Chapter 4

Orm, on the other hand, set out to explore Seoul with enthusiasm.

Armed with a map, she delved into the tourist spots, visiting iconic landmarks and immersing herself in the charm of the vibrant city.

She took in the historic sites, trying local delicacies, simply experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of the country.

Caught up in the whirlwind of exploring the place, she stumbled.

Her momentum sent her careening forward. She braced herself for an inevitably painful collision with the ground.

However, she didn't impact the hard surface.

Instead, she found herself scooped up in the arms of another person, a woman whose grip was steady and strong.

Orm quickly muttered "미안해".

She relied on the few words she could recall since her knowledge of Korean was really limited.

The woman's expression softened as she met Orm's eyes, her words filled with concern.

"Are you okay? That was quite a stumble you took there."

Orm's eyes widened in surprise as the woman responded in her own language, Thai.

"Wait... You speak Thai?," she managed to ask, her voice laced with both surprise and relief.

The woman nodded, a small smile playing on her lips as she replied,

"Of course, I do. I'm Thai, after all."

Orm's exhilaration was palpable. She broke into a wide smile, her spirits soaring at the discovery.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so happy! I haven't run into anyone who speaks Thai. The language barrier has been insane!"

The woman returned Orm's smile, her own expression light and understanding.

"I know what you mean. I experienced the same thing when I first moved here." She replied.

Orm's face lit up, her words filled with excitement.

"This is such a coincidence, I didn't expect to meet another Thai speaker here in the middle of this busy city! Are you a tourist like me?"

The woman shook her head,as she stated matter-of-factly.

"Actually, I'm not a tourist. I live and work here in Seoul."

"Wow, that's even more interesting. If you're a local, can you give me some tips on places to go and eat?"

The woman's gaze fixated on Orm, a look of endearment glimmering within them.

She couldn't deny that the girl's carefree, cheerful nature was undeniably charming.

The corners of her lips curved into a small smile, her eyes lingering on Orm's face, finding herself strangely captivated by her exuberance.

The woman cleared her throat softly and responded, her voice carrying a hint of fascination.

"Yes, I am well-acquainted with many notable spots and eateries, I can provide you with some recommendations."

Realising she hadn't introduced herself yet, Orm felt a moment of awkward clarity. She cleared her throat softly, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"Ah, I haven't introduced myself," she finally managed to utter, her words slightly rushed. "I'm Orm. It's nice to meet you!"

"I'm Ying," the woman said, her eyes studying Orm's face carefully, as if she was memorizing every feature.

Orm, oblivious to the subtle undercurrent of the woman's emotions, replied with a curious and sweet expression, her eyes glimmering with anticipation.

"If you're not too busy, would you give me a small tour? I'd love to explore and check out all the cool spots!"

Ying, with a swift and decisive motion, immediately pulled out her phone and quickly dialed her supposed secretary's number, promptly clearing her schedule for the day.

"I cleared my schedule, so I'm all yours for the day," she said as she hung up the call, a joyful smile playing at the corner of her lips.

Orm's eyes grew wide at Ying's spontaneous and unexpected gesture, the woman's quick actions leaving her momentarily speechless.

"You just... called off work for me?" she asked, her surprise evident, her voice laced with a touch of bewilderment.

The thought,'Who is this amazing woman?' passed through her mind, her curiosity piqued even more at the woman's demeanor.

Ying's enthusiasm was evident, a bright smile lighting up her face.

"Let's go! I know some amazing spots around here!"

She grabbed Orm's hand, intertwining their fingers, her grip gentle, leading Orm out of the crowded area.

They both stumbled upon a small street food stall, filled with the aroma of mouth-watering dishes.

They munched on an array of street foods, savoring each morsel and sharing funny stories of their lives, the atmosphere light, and joyful.

Orm, in between bites, commented, her eyes glimmering with a sense of familiarity. "You know what's amazing? It feels like we've known each other forever. Isn't that strange?"

Ying nodded, her eyes softening, a subtle blush tinting her cheeks.

"You're right."

She hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on Orm's face. Her words were sincere as she continued.

"It's not every day I run into such a beautiful Thai girl like you here."

Orm raised an eyebrow, a playful smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"Are you flirting with me now, Ying? Don't blame me if you can't handle my charm."

Ying's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink, her gaze flicking away for a moment.

She composed herself quickly, attempting to dismiss Orm's playful comment, her tone a tad bit flustered. "Don't be ridiculous!"

Orm's playful grin persisted, her eyes glimmering with amusement.

"I was just teasing, you know? I wouldn't mind a bit of attention from a beautiful business woman like you, though," she giggled, nudging Ying lightly, her flirtatious tone evident.

As the sky grew dimmer, the light fading, Ying glanced up, a subtle concern etched across her face.

She turned to Orm, her voice carrying a gentle offer. "It's getting late. Would you like me to give you a lift?" she asked, her gaze holding a hint of concern..

Orm hesitated for a moment, her reluctance mingling with the thought of being a burden.

However, she didn't want to appear rude or spoil the moment, and she reluctantly accepted.

"Sure, if it's not too much trouble for you, I am staying at Lotte Seoul Hotel."

Ying's eyes lit up in recognition at the name.

"What a coincidence! I'm going to meet a friend there, too."