Opposite Attracts

The morning after, Orm stirred awake, blinking against the morning light filtering through Lingling's tiny apartment window. She groaned, rubbing her face as the memories of last night rushed back.

She had kissed Lingling.

Almost stripped her.

Then stopped.

She exhaled sharply and dragged a hand down her face, feeling the secondhand embarrassment settle in.

She wasn't exactly the type to regret her actions, but last night? That was a lot, even for her.

She glanced around, realizing she was still lying on the couch. Her clothes were slightly wrinkled, her hair probably a mess, and—yep, definitely hungover.

Then she smelled it.

Something warm. Something... delicious.

Her stomach grumbled at the scent of food drifting from the small kitchenette.

Orm slowly sat up and turned her head—

And there was Lingling, standing by the stove, flipping an omelet.

Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, a few loose strands framing her face. She was wearing soft cotton shorts and an oversized shirt that hung off her shoulder slightly.

For some reason, that sight made Orm's heart squeeze.

She looked... comfortable.

And beautiful.

Before Orm could say anything, Lingling turned her head and noticed her.

"Oh, you're awake."

Her tone was casual, like nothing happened last night.

That made Orm relax a little.

"Yeah..." Orm yawned, stretching her arms before slumping back against the couch.

Lingling nodded, flipping the omelet onto a plate. "Good morning. I made omelets and toast. I'll make you some coffee."

Orm blinked. "You didn't have to do that."

Lingling shrugged. "Yeah, sure. But I also don't want you all grumpy and hungover the whole day. So, let's go eat breakfast so we can start our day."

Orm watched her for a moment, a small smile forming despite herself.

"Do you have extra clothes?" Lingling asked while placing plates on the table.

Orm nodded, running a hand through her messy hair. "I always keep extra clothes in my car."

Lingling snorted. "I figured."

She gestured for Orm to join her at the small dining table.

Orm settled into the chair across from Lingling.

The table was small, just enough for two, forcing them to sit closer than usual.

The atmosphere was... different.

Softer.

Unlike their usual banter, neither of them made any sarcastic remarks or playful insults.

It was just quiet.

Orm wasn't sure if it was the morning drowsiness or if Lingling was also thinking about last night.

Either way, she kept sneaking glances at Lingling, trying to gauge her mood.

Lingling, on the other hand, was eating as if everything was normal.

She took a bite of her omelet, glanced up at Orm, and smirked. "You're quiet today."

Orm's fingers paused around her fork.

She hesitated for a second before sighing. "Just... thinking."

Lingling arched a brow. "Thinking? That's new."

Orm rolled her eyes. "Funny."

Lingling chuckled, taking a sip of her coffee. "What are you thinking about?"

Orm stared at her plate.

She was never the type to open up about her feelings.

But last night, with the alcohol lowering her defenses, she had let it slip—

That she had been thinking about Lingling all the time.

That she wanted her.

And even though she was sober now, she knew—

She still meant it.

Orm exhaled, tapping her fingers against the table.

Then, she finally looked up at Lingling.

"I meant what I said last night."

Lingling's fork paused mid-air.

She slowly chewed, swallowed, and then leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "Which part?"

Orm smirked slightly. "The part where I said I wanted you."

Lingling's expression didn't change. But Orm saw it.

That tiny flicker of something in her eyes.

Lingling set down her coffee cup. "And the part where you suddenly stopped?"

Orm rubbed the back of her neck. "Yeah... that too."

Lingling hummed, as if contemplating something. Then she rested her chin on her hand, watching Orm carefully.

"So?"

Orm blinked. "So?"

"So... are you gonna tell me why?"

Orm hesitated.

Then, in a rare moment of honest vulnerability, she said—

"Because I don't want to mess this up."

Lingling's teasing smile faded slightly.

Orm continued, looking serious now.

"I know I act like an ass sometimes. And I know I do a lot of... reckless things. But you? You're different, Ling. You're not just some random person I hook up with and forget about the next day."

Lingling swallowed, her fingers tightening around her coffee cup.

"So yeah," Orm said, exhaling. "I wanted to slow down. Because if we do this... I want to do it right. With you."

Lingling sat there for a moment, stunned into silence.

Then, after what felt like forever, she let out a breathless laugh.

"Wow."

Orm raised a brow. "What?"

Lingling smirked. "That was... probably the most sincere thing you've ever said."

Orm rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of amusement in them. "Shut up."

Lingling chuckled, shaking her head. "You really like me, huh?"

Orm sighed dramatically. "God help me, but yeah. I do."

Lingling snorted. "Well, that makes two of us, I guess."

Orm froze.

Did she just—

Before she could say anything, Lingling stood up, grabbing both of their plates.

"Hurry up and change," she said, walking toward the sink. "We're gonna be late."

Orm blinked, still processing her words.

Then, slowly, a smirk crept onto her face.

She stood up, grabbing her phone. "You just admitted you like me."

Lingling scoffed, rinsing the dishes. "I said 'I guess.' Don't push your luck."

Orm chuckled, making her way toward the door. "You like me," she teased again, grabbing her spare clothes from the car.

Lingling ignored her. But when she turned slightly, Orm caught it.

The small, genuine smile playing at her lips.

And just like that.

It felt like something had shifted between them.

________________

When Lingling and Orm stepped out of the car and into the office building, the usual buzz of the corporate world greeted them. Employees hurrying to their desks, phone calls ringing, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee lingering in the air.

As they made their way toward the elevators, a familiar voice called out.

"Well, well, look at you two. Arriving together, huh?"

Lingling turned just in time to see Win strolling toward them, his usual smug grin in place.

Orm rolled her eyes, not in the mood for his teasing, and walked ahead. "Don't start, Win."

Win chuckled but didn't push. Instead, he casually draped his arm over Lingling's shoulder and steered her away from Orm.

"Come on, let's have a chat."

Win led Lingling to a quiet corner near the conference rooms. Once he was sure no one was around, he leaned in, lowering his voice.

"So... care to share?"

Lingling frowned, pulling away slightly. "Share what?"

Win sighed dramatically. "Ugh, you're such a killjoy. I know Orm went to your apartment last night."

Lingling's brows furrowed. "How—"

Win smirked. "Because I followed her, obviously."

Lingling's eyes widened. "You what???"

Win shrugged. "She was drunk and driving alone. Someone had to make sure she didn't crash into a tree or something. Don't worry, I left immediately once I saw her went to your place."

Lingling crossed her arms, still processing the fact that Win had secretly followed Orm.

"So basically, you're saying I owe you a thank you?"

Win grinned. "Yes. Thanks to me, you got yourself a girlfriend."

Lingling scoffed, shaking her head. "She's not my girlfriend. Yet."

Win raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then what are you two, exactly?"

Lingling hesitated for a moment before sighing. "We're... taking things slow."

Win froze.

Then, after a beat—

He burst into laughter.

"ORM? TAKING THINGS SLOW? Oh, this is gold."

Lingling rolled her eyes. "It's not that funny."

Win wiped a fake tear from his eye, still grinning. "You have no idea how painful this must be for her."

Lingling narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"

Win leaned closer, voice amused. "Orm has never, ever ever ever taken things slow with anyone. She either gets what she wants immediately or loses interest. No in between. So for her to suggest slowing down?"

He whistled.

"That's some serious self-control. She must really like you."

Lingling felt a warmth spread in her chest, but she quickly shook it off.

"She just... wants to do things right."

Win smirked. "Yeah, because she actually cares. And good luck to her."

Lingling stayed quiet, processing his words.

Win nudged her. "So, how does it feel knowing you're the first person she's actually willing to wait for?"

Lingling exhaled, rubbing her temples. "It feels like a lot of pressure, honestly."

Win grinned, clapping a hand on her shoulder. "Welcome to the world of dating Orm Kornnaphat Sethratanapong. Buckle up, Ling. You're in for a ride."

_______________

At the meeting room. Lingling sat at the long conference table, flipping through her notes. This was one of the company's biggest partnerships, and she needed to stay sharp.

Win sat beside her, looking entirely too smug. "You ready?"

"For the meeting? Yes. For you being annoying? No."

Win chuckled. "You like me."

Lingling ignored him.

Just then, the door opened, and Orm walked in.

She looked as composed as ever. Sharp suit, confident stride, the picture of professionalism. But when her gaze briefly met Lingling's, there was something different. A flicker of hesitation.

Lingling quickly looked away, forcing herself to focus on the meeting.

Orm took her seat at the head of the table and started speaking, her voice smooth and authoritative. "Let's begin."

Lingling tried really hard not to be distracted by the way Orm carried herself, but it was impossible. The woman just oozed confidence.

Win, of course, noticed. He leaned over and whispered, "You're staring."

Lingling jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow.

Win winced but grinned. "Totally worth it."

_______________

The meeting wrapped up an hour later, and as everyone started filing out, Orm's voice stopped Lingling in her tracks.

"Lingling. A word?"

Win wiggled his eyebrows at her before making himself scarce.

Lingling turned to face Orm. "What is it?"

Orm hesitated for a second before exhaling. "About last night..."

Lingling folded her arms. "What about it?"

Orm rubbed the back of her neck, a rare show of nervousness. "I meant what I said. I want to do this right."

Lingling studied her carefully. "And what exactly does 'right' mean to you?"

Orm hesitated before answering, "It means... I don't want to rush things. I don't want this to be just another fling. I want to take my time with you."

Lingling felt something warm settle in her chest.

Orm who had never hesitated before, who had always been direct and sure of herself was standing in front of her, looking uncertain. Looking like she cared.

Lingling exhaled. "Okay."

Orm's shoulders relaxed slightly. "Okay."

A silence stretched between them before Orm smirked. "Does that mean I can take you on an actual date?"

Lingling raised an eyebrow. "A proper date? No running away halfway through? No drunk confessions?"

Orm chuckled. "I promise to be on my best behavior."

Lingling pretended to think for a moment before nodding. "Alright. A date it is"

Orm grinned. "Friday night?"

"Friday night," Lingling confirmed.

Orm's smirk deepened. "It's a date, then."

Lingling rolled her eyes. "Don't make a big deal out of it."

"Oh, but it is a big deal," Orm said, stepping closer. Her voice dropped slightly. "Because I always get what I want, Lingling. And I want you."

Lingling's breath hitched slightly, but she forced herself to keep her cool. "We'll see about that."

Orm smirked. "Looking forward to it."

And with that, she walked away, leaving Lingling standing there, her heart beating way too fast.

Win suddenly appeared beside her, grinning ear to ear. "Sooo... definitely a couple by next month."

Lingling groaned. "Go away, Win."

Win just laughed.

_______________

Lingling sat at her desk, her eyes scanning the documents in front of her, but her mind was elsewhere. She was focused, or at least she tried to be. The rhythmic clicking of her pen against the table was the only sign of her restlessness.

Then, the door to Orm's office swung open without warning.

Bam.

Lingling didn't even have to look up to recognize the voice.

"Hey, you," Bam's tone was playful as she sauntered toward Orm. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around Orm and planted a kiss on her cheek—like she always did.

Orm froze.

Lingling's fingers tightened slightly around the pen she was holding.

She didn't flinch. She didn't react.

Instead, she calmly stacked the papers she had been reviewing, grabbed another file, and stood up.

"I'll excuse myself," Lingling said, her tone neutral. Not cold. Not angry. Just neutral.

She didn't look at Orm.

Didn't acknowledge the scene.

Just left.

Orm's stomach twisted as she watched Lingling disappear through the door.

Her focus snapped back to Bam, who was grinning as she placed a bag of food on the desk.

"I just brought you lunch. That's all."

Orm stood up abruptly. "Bam, you can't just barge into my office unannounced."

Bam frowned. "Since when do I care?"

Orm barely heard her. Her mind was still stuck on the way Lingling had left—no questions, no comments, no visible reaction.

That was what scared her.

She wanted Lingling to react. To get mad, to question what the hell was going on. Anything.

But instead, Lingling had just... walked away.

Bam stepped closer and reached up to touch Orm's arm. "Come on, don't be like that. Eat your lunch before it gets cold."

"I'm busy," Orm said firmly. "You should go."

Bam pouted but didn't push further. She leaned in to kiss Orm again before leaving, but this time, Orm stepped back.

"Come on, Bam. Stop."

Bam narrowed her eyes slightly before sighing. "Fine. I'll see you later, then."

She left without another word.

As soon as the door closed, Orm grabbed her phone, fingers trembling slightly as she scrolled through her contacts. She was about to call Lingling—

But just then, the office door opened again.

Lingling walked in.

As if nothing had happened.

As if she had merely given Orm and Bam privacy.

She sat down, resumed her work, and didn't look at Orm even once.

Orm's throat felt tight.

She swallowed.

Her hands curled into fists as she debated saying something—anything—but the words wouldn't come.

Lingling's silence was louder than any argument.

And it was killing her.

_______________

The office felt heavier than usual.

Orm couldn't focus.

She kept glancing at Lingling, hoping for a reaction, a question—something.

But Lingling was unreadable.

At exactly five o'clock, Lingling stood up, packed her things, and slung her bag over her shoulder.

"I'll go ahead," she said, her tone as casual as if they had spent the day in a normal office setting.

But Orm knew better.

She felt the shift.

She opened her mouth, about to stop Lingling.

But Lingling was already gone.

The door clicked shut, leaving Orm standing in the middle of the office, alone.

_______________

Lingling walked down the hallway, her steps measured, her face calm.

She wasn't mad. She told herself she wasn't mad.

Because why would she be?

They weren't together. They had no labels.

She had no right to be upset.

But deep down, a small, bitter thought crept in.

Then why does it feel like this?

Why did it feel like she had just watched something slip through her fingers?

She sighed as she stepped into the elevator, pressing the button to the ground floor.

Maybe she had been stupid to hope for something more.

_______________

Orm was restless. She tried calling Lingling. No answer.

She texted. No response.

Panic settled in her chest like a heavy weight. She needed to fix this. Now.

Grabbing her keys, she stormed out of her office.

"Where are you going?" Win called out as he saw her leaving in a rush.

Orm barely slowed down. "To find Lingling."

Win raised a brow. "What did you do?"

Orm groaned. "I didn't do anything—"

"Which is exactly the problem, right?" Win smirked knowingly.

Orm shot him a glare before hurrying out the door.

_______________

Lingling had just stepped into her apartment when her phone vibrated again.

Orm: Lingling, let me explain.

Orm: Please answer.

She hesitated, staring at the screen.

Her heart told her to pick up. Her mind told her to let it be.

The knock on her door startled her.

She knew who it was before she even opened it.

Orm stood there, slightly out of breath, her eyes desperate.

"Ling..."

Lingling sighed, crossing her arms. "What are you doing here?"

Orm swallowed hard. "I—" She hesitated. "I needed to see you."

Lingling leaned against the doorframe. "You could have just texted."

"I did," Orm said, frustrated. "You didn't answer."

Lingling looked at her phone. "I saw."

Orm took a deep breath. "Look, about earlier—"

"You don't have to explain," Lingling cut her off. "It's none of my business."

Orm flinched.

None of her business.

It was her business.

Wasn't it?

"I want to explain," Orm insisted. "I didn't kiss her back. I didn't—"

"I know," Lingling said simply.

That threw Orm off.

"You... know?"

Lingling shrugged. "I saw."

Orm ran a frustrated hand through her hair. "Then why are you acting like this?"

Lingling's expression remained unreadable. "Like what?"

"Like it didn't matter," Orm said, voice almost breaking. "Like I don't matter."

Lingling exhaled slowly. "Because, Orm... I don't want to be one of those people who has to wonder where they stand in your life."

Orm stared at her.

Lingling's voice softened. "And right now... I don't know where I stand."

The words hit Orm like a punch to the gut.

Because Lingling was right.

She had never made it clear.

And if she didn't do something now—if she didn't fix this—she might lose Lingling before they even began.

Orm took a step closer. "You stand here," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "With me."

Lingling's eyes flickered with something unreadable. "Orm..."

"No more mixed signals," Orm promised. "No more guessing. I want this. I want you."

Lingling searched Orm's face, looking for hesitation.

There was none.

Lingling stepped closer to Orm, her fingers lightly brushing over the lapels of Orm's blazer. She adjusted it absentmindedly, smoothing out the fabric before letting her hands rest there.

Orm barely breathed. The closeness, the intensity in Lingling's eyes. It was almost too much.

Lingling's gaze trailed over Orm's suit before settling back on her face. "So, you really are determined to pursue me?" Her voice was steady, but there was a quiet challenge behind it.

Orm swallowed, nodding. "Yes."

Without warning, Lingling grabbed Orm by the collar, pulling her in until their faces were mere inches apart. Orm's breath hitched.

"Then get rid of your girls,. I don't want to deal with your leftovers." Lingling warned, her tone sharp, unwavering.

Orm never feared anyone. She had faced ruthless business executives, dealt with high-pressure negotiations, and commanded boardrooms without breaking a sweat. But right now, in front of Lingling, she felt something dangerously close to fear.

Not fear of Lingling herself—fear of losing her.

She stammered, "Y-Yes. I will. I promise."

Lingling held her gaze for a few more seconds before nodding in approval. "Good."

Then, just as quickly as she had pulled Orm close, she let go and stepped back. The absence of her touch sent a strange emptiness through Orm.

Lingling tilted her head toward the door. "Go home, Orm."

Orm hesitated, wanting to say something—anything—to make Lingling stay with her a little longer. But the look on Lingling's face left no room for argument.

"...Okay," Orm finally mumbled.

Lingling smirked, crossing her arms. "Good girl."

Orm's stomach flipped.

Lingling turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Orm standing there, stunned, her heart pounding against her ribs.

She was completely, utterly doomed.