CH-20

With labored breaths and a body drenched in sweat, Ling jolted awake. Darkness enveloped the room, accompanied only by the sound of her heavy breathing. Her panic-stricken eyes darted around, searching for something—anything—to steady her racing thoughts. As awareness slowly returned, she let out a sigh of relief. It had only been a nightmare.

Yet, the dream had felt disturbingly real. In it, Orm had walked away from her. The lingering sensation was unbearably painful, as if her heart had been torn apart in a way she had never imagined before.

It had been a week since Ling first sensed the growing distance between her and Orm. Though Orm remained impeccably professional in her role as a personal assistant, Ling could feel the shift. Something was missing—the warmth, the effortless camaraderie, the lighthearted conversations that once filled their days. Now, all that remained was an unavoidable awkwardness.

Whenever they worked together, Orm still smiled and responded politely, but Ling knew it was just a facade. Behind that smile was a wall—one that Orm had slowly but surely built between them. And Ling had no idea how to break through it. Frustration gnawed at her, leaving her feeling lost and powerless. Their time at home was even worse. The two of them, once inseparable, now felt like strangers living under the same roof, avoiding each other at every turn. Ling often caught herself watching Orm in silence, hoping to find an opportunity to talk—but Orm always seemed busy or deliberately distant.

Ling remained still for a moment before finally getting out of bed. Her steps were firm as she left the room and headed toward the kitchen, hoping to find Orm there. But the only thing waiting for her was a neatly arranged breakfast on the dining table—Orm was nowhere to be seen.

"Did she leave for class again?" Ling murmured, glancing at the clock. It was already eight in the morning. Lately, whenever she didn’t have an early schedule, she would wake up to an empty house, Orm having already left for university. Yet, despite the growing distance between them, Orm never failed to prepare breakfast for her—just as she had today.

Ling stood in silence, reflecting on how different her mornings had felt recently. But her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps descending the stairs. She turned toward the staircase, her lips curling into a faint smile when she saw Orm standing at the bottom.

Orm froze the moment she noticed Ling looking at her. The air between them grew heavy with unease. They simply stood there, locked in an unspoken tension, neither willing to break the silence.

"I made breakfast for you, P’Ling," Orm finally spoke, her voice even. "I have to leave for campus now. I’ll be back before your work starts."

Ling studied Orm, as if searching for something deeper in those simple words. "You’re not having breakfast first? Why the rush?" she asked, stepping closer.

"I’ll eat later. My morning class starts earlier today," Orm replied casually, though her pulse quickened as Ling continued to approach.

Ling narrowed her eyes slightly. "Has your schedule changed recently, or are you just trying to avoid me?"

Orm held her gaze for a moment before looking away. "I’m not avoiding you, P’Ling. My professor moved up the lecture time," she answered firmly.

"Is that so?" Ling responded, her eyes never leaving Orm’s face. "Then look me in the eye and tell me you’re not avoiding me."

Orm took a step back as Ling advanced, until she found herself trapped against the wall. Her breath hitched when Ling stopped just inches away, her hand pressing against the wall beside Orm, caging her in.

"P’Ling…" Orm hesitated but forced herself to meet Ling’s gaze. She refused to waver. "I’m not avoiding you. Is that enough for you now?" she asked, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.

A small smile played on Ling’s lips. "Not yet," she murmured. "I’ll only be satisfied when you treat me the way you used to. I miss us…" Her voice was soft but resolute. Then, without warning, she closed the distance and kissed Orm.

Orm’s eyes widened in shock. She instinctively pushed Ling away, creating space between them. Her gaze sharpened. "There is no ‘us’ until you’re certain about your feelings, P’Ling," she said, unwavering.

Ling met her stare with unwavering determination. "I’m breaking up with Mean. I don’t care about anything else—as long as I can be with you," she declared.

But Orm remained composed. "I need actions, not words," she countered.

Ling let out a quiet chuckle, gently taking Orm’s hand in hers. "Then I’ll prove it," she whispered, pressing a soft kiss to Orm’s hand.

As Ling leaned in again, this time, Orm didn’t move away. She simply stood there, watching as Ling drew closer. Her heartbeat quickened, and without realizing it, she closed her eyes, bracing herself for what was to come.

Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps shattered the moment.

"Oh…" A familiar voice rang out, causing them both to flinch. They immediately stepped apart, turning toward the doorway—where Mean stood, watching them with a puzzled expression.

Ling cleared her throat, masking her unease. She walked toward Mean casually, as if nothing had happened. "You’re here early," she remarked with forced nonchalance.

Mean raised an eyebrow. "Didn’t we agree last night to hit the gym before work?" he asked, his voice light with amusement.

"Ah, right!" Ling laughed awkwardly, pretending to recall their plans. "I’ll go get ready."

"I should get going," Orm quickly seized the chance to escape the tense situation. She hurried toward the door.

"Orm," Mean called out, stopping her momentarily. "You don’t have to pick Ling up later. I’ll be taking her to the set after our gym session."

Orm turned to him and gave a small nod. "Understood, P’Mean," she replied quietly before slipping out the door.

Once outside, Orm climbed into her car. Her hands trembled as she pressed them against her chest, trying to steady her erratic heartbeat. She could only hope that Mean hadn’t suspected anything about what had just happened between her and Ling.

•••••

Ling sat motionless in the car seat, her gaze empty as she stared out the window. Her mind was filled with restless thoughts, yet she chose to keep them to herself. Mean, who sat beside her, noticed the unusual shift in her demeanor.

"What’s on your mind, Ling?" Mean asked gently, his eyes still fixed on the road ahead.

"Huh?" Ling snapped out of her daze, blinking in confusion. "Are we here already?"

"Hm, we are," Mean replied, turning off the engine. "But you haven’t answered my question yet."

Ling turned to him, still looking a bit lost. "Which question?"

Mean let out a slow breath, trying to be patient. "What’s bothering you? You’ve been distracted this whole time, like something is weighing on your mind."

Ling fell silent. For a moment, she hesitated to speak, but then she finally gathered the courage. "Mean..." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "There’s something I need to talk to you about." She took a deep breath, doubt creeping in, but she had already made up her mind—she was going to break up with Mean today.

Mean looked at her attentively, his voice calm. "Just say it. Whatever it is, I’m listening."

Ling averted her gaze, turning back to the window. But just then, her eyes froze on a sight outside—the moment Orm stepped out of another car parked in front of them. Beside her stood Ying, someone Ling both disliked and knew had been getting close to Orm lately. The sight made Ling’s chest tighten, a mix of frustration and heat rising within her. No matter how much she tried to deny it, the jealousy was undeniable every time she saw them together.

"Ling..." Mean’s voice pulled her back to reality. "What did you want to talk about?"

Ling took a deep breath before shaking her head. "It’s nothing," she muttered hastily before stepping out of the car, not giving Mean a chance to press further. She walked past Orm and Ying without a word, though her gaze lingered briefly on them, emotions swirling in her eyes.

Mean, sensing something was off, sighed and got out of the car. He greeted Orm with a brief nod before following Ling toward the filming location.

On the other side, Orm and Ying remained standing by Ying’s car. Ying, who had also noticed Ling and Mean, turned to Orm with a knowing look. "Does it still hurt, seeing them together every day?" she asked softly, her tone probing.

Orm gave a small smile, but it couldn’t hide the lingering pain in her eyes. "It hurts," she admitted honestly. "But little by little, I’m getting used to it."

Ying nodded slowly before gently patting Orm’s head. "You’re really strong," she said with a light chuckle. "If it were me, I would’ve given up long ago. I couldn’t handle watching the person I love being with someone else every day."

Orm took a deep breath, trying to steady her heart. "I don’t have any other choice. Even if it hurts, just being near P’Ling is enough for me right now," she replied with a bittersweet smile, her heart silently bearing the weight of unspoken pain.

Ying smiled, though she knew Orm’s feelings were far more complicated than words could ever express. "Alright then, I’ll get going. Have a good day at work, N’Orm," she said warmly.

"Thank you, P’Ying, for bringing me here," Orm replied politely, keeping her smile intact.

Ying waved before stepping back into her car. "See you around. Take care at work."

Orm returned the wave with warmth. "Drive safely, P’Ying," she said, watching as Ying’s car gradually disappeared from view.

Once Ying was gone, Orm took a deep breath, trying to gather her strength. The tangled emotions that surfaced every time she saw Ling and Mean together still haunted her, but she knew she had no choice but to push through and face the day. With whatever resilience she had left, she stepped toward the filming location, preparing herself for a new day—despite the wounds in her heart that had yet to heal.

•••••

Amidst Ling’s ongoing filming session, Orm sat in a corner of the room, an iPad in her hands. She was focused on reviewing and reorganizing Ling’s work schedule, ensuring everything ran smoothly. Every now and then, when no one was paying attention, Orm discreetly recorded the monitor displaying Ling’s performance, captivated by her mesmerizing acting skills.

However, a sudden pain in her stomach made Orm flinch. She quickly stood up, struggling to ignore the discomfort that was becoming harder to bear. Before leaving, she informed one of the staff members to let Ling know she would be in the restroom if she came looking for her. Without wasting time, Orm hurried toward the restroom, trying to suppress the urgent call of nature.

A few minutes later, after finishing her business, Orm felt relieved. Her stomach had settled, and with a calmer breath, she stepped out of the restroom. But her steps halted abruptly when she came face to face with someone.

“Ah, is P’Mean here for the restroom too?” Orm asked with a polite smile, attempting to lighten the mood.

Mean stopped in his tracks, observing Orm for a moment before responding. “Yeah… but since I ran into you, there’s something I want to talk about,” he said, his tone firm yet unreadable.

A wave of nervousness crept through Orm’s body. Mean’s face looked more serious than usual, making her feel uneasy. “What is it that P’Mean wants to talk about?” she asked cautiously, holding her breath as she awaited his answer.

Mean glanced around as if making sure no one else was nearby. Once certain they were alone, he fixed his gaze on Orm, his eyes sharp. “Tell me, what exactly is your relationship with Ling?”

The question caught Orm off guard. “Of course, we’re just colleagues, P’Mean,” she replied quickly, trying to maintain her composure despite her racing heartbeat.

Mean raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by her answer. “Really? Do you think I can’t tell the difference between a professional relationship and something more?” he asked, his voice lower but laced with emphasis.

“I’m serious, P’Mean. We’re only close because of work. Why would you think otherwise?” Orm tried to reason with him, though deep down, she was anxious about what was truly on his mind.

Mean studied her intently, disbelief evident in his eyes. “Your behavior doesn’t reflect a typical work relationship. Then, can you explain what happened this morning?”

Orm swallowed hard, trying to keep her expression neutral despite the rising panic within her. “This morning, P’Ling just blew into my eye because I had dust in it. That’s all,” she answered steadily, hoping the explanation would suffice.

“P’Ling loves you very much, P’Mean. She even gave you a second chance. So don’t think badly of her,” Orm added.

Mean was silent for a moment before speaking. “I know that… but your presence between us is only making things more complicated.” He exhaled sharply before pulling out his phone. Holding it out to Orm, he gave her a serious look. “This could ruin Ling’s reputation.”

Orm hesitated before taking the phone. When she saw what was on the screen, her eyes widened, and a heavy feeling settled in her chest. She couldn’t say a word. With slightly trembling hands, she returned the phone to Mean.

“You know what you need to do, don’t you?” Mean asked, his voice cold yet unwavering. He put his phone away and shot Orm a piercing look.

Before Orm could respond, a voice suddenly broke the tense silence. “What are you two talking about?”

Ling appeared, walking toward them with a confused expression. Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of suspicion in her tone.

Mean quickly adjusted his expression, putting on a more relaxed demeanor. “I was just heading to the restroom when I ran into Orm. We were just chatting for a bit. I wanted to thank her for always taking good care of you,” he said with a forced smile.

Ling still looked unconvinced. “If it was just a thank-you, why here?”

Orm quickly stepped in, trying to defuse the situation. “P’Mean was probably just too shy to say it in front of others, so he chose to say it here,” she said with a small smile.

Mean nodded in agreement. “That’s right. Orm is spot on.”

Ling glanced at Mean, her expression still skeptical, but she chose not to press further.

“What about you? Why are you here? Are you going to the restroom too?” Mean asked Ling.

“No, I just came looking for N’Orm. The staff said she had been in the restroom for a while,” Ling replied.

Mean nodded in understanding. “I see. Well then, I’ll excuse myself.” He then walked past them and entered the restroom without looking back.

Once Mean was gone, Ling turned to Orm. “Are you done?” she asked, her tone softer now.

Orm nodded. “Yes, P’Ling. Let’s go back,” she said while lightly patting Ling’s shoulder, attempting to ease the lingering tension.

Ling still seemed puzzled by what had just happened, but she decided not to question it further. With a deep breath, she followed Orm back to the filming set, though her mind remained clouded with unanswered questions.

•••••

That night felt just like any other, yet Ling found herself wide awake again. Her eyes stared blankly at the ceiling as her thoughts drifted aimlessly. Lately, sleep had become a luxury beyond her reach. Anxiety and loneliness haunted her more frequently—especially without Orm by her side. Usually, Orm’s presence next to her provided a sense of comfort that helped her sleep more soundly. But ever since Orm moved to a different room, Ling had often stayed up late into the night.

With a deep sigh, Ling pushed herself up from the bed, letting the blanket slip off her body and fall onto the floor. She walked slowly toward the door, then stepped out, making her way to Orm’s room at the end of the corridor. Once she reached the door, she lifted her hand to knock but suddenly hesitated.

"She’s probably asleep," Ling murmured softly. She stared at the door, uncertainty clouding her expression. Turning away, she prepared to return to her own room. But just as she took a step, she stopped again, her mind wavering.

"Should I try knocking?" she debated internally. She stood still for a few moments, torn between her options. Taking a deep breath, she finally gathered the courage to knock—three gentle taps against the wooden door.

Silence.

No response.

Ling lowered her hand and exhaled, feeling a pang of disappointment.

"She really must be asleep," she muttered, her voice tinged with regret. Just as she turned to leave, ready to retreat to her own solitude, the sound of the door creaking open made her freeze. Her heart skipped a beat as she quickly turned back.

"What is it, P'Ling?" Orm's soft voice reached her from the doorway.

Ling bit her lip, feeling slightly awkward. "Sorry for disturbing you… I just…" Her voice was quiet as she searched for the right words. After a brief silence, she continued, "Can I sleep with you tonight? Lately, I’ve been having trouble sleeping alone."

Orm remained silent for a moment, her expression unreadable as she gazed at Ling. After a few seconds, she gave a slow nod.

"Hm… Alright, Phi. Come in."

Ling was taken aback. She hadn't expected Orm to agree so easily. A thought crossed her mind: Why didn’t I just ask her sooner? She felt foolish for all the hesitation before. But just to be sure she hadn't misheard, she asked again, "Are you sure you're okay with this?"

Orm nodded once more, this time with a firmer expression. "Yes. Get in before I change my mind," she said, her tone flat but resolute.

"Okay, okay…" Ling quickly stepped forward, catching the door before Orm could close it. With slight urgency, she slipped inside Orm’s room.

Orm shut the door behind her and walked back to her bed, with Ling trailing behind. Neither of them spoke much, letting the silence settle between them. Ling climbed onto the bed, lying beside Orm, facing her.

"N'Orm…"

Ling’s soft voice reached Orm’s ears, stirring her from sleep that had never been deep to begin with. Her eyes slowly fluttered open, her heartbeat quickening as she turned to find Ling gazing at her with a gentle expression. Something about the way Ling looked at her made her chest tighten.

"What is it, P'Ling?" she asked quietly, her voice slightly trembling.

Ling, who had been lying on her back, turned onto her side to face Orm. Gently, she reached out and took Orm’s hand, holding it tightly as if afraid to let go. Seeing this, Orm shifted slightly, squeezing Ling’s hand in return. Their eyes met in a silence filled with unspoken emotions.

"I had a dream that you left me," Ling whispered, her voice barely audible. "I don’t want that to ever happen. Can you… give me a chance to make things right?"

Orm said nothing, unsure of how to respond. Ling’s words carried a weight that was hard to ignore, yet her heart was still filled with hesitation. She searched Ling’s eyes, looking for sincerity beyond the desperation.

"I’m going to end things with Mean soon," Ling continued, her voice now steadier. "I’ve made up my mind… My feelings are only for you. I get so jealous every time I see you with Ying."

Orm took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of thoughts swirling in her head. Ling’s words weren’t easy to accept—not when her relationship with Mean had lasted so long, and not when Ling had chosen to take Mean back before. But the emotions between them weren’t something she could simply dismiss either. After a moment, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of Orm’s lips.

"Are you really sure about breaking up with P’Mean?" she asked slowly, as if testing Ling’s resolve.

Ling nodded firmly. "Yes, I am. But please give me some time. I’ll talk to Mean when the moment is right. I promise, within this week, it will be over."

"Hm…" Orm hummed in response, then lifted a hand to gently brush her fingers against Ling’s cheek. "Let’s get some sleep, Phi. I’m getting tired," she said softly, choosing to end the emotional conversation for now.

Ling nodded, though her expression showed a hint of dissatisfaction. She knew Orm was still hesitant—still unsure if she could trust her completely. But she also understood that trust couldn’t be rebuilt overnight.

"Good night, P'Ling," Orm murmured as she turned onto her side, facing away from Ling.

"Good night, N'Orm," Ling whispered back, though a sense of unease lingered in her chest. She turned as well, staring at the wall opposite her, mirroring Orm’s position.

Once again, silence filled the room.

Orm closed her eyes, trying to force herself into sleep, but her mind remained restless. Thoughts of the decision she had to make weighed heavily on her. A single tear slipped down her cheek, but she made no sound.

.

.

.

.

An hour had passed, yet Orm still couldn't close her eyes. She lay in silence, accompanied only by the steady rhythm of Ling’s breathing beside her. The darkness of the night enveloped the room, but her mind refused to rest. Anxiety and uncertainty weighed heavily on her chest. She knew she had to make a decision soon.

Carefully, Orm shifted. She turned slightly, checking if Ling was still fast asleep. Once she was sure there was no movement from her, Orm quietly slid out of bed. Every motion was executed with utmost caution, ensuring she didn’t make a single sound. Her bare feet met the cold floor, intensifying the stillness in the room.

She moved slowly toward the small table in the corner, where her phone lay. Under the faint glow seeping through the window, her hand reached for it in deliberate, measured movements, as if the slightest misstep would shatter the silence. Her heart pounded faster as the screen lit up, casting a soft light over her face, which was clouded with hesitation.

Standing near the table, Orm scrolled through her phone. Names flashed past her eyes, but only one mattered. When she finally found the contact she was looking for, she hesitated. Her fingers hovered over the screen, feeling the emotional weight of the choice she was about to make.

"I've made my decision, Phi... Thank you for helping me take care of everything."