Chapter 19

Lingling was feeling extremely nervous as she led Prigkhing to the restaurant.

"Looks a bit empty today, doesn't it?" Prigkhing remarked as she glanced around, puzzled by the unusually quiet atmosphere of the Michelin-starred restaurant, which typically attracted a bustling crowd.

She was momentarily unsettled by the staff's peculiar smiles and the apparent lack of other patrons.

However, she decided to disregard these observations and politely returned their smiles, eager to enjoy the evening with Lingling as planned.

"Mmm, it's supposed to be like this," Lingling replied smoothly, flashing her most dazzling smile to Prigkhing, the one that had graced magazine covers and red carpets alike

Inside, her stomach churned with nerves, but she refused to let it show.

She couldn't let Prigkhing suspect a thing, not when she had planned this night down to the very last detail.

Lingling's mind drifted briefly to Orm. A flicker of anger sparked in her chest as she remembered the girl's audacity to disappear without a trace.

She had been waiting all week for Orm to return, to ask for forgiveness and make good on her promise to help win Prigkhing's heart, but to no avail.

But Lingling refused to let it derail her plans. She took a deep breath, pushing thoughts of Orm aside.

It was time to put plan B into action, to be honest and confess the truth that had been weighing on her heart for so long.

As they were led to their private dining room, decorated with delicate floral arrangements and flickering candles, Lingling's heart raced with anticipation. She slid a sly glance at the maitre d', who gave her a subtle nod.

Prigkhing leaned back in her chair, a playful smirk dancing on her lips as she regarded Lingling.

"I must say, Ling, you're full of surprises tonight. Opening doors, pulling out chairs... what's the occasion? Is today some special holiday I don't know about? Don't tell me you're trying to impress me or something because if that's the case, I'm not sure whether to be flattered or concerned."

She set down her glass, leaning her elbows on the table as she continued to tease Lingling mercilessly. "Seriously though, what's gotten into you? You've been acting strangely ever since we got here."

Lingling glanced up from her menu, a smile tugging at her lips as she met Prigkhing's teasing gaze. She leaned back in her chair, mirroring Prigkhing's posture, and shrugged nonchalantly.

"Come on, Prig! Have you ever heard of a spontaneous act of kindness? You deserve a little pampering after all the work you've put in lately. It's the least I can do for you."

Prigkhing arched an eyebrow, a playful smirk still dancing on her lips as she watched Lingling squirm slightly in her seat. She leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand as she studied Lingling with a teasing glint in her eye.

"Since when do you do spontaneous anything, Ling?" She chuckled softly, shaking her head in disbelief. "I have to admit, this is a new side of you. I like it."

She paused, letting the moment linger before leaning back in her chair and picking up her menu. "But don't think a little chivalry and a fancy dinner are going to distract me from the fact that something's up. I know you too well, Ling. You've got that look in your eye, like you're up to something."

Prigkhing flipped through the menu, glancing at the options with a critical eye. "So, spill it. What's really going on? And don't give me any more of that 'spontaneous' nonsense.

Lingling shook her head dismissively, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Nope, not telling. You'll have to wait until dessert."

Prigkhing pouted, a cute and slightly mischievous expression on her face. "Come on, Ling, don't be like that," she cooed, batting her eyelashes at her best friend. "I'm curious, and you know I can't stand not knowing things. Just tell me what's going on, please? I promise I won't judge... much."

Just then, Prigkhing glanced at her ringing phone, her face lighting up with a wide smile as she saw Ying's name flashing on the screen.

She excused herself from the table, stepping away to take the call in relative privacy. Lingling watched, feeling a mix of annoyance and envy as Prigkhing's face glowed with obvious delight at the sound of Ying's voice.

Lingling rolled her eyes, irritated that Ying had to choose this moment to call, interrupting the perfectly planned evening she had meticulously arranged.

Since when did that woman have such terrible timing? Always getting in her way?

Just as Lingling was lost in her thoughts, Prigkhing returned, a look of apology on her face as she grabbed her bag and stood up. "I have to go," she said abruptly, startling Lingling from her musings.

"What?" Lingling asked, dumbfounded by the sudden announcement. She had been so focused on her own thoughts that she had missed the earlier part of their conversation.

At that moment, the waitress arrived with their dessert, a tempting scoop of gelato artfully presented in front of Prigkhing.

Lingling's gaze flicked from the creamy confection to her friend's face, a question mark etched in her features.

"But Prigkhing, you love gelato. We haven't even had dessert yet!"

Lingling pointed out, hoping to sway Prigkhing to stay, if only to share in the sweet treat she had ordered special for them to enjoy together.

But Prigkhing was already halfway out of her seat, a distracted look on her face as she slung her bag over her shoulder. "Let's have dinner another time, okay?" she tossed over her shoulder, already heading for the exit.

Lingling remained rooted to her chair, the romantic ambiance of the restaurant now feeling hollow and mocking.

She grabbed the half-full glass of red wine before her and downed it in one angry gulp, the liquid fire burning her throat. It wasn't enough.

Ignoring the concerned glances from the staff, she snatched the bottle and refilled her glass, polishing off the remaining wine in record time.

The alcohol coursed through her veins, fueling the frustration and jealousy that threatened to consume her.

Without a second thought, Lingling surged to her feet and strode purposefully towards the elevator, leaving a trail of bewildered stares in her wake.

She had to catch Prigkhing before she slipped away, had to confront her about this bizarre interruption to their long-awaited evening.

She burst out of the elevator just as Prigkhing was climbing into Ying's waiting car, her hand on her friend's arm in a desperate attempt to halt her escape. Prigkhing whirled around, surprise etched on her face, only to be met with Lingling's fierce gaze.

"Lingling? What are you doing?" Prigkhing asked, her voice laced with confusion and a hint of annoyance.

"I said, tell her to wait," Lingling demanded, her words slightly slurred but no less forceful. The alcohol buzzed in her head, but she pushed past it, determined to have her say.

Prigkhing's eyes narrowed, her patience wearing thin. "Lingling, this isn't the time or the place. I'm in a hurry." She tried to pull her arm away, but Lingling held fast.

"Do you like her?" Lingling blurred out, the question burning in her throat. "Because she doesn't like you like that, Prig. She doesn't."

Prigkhing felt a surge of anger and betrayal at Lingling's accusations, hating her for ruining what was supposed to be a perfect night. She took a deep, calming breath, trying to quell the frustration that threatened to boil over.

"Well, it's not your problem, is it?" Prigkhing retorted coldly, her voice dripping with disdain. "Thanks for the unsolicited concern, Lingling. I hadn't realized you'd appointed yourself my guardian angel."

Without a word or even a glance in Lingling's direction, Prigkhing climbed into the waiting vehicle, leaving her friend standing alone on the sidewalk.

Lingling watched the car speed off, a bitter taste in her mouth that had nothing to do with the alcohol sloshing around in her stomach.

Back at the restaurant, Lingling gulped down the dregs of the red wine. But the bitter liquid did little to numb the sting of the evening's catastrophe. In a blind rage, she signalled the waiter for shot after shot of tequila, each one burning like liquid fire down her throat.

As the alcohol flooded her system, Lingling's mind grew hazy, her thoughts a tangled mess of frustration and despair.

She knew, in some distant part of her drunken fog, that she was far too intoxicated to drive.

Fumbling with her phone, she scrolled through her contacts until Namtan's number swam into focus.

She needed a way out, an escape from this waking nightmare. Namtan, at least, could be counted on to keep her mouth shut about Lingling's drunken state.

While waiting for her manager's arrival, Lingling stared down at the melted mess of ice cream, the once elegant dessert now a sad puddle in the bottom of the cup.

Her eyes fell on the glittering ring, still hidden beneath the icy remnants. With shaking hands, she wiped the moisture from the expensive piece of jewelry before tucking it securely into her purse.

Lingling wanted to cry, wanted to let out all the pent-up emotion and frustration that had been building inside her since the moment Ying had interrupted their dinner.

But the tears wouldn't come, no matter how hard she tried.

Instead, a bitter anger simmered in her chest, a rage at the cruel twist of fate that had seen her plans for the perfect confession shattered in an instant