Opposite Attracts

The rest of the day passed quickly. Both Lingling and Orm were buried in their tasks, but despite how busy Orm was, she couldn’t help but steal glances at Lingling every chance she got. Every time their eyes met, she would flash a playful smile before returning to her work as if nothing had happened.

Lingling tried to ignore it, but the warmth creeping up her neck made it impossible.

Before they knew it, the workday had come to an end.

Orm closed her laptop with a satisfied sigh and stretched her arms. She turned to Lingling. “You ready to go?”

Lingling hesitated. “Orm… are you sure this is a good idea? I mean… me having dinner with your family?”

Orm leaned against her desk, arms crossed, looking completely at ease. “Relax. My dad might look like he runs an underground mafia—”

Lingling raised an eyebrow. “I was thinking that.”

Orm laughed. “But he’s really not that bad. And my mom? She’s probably going to love you more than she loves me.”

Lingling exhaled, still unsure.

“I’ll be with you the whole time,” Orm added, her voice softer now.

Lingling finally nodded. “Okay… but if this turns into a business interrogation, I will run.”

Orm grinned. “Noted.”

They left the office together, stepping into Orm’s sleek white car. The moment Lingling sat in the passenger seat, she felt her nerves intensify.

Orm, on the other hand, looked like she was on top of the world. She couldn’t stop smiling as she started the engine.

The drive to Orm’s house was quiet. Not an uncomfortable silence, but a heavy one. Lingling stared out the window, gripping her bag tightly.

Orm glanced at her once before reaching over and giving her knee a quick squeeze. “You’ll be fine,” she reassured her.

Lingling let out a small breath, attempting to believe her.

As the towering gates of the Sethratanapong estate came into view, her heart pounded faster.

What the hell did I just agree to?

______________________

As Orm and Lingling entered the grand estate, housemaids greeted them with warm smiles. The rich aroma of home-cooked food filled the air, only heightening the nervous flutter in Lingling’s chest.

Just as she was gathering the courage to take another step, she heard the sound of footsteps coming from the grand staircase. She turned to see Orm’s father, descending the stairs with Orm’s mother, gracefully following behind him.

Their presence was commanding yet oddly comforting. Unlike the intimidating businessman she had imagined, Koy’s warm expression softened the entire atmosphere.

Koy was the first to speak, smiling brightly. “Oh, you must be the new assistant!”

Oct nodded in agreement, his lips curving into an amused smile. “Shall we?” he gestured toward the dining area.

Lingling swallowed her nerves and nodded. She still couldn’t believe what she had gotten herself into, but she tried her best to remain calm and composed.

The dining area was just as grand as the rest of the house. A long, polished wooden table was set with elegant silverware, wine glasses, and an assortment of Thai dishes that looked far too exquisite to touch.

As soon as they sat down, Koy turned to Lingling with a gentle smile. “What’s your name again, dear?”

Lingling straightened in her seat. “My name is Lingling Kwong.”

Both Koy and Oct exchanged pleased looks before Koy nodded. “It’s lovely to meet you, Lingling.”

Oct leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “So, Lingling, tell us about yourself.”

Lingling hesitated, unsure how much to share. “Well, I’m originally from Khon Kaen. I moved to Bangkok for work and—”

Oct cut her off with an approving nod. “Khon Kaen? A hardworking young woman, I see. No wonder Orm looks so… different lately.”

Lingling blinked. “Different?”

Koy chuckled. “Happier.”

Lingling turned to glance at Orm, who had been surprisingly quiet this whole time. The moment their eyes met, Orm nearly choked on her drink, quickly clearing her throat.

“Dad, you’re making it sound like I’m miserable all the time,” Orm protested.

Oct smirked. “I’m just saying, it’s rare for you to bring someone here for dinner.”

Orm’s face turned red as she narrowed her eyes. “You invited her, remember?”

Oct shrugged. “Oh? I thought I was doing you a favor.” He let out a deep laugh.

Orm groaned, covering her face with one hand. “Dad, please.”

Oct leaned back, still amused. “Tell me, if I hadn’t invited her, when were you planning to do it? Assistant?” He chuckled again.

Koy let out a light laugh, shaking her head at her husband’s teasing. Lingling, despite her initial nervousness, found herself relaxing.

The conversation flowed naturally after that. They talked, laughed, and, to Lingling’s surprise, the dinner felt far more casual than she had expected. She wasn’t just meeting Orm’s family—she was getting to know them.

And maybe, just maybe, they were starting to like her too.

As they finished their meal, Oct leaned back in his chair, letting out a contented sigh. “That was nice. We should do this more often.”

Koy nodded in agreement. “Yes, I think so too. It’s a good excuse to have Orm actually eat dinner with us instead of partying all the time.”

Orm scoffed. “I don’t party all the time, Mom.”

Oct raised an eyebrow. “Really? Should I call Pring to confirm?”

Orm narrowed her eyes. “Ugh, Dad, please.”

Lingling, unsure how to respond, simply smiled and kept her mouth shut. She had enjoyed herself, but she wasn’t sure how often she could handle the teasing.

Realizing it was getting late, Orm stood up and stretched. “I’ll take Lingling home.”

Koy clasped her hands together. “Alright, dear. Lingling, it was lovely meeting you.”

“Yes, we hope to see you again soon,” Oct added with a wink.

Lingling politely bowed her head. “Thank you for having me. I had a great time.”

After saying their goodbyes, Orm and Lingling got into Orm’s sleek white car and drove toward Lingling’s apartment.

Orm, still grinning from the night’s events, glanced at Lingling. “So… was it that bad?”

Lingling let out a small chuckle. “It wasn’t bad, but I was nervous the whole time. I’ve never done anything like that before.”

Orm smirked. “See? Another first with me.”

Lingling rolled her eyes but smiled. “You keep saying that.”

“Well, it’s true.”

The comfortable silence that followed was short-lived. Just as they pulled up to Lingling’s apartment, Orm’s phone screen lit up.

Lingling caught a glimpse of the name before Orm could grab it—Bam.

Her stomach twisted.

She immediately turned away and unbuckled her seatbelt. Without a word, she opened the car door and stepped out, her movements quick and sharp.

Orm groaned in frustration. What a perfect timing for Bam to call.

Lingling walked faster than usual, trying to ignore the sting of irritation bubbling in her chest. She knew she had no right to feel this way. After all, she and Orm weren’t officially anything… yet.

But still.

Before she could reach her building’s entrance, she heard Orm’s voice behind her.

“Hey. Wait for me.”

Lingling ignored her and kept walking.

“Lingling,” Orm called again, her footsteps getting closer.

Lingling sighed and finally turned around, arms crossed. “What?”

Orm stopped in front of her, looking frustrated yet amused. “Are you seriously mad over a phone call?”

“I’m not mad,” Lingling said flatly.

Orm gave her a pointed look. “Really? Then why did you storm out of the car like I just committed a crime?”

Lingling huffed, looking away. “It’s none of my business who calls you.”

Orm let out a short laugh. “Ling, come on. You know it’s not like that.”

Lingling clenched her jaw, avoiding Orm’s gaze. “I don’t know anything.”

Orm took a step closer, her voice softer now. “Then let me explain.”

Lingling hesitated for a moment, glancing at Orm, who stood in front of her with a determined look.

“Can we go inside your apartment and talk?” Orm asked, her voice softer now, as if she was pleading.

Lingling exhaled sharply but stepped aside, allowing Orm to enter. She closed the door behind them, already bracing herself for whatever conversation was about to unfold.

But before she could even take another breath, Orm closed the distance between them, grabbing Lingling by the waist and pulling her into a deep, unexpected kiss.

Lingling’s eyes widened in shock. She didn’t even have a chance to protest, nor did she find herself wanting to. Orm’s lips were warm, familiar, and for a moment, she let herself get lost in it.

Then, just as suddenly, Orm pulled away, her forehead resting against Lingling’s as she caught her breath.

“I don’t care about anyone else, Ling,” Orm whispered. “I don’t care about the girls who flirt with me. It’s just you. I want you.”

Lingling swallowed hard. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as Orm’s deep, brown eyes locked onto hers.

Still, doubt lingered.

“I’m scared,” Lingling whispered.

Orm nodded. “Me too.”

And then she leaned in again, this time slower—kissing Lingling with an aching tenderness. It wasn’t rushed, wasn’t desperate. It was full of something Lingling had never felt before—something real.

Orm pulled away once more, cupping Lingling’s face in her hands. “Let me take care of you,” she murmured. “Be mine, and I promise, I’m all yours too.”

Lingling sighed, stepping back slightly, removing Orm’s hands from her face. “It’s not that simple, Orm,” she said, her voice laced with hesitation. “I won’t deny I like you, but look at us. You’re rich. I’m not. Your family has everything, and look where I live.” She gestured around her modest apartment. “I don’t think I can keep up with your world. Look at the girls chasing after you—sophisticated, wealthy, beautiful. They belong in your life. I don’t.”

Orm groaned, rubbing her temples in frustration. “Ling, for fuck’s sake. I don’t want them! What am I supposed to do with all of that? I don’t care where you live, what you wear, or if you don’t come from money. I just want you.”

Lingling leaned back against her chair, arms crossed as she wrestled with her thoughts. She sighed. “I don’t know, Orm…”

Orm let out a breath before stepping closer. She knelt in front of Lingling and gently took her hands.

Lingling looked down at her, stunned.

Orm gazed up at her with all the sincerity she had in her. “I hate to admit it, but I’m in love with you, Ling.” Her voice trembled slightly, as if the words themselves were overwhelming. “So please… can we at least try?”

Lingling hated how easily Orm could break through her walls. She hated how, despite all her doubts, she wanted to say yes.

She stared at Orm, and Orm stared back, waiting.

And then, instead of speaking, Lingling leaned down and kissed her.

Orm froze in shock for a second before responding, her hands tightening around Lingling’s as if she was afraid to let go.

When they finally parted, Orm’s face broke into the widest grin Lingling had ever seen.

“Sooo,” Orm drawled out playfully, “are you… my girlfriend now?” She pouted, her lips forming the cutest expression.

Lingling rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the small smile that formed on her lips.

“Sure,” she muttered.

The next thing she knew, Orm jumped up, squealing in excitement.

Lingling blinked. “Did you just—”

“I knew it! I knew you liked me!” Orm cheered, practically bouncing in place. Then, her expression suddenly turned serious. “So, from now on, I’m allowed to see you whenever I want, right?”

Lingling raised an eyebrow. “That’s what’s on your mind right now?”

Orm shrugged. “Well, you did forbid me from seeing you over the weekend. And now you have no right to say that anymore.”

Lingling shook her head, laughing softly. “You’re unbelievable.”

Orm grinned. “And you are my girlfriend now. So get used to it.”

And with that, she pulled Lingling into another kiss—this time slower, sweeter, and full of the promise that this was just the beginning.