Chapter 6

As Orm sat on the edge of her bed, she couldn't help but reflect on the past 24 hours, her thoughts swirling around the recent memories.

She was enjoying her stay in Seoul already — new friendships, exploration, and a taste of a different culture.

Her mind kept coming back to Ying, the Thai girl who had made her feel most welcome and at home.

She recalled their exchange of numbers and Ying's promise of a meal in Thailand.

A mischievous grin spread across her lips as she dialed her friend Fah's number, eager to catch up and share all the details of her time in Seoul.

She knew her friends would miss her antics, and she couldn't wait to fill them in on every moment of her trip, including the souvenirs she bought them.

Orm's enthusiasm swiftly turned to worry as she tried to reach her friends to no avail; neither Fah nor Mike answered the phone.

Her excitement gave way to anxiety, her mind spinning with worst-case scenarios.

She tried to push the worry aside, reminding herself they might just be busy, and resolved, "I'll try calling tomorrow again."

She was pulled from her thoughts when a staff member knocked on her door gently, informing her in a polite tone, "Miss, we need you in the lobby, it's important."

Orm blinked, bemused by the sudden summons to the lobby.

Curiosity mixed with a hint of unease pushed her to follow, her mind filled with questions.

She slipped her phone into her bag and walked toward the lobby, following the staff.

She was met by the sight of the hotel receptionist waiting for her.

The latter spoke kindly to her, "Please take a seat, Miss."

The receptionist was a professional, choosing her words carefully.

"I apologize for the inconvenience, Miss. Just wanted to check something on your registration papers. It won't take long."

With curiosity piqued, Orm retrieved the papers she had packed in her bag, just in case.

She handed the documents to the receptionist, a hint of apprehension mixing with her curious anticipation.

The receptionist furrowed her brow, shuffling through the papers Orm had provided.

She looked up, meeting Orm's gaze, and said, "Miss, I'm afraid there's a small discrepancy. According to our system, you've booked for two nights, but your registration papers indicate one week."

Orm froze for a moment, her jaw dropping slightly in surprise. The revelation caught her off guard, and she couldn't contain her surprise.

She blinked, her fingers running through her hair, her thoughts whirring.

"W-What? How is that possible?" she stuttered, confusion etched across her face.

Orm shook her head, still in disbelief.

"Please check again," she requested, her hand gesturing to the papers in the receptionist's hands. "There must be a mistake."

Orm felt a wave of panic wash over her. Memories flashed through her, including the conversation with Fah and Mike.

They mentioned booking a one-week vacation for her, a thought that had brought both excitement and worry.

But now, seeing the receptionist's expression, her life seemed to be passing before her eyes.

It couldn't be another one of their mischievous plans, could it?

Orm's head spun with a mix of emotions. She had already spent a significant part of her budget and had no extra funds in case of emergencies.

With her friends not picking up their phones, she knew they were up to something. They never did anything without a hint of chaos.

The receptionist looked at Orm, her expression empathetic but professional.

"Miss, I'm afraid I need you to make a decision," she said gently. "Shall we cancel the extra days, or have you pay the remaining amount?"

Orm considered her options, her mind racing.

She pondered asking Ying for help but hesitated, thinking it might be inappropriate. She barely knew her, and it felt like a lot to ask.

Finally, she made a resigned choice.

She sighed, deciding, "Please cancel the remaining days. I guess just two nights will have to suffice," she said, a hint of disappointment on her face.

Frustration coursed through Orm as she returned to her room.

Once inside, she let out a loud scream that sounded almost like a growl, her pent-up frustration finally exploding.

"I swear, those two are so dead," she muttered, her voice brimming with frustration and a hint of anger, her hands clenched into fists by her sides.

The news only added to Orm's already growing frustrations.

Not only had she didn't have any spare money on her, but now she wasn't even able to enjoy her vacation fully due to this hotel mishap.

She felt a mix of disappointment, frustration, and a growing resolve to give Fah and Mike a piece of her mind upon returning home to Thailand.

********

And Orm should have trusted her instincts.

Because once she returned to her house, still seething over the previous day's events.

She found the doors locked and a sign announcing "SOLD" on the lawn.

She stared at the sign, her mind grappling with disbelief, her legs threatening to give out underneath her.