Girlfriends
Orm practically skipped into her bedroom, her heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. She flopped onto her bed, a goofy smile plastered on her face. Without hesitation, she pulled out her phone and texted Lingling.
Goodnight, baby. I will see you tomorrow. 😘
She stared at the message for a moment, waiting to see if Lingling would reply. When she didn’t, Orm chuckled to herself. She’s probably already asleep.
With a sigh of contentment, she got up and changed into her pajamas. Just as she was about to climb into bed, a soft knock echoed through her room.
“Orm, are you still awake?”
Her mother’s voice.
“Come in, Mom,” Orm said, sitting up.
Koy stepped inside, a knowing smile on her face. “You’re back home. I thought you spent the night with Lingling.”
Orm shook her head. “No, Mom. I just took her home.”
Koy hummed and sat on the edge of the bed. “Are you happy?” she asked gently.
Orm felt warmth spread through her chest. “Yes, Mom. I am.”
Koy reached over and hugged her daughter. “I’m happy you finally stopped playing around.”
Orm sighed. “Me too.”
Koy pulled back slightly and studied Orm’s face. “Are you serious with her, though?”
Without hesitation, Orm nodded. “Yes, Mom. I am. And I don’t want to mess this up.”
A flicker of hesitation crossed Orm’s face as she added, “But… Lingling is scared. She said she doesn’t know how to keep up.”
Koy frowned. “Keep up? Why?”
Orm exhaled, running a hand through her hair. “She’s not rich, Mom. She thinks she doesn’t belong in my world.”
Koy let out a soft chuckle and reached out to fix Orm’s hair, tucking a strand behind her ear like she used to do when Orm was younger.
“You know,” Koy said, “your father and I will never judge someone based on their status. We might be strict, but you know we love you.”
Orm nodded, appreciating her mother’s words.
“You’re our only daughter,” Koy continued, “and if you’re serious about her, then don’t make her feel like she needs to keep up. Level with her. Show her that your world doesn’t have to be different from hers.”
Orm’s eyes softened. “Level with her…” she murmured, letting the words sink in.
Koy smiled and tapped Orm’s nose playfully. “That’s right. Now, get some sleep. You have a girl to take care of.”
Orm grinned. “Yes, Mom.”
As Koy stood up to leave, she turned back at the door and said, “Orm… if she makes you happy, then she’s enough. Don’t let her feel otherwise.”
Orm sat there for a while after her mother left, staring at the ceiling.
Then she picked up her phone and typed another message to Lingling.
I’ll make sure you never have to keep up. We’re in this together. Sleep well, my love. ❤️
Satisfied, Orm put her phone down and snuggled into bed, a newfound determination settling in her heart.
_______________
Lingling stirred awake, the morning sunlight seeping through her curtains. She reached for her phone groggily and squinted at the screen. Several unread messages.
She tapped on them and saw Orm’s name.
Goodnight, baby. I will see you tomorrow. 😘
I’ll make sure you never have to keep up. We’re in this together. Sleep well, my love. ❤️
Lingling’s heart fluttered. A slow, uncontrollable smile spread across her lips. She bit her lower lip, trying to suppress her emotions, but there was no denying it—Orm’s words had completely melted her.
She quickly typed back:
Good morning. See you later. ❤️
After getting ready, she headed to work.
_______________
At the office, Lingling walked in to find Orm already deep in work, typing away furiously on her laptop. The moment Lingling closed the door behind her, Orm immediately stood up and walked toward her.
“Good morning,” Orm greeted with a mischievous grin before leaning in to give Lingling a quick kiss on the lips.
Lingling’s eyes widened as she instinctively glanced around the room. “Not here!” she whispered, cheeks turning pink.
Orm simply smirked. “I don’t care.” She leaned in again and whispered teasingly, “Besides, it’s just us.”
Lingling glared at her playfully. “You’re impossible.”
Orm chuckled and slid her arms around Lingling’s waist, pulling her in closer. “Let’s have lunch outside later,” she whispered against Lingling’s ear.
Lingling felt her heartbeat quicken. “Fine,” she relented, “but I get to choose where we eat, okay?”
Orm grinned. “Fine. You’re the boss.”
She laughed, giving Lingling one more quick peck on the cheek before releasing her and heading back to her desk.
Lingling let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding.
This was her new normal now, wasn’t it?
And honestly… she didn’t mind it one bit.
_______________
Orm and Lingling sat across from each other in a small, bustling restaurant—a far cry from the high-end establishments Orm was used to. The sound of chatter, the clinking of utensils, and the occasional call from the kitchen filled the air.
Lingling took a bite of her meal and smirked at Orm, who was carefully picking at her food. “Not used to this, huh? Crowded places, simple food?”
Orm met her gaze and smirked back. “You know, I can easily adapt. I can get used to this.” She leaned in slightly, her eyes twinkling. “As long as you’re with me.”
Lingling rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the small smile forming on her lips. “Oh, stop it.”
Orm chuckled, clearly enjoying how flustered Lingling was getting. They continued their meal, enjoying the simplicity of the moment—laughing, teasing, and forgetting about the world outside.
Halfway through her drink, Orm suddenly put her glass down and looked at Lingling with a playful glint in her eye. “Hey, can we take a few days off?”
Lingling raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
Orm leaned back in her chair, smirking. “I want you all to myself for a few days.”
Lingling choked on her drink, coughing slightly. “Should I be worried?” she teased.
Orm pouted dramatically. “Hey! That’s not the response I was expecting.”
Lingling wiped her mouth and tilted her head. “And what exactly do you have in mind?”
Orm grinned. “A little trip. Just us. No work, no stress, no distractions. Somewhere peaceful.”
Lingling eyed her suspiciously. “Orm, you’re not planning to fly me to Mars or something, are you?”
Orm laughed. “As tempting as that sounds, no. I was thinking something local—somewhere by the beach, maybe or mountains. Just a short getaway.”
Lingling pondered for a moment. The idea of getting away from everything, even just for a few days, was tempting. Especially if it meant spending uninterrupted time with Orm.
“Okay,” she finally said. “But I get to choose where we go.”
Orm grinned widely. “Deal.”
And just like that, a new adventure was set in motion.
____________________
The day had finally come to an end, and for Orm, that meant her favorite part—driving Lingling home. It had become their routine, something so natural that neither of them questioned it anymore.
As Orm pulled up in front of Lingling’s apartment, she turned to her with a grin. “Safe and sound,” she said playfully.
Lingling hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Stay for dinner?”
Orm’s face lit up instantly. “Really?”
Lingling nodded. “I’ll cook.”
Without another word, Orm turned off the engine and got out of the car. But as soon as they stepped inside Lingling’s apartment, Orm shut the door behind them, grabbed Lingling by the waist, and pulled her close. Before Lingling could even react, Orm’s lips were on hers—soft yet urgent, warm yet electrifying.
Lingling didn’t protest. Instead, she melted into the kiss, wrapping her arms around Orm’s neck and pulling her in even closer.
Orm pulled away just enough to whisper against her lips. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you all day, but you told me to behave.” She pouted like a child.
Lingling chuckled, still breathless. “Well, we don’t want to make a scene at the office, do we?”
Orm nodded dramatically. “Like I said, you’re the boss between us.”
Lingling smirked. “Shouldn’t we be eating dinner now? I can cook for you.”
Orm, however, had other plans. She pressed small kisses along Lingling’s jawline, then trailed down to her neck. Between each kiss, she murmured, “Dinner. Is. Not. My. Priority. Right. Now.”
Lingling shook her head and laughed softly. “Unbelievable.”
“You can’t stop me,” Orm whispered, her voice low and teasing.
Lingling let out a small gasp as Orm’s hands traced the curves of her body, slowly unbuttoning her blazer and slipping it off her shoulders. The warmth between them intensified, their breathing becoming heavier.
Just as things were getting heated, Orm’s phone rang. Once. Twice. Then nonstop.
Orm groaned loudly, stomping her foot like a frustrated child. “Seriously?!”
Lingling couldn’t stop laughing. “Maybe it’s important,” she teased.
Orm rolled her eyes and reluctantly pulled away, answering the call with an annoyed sigh. “What now?” she snapped, then immediately cleared her throat when she saw the caller ID. “I mean—yes, Dad?”
Lingling, always one to tease, saw an opportunity. She leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on Orm’s neck while she was still on the call. Orm stiffened, her entire body tensing.
“Yes, the reports will be ready by tomorrow,” Orm said, trying to focus on her father’s business talk.
Lingling smirked mischievously and, without breaking eye contact with Orm, slowly removed her camisole, leaving her in just her underclothing.
Orm swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around her phone.
“Uh-huh… yes, I understand,” Orm continued, tilting her head slightly as she took in the sight of Lingling’s bare skin.
Lingling took another step closer, her fingertips lightly tracing over Orm’s collarbone. She placed another soft kiss right below Orm’s ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
Orm clenched her jaw, trying to suppress a groan. “Yes, Dad. Of course. First thing in the morning.”
Lingling grinned, clearly enjoying this little game.
As soon as the call ended, Orm tossed her phone onto the couch and, without hesitation, pushed Lingling onto the bed.
“You think you’re funny, huh?” Orm growled playfully, pinning Lingling down.
Lingling bit her lip, staring up at Orm with wide eyes. “Maybe,” she whispered.
Orm smirked before leaning down, her lips capturing Lingling’s once again. This time, there was no hesitation, no holding back. The hunger in Orm’s kiss sent heat coursing through Lingling’s body, making her arch into her touch.
Orm’s hands roamed gently, exploring every inch of Lingling’s skin with care and tenderness. She wanted this moment to be perfect—to show Lingling just how much she meant to her.
Lingling gasped as Orm’s lips trailed down her neck, leaving soft kisses along her collarbone. Every touch, every caress was slow and deliberate, as if Orm wanted to memorize every part of her.
Lingling pulled Orm closer, wrapping her arms around her. “Orm…” she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Orm lifted her head and looked into Lingling’s eyes. “Let me take care of you,” she murmured.
Lingling swallowed hard, her heart pounding. She had never felt so vulnerable yet so safe at the same time.
Orm pressed another kiss against her lips, this time slower, deeper. “I love you, Ling,” she whispered between kisses.
Lingling felt her heart clench at those words. She had been so scared of falling for Orm, so scared of what their differences might mean for their future. But at this moment, nothing else mattered.
She cupped Orm’s face, staring into her eyes. “I love you too,” she finally admitted.
Orm smiled—a genuine, breathtaking smile that made Lingling’s chest tighten.
“Then be mine,” Orm whispered, pressing her forehead against Lingling’s. “Just mine.”
Lingling smiled softly. “I already am.”
Orm’s lips crashed into hers once more, sealing the promise between them. That night, wrapped in each other’s warmth, they let go of all their doubts and fears. For the first time, they belonged completely to each other.