Opposite Attracts

Orm’s POV

Orm signaled her driver to step out and give them privacy. She didn’t want anyone to witness what was about to happen—especially since she wasn’t sure if she could keep her emotions in check.

The moment Lingling slid into the seat, Orm didn’t even look at her. She kept her gaze forward, her fingers tapping against the leather armrest.

Then, in a low, controlled voice, she asked, “What were you thinking? Going with Win? Just the two of you?”

Lingling blinked, startled by the sharpness in Orm’s tone. “He just gave me a ride home.”

Orm finally turned to look at her, eyes dark with irritation. “Is your salary not enough for you to take a cab?” She scoffed, voice dripping with sarcasm.

Lingling’s jaw tightened. “It’s not about that. He offered, and he said he wouldn’t take no for an answer.” She paused, shaking her head. Then, realization hit her, and her expression shifted. “Wait a minute. Why am I even explaining this to you?”

Orm glared at her. “Because you didn’t answer my calls or texts.”

Lingling crossed her arms and scoffed. “So, you followed me?”

Orm swallowed, hesitating just for a second before answering, “I was just worried. You don’t know Win like I do.”

Lingling let out a short, amused laugh. “I’m a grown woman, Orm. I know what I’m doing.” She reached for the door handle. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to rest.”

Orm opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, Lingling slammed the car door shut.

Orm sat there, stunned for a moment. Her annoyance was quickly replaced with disbelief. Did she just slam the door on me?

Through the tinted window, she watched as Lingling stomped toward her apartment, muttering to herself.

“What the hell is up with her?” Lingling grumbled. “Interrogating me like a jealous girlfriend.” She stomped her foot for emphasis before disappearing inside.

Orm, left in the car, stared blankly ahead.

Then, suddenly, she laughed.

“You want to play this game, huh?” she murmured, shaking her head.

Fine.

Lingling’s POV

The next morning, Lingling woke up still slightly annoyed.

What was Orm’s problem?

She dragged herself out of bed, got ready for work, and left her apartment. As she entered the office building, she braced herself for another unpredictable day with her unreasonable boss.

But something was off.

The moment she stepped inside, she felt… watched.

Pring, one of Orm’s closest employees, was whispering with two other colleagues, occasionally glancing in Lingling’s direction.

“Good morning,” Lingling greeted as she walked past them.

Pring smiled a little too sweetly. “Morning, Ling.”

Lingling narrowed her eyes. “What?”

Pring grinned. “Nothing. You just look… well-rested.”

Lingling frowned. “Okay…?”

She was about to ask what the hell was going on when her phone buzzed.

Orm: Boardroom. Now.

Lingling rolled her eyes. Oh great. Here we go.

When Lingling entered the board room, Orm was sitting at the head of the long conference table, flipping through documents as if she hadn’t just sent a demanding text.

Lingling walked up and crossed her arms. “You rang, boss?”

Orm didn’t even look up. “Sit.”

Lingling hesitated, then took a seat across from her.

Orm finally looked at her. “I need you to accompany me to an event tonight.”

Lingling raised an eyebrow. “An event?”

Orm leaned back. “A dinner. Business-related. You’ll be representing the company with me.”

Lingling studied her. “Can’t Pring go instead?”

Orm smirked. “I want you to go.”

Lingling’s instincts screamed that this was more than just business. “Why me?”

Orm shrugged. “Because I said so.”

Lingling exhaled. “I don’t have anything to wear.”

Orm stood and walked toward her, stopping just inches away. “Already taken care of. I had a dress delivered to your apartment this morning.”

Lingling blinked. “You what?”

Orm smirked again. “Be ready by seven.”

Lingling opened her mouth to protest, but Orm was already turning away, dismissing her like she always did.

Lingling groaned. I am going to lose my mind working for this woman.

Lingling’s POV

The day passed in a blur of meetings, emails, and last-minute tasks. Lingling barely had time to process what had happened the night before with Win, let alone Orm’s unexpected reaction.

Now, as she stood in her apartment, staring at the emerald-green gown laid out on her bed, she let out a frustrated sigh.

She had no idea why Orm had insisted she attend tonight’s business dinner. Pring or one of the other assistants could have easily gone in her place. But no. It had to be her.

Because I said so.

Orm’s words echoed in her head.

Lingling rolled her eyes. “That woman is impossible.”

Still, she had no choice.

She slipped into the dress, applied light makeup, and tied her hair up in a simple but elegant bun. She didn’t do fancy. But tonight, she needed to at least look presentable.

Right on time, a car pulled up outside her apartment.

She took a deep breath and stepped outside.

Orm was already inside the car, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, looking as effortlessly powerful as ever.

When Lingling slid in beside her, Orm glanced at her briefly.

She didn’t say anything for a few seconds. Then—

“You look…” Orm cleared her throat. “Decent.”

Lingling scoffed. “Wow. What a compliment.”

Orm smirked. “Don’t let it get to your head.”

The tension between them was thick, but neither spoke for the rest of the ride.

At the dinner. The event was held at one of Bangkok’s most luxurious hotels. The private dining room was filled with executives, clients, and powerful figures in the business world.

The moment they stepped in, Lingling felt completely out of place.

Orm, however, was in her element.

She greeted the guests with her usual confidence, introducing Lingling as her assistant.

Lingling bit back an annoyed remark. Assistant? That’s what we’re going with?

And then—

“Lingling.”

She turned toward the familiar voice.

Win.

He looked just as polished as ever in his navy-blue suit, his usual charming smile in place.

Orm tensed beside her.

Win’s eyes flickered to Orm for the briefest moment before returning to Lingling. “You look stunning.”

Lingling smiled politely. “Thank you.”

Orm cleared her throat. “Lingling, let’s find our table.”

Win smirked. “Actually, she’ll be sitting with me.”

Orm’s eyes darkened. “I don’t recall that being the arrangement.”

Win chuckled. “Relax, Orm. It’s just dinner.”

Before Orm could protest further, Win gently took Lingling’s arm and guided her toward his table.

Lingling didn’t miss the way Orm’s jaw clenched.

This is going to be a long night.

Orm’s POV

She was furious.

Not that she would ever admit it, but watching Win whisk Lingling away like that acting as if he had some kind of claim over her made her blood boil.

She forced herself to focus on the conversations at her table, on the business matters at hand, but her attention kept drifting toward Lingling.

Win was leaning in too close.

Lingling was laughing at something he said.

Orm clenched her fist under the table.

The executives around her continued discussing the ongoing project, but she barely heard a word.

Then, when she glanced up again—

Win and Lingling were gone.

Her patience snapped.

Lingling’s POV

“Where are we going?” Lingling asked as Win guided her toward the balcony outside the dining hall.

“Just needed some air,” Win said smoothly. “And I figured you might too.”

Lingling sighed. “You’re not wrong.”

He leaned against the railing, gazing out at the city lights. “Orm seems… protective of you.”

Lingling laughed dryly. “That’s one way to put it.”

Win turned to her, studying her. “Are you two…?”

Lingling blinked. “No.”

Win smirked. “Could’ve fooled me.”

She rolled her eyes. “She’s my boss.”

“And yet,” Win mused, “she looks at you like you’re something more.”

Lingling shifted uncomfortably. “That’s ridiculous.”

Win shrugged. “Maybe. Or maybe she hasn’t figured it out yet.”

Lingling opened her mouth to argue, but—

The balcony door swung open.

Orm stood there, her expression unreadable.

“Lingling,” she said coolly. “We’re leaving.”

Lingling frowned. “What? The dinner isn’t over.”

Orm’s gaze flickered to Win before settling back on her. “Now.”

Lingling hesitated, then sighed. “Fine.”

Win smirked. “Guess I’ll see you around, Lingling.”

Orm didn’t say a word as she led Lingling back to the car.

The silence was suffocating.

Lingling glanced at Orm. Her jaw was tight, her fingers gripping her phone like she was ready to crush it.

Lingling sighed. “Are you going to say something, or—”

Orm cut her off. “I don’t like him.”

Lingling raised an eyebrow. “Okay…? And?”

Orm turned to her. “Stay away from him.”

Lingling scoffed. “Excuse me?”

Orm’s voice was sharp. “He’s a player, Ling. You’re just a challenge to him.”

Lingling folded her arms. “And why do you care?”

Orm hesitated. “Because I do.”

Lingling’s breath caught.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, Orm looked away. “I don’t trust him. That’s all.”

Lingling exhaled, leaning back against the seat.

Her heart was racing.

She wasn’t sure if it was from the argument—or from the way Orm had just admitted she cared.

Either way, she knew one thing.

Things between them would never be the same again.

_________________

The car ride to Lingling’s apartment was tense.

Orm didn’t say a word. She just stared out of the window, her fingers drumming impatiently against her lap.

Lingling, sitting stiffly beside her, could feel the heavy weight of Orm’s mood pressing down on the space between them.

She had heard it.

Bam? Where are you? Meet me at the usual place.

Lingling had no reaction when Orm made that call earlier. She didn’t even look at her.

But that didn’t mean she didn’t hear every single word.

And now, she felt stupid.

Why was she even bothered by it? It’s not like they were in a relationship. Orm could sleep with whoever she wanted. She could hook up with Bam all night if she wanted to.

Lingling clenched her jaw.

But then why did it sting so much?

The car pulled to a slow stop in front of her apartment building.

The driver stepped out and opened the door for her.

Lingling unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to Orm, forcing herself to be polite. “Goodnight, Boss.”

Orm didn’t even look at her. She simply nodded, eyes still focused on the city lights outside the window.

Lingling scoffed softly. “Unbelievable,” she muttered under her breath as she got out of the car.

She barely took three steps before hearing someone call her name.

“Lingling!”

She turned and blinked.

Win was standing by his car, holding a six-pack of beer, grinning at her like he had been waiting for her.

What the hell is he doing here?

Lingling sighed, forcing a smile. “Win? What are you doing here?”

Win lifted the beer in his hand. “Figured you might need a friend after that storm you just walked out of.”

Lingling hesitated. She should just go inside.

But…

A small voice in her head whispered, Orm’s probably at a hotel right now… with Bam.

Her chest tightened.

Screw it.

“Fine,” she said, walking over to him.

Win grinned, handing her a can. “That’s the spirit.”

They leaned against his car, sipping their beer in comfortable silence.

_________________

Orm’s POV

The hotel room was dimly lit.

Bam was on the bed, sitting cross-legged, twirling a glass of wine in her hand.

She watched Orm, amused. “You’re not yourself tonight.”

Orm exhaled sharply. “What do you mean?”

Bam smirked. “Usually, when you call me, you’re all over me the second I walk through that door. But tonight?” She took a sip of her wine, tilting her head. “You’re just… distracted.”

Orm clenched her jaw. “I’m not distracted.”

Bam chuckled. “Liar.”

Orm didn’t respond. She just stared at her phone, debating whether or not she should check if Lingling made it inside safely. But no random text from her.

Her grip tightened around her glass.

Bam raised an eyebrow. “Who is she?”

Orm looked up. “What?”

Bam rolled her eyes. “Who’s the girl who has you this messed up?”

Orm scoffed. “No one.”

Bam smirked. “Right. And I’m the Queen of England.”

Orm ignored her, downing the rest of her drink.

But she couldn’t shake the feeling.

_____________________

Lingling’s POV

Outside her apartment.

Lingling sighed, staring at the stars. “I don’t understand her.”

Win chuckled beside her. “Join the club.”

Lingling frowned, taking another sip of her beer. “You really think she likes me?”

Win smirked. “Oh, I don’t think. I know.”

Lingling shook her head. “No way. She just likes to boss me around.”

Win shrugged. “Then why does she get so pissed when you’re around me?”

Lingling hesitated.

“She was furious when she saw us together today,” Win continued, stretching his arms behind his head. “If looks could kill, I’d be dead.”

Lingling groaned, rubbing her temples. “I don’t get it.”

Win smirked. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you crack her. By the time I’m done, she’ll be on her knees, begging for you.”

Lingling choked on her drink. “What?!”

Win laughed. “Relax. Just trust me.”

Lingling stared at him warily. “You’re insane.”

Win winked. “You’ll thank me later.”

He stood up, stretching. “Alright, I have a meeting with your lovely boss tomorrow. I’ll pick you up in the morning. Be ready by 7:30 AM.”

Lingling frowned. “Wait, why—”

Win held up a hand. “It’s a yes. I’ll see you at 7:30.”

Lingling sighed. “Fine.”

As she walked inside, she realized something.

She wasn’t dreading work tomorrow.

For the first time in a while… she was actually looking forward to it.

The next morning.

At exactly 8:00 AM, Win’s car pulled up in front of the building.

Lingling stepped out, holding the coffee Win had bought her.

They were right on time.

As soon as she walked through the doors, she felt it.

The tension.

Orm was standing by the reception area, waiting for her.

Her sharp eyes narrowed the second she saw them together.

Win, as usual, smirked. “Good morning, Boss.”

Orm ignored him. Her gaze was locked entirely on Lingling.

“You’re late,” she said coldly.

Lingling blinked. “It’s 8:00 AM sharp.”

Orm’s jaw clenched. “Doesn’t matter. Next time, come alone.”

Lingling stared at her, confused.

Win chuckled under his breath. “Oh, this is going to be fun.”