Another Chance

The next morning, Ling awoke slowly, the pale sunlight filtering through the curtains barely lifting the weight from her chest. She blinked, momentarily disoriented, before the flood of last night's memories came rushing in—Orm, drunk beyond reason, Orm still living in the home they once shared, and worst of all, Sasha standing at that doorway, invading their space.

A dull ache twisted deep inside her chest. The thought of Orm, alone in that house for years, stubbornly holding onto every echo of their shared past, left Ling struggling to breathe. Yet, that ache intensified sharply when she thought of Sasha—someone Orm had allowed into their sacred space. How could Orm move on so easily?

Ling sat up, rubbing her face in frustration. Her mind replayed every detail: the softness in Orm’s voice, the vulnerability in her eyes as she confessed she still loved her. It was all too much—too raw, too painful. Ling's heart twisted in confusion, the line between past and present now dangerously blurred.

Before Ling could gather her scattered thoughts, her phone buzzed loudly from the kitchen table. Her stomach knotted when she saw the name flashing on her screen: Sui.

Taking a steadying breath, Ling picked up reluctantly. “Hello?” Her voice sounded guarded, bracing herself for the confrontation that was surely coming.

“Well, thank you for finally realizing I exist, Miss Kwong,” Sui's voice was sharp, a forced playfulness that didn’t hide the underlying hurt.

Guilt prickled beneath Ling’s skin. “I’m sorry, Sui. Shooting’s been hectic. I’m all over the place.” It wasn't exactly a lie—shooting this project had been emotionally draining. But she knew that wasn’t the real reason behind her distant behavior.

Sui paused, reading the subtle layers beneath Ling’s carefully chosen words. Her voice softened slightly, but suspicion lingered beneath. “Ling, I can practically hear your thoughts spiraling. What’s really going on?”

Ling hesitated, panic flickering briefly. She wasn't ready to admit that her mind had been preoccupied by Orm—by the warmth of Orm's drunken confession, the painful longing lingering in her eyes. No, Ling wasn't ready to admit that even to herself, let alone to Sui.

“I'm just tired, Sui,” Ling said, attempting nonchalance, though her voice shook slightly. She quickly deflected, asking, “How about you? How are your shows going?”

“Fine, as always,” Sui replied curtly, clearly unconvinced. “I’ll be back in about a week.”

Ling’s heart jolted painfully. “A week?” she echoed softly, her voice betraying her shock and anxiety. She hadn’t realized that Sui’s return was so soon. She needed more time—time alone, away from obligations, to sort through the chaos in her heart.

“Why do you sound so surprised?” Sui's voice held a hint of icy suspicion. “Is there something you're not telling me?”

“No, of course not!” Ling blurted out quickly, panic rising in her chest.

“Does it have something to do with Orm?” The question cut sharply through Ling, hitting her squarely in her heart. Ling’s breath caught, her silence answering more honestly than words could have.

Sui sighed audibly, hurt coloring her voice. “Forget it. I have a show to do. I'll call you later.”

“Sui, wait—” Ling started, but the call ended abruptly, leaving her staring helplessly at her phone. “Shit,” she muttered under her breath, her voice breaking softly, “I really fucked up this time.”

She sank back into her chair, overwhelmed with guilt and confusion. She cared for Sui, she truly did, but every time she tried to grasp onto that stability, memories of Orm slipped back in, disrupting her carefully constructed life.

—

On the other side of the city, Orm woke to a pounding headache, cursing herself for losing control the night before. Slowly, painfully, she made her way downstairs, head still heavy, heart even heavier. She automatically brewed coffee, hoping to clear her head. Sitting at the kitchen table, she pulled out her phone, heart lurching at the memory of last night—Ling in their house, Sasha’s untimely arrival, and her own raw confession that she still loved Ling.

She sighed heavily when the phone vibrated, disappointment sinking in as Sasha’s name flashed instead of Ling’s.

Sasha:
I’m sorry about last night. I didn’t know what else to do. Let’s talk, please.

Orm closed her eyes, guilt mingling with frustration. Sasha didn’t deserve her harshness last night—she had only meant to help. But Orm knew it was time for honesty, even if it hurt.

She replied briefly:
Let’s meet for lunch today. We need to talk.

Another buzz. Her heart skipped—this time, Ling’s name lit up the screen. Breath hitching, Orm read the short text.

Ling:
Hey, are you feeling better?

Simple words, yet they warmed her entire being. Orm smiled despite herself, her pulse quickening. The fact that Ling had reached out first meant something. It had to.

Orm quickly typed back:
I'm better. Thank you for last night. I'll see you on set later.

Ling saw the message, began typing, then stopped abruptly. Orm’s heart sank. She set the phone down, trying not to dwell on the silence that followed.

At lunch, Orm waited nervously at their usual brasserie, tapping her fingers impatiently against the table. Sasha arrived quickly, her expression hesitant but hopeful.

“Hey,” Sasha began cautiously, settling into the seat across from Orm. “Thanks for meeting me. About last night—”

Orm interrupted gently, her voice firm yet kind. “No, Sasha. I'm sorry for yesterday. You deserved better. It was unfair.”

Sasha smiled bitterly, eyes betraying the pain beneath her casual demeanor. “I think I already knew, deep down. Seeing Ling last night just confirmed what I’ve always felt. It’s always been her, hasn’t it?”

Orm swallowed, eyes downcast. “Yes. Always.”

Sasha sighed deeply, resigned but gentle. “Then why are you hiding, Orm? Why keep pretending you’ve moved on?”

Orm stared at her coffee, voice shaking. “Because I’m scared. Because I don’t deserve her—not after everything I've done. She moved on, and I don’t have the right to drag her back into my mess.”

“Maybe you're wrong,” Sasha said softly, compassionately. “I saw how she looked at you last night. It wasn’t indifference. Ling may not admit it yet, but she hasn't moved on either. Promise me, Orm, that you’ll at least try one last time. You owe it to yourself.”

Orm nodded slowly, heart aching with renewed hope and regret. “Thank you, Sasha. I really mean it.”

When Orm arrived on set later that day, she immediately spotted Ling across the room. Their eyes met briefly, intense yet uncertain. The air thickened instantly, charged with lingering words and unresolved tension.

Ling quickly looked away, heart racing, emotions turbulent. She felt vulnerable, confused, and unsettled by the intensity of her own reaction.

Orm approached slowly, eyes gentle yet wary. "Ling," she began cautiously, her voice soft, careful not to push. "About last night—"

Ling shook her head quickly, anxiety rising. "Not now, Orm. Please."

Orm paused, her expression crestfallen. She took a small step back, trying to hide the hurt behind a quiet smile. "Alright," she whispered, a sad acceptance in her eyes. "Maybe later."

Ling nodded stiffly, moving quickly past Orm, the closeness too intense, her emotions too raw. Her heart screamed for distance, even as every step away from Orm felt like a betrayal of herself.

Orm watched her retreat, pain flickering briefly across her features. She stood there, torn between the impulse to follow and the understanding that some battles couldn't be rushed. Her phone buzzed again—a reminder of Sasha’s presence, and of the difficult choices she had yet to face.

In silence, they parted, carrying their unresolved questions into the day's filming—each aching for clarity, both trapped by the echo of a love they could neither fully claim nor entirely deny.

The set was suffocatingly quiet, a deliberate hush blanketing the crew as Ling stepped into the softly lit bedroom. Her heartbeat quickened, and her breathing became shallow. Everything about this scene felt painfully real—the warm, gentle lighting, the delicate intimacy of the space, the ghostly echoes of nights she’d actually lived, once upon a time, in another life.

Across the room, Orm stood motionless, her eyes already locked onto Ling. Their gazes met, held, and for a fleeting second, time seemed to fold back on itself. Ling recognized that look in Orm’s eyes—soft, hesitant, aching with unspoken words. It mirrored her own turmoil, the delicate agony of love and loss intertwined so tightly they were inseparable.

Jessica’s voice softly pierced the silence, professional but oblivious to the emotional charge between them.

“Ling, Orm—remember, your characters have finally found each other again after years apart. You’re both feeling vulnerable, uncertain, but your love is stronger than your fear. Take your time; make us feel it.”

Ling closed her eyes briefly, her pulse roaring in her ears. She took a breath, steeling herself, knowing she had to step into this role, to embody the very vulnerability she’d spent years desperately burying. When she opened her eyes, Orm was already approaching her—her gaze tender, cautious, yet full of a quiet intensity that made Ling’s heart clench painfully.

“Action,” Jessica whispered.

Orm stopped inches away, lifting a hand to gently cup Ling’s cheek, her fingertips brushing her skin with the softness of a memory. Ling froze momentarily, her breath hitching. It was too familiar, too raw.

“I've missed you,” Orm breathed, her voice barely audible, trembling with the weight of reality woven into the scripted words. Ling could hear the sincerity beneath—every syllable pulsing with a truth that went beyond the scene.

Ling felt tears sting her eyes, her emotions spiraling as she tried to keep herself anchored in the moment. She forced herself to look up into Orm’s gaze, allowing herself to surrender, just briefly, to the longing she saw there.

“I missed you,” Ling whispered back, the line breaking her voice as memories crashed into her—the pain of goodbye, the aching emptiness of their years apart. They stood there, suspended in time, their gazes locked, the script forgotten as the silence stretched between them, charged with unspoken confessions.

Orm reached up slowly, carefully brushing her fingertips along Ling’s jawline. Ling shivered slightly under the gentle touch, breath hitching, emotions overwhelming her as her body betrayed every defense she'd spent years building. She leaned instinctively into Orm’s touch, eyes fluttering closed.

“I'm sorry I hurt you,” Orm whispered, her voice trembling, heavy with regret and tenderness. “If only I could turn back time…”

Ling opened her eyes again, her gaze fixed on Orm, raw with vulnerability. “Why didn't you tell me?” she whispered, the scripted line dissolving into a deeply personal plea, an echo of every question she had ever wanted to ask Orm in the quiet darkness of their past.

Orm’s eyes softened even further, shimmering with unshed tears. Her voice trembled as she replied, “Because I was scared, Ling. I still am.”

The raw honesty in Orm’s voice was Ling’s undoing. She forgot the script entirely, momentarily losing herself in the painful truth they were both finally voicing. She closed the gap between them, wrapping her arms around Orm, pulling her closer by the waist that felt achingly real. Orm held her tightly, their bodies fitting perfectly, like two puzzle pieces that had finally found their way home and they kissed.

Jessica, unaware of the weight of history unfolding before her, watched in awed silence, marveling at the raw intensity of their performance. The crew was equally captivated, breathless witnesses to a moment they couldn’t possibly understand.

Ling buried her face into Orm’s shoulder, whispering so softly only Orm could hear, “It still hurts.”

“I know,” Orm whispered back, voice breaking as she tightened her hold, desperation coloring every syllable. “It hurts for me too.”

For a brief moment, they stood locked together, suspended in their shared truth, aching with the vulnerability of their unspoken love.

“Cut!” Jessica’s voice shattered the intimacy of the moment, bringing Ling and Orm abruptly back to reality.

They pulled apart slowly, both breathing heavily, eyes locked together in stunned silence, neither knowing quite how to bridge the gap between their hearts. Jessica’s praise seemed distant, irrelevant, as Ling and Orm retreated once again to their separate corners—yet their gazes lingered, the lines between their scripted roles and their real emotions blurred beyond recognition.

Ling’s heart raced erratically, the line between fiction and reality now irrevocably shattered. The ache she felt was no longer a memory—it was a fresh, raw wound reopened, forcing her to acknowledge what she’d tried to bury for years.

She turned away abruptly, desperate for space, knowing that she needed distance before her heart betrayed her any further. Yet even as she walked away, the echo of Orm’s whispered confession lingered, haunting her thoughts, impossible to ignore.

Behind her, Orm stood rooted in place, her heart breaking anew. That scene had been no performance—it was their truth, laid bare. And now, Orm feared, the fragile hope that had sparked within her was threatened by the uncertainty in Ling’s eyes.

Neither woman spoke as they prepared for the next scene, each lost in the turmoil of what had just transpired—both knowing that, this time, fiction and reality had become dangerously entwined, changing everything.

Back in her office, Jessica leaned against her desk, fingers tapping restlessly on her phone. She couldn’t shake the scene she’d just witnessed—Ling and Orm’s chemistry had felt too raw, too genuine, too charged. She hesitated only a moment before unlocking her screen and quickly typing out a message, knowing exactly whom she needed to inform.

Jessica:
Just thought you should know. Today’s scene was intense. Ling and Orm were… different. This wasn’t acting, Sui. It was real.

She stared at the sent message, watching as it turned to 'Delivered,' then 'Read,' almost immediately. Jessica imagined Sui’s reaction—jealousy flaring, her possessiveness surging at the mere thought of losing Ling to Orm. It was a dangerous move, but Jessica knew that if anyone could stop this reunion from escalating further, it was Sui.

Her phone buzzed almost instantly with a curt, determined reply:

Sui:
Thanks for telling me. I’ll handle it. I’ll call you later

Jessica smirked faintly, putting the phone down, satisfied she'd done her part. Her intervention might have been harsh, but necessary. After all, drama might fuel performances, but heartbreak or reconciliation could shatter everything she'd built.

________

Ling had barely retreated to her quiet corner, desperate for a moment of solace after the emotionally charged scene she'd just filmed with Orm, when Charlotte approached gently, her expression filled with soft concern. Ling sensed her friend's presence but didn’t look up, hoping the quiet would give her heart a chance to steady.

“Ling,” Charlotte began softly, sitting down beside her, leaving just enough space to respect Ling's boundaries. Her voice was gentle, cautious. “Can we talk?”

Ling hesitated, shoulders stiffening slightly before nodding slowly, eyes fixed on her clasped hands. “Sure, Charlotte. What's up?”

Charlotte took a deep breath, choosing her words with care. “Look, I know it’s not my place, but…we can all see how difficult this has been for you. Between you and Orm, there's this tension… It's impossible to miss.”

Ling tensed even more, her heart picking up speed. She swallowed, but didn’t speak, afraid of what might escape if she opened her mouth.

Charlotte reached out gently, placing a comforting hand on Ling’s shoulder. “I see how you look at her, Ling. You’re good at hiding it from others, but not from me.” Charlotte paused, letting her words sink in before continuing softly. “You’re still in love with Orm, aren’t you?”

Ling's breath caught, and she finally turned to face Charlotte, eyes wide with panic and a hint of sorrow. “Charlotte, I—I can’t talk about this. It’s too complicated. Besides, there's Sui now—”

Charlotte's gaze softened even further, her voice compassionate but firm. “I know Sui’s in the picture. But tell me honestly, Ling, can you really say that your heart belongs to her? Because from where I stand, your heart never left Orm.”

Ling felt her throat tighten painfully, the truth of Charlotte’s words stabbing at her. She opened her mouth, trying to form a denial, a defense—anything—but nothing came. Instead, a tear slipped down her cheek, silent confirmation of what she couldn't voice aloud.

Charlotte squeezed her shoulder gently once more, her voice a whisper filled with understanding. “Ling, don’t let pride or fear stop you from facing the truth. If your heart still beats for Orm, maybe you need to find out if hers beats for you too. You both deserve that much.”

Ling finally met Charlotte’s steady gaze, tears shimmering at the corners of her eyes, the weight of Charlotte’s words settling heavily upon her chest. Her voice came out broken, vulnerable, and barely audible. “What if it’s too late, Charlotte? I don't’ know…”

Charlotte offered a gentle smile, full of quiet strength. “Then at least you’ll know. Isn’t that better than living with regret forever?”

Ling didn’t respond, but Charlotte’s words echoed painfully in her heart, affirming the truth she already knew but had tried desperately to bury.

_________

Orm was sitting quietly by herself, her eyes lost in a distant memory, when she heard footsteps approaching. Freen and Engfah gently sat beside her, their presence calming but also signaling a conversation she might not be ready for. Orm tensed slightly, bracing herself for what she knew was coming.

“How are you holding up, Orm?” Freen asked carefully, her voice gentle as she watched Orm closely, eyes filled with quiet concern.

Orm let out a heavy sigh, shoulders sagging slightly as she shook her head. “I honestly don't know,” she admitted softly, her voice strained with vulnerability. “Every day feels harder, especially with Ling. Being here with her… it's like reopening old wounds I thought I’d buried.”

Engfah leaned in slightly, offering a sympathetic smile. “It’s obvious you still love her, Orm. Everyone can see it—especially after these scenes.”

Orm’s breath caught sharply, embarrassment and pain flooding her features. “I know,” she admitted softly, voice wavering. “But it’s not that simple. Ling…she has Sui now. And she's made it clear there’s no room left for me.”

Freen shook her head slowly, compassion radiating from her eyes. “Are you sure about that, Orm? Because from what we've seen, Ling’s reactions aren't exactly those of someone who moved on. She looks at you the way you look at her—like there's still something unfinished.”

Engfah nodded gently, leaning closer. “Maybe she's as scared as you are, Orm. But if you never open that door again, you’ll both be left wondering. Is that really what you want?”

Orm hesitated, tears stinging her eyes. She stared down at her hands, unable to meet their knowing gazes. “But…I've made so many mistakes these past years. I've hurt her, I’ve hurt myself... and last night, I ruined everything again.”

Freen squeezed Orm’s hand reassuringly, her voice filled with warmth and conviction. “Orm, people make mistakes, but what matters is what you do now. Ling’s not indifferent to you, trust me. But you have to give yourselves a chance.”

Orm bit her lip, uncertainty clouding her eyes. She felt exposed, vulnerable, yet part of her desperately hoped Freen was right. Could there still be a chance, even now?

Then Engfah spoke up again, her tone shifting, carrying a note of hesitation and carefulness. “But… Orm, there’s something else. Something you should probably know about Sui.”

Orm looked up, startled by Engfah’s sudden seriousness. “What do you mean?”

Engfah glanced briefly at Freen, then continued cautiously, “Freen and I found out something. Jessica, our director…she’s actually very close with Sui. They've been friends for a long time—way before this project. Well friends… Apparently they used to fuck. It might explain some of Jessica’s behavior.”

Orm frowned in confusion, her heartbeat quickening. “Excuse me? What are you trying to say? Is Ling aware of that?”

Freen took a breath and clarified gently, “We don’t know, we were actually shocked when we heard Jessica pronounce Sui’s name on the phone….”

Orm's eyes widened, shock mingling with unease. “I don’t understand… But if Ling is not aware of this… She is going to flip”

“Exactly,” Engfah said softly. “I think you need to talk to Ling, I’m pretty sure Sui is afraid that she’ll fall back in love with you”

Orm shook her head, struggling to digest the new information. “But…Ling’s actions don’t match that. She’s cold, distant, especially around me.”

“Maybe she’s just protecting herself,” Freen interjected gently. “She might not know how to deal with everything she still feels.”

Orm took a shaky breath, the weight of the revelation pressing heavily on her chest. “What should I do?”

Engfah reached out, gently squeezing Orm’s hand. “Be honest, Orm. Tell her everything you’ve been holding back. Ling needs to hear it, and so do you.”

Orm nodded slowly, a resolve building beneath her fear. “You’re right. I’ve hidden for too long. Maybe it's finally time to stop running.”

Freen smiled warmly, offering silent encouragement. Orm felt their support like an anchor amidst the chaos. And as she sat there, her heart pounding with uncertainty but also newfound courage, she realized that confronting the truth—no matter how painful—might finally bring the healing she desperately craved.

__

Ling stepped hurriedly towards her car, desperate to put distance between herself and the emotional turmoil she’d left behind. Each step echoed painfully in her chest, her heartbeat hammering out a frantic rhythm. She nearly reached the vehicle when a voice called out behind her—breathless, urgent, vulnerable.

"Ling, wait—!"

She turned sharply, her pulse racing as she saw Orm hurrying toward her, hair disheveled and eyes wild with a mixture of fear and hope. The rawness in Orm’s expression was enough to make Ling’s heart twist painfully in her chest, momentarily freezing her in place.

Orm caught up quickly, standing close enough for Ling to see the slight tremor in her hands, the barely controlled panic in her eyes. She swallowed, gathering every bit of courage she had left.

"Please, Ling," Orm whispered, her voice breaking on the plea, her eyes locked desperately onto Ling’s. "Don't leave like this. Can we just talk? Please?"

Ling stood frozen, her breath caught in her chest as she stared at Orm, whose eyes glistened with an intensity that made her heart stutter.

"Please," Orm repeated again, softer this time, the vulnerability cracking through her usually guarded exterior. "Just dinner. No script, no audience. Away from everything and everyone. Just you and me."

Ling felt her defenses weakening, her heart aching under the unbearable weight of everything unsaid between them. She was about to respond, to finally give in and confront this tangled mess of emotions that had haunted them both for years, when—

Her phone vibrated sharply in her hand, breaking the tension like shattered glass. She glanced down at the screen, her heart sinking. Sui's name flashed urgently, almost accusingly.

Ling looked back up at Orm, conflicted. She saw the flash of pain cross Orm's face, quickly masked but not quick enough for Ling to miss it.

"Go ahead," Orm said quietly, her voice tinged with hurt resignation as she took a small step back. "You should take it."

Ling hesitated, torn between past and present, uncertainty clawing at her throat. Her thumb hovered uncertainly over the screen, the ringing relentless. She had to make a choice—one she'd been avoiding for far too long.

Ling took a shaky breath, finally swiping to answer the call. Her voice was strained, guarded. "Hey, Sui."

On the other side, Sui's tone was sharp, edged with barely-contained anger. "Are you seriously avoiding me again, Ling? Jessica just texted me about you and Orm—how you can't even breathe properly around each other. Is there something you need to tell me?"

Ling's heart jumped painfully at the accusation, her gaze involuntarily darting toward Orm, who stood watching her with silent intensity, her expression slowly growing more guarded, as if she sensed the storm brewing.

"Sui, it's not what you—"

But Sui cut her off harshly, words stinging through the phone. "Are you in love with Orm? Because that’s what Jessica thinks, and frankly, from here, I can’t see anything that proves her wrong."

The accusation hit Ling like a punch, stealing her breath. She turned away instinctively, as if shielding Orm from hearing Sui’s bitter accusations. Orm’s eyes darkened, clearly sensing something had gone terribly wrong.

Ling froze, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest as a sharp realization cut through her thoughts.

"Wait—Jessica?" she repeated, confusion twisting sharply into suspicion. "Why are you talking to Jessica about me? Do you know her?"

A tense silence stretched over the line before Sui replied, her tone suddenly defensive. "We've known each other for a long time, Ling. She was worried about you—"

"Worried?" Ling interrupted sharply, her voice rising with frustration. "Since when do you and Jessica know each other well enough to discuss me behind my back? Why didn't you ever tell me?"

Sui hesitated, clearly caught off guard. "It—it never seemed important—"

"That's bullshit, Sui!" Ling snapped, anger boiling through her. "You're accusing me of dishonesty when you're doing exactly the same? This isn't just about Orm anymore. You're the one keeping secrets from me now."

"Ling, calm down—"

"No," Ling's voice was firm, colder now, the hurt seeping into every syllable. "I'm done talking to you right now, Sui."

"Ling, wait—"

But Ling didn’t wait. With trembling fingers, she ended the call abruptly, feeling an ache of betrayal twisting her chest. Breathing heavily, she turned around, surprised to find Orm still standing there, her face a picture of concern, confusion, and quiet curiosity.

Ling hesitated a moment before stepping closer to Orm, confusion and hurt evident in her voice. "Did you know Jessica and Sui were close? Did you know they were talking about us?"

Orm looked startled, her eyes widening slightly. She took a slow breath, shaking her head softly. "I found out a few minutes ago…" she replied honestly, clearly surprised. "Engfah and Freen heard her on the phone"

Ling exhaled heavily, her voice wavering with anger and exhaustion. "Apparently every woman I’m with lies to me or keeps secrets. Great. "

Orm hesitated, her heart suddenly tight with worry, anger and sadness, she knew that was meant for her too. "Ling… Just hear her out before drawing conclusions"

Ling stared at Orm for a long moment, a complex wave of emotions surging within her. Betrayal, confusion, anger—and beneath it all, the unshakable awareness of Orm’s closeness, standing here now, still waiting. Ling was silent, feeling suddenly vulnerable, uncertain who to trust or where to turn. The only thing she knew for certain was that Orm was still standing in front of her, steady and unwavering, while her carefully curated life was quickly unraveling around her.

Ling’s chest tightened painfully, overwhelmed by the tangled web of emotions and revelations swirling around her. She shook her head slowly, taking a shaky breath.

"I'm sorry, Orm," she whispered, voice filled with genuine regret. "I... I can’t have dinner tonight. Not after this. I just need to be alone.”

Orm’s face fell instantly, her hopeful expression crumbling into heartbreak. She quickly masked it, trying to keep her voice steady. “Ling, wait—please. Don’t push me away.”

But Ling was already stepping backward, pulling gently but firmly out of Orm’s grasp. “I’m sorry, Orm. It’s not you. I just—I can’t right now. This… it’s too much.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, the revelation about Jessica and Sui shaking her to the core.

Orm’s throat constricted, her heart aching fiercely as she watched Ling retreat. Her voice trembled softly with frustration and pain. “She doesn’t deserve you, Ling”

Ling paused briefly, pain flickering in her eyes as she met Orm’s desperate gaze. “I just need some time alone,” she whispered, turning away quickly before Orm could see the tears beginning to form.

Orm stood rooted to the spot, watching Ling disappear into her car. The raw ache in her heart intensified, knowing that once again, the chance to mend what was broken had slipped away.

________________

Ling paced restlessly in her suite, the weight of her emotions becoming unbearable. Her breathing quickened as her fingers fumbled with her phone, dialing Junji’s number almost on autopilot. The line rang once, twice—then Junji's familiar, reassuring voice filled the silence.

“Ling? Everything okay?”

Ling exhaled sharply, her voice breaking despite her attempts to stay composed. “Junji, can you come over? I—I really need someone right now.”

“I'll be there in ten minutes,” Junji replied without hesitation, sensing the urgency in Ling’s voice. “Hang tight, okay?”

“Thanks,” Ling whispered, feeling relief wash over her as she ended the call, sinking onto the couch.

As she waited, Ling stared blankly at the floor, her thoughts spinning. Her heart ached from the weight of unresolved feelings, complicated further by the revelations about Jessica and Sui’s apparent alliance. Why would Sui hide this from me? she thought bitterly, feeling betrayed yet strangely relieved at having discovered it before things went even further.

Soon, a gentle knock sounded at the door. Ling rushed to open it, instantly comforted by the sight of Junji’s steady, sympathetic eyes. Without a word, Junji stepped inside, pulling Ling into a tight embrace, silently reassuring her friend that she wasn't alone.

As they stepped back inside, Junji softly spoke, “Alright, tell me everything.”

Ling settled onto the couch, pulling her knees to her chest as Junji sat beside her. She exhaled shakily, staring at the floor, struggling to find words for the chaos inside her.

“Junji… something weird happened today,” she finally began, voice barely above a whisper. “I found out Sui and Jessica have been talking. Apparently, Jessica’s been giving Sui updates about me and Orm.”

Junji frowned, surprised. “Wait—Jessica, the director? And your girlfriend Sui?”

Ling nodded bitterly. “Exactly. I don’t get it, Junji. Why would Jessica even talk to Sui? And why didn’t Sui tell me? It feels like…like they're checking on me behind my back, like Sui doesn't trust me.”

Junji reached out, gently squeezing Ling’s hand. “Maybe Sui is just scared. She knows Orm’s still in your life, and you haven’t exactly made it easy on her lately.”

Ling sighed deeply, closing her eyes. “That’s just it, Junji. She’s right to worry. Because when I’m with Orm, I—I lose control. Especially lately, especially after last night. I can't deny it anymore.”

Junji’s gaze softened, understanding perfectly. “You still love Orm, don’t you?”

Ling closed her eyes tightly, tears threatening to escape. “Yes. And I hate myself for it. It’s been four years, Junji—four years—and yet my heart beats for her like it never stopped. It’s not fair; and when I think of Sui… she deserves someone who can fully love her, and clearly, that person isn’t me.”

Junji gently squeezed Ling’s hand. “Ling, feelings don’t vanish because we decide they should. Your heart still belongs to Orm because some things never truly fade. Evenif you moved country”

Ling shook her head softly, fighting tears. “But it hurts. Loving Orm still hurts so much, Junji. And now, with Sui and Jessica talking, I don't know who to trust. I have a think for women who keeps secrets apparently”

Junji offered a comforting smile, placing an arm gently around Ling. “Trust yourself first, Ling. Trust what your heart is telling you. Everything else will sort itself out.”

Ling leaned into Junji’s embrace, silently grateful for her steady presence. For a moment, she allowed herself to admit the truth she'd been running from—the undeniable truth she’d been hiding for years:

She was still, hopelessly and desperately, in love with Orm.