Chapter 1
The club was loud, packed with people dancing under flashing lights. Orm was already tipsy, swaying to the music with a drink in her hand. Her co-pilot, Gina, stood beside her, sipping her cocktail with an amused smile.
“You know, you’ve never been in a real relationship,” Gina said, raising an eyebrow. “When is that going to change? I’ve been married for three years now. And you? Still acting like a wild teenager.”
Orm laughed and took another sip. “Why would I change? I hate commitment. You know that.”
She smirked. “Besides, being single is fun. I can hook up with any hot girl I want.”
Gina shook her head. “You’re unbelievable.”
Orm grinned. “Hey, at least I’m honest.”
Gina sighed. “One day, you’re going to meet someone who won’t fall for your charm.”
Orm scoffed. “Doubt it.” She grabbed Gina’s hand. “Come on, let’s drink more and dance.”
They moved to the dance floor, the music vibrating through their bodies.
Orm, as usual, found herself dancing with random girls, hands on their waists, laughing and flirting.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone different.
A woman sitting at the bar, arms crossed, watching the scene with zero interest.
She wasn’t impressed.
She wasn’t smiling.
And for some reason, Orm couldn’t look away.
Gina followed her gaze and smirked. “Uh-oh. Looks like someone isn’t falling for your usual tricks.”
Orm tilted her head, intrigued. “We’ll see about that.”
Orm made her way toward the woman who had no idea she was about to become Orm’s next challenge.
Orm leaned on the bar, grinning. “Hi.”
Lingling looked her up and down, then took a slow sip of her drink.
Orm’s smile widened. “Not much of a talker?”
Lingling smirked but stayed quiet.
Orm chuckled. “Playing hard to get, huh?” She waved at the bartender. “Let me buy you a drink.”
Lingling raised an eyebrow. “I already have one.”
Orm shrugged. “Then let me get your next one.”
Lingling tapped her fingers on her glass. “Do you say that to every girl?”
Orm smirked. “Only the ones who catch my eye.”
Lingling took another sip. “You’re drunk.”
Orm laughed. “A little. But even if I wasn’t, I’d still be here, talking to you.”
Lingling stared at her for a moment. Then she smirked again. “You’re annoying.”
Orm grinned. “But you’re still talking to me.”
Lingling shook her head, amused. “What’s your name?”
Orm leaned in slightly. “Orm. And you?”
Lingling took her time, then finally said, “Lingling.”
Orm’s smile softened. “Pretty name.”
Lingling rolled her eyes. “Flirting won’t work on me.”
Orm chuckled. “We’ll see about that.”
Lingling raised an eyebrow, swirling her drink. “What do you want?”
Orm leaned in slightly, smirking. “I want you.”
Lingling let out a small laugh and shook her head. “That line must work on a lot of girls.”
Orm grinned. “Maybe. But right now, I only care if it works on you.”
Lingling took another sip, eyeing her. “You’re really full of yourself.”
Orm shrugged. “Confidence is attractive, isn’t it?”
Lingling smirked. “Depends.”
Orm tilted her head. “On what?”
Lingling set her drink down. “On whether you’re actually interesting or just another drunk girl looking for a fling.”
Orm’s smile didn’t fade. “Why don’t you stick around and find out?”
Lingling studied her for a moment, then smirked. “We’ll see.”
Just as Lingling was about to sip her drink, another woman walked up and grabbed her wrist.
“Hey, we need to go. Now.”
Lingling sighed, lowering her glass. “Oops. Guess that’s my cue.” She glanced at Orm with a teasing smirk. “Too bad.”
Orm leaned on the bar, still grinning. “Leaving already? Just when it was getting fun.”
Lingling shrugged. “That’s life.” She turned to leave but paused for a second. Then, without another word, she walked away with the woman.
Orm watched her go, her smirk fading just a little.
Gina appeared beside her, chuckling. “Ouch. That’s a first.”
Orm sighed, shaking her head. “Yeah… I think I might be in trouble.”
Back in the hotel, Orm stepped out of the shower, towel wrapped around her body. She ran a hand through her damp hair and flopped onto the bed.
But no matter how much she tried to push it away, one thought kept creeping back.
Lingling.
The way she smirked, the way she didn’t fall for Orm’s usual charm, the way she left so easily—like she didn’t care at all.
Orm sighed, staring at the ceiling. “Too bad I won’t see her again.”
She closed her eyes, trying to shake it off.
Shit.
Why was she still thinking about her?
__
The following morning, Orm’s alarm buzzed loudly, jolting her awake.
“Fuck,” she groaned, rubbing her eyes. “Time to go back to Thailand.”
She dragged herself out of bed and took a quick shower, letting the cold water wake her up. Once done, she changed into her uniform, buttoning it up swiftly.
Her phone buzzed just as she was grabbing her suitcase. She answered without looking.
Gina’s voice came through. “Just checking in, Captain. Making sure you’re wide awake. We have a plane to fly.”
Orm scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Yes, yes, I’m awake.”
Gina laughed. “You sure? Because last night, you were barely standing.”
Orm smirked. “That was last night. I’m fresh and ready now.”
“Good. See you at the airport.”
The call ended. Orm grabbed her suitcase, slung her bag over her shoulder, and walked out of the hotel without a second thought. Last night was fun, but it was over. Time to move on.
—
Lingling arrived early at the Hong Kong airport with her best friend, Junji. They had been friends for years, and this trip had been a much-needed break.
As they waited for their boarding, Lingling sat with a book in her hands, flipping through the pages lazily.
Junji let out a dramatic sigh. “Vacation over.”
Lingling scoffed, leaning back in her seat. “Yeah. Back to reality.”
She was about to return to her book when something or rather, someone caught her eye.
A familiar face walked past her, dressed sharply in a pilot’s uniform.
Orm.
Lingling blinked, staring for a moment.
So she’s a fucking pilot?
Of all the things she expected, this was not one of them.
—
A few hours passed, and everyone had boarded the plane.
Lingling settled into her seat, adjusting her seatbelt. Beside her, Junji stretched and yawned.
“Ugh, I just want to sleep,” Junji mumbled.
“Then sleep,” Lingling said, flipping through the in-flight magazine.
Just then, the speakers crackled to life.
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain speaking. I’m Captain Orm Kornnaphat Sethratanapong, and with me today is my co-pilot, Gina Salas. We’ll be flying you safely to Bangkok. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight.”
Lingling froze mid-page turn.
Junji, oblivious, closed her eyes. “Wow, the captain’s voice is kinda nice.”
Lingling stared straight ahead, gripping the magazine a little tighter.
Of all the planes, of all the flights… I end up on hers?
She took a deep breath and leaned back.
Just great.
—
After the plane had leveled off and everything was steady, Orm stood up, giving Gina a quick glance.
“I need to go to the restroom,” Orm said, her voice calm.
Gina nodded, not looking up from her controls.
Orm made her way to the back of the plane, greeting the flight attendants as she passed. She waited patiently for someone to finish their business in the rear restroom.
The door opened, and to Orm’s surprise, Lingling stepped out.
Orm’s lips curled into a smirk. She crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. “Now look who’s here.”
Lingling froze, clearly startled. She opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words.
Orm tilted her head, amused. “I think fate is saying something, don’t you think?”
Lingling, still caught off guard, finally found her voice, but only managed a quiet, “What are you doing here?”
Orm’s smirk widened. “Flying the plane. What else?”
Lingling raised an eyebrow, her surprise evident. “Oh. So you’re a pilot?”
Orm, with all the pride in the world, smirked and nodded. “Yes, I am.”
She straightened up, clearly enjoying the moment. “Captain Orm Kornnaphat Sethratanapong, at your service.”
Lingling couldn’t help but scoff lightly. “I never would’ve guessed.”
Orm chuckled, leaning against the wall casually. “Well, sometimes, I like to keep people guessing.”
Lingling crossed her arms, eyeing her with a mix of disbelief and amusement. “And here I thought you were just a flirty girl at the bar.”
Orm raised an eyebrow. “I can be both, you know.”
Orm’s smirk didn’t fade as she leaned closer, lowering her voice slightly. “Wait for me later when we land in Bangkok.”
Lingling frowned, not impressed. “And why the hell would I do that?”
Orm shrugged, unfazed. “Let’s say… I’m not drunk this time, but here I am, still wanting to get to know you.”
Lingling scoffed, shaking her head with a grin. “You wish.”
Orm chuckled, her eyes glinting with mischief. “You’ll see.”
Lingling gave her a skeptical look, then turned to leave. “I highly doubt it.”
Orm watched her walk away, still smiling to herself. This wasn’t over.
—
The plane finally touched down at Suvarnabhumi Airport, and passengers began to disembark.
Orm, following her usual routine, stayed behind to double-check everything with her co-pilot, Gina, before they could leave the aircraft.
Once done, Orm headed towards the cabin, looking for a flight attendant.
“Hey,” Orm called out to one of them. “Where are the passengers?”
The flight attendant looked confused. “Uh, they left? They can’t stay here, Cap. Remember?”
Orm groaned in frustration. “Shit.”
Realizing she’d missed her chance, she quickly grabbed her things and rushed to the customer service area.
At the counter, she approached a staff member and asked, “Can you page a passenger for me? Her name’s Lingling, seat number 47A, flight TG 603. She left something on the plane. Can you ask her to meet me here?”
The staff member nodded, quickly taking down the details and preparing to make the announcement.
Orm stood there, fidgeting, hoping Lingling would hear the call and come back.
—
As Lingling and Junji walked toward the arrival area, she suddenly heard her name being paged over the speakers.
She frowned, slowing her steps. “What did I leave?” She thought hard, trying to remember.
Junji glanced at her. “I don’t know. But let’s go back while we still have time. It’s getting late.”
Lingling sighed, clearly annoyed. “Fine.”
They turned around and made their way back to the customer service area.
When they arrived, Lingling approached the counter. “Hi, I’m Lingling. You paged me, saying I left something?”
Before the staff could answer, Orm cleared her throat. “Yep. You did.”
Lingling turned her head and—there she was. Orm. Smirking like she had just won the lottery.
Orm casually leaned on the counter. “You forgot about me.”
Lingling groaned, rubbing her temple. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
Orm sighed dramatically, placing a hand over her chest. “I asked you to wait for me, didn’t I?”
Junji looked between them, utterly confused. “Uh… what’s going on?”
Lingling, clearly pissed off, groaned in frustration and turned on her heel. Without another word, she stormed off, leaving Orm behind.
Orm blinked, then quickly picked up her pace,
matching Lingling’s stride.
“Hey! Can you wait?” Orm called out.
Lingling didn’t even look at her. “No.”
Orm smirked, unfazed. “Come on, don’t be so cold. I went through all that trouble just to see you again.”
Lingling scoffed. “That’s your problem, not mine.”
Junji, struggling to keep up, whispered, “Who is this woman?”
Lingling gritted her teeth. “A headache.”
Orm, still keeping up with Lingling’s pace, grinned. “Can I drive you home?”
Before Lingling could answer, Orm quickly added, “Think first. And just so you know, I won’t take no for an answer.”
Lingling, still walking without stopping, scoffed. “Then what’s the point of asking me?”
Orm laughed. “Well, I don’t want to get charged with kidnapping.”
That made Lingling stop abruptly. She turned and glared at Orm. “Will you stop?”
Orm held up her hands in mock surrender, still smiling. “Not until you say yes.”
They finally arrived at the arrival area. Lingling pulled out her phone, trying to book a Grab, but no cars were available.
She exhaled sharply, tapping her screen repeatedly. Nothing.
Orm, standing beside her with arms crossed, smirked. “You know, traffic at this hour is pretty bad.” She whistled casually. “Lucky for you, I have my car parked nearby. Let me take you home.”
Lingling ignored her, still focused on her phone.
Junji, watching the interaction with amusement, decided to stir the pot. “Yeah, why don’t you let…” She turned to Orm. “What’s your name again?”
Orm grinned. “Orm.”
Junji nodded, playing along. “Yeah. Why don’t you let Orm take you home?”
Lingling shot her a glare. “Not helping.”
Junji just smirked. “I think I am.”
Orm smirked, tilting her head slightly. “Please, let me take you home? I’m harmless. I swear.”
Lingling narrowed her eyes at her. “No funny business.”
Orm raised her hand as if taking an oath. “Promise.”
Junji, watching with a satisfied smile, clapped her hands together. “There you go.” She stretched. “I’ll just wait for Mario here. Have fun, you two.” She winked at Lingling before stepping back.
Lingling rolled her eyes. “Unbelievable.”
Orm pulled out her phone and called the valet. “Hi, I’m at the arrival area. Thanks.” Then she looked at Lingling with a grin. “Now we wait.”
Lingling didn’t respond right away, arms crossed, tapping her foot lightly. After a moment, she muttered, “You’re very persistent.”
Orm scoffed playfully. “Only to people I really like.”
—
The car finally arrived. Without hesitation, Orm grabbed Lingling’s luggage and placed it in the trunk. With a small smirk, she walked over to the passenger side and opened the door for her.
Orm smiled, tilting her head toward the seat. “After you.”
Lingling hesitated for a second, eyeing her suspiciously, but eventually sighed and slid into the seat.
Satisfied, Orm closed the door and quickly made her way to the driver’s seat. She buckled up, glancing at Lingling. “Comfortable?”
Lingling just crossed her arms. “Just drive.”
Orm chuckled as she started the engine. “Yes, ma’am.”
—
They arrived at Lingling’s apartment. Orm parked the car and turned to her. “See? Safe and sound.”
Lingling unbuckled her seatbelt and looked at Orm. After a moment, she sighed. “Do you want to come in? You can have a drink before you go.”
Orm raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Inviting me in already?”
Lingling rolled her eyes. “It’s just a drink. Don’t overthink it.”
Orm smirked as she unbuckled her seatbelt. “No promises.”
Lingling scoffed and got out of the car. Orm followed, still smiling.
—
When they got inside, Lingling walked to the fridge. “What do you want to drink?”
Orm leaned against the counter. “I’ll have a beer.”
Lingling grabbed a can, walked back, and handed it to her.
She cleared her throat. “So… you’re a pilot.”
Orm nodded, opening the beer. “Yes, ma’am.”
Lingling crossed her arms. “How long have you been flying?”
Orm took a sip before answering. “Almost five years now. Been a captain for over a year.”
Lingling raised an eyebrow, impressed. “That’s fast. It usually takes longer to be a captain.”
Orm clicked her tongue. “Pure hard work. I flew non-stop to qualify.”
Lingling nodded. “That’s nice.”
Orm tilted her head. “What about you? What do you do for fun?”
Lingling smiled. “I’m a chef.”
Orm suddenly slammed her hand on the table. “That’s cool! Wife material, aren’t you?”
Lingling’s smile immediately dropped into a frown. “…Excuse me?”
Orm chuckled, taking another sip of her beer. “Don’t mind me.” She leaned back. “Anyway, what were you doing in Hong Kong?”
Lingling hesitated. “Just having a vacation.”
Orm nodded. “I see.” She studied Lingling for a moment. “You hate me, don’t you?”
Lingling sighed, meeting her gaze. “I don’t hate you, Orm. I just don’t have time to flirt.”
Orm scoffed. “What if I tell you I like you?”
Lingling raised an eyebrow. “Does that line always work on your girls?”
Orm tilted her head with a smirk. “Always. But I’m serious this time. I like you.”
Lingling shook her head. “No, you don’t. You’re just bored.”
Orm’s smirk faded. She leaned forward, her face serious now. “I’m not. I really do like you.”
Lingling paused, then sighed. “Well, you have to stop. You can’t like me.”
Orm frowned. “Why not? Are you married?”
Lingling scoffed. “No.”
Orm grinned. “Exactly.”
Orm leaned in slightly, her eyes locked on Lingling. “I’ll prove to you how much I like you.” She stood up and stretched. “Anyway, I should get going.”
Lingling sighed. “You don’t have to prove anything.”
Orm smirked as she grabbed her keys. “But I will. Just wait and see.”
Lingling shook her head, watching as Orm made her way to the door.
Something told her this wouldn’t be the last time she saw her.
—
The next morning, Lingling stretched her arms and sighed. “Another day.” She stood up, walked over to the window, and opened the curtains. The sunlight streamed in, and she yawned.
“What should I cook today?” she mumbled to herself, picking up her phone to browse for ideas.
After a moment, her face lit up. “That’s it. Italian meatballs.” She smiled, feeling excited about her choice.
Lingling grabbed her apron and headed toward the kitchen, ready to start the day.
Lingling took her time, carefully preparing each ingredient, making sure everything was just right.
She shaped the meatballs with precision and simmered them in the sauce, savoring the aroma filling her kitchen.
Finally, after everything was cooked to perfection, she set the plate down, admiring her work. She tasted a bite and closed her eyes, savoring the flavors. “Perfect,” she whispered to herself, a proud smile spreading across her face.
Satisfied with her meal, she leaned back in her chair, enjoying the simple joy of a job well done.
While Lingling was enjoying her meal, she heard a knock on her door.
Frowning, she wondered who would be knocking at 8 a.m.
Not Junji, that’s for sure.
She stood up and opened the door slowly, only to find Orm standing there, holding a flower that looked freshly picked.
Orm smiled brightly. “Good morning.”
Lingling rolled her eyes, clearly not impressed. “Seriously?”
Orm frowned playfully. “No good morning to you too?”
Lingling scoffed. “What are you doing here, Orm?”
Orm grinned. “Saying good morning. Personally. Well, I don’t know your number, so I figured I’d just pay you a visit.”
Lingling shook her head. “Orm, you can’t just show up here like this.”
Orm raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”
Lingling muttered, rolling her eyes. “Just because.”
Orm stared at her for a moment, unimpressed with the response. “Well, that’s not an answer.” She sniffed the air dramatically. “Anyway, what’s that smell? It’s making me hungry.”
Lingling narrowed her eyes. “Are you for real? You’re going to show up at my door at 8 a.m., with a flower, and now you’re hungry?”
Orm smiled innocently, “I’m just a simple girl with simple needs. A flower, a greeting, and food. Is that so much to ask?”
Lingling couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re unbelievable.”
Orm shrugged, still holding the flower out. “So… Can I eat or not?”
Lingling threw her hands up in mock surrender. “Fine, suit yourself.” She grabbed another plate and served Orm the Italian meatballs she had just made.
Orm’s eyes widened as she took in the sight of the food. “Wow, meatballs? I was just in time for breakfast, huh?”
Lingling couldn’t help but smirk as she placed the plate in front of Orm. “You’re lucky I’m in a good mood today.”
Orm took a bite, and her face lit up. “Okay, this is amazing. You’re like a chef and a mind reader all in one.”
Lingling rolled her eyes. “I’m just doing my job.”
Orm grinned. “Well, consider me your most appreciative customer.”
Lingling set her fork down, her face serious as she looked at Orm. “Orm?”
Orm, still munching on her food, nodded. “Yeah?”
Lingling took a deep breath, her eyes softening but her tone steady. “Can I ask you nicely?”
Orm swallowed her bite and nodded again. “Sure, fire away.”
Lingling cleared her throat, gathering her thoughts before speaking. “Will you please stop… this?”
Orm paused mid-chew, the smile fading from her face. “And if I don’t?”
Lingling sighed, her shoulders slumping as if carrying a weight. “Please?”
Orm shook her head, her eyes sincere. “No. I like you, Lingling. I’ve never felt this way before. I know when I really like someone, and no one can stop me.”
Lingling’s gaze softened, but there was an undercurrent of pain in her eyes. “I just don’t want us to get hurt,” she said quietly.
Orm’s expression softened, a small, reassuring smile tugging at her lips. “I won’t get hurt. I think you’re worth every shot.”
Lingling took a deep breath, her gaze drifting away for a moment, almost lost in thought. “It’s not that, Orm. We will never last.”
Orm chuckled softly, shaking her head. “We haven’t even started yet.”
Lingling’s eyes met hers again, and there was a heaviness to her words. “That’s the thing. We should end things before we even start.”
Orm’s smile faded, her eyes locking with Lingling’s in a serious, unblinking gaze. “No, Lingling. You don’t decide when things could end, especially when we haven’t even started yet.”
For a long moment, there was silence between them, as if both were searching for something in each other’s eyes.
The weight of their words hung in the air, but Orm didn’t break eye contact.
Lingling hesitated, her heart racing. “Orm, I have leukemia.”
Orm’s face softened, her smile faltering as she processed the words. “What? You’re… you’re serious?”
Lingling nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I didn’t want to tell you. I didn’t want you to get involved with someone like me.”
Orm reached out, her hand brushing Lingling’s gently. “You don’t get to decide that for me.”
Lingling looked down, shaking her head. “I don’t want to hurt you, Orm. We’ve only known each other for a few days. This… this isn’t fair to you.”
Orm’s voice was soft but firm. “I don’t care about the time. I care about you. I feel something here. And I’m not going to walk away just because it’s hard.”
Lingling’s heart ached, the fear of loving someone too much overwhelming her. “But what if I break you? What if I’m too much to handle?”
Orm smiled, wiping a tear from Lingling’s cheek. “Then I’ll take the risk. Because I’d rather be with you, even for a short time, than live without knowing what it could’ve been.”
Lingling let out a shaky breath, finally allowing herself to feel the warmth of Orm’s words. Maybe it is worth the risk.
Orm gently cupped Lingling’s face, her expression soft. “Does your friend know?”
Lingling nodded, her voice quiet. “Junji? Yes. She went with me to Hong Kong for a treatment. But the doctor said I can’t start the chemo until my body is strong enough to handle it.”
Orm’s heart clenched, and she held Lingling’s hand tightly. “I’ll go with you when you need the treatment. You won’t be alone. Not ever.”
Lingling smiled, her eyes shining with gratitude. “You don’t have to, Orm. It’s going to be hard.”
Orm leaned in, her voice firm yet gentle. “I want to. I won’t let you go through this alone.”
Lingling’s heart fluttered at her words. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Orm smiled softly, her thumb brushing over Lingling’s hand. “I’m here for you. I will be here for you.”
After few moment of silence. Orm asked, “Are you free today?”
Lingling frowned, a little confused. “I am. Why?”
Orm smirked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Good. Get dressed. We’re going out.”
Lingling raised an eyebrow, still unsure. “Where?”
Orm clicked her tongue, teasing. “It’s a surprise. And bring extra clothes with you.”
Lingling stared at her, a bit puzzled but shrugged. “Alright, I’ll play along.”
She went to her room to change, still wondering what Orm had planned.
After a few minutes, Lingling came out dressed casually, ready to go. “Okay, I’m ready. What’s all this about?”
Orm looked her up and down, clearly pleased. “Perfect. Let’s go.”
Lingling, still curious, asked, “What’s with the surprise, Orm?”
Orm winked. “Trust me, you’ll see.”
Lingling followed Orm outside, her mind racing with possibilities, though she couldn’t help but feel a little excited. “You’re really mysterious, you know that?”
Orm laughed softly, opening the car door for Lingling. “It’s part of my charm.”
—
Orm drove toward a small airport, the engine purring smoothly as they approached a private runway.
Lingling looked around, confused. “What are we doing here?”
Orm glanced over with a sly smile. “You’ll see.” She grabbed Lingling’s wrist and pulled her out of the car. “Let’s go!”
Lingling barely had time to process what was happening before Orm led her toward a sleek private jet waiting on the tarmac. “Orm…what the hell is going on?”
Orm, practically bouncing with excitement, looked over her shoulder. “We’re flying to Phuket!”
Lingling froze in shock. “Wait, what? You’re flying us? In this?” She motioned to the jet, still in disbelief.
Orm smirked, holding out a hand to help Lingling onto the jet. “Yep. We’re going to Similan Island. It’s a surprise. Let’s go!”
Lingling, now too stunned to protest, followed her onto the plane. Orm dropped their bags in the cabin, then led Lingling toward the cockpit.
“You’re going to be my co-pilot today,” Orm said, grinning as she made adjustments to the controls.
Lingling blinked in disbelief. “Co-pilot?”
Orm nodded. “Yep! Ever been to Similan Island?”
Lingling shook her head, still trying to process everything. “No, I haven’t.”
“Well, it’s time you experience it.” Orm finished setting up the radio and called into the tower, her excitement contagious.
Lingling sat down, still absorbing the fact that she was about to take off in a private jet with Orm. “This is insane. Are you serious?”
Orm, looking over at her with a playful glint in her eyes, gave a thumbs-up. “Totally. Trust me, you’re going to love it.” She flipped a switch, and the plane began to taxi down the runway.
Lingling’s eyes widened as the jet picked up speed. “I can’t believe you’re doing this.”
Orm grinned, her focus on the controls. “Believe it, Lingling. We’re going on an adventure.”
—
Lingling couldn’t believe her eyes as she looked out the window, seeing all of Thailand below them.
The coastlines, the islands in the water, it looked like a picture. She had never imagined being up in a plane like this, especially with Orm.
She kept sneaking glances at Orm, who was focused on flying the plane.
Orm was so calm, her hands moving easily over the controls. It made Lingling’s heart race in a way she didn’t expect.
Orm’s concentration and confidence were impressive. Every time their eyes met, Lingling felt something she didn’t want to think about.
Orm glanced at her, catching the nervous look on Lingling’s face. “Relax,” she said with a grin. “You’re in good hands. Just enjoy the ride.”
Lingling forced a smile, still trying to process the fact that she was sitting in the cockpit of a plane with Orm, who seemed completely at ease.
Orm’s hands moved confidently over the controls, guiding the plane through the sky.
“Can I ask you something?” Lingling said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Anything,” Orm replied, her eyes still on the instruments.
Lingling hesitated for a moment, then asked, “How do you do it? Be so confident all the time?”
Orm glanced at her with a small smile. “Confidence comes with practice,” she said casually.
“I’ve been flying for years now, and you get used to it. The key is staying calm, no matter what.”
Lingling nodded, trying to absorb the advice. She still couldn’t get over how easy Orm made it all look.
After a few moments, Orm added, “Don’t worry, you’re doing great. You’ve got this.”
Lingling blinked, a little surprised by the compliment. “I’m not doing anything,” she said with a small laugh. “I’m just sitting here.”
Orm chuckled. “You’re my co-pilot, remember? It’s all about trusting the process. And I trust you.”
Lingling’s heart skipped a beat at Orm’s words, but she quickly turned her focus back to the view outside the window, trying to hide the warmth spreading through her chest.
Orm smiled. “It’s beautiful up here, right? The world looks different when you’re this high.”
Lingling nodded. “Yeah, it really is.”
Orm grinned. “Wait until we land in Phuket. You haven’t seen anything yet.”
Lingling felt the tension between them, but neither of them said anything.
They were flying high, and for the first time, Lingling felt like she could actually breathe.
—
As they began their descent into Phuket, Lingling gripped the armrest tightly. She tried to hide it, but Orm noticed right away.
“Are you nervous?” Orm asked, glancing at her with a small smile.
Lingling scoffed, trying to play it cool. “No.”
Orm chuckled. “Liar. You’re holding onto that armrest like it owes you money.”
Lingling glared at her, but her fingers didn’t loosen their grip.
Orm’s voice softened. “Hey, don’t worry. I’ve done this a thousand times. You’re safe with me.”
Lingling swallowed hard as the plane got lower. The moment she felt the slight drop, she shut her eyes.
Orm reached over and placed her hand gently over Lingling’s. “Breathe,” she said softly. “I got you.”
Lingling hesitated, but she listened. She took a slow breath, focusing on Orm’s touch instead of the sinking feeling in her stomach.
A few seconds later, the plane touched down smoothly. Orm grinned. “See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
Lingling exhaled, realizing she had been holding her breath. She side-eyed Orm. “Still don’t like it.”
Orm laughed. “Well, at least you didn’t scream.”
Lingling rolled her eyes, but deep down, she knew..
Orm made her feel safe. And that scared her more than the landing ever could.
—
Orm stepped off the plane and stretched her arms. “Alright, Captain Orm’s special itinerary begins now.”
Lingling raised an eyebrow. “Special itinerary?”
Orm smirked. “Yep. Today, we explore Phuket. And the day after tomorrow, we sail to Similan Island.” She winked.
Before Lingling could respond, Orm waved toward a man standing near a private car. “That’s our ride. Let’s go.”
Lingling followed, still trying to process everything. “You really don’t do things halfway, do you?”
Orm grinned as she opened the car door for her. “Nope. When I do something, I go all in.”
Lingling hesitated for a second before getting in. She wasn’t sure if Orm was still talking about the trip—or something more.
—
When they arrived at the villa, Lingling couldn’t help but be amazed.
The view from their room was absolutely stunning. They had a perfect sea view, with islands dotting the horizon, the water shimmering under the sun. It felt like a postcard come to life.
Lingling stood by the window, taking it all in, feeling the calmness wash over her.
Orm smiled, her eyes bright as she looked at Lingling. “Do you love it?” she asked, her voice full of hope, watching Lingling take in the breathtaking view from their villa.
Lingling nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I love it,” she said, genuinely moved by the beauty of the place.
Orm’s heart swelled with happiness. “Good. I’m glad you love it.”
She paused for a moment, her expression softening as she looked at Lingling. “I wanted to do something special for you.”
Lingling furrowed her brows, her curiosity piqued. “Why are you doing all of this?” she asked, her voice quiet.
Orm took a deep breath, her smile fading slightly as she became serious. “I told you,” she said gently, “I like you. I never believed in love at first sight… not until I met you. That night, in the club, when you completely ignored me.” She laughed softly, shaking her head. “But I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
Lingling felt her heart ache as she listened to Orm. She opened her mouth to say something but couldn’t find the words.
Orm stepped closer, her hand gently cupping Lingling’s face. Her eyes were full of sincerity, her voice soft but firm.
“Please, don’t ask me to stay away from you again,” Orm whispered. “I don’t know how to anymore.”
Lingling’s heart ached, her breath caught in her chest. She looked into Orm’s eyes, unsure of what to say, feeling everything she had been holding back.
“I’m scared,” Lingling finally whispered, tears threatening to spill. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
Orm’s thumb gently brushed away a tear, her gaze soft but steady. “I don’t care about the risk,” she said quietly. “I just know I want to be with you.”
Lingling’s chest tightened, the fear of what could go wrong fighting with the pull she felt towards Orm.
But in that moment, something shifted inside her. She wasn’t sure what the future held, but she couldn’t deny the feelings she had.
“Then don’t leave,” Lingling whispered, barely able to breathe as her heart broke and healed at the same time.
Lingling and Orm walked slowly along the beach. Orm took Lingling’s hand, holding it tightly as they walked along the shoreline.
The waves kissed their feet, but all Lingling could feel was the heaviness in her chest.
“I won’t leave your side,” Orm said, her voice steady. “No matter how hard this gets.”
Lingling swallowed, staring at the sand beneath her feet. “You say that now,” she murmured. “But when things get worse… when I get worse—”
Orm stopped walking and turned Lingling to face her. “I don’t care how bad it gets. I’m not leaving.”
Lingling’s breath hitched. “Why?”
Orm cupped her face, her thumb gently brushing against Lingling’s cheek. “Because I like you. And I want to.”
Tears welled in Lingling’s eyes, but she shook her head. “You barely know me.”
Orm smiled, though there was sadness in her eyes. “I know enough. And I know I don’t want to spend another day not being with you.”
Lingling let out a shaky breath, her heart aching. She wanted to believe her. Wanted to hold on to this moment. But the fear was louder.
“Just please don’t promise me forever,” she whispered. “Just promise me today.”
Orm nodded. “Then I’ll promise you every today, for as long as you’ll have me.”
Lingling closed her eyes, letting the tears fall. And for the first time in a long time, she let someone stay.
—
They walked back to the villa in silence, the sound of the waves filling the air. Their hands brushed, but neither pulled away.
Once inside, Orm quietly closed the door behind them. She turned to Lingling, her eyes searching for something—permission, maybe. Slowly, she reached up, her fingers resting gently on Lingling’s neck.
Lingling didn’t move away.
Orm stepped closer, her breath warm against Lingling’s lips. There was hesitation, a moment of waiting, but when Lingling didn’t pull back, Orm finally leaned in.
The kiss was soft at first, careful. Then, as if something clicked, it deepened…full of emotions neither of them could say out loud.
Orm rested her forehead against Lingling’s, smiling with her eyes closed.
Lingling watched her, then gently fixed a strand of Orm’s hair.
Orm opened her eyes and met Lingling’s gaze. They didn’t say a word, but something between them felt different, like everything had changed in that moment.