Opposite Attracts

The car ride back to Lingling’s apartment was quiet, but the tension between them was anything but. Orm sat beside her, hands resting on her lap, but her entire body was burning from the way Lingling had teased her all night. Every stolen glance, every smirk, every deliberate touch—it was driving Orm insane.

She stole a glance at Lingling, who was staring out the window, the city lights casting a soft glow on her face. She looked calm, but Orm knew better. She was enjoying this.

Orm finally exhaled and smirked. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Lingling turned to her, blinking innocently. “Enjoying what?” she asked, feigning cluelessness.

Orm scoffed, shaking her head. “Unbelievable.”

Lingling bit her lip, stifling a laugh.

The car slowed as they neared Lingling’s apartment building. Orm had already asked the driver to drop her off first, knowing full well she wasn’t ready to say goodbye just yet.

As the vehicle came to a stop, Lingling turned to Orm and smiled. “Goodnight,” she said softly. “And thanks for tonight. I really enjoyed it.”

Orm stared at her, reluctant to let her go. “Can I see you tomorrow?” she asked, hoping for even just a yes.

Lingling cupped Orm’s face with both hands, her thumbs brushing gently against her cheeks. She leaned in just close enough for Orm to feel her breath. “I have plans tomorrow,” she whispered. “Actually, the whole weekend.”

Orm frowned. “The whole weekend?”

Lingling smirked. “Try to miss me for the whole weekend.” Then, as if to torture her further, she winked before slipping out of the car.

Orm barely had time to protest before the door closed.

She groaned, throwing her head back against the seat.

What the hell am I gonna do this weekend?

She was definitely going to miss her.

_____________

Saturday was a busy day for Lingling. Even on her supposed rest days, she still picked up shifts at Becky’s restaurant whenever she could. She liked keeping herself occupied—it helped her feel in control, and honestly, extra cash never hurt. The restaurant was packed, and between running orders, managing customers, and handling the occasional kitchen mishap, she barely had time to check her phone.

What she didn’t know was that Orm had already sent her multiple texts.

Orm: Good morning.
Orm: I miss you.
Orm: Busy?

But none were read.

Meanwhile, Orm was lounging by the pool at Namtan’s house, sipping on a cocktail far too early in the morning. The sun was high, the water was cool, and her two best friends, Namtan and Faye, were enjoying their drinks.

But Orm? She was growing impatient.

Her phone was in her hand, screen locked, but she kept flipping it over, checking if there was a notification. Nothing.

She exhaled sharply, frowning. What the hell is she doing? she thought. Is she really working, or is she with someone else?

“You’re acting weird,” Namtan commented, sipping her drink. “Very unusual of you to wait for a text.”

Faye smirked, looking amused. “Who’s the unlucky girl?”

Both of them chuckled while Orm rolled her eyes.

“It’s Lingling,” Orm admitted.

The reaction was instant—Namtan and Faye both gasped dramatically, clutching their chests as if Orm had just told them she was quitting her playgirl ways.

“Wait, wait, wait,” Namtan said, holding up a hand. “Did you just say Lingling? Your—what is she again? Personal maid? Assistant? Whatever?”

“Shut up,” Orm groaned. “I’m serious about her.”

Namtan raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And since when do you seriously date?”

Faye chuckled, nudging Namtan. “Look at her. She’s frustrated but trying to act chill. It’s hilarious.”

They both laughed while Orm scowled, swirling her drink.

But then Namtan turned a little serious. “Okay, but really—what’s bothering you?”

Orm sighed, running a hand through her hair. “She hasn’t texted me since last night.”

Faye blinked. “And?”

Orm threw her hands up. “She usually replies! What if she’s—”

Faye interrupted, deadpan, “Busy?”

Orm pursed her lips but nodded.

Namtan tilted her head. “What does she usually do on her rest days?”

Orm sighed. “Still working.”

“There you go,” Namtan said. “Relax, Orm. Not every woman is waiting by the phone for you.”

Orm was about to snap back when her phone buzzed. Her heart jumped as she quickly unlocked it.

Lingling: Hey, good morning. Sorry, it’s packed at the restaurant. I’ll text you later after work.

Instantly, Orm’s frown disappeared. A slow, satisfied smile stretched across her lips.

Namtan and Faye exchanged looks.

“Oh no,” Faye muttered.

Namtan grinned. “You’re whipped, Orm.”

Orm ignored them, rereading the text and resisting the urge to reply too quickly.

But damn, she felt so much better now.

________________

After a grueling 12-hour shift at Becky’s restaurant, Lingling finally clocked out. The back-to-back events had kept her on her feet all day, and her body ached from exhaustion. Normally, she would head straight to the shower before bed, but tonight, she barely had the energy to do that. Instead, she collapsed onto her bed, sighing in relief, and reached for her phone.

As expected, there were multiple unread messages—all from Orm.

Orm: You should really rest on weekends.
Orm: Still working, huh?
Orm: I’m at Namtan’s house. One of my friends. Just hanging out.
Orm: Not drinking hard, don’t worry.
Orm: Before you even ask, no, I’m not playing around.

Lingling smirked at the last message. She really doesn’t want me to think she’s fooling around, huh?

She typed back: Drinking again?

Orm’s response came almost instantly.

Orm: Not a hard one. Just hanging out with my friends, Namtan and Faye. You’ll meet them soon.

Lingling stared at her screen for a moment before replying with a simple: Okay. Have fun.

It didn’t take long for Orm to text again.

Orm: Are you tired?

Then another one followed.

Orm: Do you want me to come over? 😉

Lingling chuckled, shaking her head. She could practically picture Orm’s smug expression as she sent that message.

Lingling: No, have fun there. 😊

Orm: You sure?

Lingling: Yes.

Orm: You’re making me miss you.

Lingling bit her lip, grinning as she typed.

Lingling: Lol. Is it working?

Orm: Unfortunately, it is.

Lingling laughed softly, feeling a strange warmth spread through her chest. She wasn’t sure when it started, but she enjoyed these little playful exchanges with Orm. Maybe she was testing her, maybe she was just having fun teasing her, but one thing was clear—Orm was hooked.

And Lingling? She was starting to like it.

__________________

Later that night, Orm finally arrived home. It was past midnight, but despite the late hour, the first thing she did after stepping inside was pull out her phone to text Lingling.

Orm: Hey, I’m home. Just letting you know.

A second later, she followed up with another message.

Orm: Like my actual house, not a fancy hotel.

She smirked to herself, tossing her heels aside as she made her way to her bedroom.

A few minutes later, just as she was settling into bed, her phone vibrated with a reply.

Lingling: Why are you so defensive?

Orm smirked. She had been expecting that.

Orm: I don’t want you to overthink.

Lingling: I’m not.

Orm: Just in case you are. 😉

Lingling: Fine.

Orm chuckled to herself, staring at the screen. This back-and-forth was becoming her favorite part of the day.

Orm: Why are you still awake?

Lingling: Just woke up, actually.

Orm raised an eyebrow.

Orm: I see. You want me to come over?

She grinned, waiting for the reply, knowing exactly how Lingling would react.

Lingling: It’s past midnight, Orm. I need to get more sleep.

Orm sighed dramatically, even though no one could hear her.

Lingling: So persistent.

Orm: It’s because I miss you. 😉

Lingling: You drunk?

Orm smirked.

Orm: Tipsy, yes. Drunk? I don’t think so. I can still text you.

Lingling: Uh-huh.

Orm rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling.

Lingling: Go to bed, Orm.

Orm: You should be here. 😉 I’m a good masseuse.

Orm bit her lip, already anticipating the response.

Lingling: Nice try.

Orm: I’m not lying. You’ll know soon enough. Lol

Lingling: Go to sleep, Orm.

Orm: FINE. Can I see you tomorrow????!!!!

Lingling: M O N D A Y.

Orm groaned, rolling over and pressing her face into her pillow. Why is she like this? She glanced at her phone one last time and, with a defeated sigh, typed her final message for the night.

Orm: Good night.

She let out another sigh but couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto her lips as she tucked herself under the covers.

Tapping her forehead, she muttered to herself, “What am I doing?”

Then, with another smile, she whispered, I should be well compensated soon.

With that thought lingering, she closed her eyes, already counting down the hours until Monday.