CH - 26

That morning, the warm sunlight pierced through the bedroom curtains and gently fell on Ling’s face. She slowly opened her eyes, savoring the first moments of consciousness, still wrapped in the comforting warmth of her bed. Ling blinked a few times, adjusting to the light filtering in. As her vision cleared, she found the person who had long occupied her heart sleeping peacefully beside her.

Right in front of her, Orm was fast asleep. Ling gazed at her in silence, feeling something warm flow through her heart. Unable to hold it back, a smile formed on Ling’s lips, as if the world around her had stopped, leaving only this beautiful moment.

Slowly, Ling reached out and lightly touched Orm’s cheek with her fingertips. The touch was enough to make Orm stir slightly, but she remained asleep. Ling held back a chuckle, afraid of waking Orm too soon. She simply enjoyed this rare opportunity—to look at Orm so closely without the rush of daily responsibilities pulling them apart.

As she continued to watch Orm, Ling recalled the difficult journey they had endured to reach this point. So many doubts, obstacles, and unspoken emotions had stood in their way. But now, all those worries seemed to disappear. A sense of peace that Ling had never felt before washed over her, just by seeing Orm beside her again.

After a while, Orm finally began to open her eyes. Their gazes met, and instantly, the smile on Ling’s face was mirrored by Orm’s. Orm returned it with a soft smile, looking slightly shy from just waking up yet undeniably happy to see Ling waiting for her so affectionately.

“Good morning, my love,” Ling whispered, her voice low yet filled with warmth. She placed a small kiss on Orm’s cheek.

Orm smiled as Ling’s lips pressed against her skin. “Good morning, my love,” she replied, placing a quick kiss on Ling’s lips.

“Did you sleep well last night?” Ling whispered softly, gazing at Orm with deep affection. Her gentle touch made Orm open her eyes wider, smiling at the sight of Ling by her side.

“I always sleep well because P’Ling holds me,” Orm replied sweetly. The warmth of her words made Ling’s heart flutter, filling her with even more adoration for Orm, whose sleepy face looked so irresistibly charming.

Ling couldn’t hold back her feelings any longer. With all the love in her heart, she leaned in and started peppering Orm’s lips with kisses. Each kiss was tender, an unspoken declaration of love. Orm let out a soft giggle, amused by Ling’s affectionate behavior. But she didn’t resist—instead, she let Ling pour out her longing.

“P’Ling…” Orm murmured shyly, trying to push Ling away gently. “That’s enough…”

But Ling only flashed a mischievous smile, her gaze filled with undeniable desire. “Not enough… I need more kisses,” she murmured before capturing Orm’s lips again, this time with deeper passion. Orm could only surrender, responding to Ling’s kiss with equal tenderness. She kissed Ling’s upper lip, while Ling took her lower lip, their pace slow yet filled with emotion.

After a while, Ling trailed her kisses down to Orm’s cheek, then to her neck, leaving a series of lingering pecks. Orm tilted her head back slightly, giving Ling better access. Every kiss sent waves of warmth through her body, intensifying her emotions.

Slowly, Ling’s hand slipped under Orm’s pajama top, caressing her waist before moving to her stomach, tracing each curve with delicate care. The moment felt incredibly intimate, as if the world existed only for the two of them.

However, the silence of the room was suddenly interrupted by the loud ringing of a phone.

Ring… Ring…

Both of them flinched at the sound, but Ling seemed uninterested. “Just ignore it, I can answer it later,” she muttered, still kissing Orm’s neck as if the call meant nothing to her.

“P’Ling…” Orm lightly patted Ling’s shoulder, trying to push her away as the phone rang again. “Answer it first… It might be important.”

But Ling simply shook her head with a playful smile, unwilling to be distracted. “I can delay that, but this… this, I can’t postpone,” she murmured, continuing her affectionate kisses on Orm.

Orm sighed deeply and gave Ling a serious look. “P’Ling,” she said firmly, her tone making Ling freeze. “Pick up the phone. Now.”

Seeing Orm’s unwavering expression, Ling finally relented with a soft sigh. She reached for her phone on the bedside table and checked the caller ID. Orm watched curiously, as the call had come in multiple times.

“Who is it?” Orm asked.

“P’Best,” Ling replied. “She says she’ll be here soon to pick me up. I forgot that I have to meet the police today for further clarification.” Ling sighed, looking slightly annoyed at the call reminding her of unavoidable obligations.

Orm nodded slowly, realizing Ling had important matters to attend to. “Alright then, go take a shower and get ready. I’ll prepare breakfast for you,” she said, getting up from the bed.

But Ling suddenly grabbed Orm’s hand, stopping her. Her gaze was soft yet filled with playful intent. “Why would you prepare breakfast? My breakfast is already here,” she said, looking at Orm with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Orm sighed, giving her a deadpan look, fully understanding what Ling meant. “Just go shower and get ready… I need to make you breakfast,” she said firmly, trying to maintain her composure.

Yet, Ling refused to give up. “I’m serious… My breakfast is right here, and I can enjoy it while showering,” she teased, her smile full of meaning, making it clear she had no intention of letting Orm go just yet.

Orm finally pulled her hand away from Ling’s grasp. “I’ll be waiting in the dining room,” she said flatly, pretending to ignore Ling’s teasing. Without waiting for a response, she walked out of the bedroom, leaving Ling to sigh in defeat.

“Why is she so scary all of a sudden…” Ling mumbled, rubbing her arms as if trying to shake off the chills from Orm’s serious aura. Yet, she couldn’t help but smile before finally getting out of bed and heading to the bathroom.

•••••

The news about the famous actor, Mean Phiravich, had been widely discussed on television and social media for the past week. This topic had become a hot discussion among the public, and even students at Chulalongkorn University were talking about it.

In the campus cafeteria, Orm and her three friends watched the news replay on television with serious expressions, paying close attention to every detail provided by the police. Their focus deepened when Lingling, Mean’s ex-girlfriend, appeared to give her clarification to the public. In her statement, Ling admitted that her relationship with Mean had ended long ago and apologized for pretending to still be in a relationship with him to maintain their image in the public eye. She also emphasized that she had no knowledge of the issues involving Mean and hoped that her ex-boyfriend would receive the punishment he deserved.

"Who would’ve thought that behind Khun Mean’s innocent face, he was actually like that," Milk commented, breaking the silence among them.

"That’s the dark side of the entertainment industry. We might only see 1% of their lives that seem fine, but the reality is far worse," Prikhing responded.

Orm then turned to Prikhing with curiosity. "So, are you still interested in becoming a celebrity?" she teased.

Prikhing immediately shook her head. "No. I’d rather be a model, following in P'Ying’s footsteps," she replied with a wide smile, making her friends chuckle.

"Heol… I’m so sick of your obsession with P'Ying," View said, pretending to gag at Prikhing.

"It’s not an obsession! I just admire P'Ying as a model. She looks so cool when she’s working," Prikhing defended herself, while Orm, Milk, and View just shook their heads at her antics.

In the middle of their conversation, Prikhing suddenly turned to Orm. "By the way, are you really back together with P'Ling?"

Orm nodded and gave a small smile. "Yes, but I asked her to keep it a secret for now."

"Aw? Why? If I had a famous celebrity girlfriend, I’d show her off to the whole world!" Prikhing exclaimed, her eyes sparkling at the thought.

Orm smiled faintly and replied, "The timing isn’t right yet. Besides, what’s the benefit of other people knowing about our relationship? They wouldn’t gain anything from it."

"You have a point," Prikhing conceded, unable to argue with Orm’s reasoning. "But sooner or later, people will find out."

"Yeah, let time decide. When the right moment comes, people will know," Orm said calmly, refocusing on the news on TV.

However, Orm’s attention was suddenly drawn to her phone notification. She read the incoming message and abruptly stood up, slamming the table, startling her friends.

"Huh, what’s wrong with you?" View asked, looking at her in confusion.

"I have to go now," Orm replied quickly, grabbing her bag.

"Huh? Where are you going?" Prikhing asked, but Orm was already hurrying out of the cafeteria.

Orm walked briskly toward the campus parking lot. From a distance, she saw Ling standing beside a car, waving a bouquet of flowers at her. Slightly covering her face, Orm walked over to Ling.

"P'Ling, why are you here?" she asked in a low voice, glancing around to make sure no one was watching them.

"To pick you up," Ling replied with a wide smile, handing her the bouquet. "I brought these beautiful flowers for my most beautiful girlfriend."

Orm accepted the flowers, blushing slightly, surprised by how much more romantic and attentive Ling had become since they got back together. "Thank you, Phi," she said softly with a small smile before getting into the car.

Ling, confused by Orm’s quiet reaction, quickly followed and sat in the driver’s seat. "What’s wrong? Do you not like the flowers, or do you not want me to pick you up?" she asked, slightly worried.

Orm shook her head gently. "It’s not that, Phi. I love the flowers, and I’m happy you picked me up. But I’m worried if people see you here," she admitted honestly.

Ling sighed and looked at Orm warmly. "I don’t care if people see us. I may be a celebrity, but I also want to live my life like a normal person."

Orm gazed at her seriously. "I don’t want people to think badly of you. Imagine if they found out we got back together right after you ended things with P'Mean while his case is still ongoing."

Ling let out a deep breath. "I already explained everything to the media today about my relationship with Mean. Some people might still think badly of me for pretending to be in a relationship, but at least I’ve been honest now."

She reached for Orm’s hand, gently stroking the back of it. "I understand your concern, but I don’t want to keep hiding our relationship." Ling lifted Orm’s hand and looked at her affectionately. "I want the world to know how much I love the beautiful woman in front of me right now."

"P'Ling~" Orm blushed, smiling shyly. "You’ve gotten so good at saying sweet things now. Where did you learn that?"

Ling chuckled. "From the experts." Then, more seriously, she added, "You don’t have to worry about what others think. I’ll protect you, and if anyone bothers you, I’ll deal with them myself."

Orm smiled at Ling’s words. "Thank you for protecting me, Phi."

"It’s my duty," Ling said lovingly. "So, can we go now? I’m starving."

Orm nodded excitedly. "Let’s go!"

"Go~ Go~ Go~" Ling echoed cheerfully.

With light laughter, Ling started the engine, and the car slowly drove away from the campus.

•••••

Tonight, the atmosphere was calm. The dark sky was scattered with stars, yet Ling’s heart was filled with an unusual nervousness. The car they were in had just stopped in front of Orm’s family home. Ling sat still in the driver’s seat, turning off the engine, while Orm, sitting beside her, appeared calm. Ling gazed at the luxurious house standing before her—the place where she would soon meet Orm’s parents.

Her heart pounded faster than usual. Worry and anxiety swirled inside her chest, unsure of how she should behave in front of them. She took a deep breath, hoping to calm herself. She was used to being in front of crowds, facing cameras, and being the center of attention, but meeting the parents of someone who was now an important part of her life felt completely different—intimidating, even.

Orm turned to her with a gentle smile, as if she could read the emotions written all over Ling’s face. "Are you sure you want to meet them, Phi?" she asked softly, touching Ling’s cold hand. "If you're not ready, we can postpone it until you are."

Ling returned Orm’s smile, though her nervousness had yet to subside. "I’m sure. I don’t want to delay this any longer—I need to talk to your parents as soon as possible," she said, her voice slightly trembling. "But… what if they think I’m not good enough to be part of your life?"

Orm chuckled softly and squeezed Ling’s hand a little tighter. "You don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not. Just be yourself. That alone is more than enough to make them believe in you."

Orm’s words soothed Ling, if only a little. She glanced out the car window, looking at the house in front of them once more. The lights glowed warmly, giving off an inviting and homely feel. Ling knew that tonight was a significant step—not just a casual meeting but an introduction to Orm’s family, who would see her as someone special in their daughter’s life.

Summoning her courage, Ling nodded slowly and smiled at Orm. "Alright. I’m ready."

They stepped out of the car together. As they approached the door, Ling felt her palms sweating despite the cool night air. Orm reached out, intertwining her fingers with Ling’s, silently reassuring her. Moments later, the door opened, and Mae Koy greeted them with a warm smile.

"Welcome, Ling," Mae Koy said, her voice soft yet meaningful. "You’re even more beautiful in person than on TV. I absolutely love all your series," she added, eyes filled with admiration.

"Mae, is this really the right time to talk about that?" Orm whispered, trying to ease the situation. "That will only make P’Ling more nervous."

Ling smiled, trying to stay composed despite the nervousness tightening her chest. "Thank you for your kind words, Khun Mae," she replied politely.

Mae Koy chuckled lightly before saying, "Alright, alright. Come in—Khun Phoo has been waiting inside." She then gestured for them to enter.

Orm held Ling’s hand as they stepped into the living room. Ling felt slightly more at ease, but the moment they walked in and saw Tanakorn, Orm’s father, sitting on the sofa with an observant gaze, her heartbeat quickened again. His eyes were firm but not intimidating, as if he was carefully assessing the person standing before him.

"Sawadee, Khun Phoo," Orm greeted politely with a smile.

"Sawadee, Khun Phoo," Ling echoed, trying to keep her voice steady, mirroring Orm’s warmth.

Tanakorn gestured toward the sofa across from him. "Please, have a seat," he said briefly, yet his words carried weight.

Ling and Orm sat side by side, facing Tanakorn and Mae Koy directly. Ling took a deep breath, composing herself before lifting her head, ready to face the moment she had been dreading.

Tanakorn studied her intently before finally speaking. "Lingling Sirilak Kwong…" His voice was firm as he addressed her by her full name. "Do you truly love my daughter?" His question was direct, with no room for hesitation, showing just how seriously he viewed their relationship.

Ling swallowed before answering with conviction, "I love Orm with all my heart. She is the only one I love in this life," she said with unwavering certainty.

Tanakorn observed her expression for a moment before continuing, "Why did you choose to love a woman when your previous partner was a man?"

Ling smiled slightly, surprised by the question but answering truthfully. "Because Orm changed my perspective on love. To me, love now means being with someone who makes me feel at home, regardless of gender or age," she explained, her words carrying deep meaning.

Tanakorn’s gaze remained sharp as he asked another question. "Then why did you hurt Orm before? Is that what you call love?" His tone was calm, but his eyes demanded honesty.

Before Ling could respond, Orm intervened, "Khun Phoo, that was a misunderstanding. P’Ling never intended to hurt me, and I was also at fault in that situation." Her voice was sincere in defending Ling.

Tanakorn shifted his serious gaze to Orm. "I don’t need your answer, Orm. I want to hear it from Ling," he said firmly, making Orm lower her head.

Ling nodded slightly, realizing this was the moment to be completely honest. "I admit that, unintentionally, I once hurt Orm. But I promise that will never happen again," she said with determination, meeting Tanakorn’s eyes with unwavering resolve.

Tanakorn nodded slowly, seeming to weigh her words. "You seem very certain… Can you truly make Orm as happy as I have made her all these years?" His tone was still serious, but there was a hint of something deeper behind it.

Mae Koy stepped in, trying to ease the tension. "That’s too much, Khun. Can’t you see how happy Orm is now?" she said gently, her gaze full of affection as she looked at her daughter.

But Tanakorn remained firm. "I just want to make sure this woman won’t hurt Orm again," he replied, his voice steady.

Ling steadied herself, looking Tanakorn directly in the eyes. "I promise I will never hurt Orm again. If I ever do, I’m willing to accept any consequences," she declared with certainty.

Tanakorn raised an eyebrow, seemingly impressed by her resolve. "Any consequences? Including leaving Orm if you break that promise?"

Ling nodded without hesitation. "Yes, whatever it takes. I am willing to do it," she affirmed without a trace of doubt.

"An impressive statement…" Tanakorn responded in a deep voice, folding his arms across his chest as he maintained his sharp gaze. "But I won’t trust that easily…"

"Khun Phoo…" Orm spoke up again, her eyes filled with sincerity and hope. She reached for Ling’s hand, holding it tightly as if to give her strength. "I love P’Ling so much," she said, her voice soft yet firm. "I’m not asking to marry her if that would bring shame to you… but please, let me spend the rest of my life with her," Orm pleaded, her voice carrying deep emotion.

Tanakorn was silent for a moment, listening to his daughter’s heartfelt words. His eyes moved between Orm and Ling, as if weighing everything carefully. His face remained composed, but it was clear he was contemplating something significant.

After a pause, Tanakorn finally spoke. "You know how much I love you, Orm," he said, his voice softening slightly yet still firm. "Whatever makes you happy, will also make me happy."

Orm held her breath, her heart pounding, while Ling squeezed her hand tighter, feeling both nervous and hopeful.

"I approve of your relationship," Tanakorn finally said, his tone warmer. A small smile formed on his face, and as the words left his lips, both Ling and Orm’s faces lit up with pure happiness. "But…" he continued, locking eyes with Ling, "I will keep watching over you, especially you, Ling, until the day you marry Orm."

Relief and joy radiated from both Ling and Orm, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. Ling, overwhelmed with gratitude, moved to kneel before Tanakorn in a gesture of deep respect.

"Thank you, Khun Phoo. I promise to make Orm happy," she said with sincerity.

Seeing this, Orm followed suit, kneeling before her father with tears of gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you, Khun Phoo. I love you so much…"

Tanakorn smiled warmly and pulled his daughter into a tight embrace, feeling the depth of their bond. He knew that whatever made Orm happy was something worth cherishing.

That night was filled with warmth, emotion, and happiness—a moment Ling and Orm would treasure forever.