breath against her skin, making the moment between them even more intense.

"P'Ying…" Orm finally broke the silence, slowly leaning back to put some distance between them. "My feelings for you… they’re not like that," she said carefully, not wanting to hurt Ying.

Ying smiled at the response, as if she had already prepared herself for this answer. "I know," she replied gently. "But I will prove my love for you. Who knows? Maybe one day, you'll open your heart to me."

"But P'Ying, please don’t get your hopes up… I don’t want to hurt you," Orm said with concern, feeling guilty for not being able to reciprocate Ying’s feelings.

"Don’t worry about me. I can handle my own feelings," Ying reassured her with a composed smile. "I’ll still be here, someone you can rely on."

"Thank you, P'Ying," Orm whispered, a small, grateful smile appearing on her lips. She then rested her head on Ying’s shoulder, seeking solace in the midst of her emotional turmoil.

Ying let Orm lean against her, not embracing her but instead gently running her hand along Orm’s back, offering comfort without saying another word.

•••••

Ling felt an overwhelming sense of anxiety creeping up as the clock struck 11 p.m., yet Orm still hadn't returned. She had tried calling multiple times, but Orm’s phone was consistently unreachable. A deep unease settled in her chest. Since they had parted ways earlier that afternoon at CH3’s office—Orm heading to her university while Ling left with Mean—they hadn’t had a chance to properly talk about the events of the day, leaving an air of unresolved tension between them.

Ling paced back and forth in the living room, her thoughts consumed with worry. Amidst her restlessness, the sound of a car pulling up outside caught her attention. Without hesitation, she rushed to the front door, hoping it was Orm. However, when the door swung open, her anticipation turned into disappointment. She saw Orm stepping out of the car—with Ying.

"Where have you been?" Ling’s voice was firm as she took a step forward, her sharp gaze fixed on Orm.

Before Orm could answer, Ying spoke first. "She just went out to have fun and clear her mind," she said casually, as if shielding Orm.

Ling’s eyes locked onto Ying with an icy stare. "I wasn’t asking you," she replied coldly, her voice cutting through the air.

Unfazed, Ying merely smirked. "I was just letting you know, in case you were wondering."

A tense silence filled the space between them. The intensity in their gazes grew, as if a silent battle was unfolding. Sensing the tension escalating, Orm gently placed a hand on Ying’s shoulder and whispered, "P'Ying, you should head home now..."

Ying studied Orm for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, with composed steps, she moved closer to Ling, decreasing the space between them. Now standing face to face, the air grew heavier between them. Lowering her voice just enough for Ling to hear, Ying murmured, "This is just the beginning. I never play with my words."

Ling’s eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and anger, but before she could respond, Ying stepped back, glanced at Orm, and smiled. "Alright then, I’ll be going. See you around."

Orm nodded lightly. "Thanks again for the ride, P'Ying."

"Of course. Bye-bye," Ying replied with a small wave before getting into her car.

Orm waved back, watching as Ying’s car disappeared into the night. She then turned briefly toward Ling but said nothing before heading inside.

Ling, feeling ignored, couldn’t let it slide. She immediately followed Orm into the house, grabbing her wrist to halt her steps.

Orm looked at Ling, slightly startled, but she didn’t pull away. "What is it, P'Ling?" she asked softly.

"You still haven't answered my question," Ling repeated, her voice firmer, her eyes unwavering. "Where have you been until this late?"

Orm, who had remained composed all this time, simply offered a faint smile. Her response was calm, almost indifferent to Ling’s demanding tone. "I went to class and then hung out with my friends."

Ling frowned, unsatisfied. "Friends? You mean Ying?" she pressed, her voice growing sharper. "Since when did you become close with her?"

Still unbothered, Orm answered just as calmly, "P'Ling, you know P'Ying was also my senior at Mahidol University. We've been acquainted for a while."

Ling straightened, clearly unimpressed with Orm’s response. Her gaze narrowed, searching for cracks in Orm’s seemingly simple explanation. "I don’t like you being around her," Ling stated firmly, her voice cold.

Orm frowned, puzzled by Ling’s reaction. "Why? P'Ying has always been kind to me. I don’t see any problem in being friends with her."

Ling crossed her arms, her eyes burning with intensity, almost daring Orm to challenge her stance. "She’s my enemy," Ling declared, her voice steady but laced with something deeper. "She takes everything I like—including you, Orm."

When Ling said Orm’s name, her voice softened into a whisper, carrying an unspoken emotion. "She likes you."

"Huh?" Orm blinked in surprise, her eyes widening at Ling’s sudden shift in tone. "That’s between you and P'Ying. And besides, I don’t mind if she likes me."

Orm’s words made Ling freeze. The anger she had been trying to suppress started bubbling up again. She stared at Orm intently, as if trying to decipher the meaning behind her words. "If Ying likes you… would you like her back?"

The question hung heavily in the air. Orm fell silent, her lips pressing together as she contemplated her answer. Her hesitation was enough to make Ling’s chest tighten. After what felt like an eternity, Orm finally responded, her voice slow but resolute. "If P'Ying truly loves me, maybe I could love her too."

Ling felt the blood in her veins boil. "Orm Kornnaphat!" she snapped, her voice rising with frustration. "You are not allowed to love anyone but me!"

Orm met Ling’s gaze with equal intensity, her own emotions now stirring. "Why not?" she shot back, her voice trembling slightly but still firm. "P'Ling can love P'Mean and choose to be with her again, but I can’t be with someone else?"

Ling took a deep breath, struggling to steady her emotions. "I don’t love Mean," she finally admitted, her voice softer now, tinged with frustration. "I only said that in front of Mean and P'Saint to protect our relationship."

Orm furrowed her brows, confusion clouding her expression. "What is our relationship, P'Ling?" she asked, her voice sharp yet fragile, as if daring Ling to be honest for once.

Ling fell silent. The words she wanted to say were trapped in her throat. Her lips trembled slightly, but no sound came out. She felt caught between the fear of losing Orm and the need to guard her own heart. The weight of it all pressed against her chest, making it hard to breathe.

Orm gazed at Ling with quiet desperation, waiting for an answer that never came. "See? Even you don’t know what we are. You hesitate with your own feelings," she whispered, her voice breaking. Every passing second made Orm’s heart grow heavier, as if she had been clinging to an illusion all along.

Ling lowered her head, unable to meet Orm’s eyes. "N'Orm, I already told you that I love you. Isn’t that enough?" Ling’s voice was barely above a whisper, uncertain and unconvincing. Her gaze was distant, as if even she wasn’t sure of her own words.

Orm sighed, searching Ling’s face for any sign of sincerity. "Am I the only one you love?" she asked, her tone demanding honesty. She needed to know—was she truly the only one in Ling’s heart, or was she merely a temporary refuge?

Ling hesitated. Orm’s question was simple, yet it felt impossibly complex. The silence between them was suffocating. Ling knew that if she gave the wrong answer, everything would fall apart. But the right answer? That might not exist—not for Orm, not for them.

"I love you, P'Ling," Orm finally admitted, her voice raw with emotion, tears pooling in her eyes. "But I don’t want to love you alone. It hurts too much…" She wiped her face with trembling fingers, trying to hold herself together. "If you still love P'Mean, then don’t do anything that gives me hope."

Another silence engulfed them. Ling couldn’t say a word, while Orm stood on the edge of her patience. "And don’t tell me who I can or can’t be with," Orm continued, her voice unsteady yet resolute. She pulled her hand away from Ling’s grasp as if severing the last thread tying them together.

Without waiting for another word, Orm turned on her heel and hurried toward her room. Every step felt heavy, but she knew she couldn’t stay in Ling’s presence any longer. As the door quietly shut behind her, she left Ling standing there, alone in the silence.

Ling’s body felt weak, and eventually, she sank onto the sofa. Orm’s words echoed in her mind, leaving behind an unbearable weight of guilt and frustration. Running her hands through her hair, she let out a shaky breath, desperately trying to suppress the turmoil consuming her heart.