Chapter 15

Namtan, sitting behind her desk at her sleek, modern office, looked at Lingling with a mix of disappointment and frustration.

"Sit down," she commanded in a serious tone, her eyes locking onto Lingling's.

As Lingling was seated, she took in Namtan's stern demeanor.

"Hey, calm down. Being all angry doesn't suit your pretty face, you know."

Namtan, clearly not in the mood for Lingling's attempts at banter, shut her up with a sharp glare.

"Enough with the jokes. We have bigger issues to deal with here."

Lingling, trying to deflect the situation, quickly retorted.

"It's photoshopped, Namtan. Those pictures aren't real. It's just another attempt by the media to stir drama."

Namtan, not buying into Lingling's dismissal, raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"Lingling, come on. We both know those pictures look realistic. The public is going crazy over them. You can't just brush it off as photoshopped. We need to address it head-on."

Lingling almost rolled her eyes at Namtan's words but decided to defend herself instead.

"Hooking up with a girl like her? Come on, Namtan, you think I would do that? She's just an acquaintance, that's all. Those pictures are misleading."

Namtan's stern expression didn't falter.

"Lingling, your reputation is on the line. Regardless of whether those pictures are real or not. The public is already jumping to conclusions, and the tabloids are having a field day."

Lingling nonchalant as ever responded with a hint of defiance. "And?"

Namtan's irritation intensified at Lingling's casual response.

"And? And? Do you understand the consequences? This public image crisis, your fans, your future projects - everything could be affected. And you're just sitting there like it's no big deal!" she exclaimed, her voice rising.

Lingling, her tone nonchalant, shrugged and suggested, "Oh, come on. We can hold a quick press conference like we always do, right? We'll just clear things up, and everyone will move on to the next scandal."

"Watch your words, Lingling," Namtan said sternly. "We need to handle this carefully. The last thing we need is you saying something careless and making matters worse. This isn't just another scandal we can brush aside."

********

Lingling, looking composed and confident, approached the press conference stage. Reporters and paparazzi were gathered in front of her, cameras flashing and mics recording.

Namtan, standing next to her, gave her a reassuring yet firm look, a silent reminder to keep her cool and address the situation appropriately.

Reporter 1: "Lingling, can you explain the pictures that have been circulating showing you with a girl? Are you dating her?"

Lingling put on a charming smile, unruffled by the personal questions.

"Well, well, well," she began, her voice smooth. "I must say, the rumors are always more entertaining than the truth. Let me set the record straight."

"Those pictures, taken in the dead of night, just like any paparazzi shot, can be misleading. But let me assure you, that's all it was - a snapshot taken out of context. And as for the dating rumors, my love life is my business, not yours."

A chorus of questions followed Lingling's answer.

Reporter 2: "So you deny any romantic involvement with the woman in the pictures? What were you doing with her in the car then?"

Reporter 3: "Fans are concerned about your image. Any response?"

Lingling continued her nonchalant demeanor, a smirk on her lips as she responded.

"Well, my lips are sealed about my relationship status, but let's just say the 'mystery girl' and I were just having a quiet chat in the car. Nothing more, nothing less."

"But as for my image, my fans shouldn't be concerned. I'm the same good-natured, hardworking Lingling Kwong they know and love. Don't let a few pictures and rumors fool you."

The reporters' questions continued to fire off in rapid succession.

Reporter 4: "People are making wild assumptions about your sexuality. Care to comment?"

Lingling tilted her head, seeming unfazed by the questions.

"Rumors, assumptions, and speculation. That's all these pictures have led to. As for my personal life, who I spend time with, and what my preferences are... well, that's my business, isn't it?"

She smiled coyly.

"Let's just say I have a soft spot for pretty girls. But that's all you're getting out of me."

The reporters were seemingly unsatisfied with Lingling's evasive answers. They continued to throw questions at her, hoping to get a more direct response.

Reporter 5: "How do you respond to the fans who were hoping you'd date a man?"

Lingling chuckled at the question about dating a man.

"Ah, the classic question," she mused, her eyes sparkling with playful mockery. "I'm sorry to disappoint those who had their hopes set on me dating a man, but my heart has its own plans."

She paused dramatically.

"And I can confidently say my heart is not drawn to the male species."

The room filled with a mix of murmurs and gasps as Lingling's statement hung in the air.

"Anyway," Lingling continued, her voice regaining its usual confidence, "I think that's enough questions for one day. Stay fabulous, folks."

With a charming smile, she offered a wave and stepped away from the podium, signaling an end to the press conference.

Namtan, rolling her eyes, hurried to catch up with Lingling.

"Lingling, are you for real? You couldn't have been more serious for one minute during that press conference?" she chided, her tone filled with sarcasm. "Do you have to make everything a joke?"

Lingling turned to face Namtan, a weary smile on her face.

"If I didn't make it a joke, I would've lost my mind already," she admitted, her tone half-serious. "Sometimes, you gotta find the humor in the chaos, right?"

Namtan, clearly exasperated, crossed her arms.

"Lingling, sometimes I swear you don't understand the gravity of situations," she scolded, shaking her head.

Lingling snickered, her eyes gleaming with a devilish glint.

"You know what's ironic about this, Namtan? This is actually the one time I wasn't 'messing around' with a girl, and they still caught me. It's the freaking irony of it all."

Namtan, still irritated but knowing there was no persuading Lingling otherwise, exhaled and bid her farewell.

"Lingling, just... be careful, alright? Take this situation seriously and don't make things worse," she pleaded, her voice stern.

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Lingling alone to ruminate on her words.

********

Lingling, her mind still wrapped up in the press conference and Namtan's admonishments, decided to get take-out as a way to unwind.

Lost in thought, she found herself thinking about Orm.

"Poor Orm...I bet she's starving," Lingling murmured, imagining Orm spending the early afternoon cleaning the house.

A small gesture of care crossed her mind, and she doubled her order.

Lingling, returning home with the two sets of takeout in her hands, pushed open the door to find the unexpected sight of Ying pinning Orm against the wall, their lips locked in a passionate kiss.

For a moment, Lingling stood frozen, her mind struggling to process what was happening right in front of her. A mixture of surprise, confusion, and a hint of jealousy flickered across her face.

In the midst of the shock and disbelief, she dropped the bag, a loud thud echoing through the room as it hit the floor.

Ying and Orm, startled, broke apart, their eyes wide as they turned to face Lingling.