The Unwritten Chapter - LingOrm

STEPPING OUT

AN: I'm bringing in a new face, and there could be more characters showing up soon.

The bar was a fun place to be. The lights were low, and the bartender was really good at making drinks. You could smell smoke and beer in the air, and everyone was talking and laughing. Music was playing from a machine, and there were people who came there all the time and some new people, all having a good time. Orm was one of those people, enjoying the atmosphere. She sat on a bar stool, the cool surface felt good against her. She had a fruity drink, which helped her forget about her worries for a little while. She realized that staying home would only make her feel worse, so she decided to have some fun. After all, she was old enough, and a little fun wouldn't hurt. She took a sip of her drink, and it made her feel a little relaxed. She wasn't drunk, but she felt less worried and more carefree. She didn't notice a man across the room who was looking at her in a way that made her uncomfortable. Minutes later, he approached her table, a smirk playing on his lips. "Alone?"

Orm ignored him, pretending to be engrossed in the swirling ice in her glass. The man chuckled, his smirk widening. "I like a woman with a little fire. Up for some fun at my place?"

She finally looked at him, her eyes narrowed. "No thanks. And please leave me alone."

He raised his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. But I'm not leaving until you accept my treat."

Desperate for him to leave, she nodded, her eyes pleading for him to just go. The man, mistaking her acquiescence for interest, beamed. He ordered her another drink, his eyes scanning the room before returning to her, his gaze lingering on her with a predatory gleam. He slipped something from his pocket into her glass. "Here. No need to thank me. I'm leaving."

"Whatever," Orm mumbled, reaching for the glass.

But before she could bring it to her mouth, a tall woman swooped in, snatching the glass away. "What the fuck?!" Orm exclaimed, her annoyance rising. The woman's eyes narrowed, gaze fixed on the tipsy girl's face, a flicker of recognition struck in. "Orm, The guy who was with you earlier, he put something in your drink."

Orm was stunned, not by the accusation, but by the woman's voice.  It was familiar, a voice she'd heard countless times in the virtual world.  "View?" Her eyes widening in disbelief.

The tall woman flashed a grin. "Yes, it's me." Orm covered her mouth, still struggling to recognize the woman in front of her with her long time online friend.

(So View Benyapa J. is the new character)

View took advantage of Orm's silence and pulled her out of the bar. "Let's go outside." She gestured towards the exit. Orm, unable to hear over the dim, simply followed.

"It's a small world, isn't it?"

"When did you arrive in Thailand?"

View grinned and replied. "Two weeks ago." . "Orm, I didn't know you were drinking and going to bars alone."

"Yes, tonight is my first time here, and I didn't expect to see you. Are you alone?"

"Yes, my friend invited me, but she couldn't make it, so I stayed. You were in a risky situation. Please be more careful next time, Orm. Not everyone will act like I did."

Orm pouted. "Yes, being a first-timer has its drawbacks. You're unaware of things."

On the opposite side of the alley, a person sat in a car, observing the two girls laughing and chatting on the bench. Despite knowing Orm never visited clubs, tonight was an exception. Noticing the bond between the two girls, the unknown person discreetly snapped a photo of them. "Just want to capture a moment." the mysterious figure muttered before approaching the girls.

Laughter ceased as the two girls noticed the woman standing before them. The blonde's eyes widened in recognition. "Phi Freen?"

Freen simply nodded, indicating her intention to take her, and focused on Orm as she gently led her towards the car.

"I'll take Orm with me. You, miss, head home." Freen stated firmly to the other girl without making eye contact.

Orm glanced back at View, silently mouthing, "I'll contact you." receiving a nod of acknowledgment in return.

"What are you doing in the bar, Nong Orm? You're not one to frequent places like this."

The younger one met her gaze and countered. "And what brings you to the bar?"

The older woman sighed. "Nong Orm, don't deflect my question with another question."

"I just wanted to experience what it's like to be in a bar." She fibbed, avoiding eye contact.

"You're not being truthful. Your eyes gives you away." Freen remarked, observing her closely. "Did you come here because you have a problem with Phi Lingling?" This question caused her to turn her head towards Freen, remaining silent. Lingling had warned her not to disclose their situation to anyone, yet Freen seemed to be aware of it.

"You might wonder how I know, but phi Ling didn't confide in me. I happened to pass by our condo building and saw both of you entering together. She never brings anyone to her private place. So, tell me, what's going on between you and my sister?" Freen shared her observations. 

In a dimly lit car, Orm nervously shared with Freen. "We had an agreement." Freen, wearing a confused expression, responded with a simple. "Huh?"

"I mean, we have this arrangement where I should be there for her when she's stressed, fulfilling her physical needs." Orm elaborated.

"A 'fuck buddy.' Yeah, that's the term." Freen uttered bluntly, causing her to clear her throat nervously and nod. "That motherfucker." She breathed, eyes stared out the window, leaving Orm feeling uneasy about his unreadable expression.

"And the girl you were with earlier, who is she?"

"View Benyapa. We just happened to be in the same bar."

"I know her." Freen stated shortly, prompting confusion to appear on the woman's face. "You two know each other?"

Freen slowly nodded. "We crossed paths at the event prior to the one in Paris. She's a model, doesn't she?"

Orm confirmed with a nod. "If you two know each other, why did you ignore her?"

"She didn't even recognize that I was there, so why should I bother?" Freen responded nonchalantly, turning to look at her, who was silently laughing. The older woman raised her eyebrows to the laughing girl beside her.

"How could she notice you with sunglasses on at night? Is that a family trait? Lingling also wears sunglasses at night."

Freen, almost inaudibly, mumbled. "At least I'm not in denial of my feelings."

"Huh? What did you say?"

She brushed it off. "Nothing. Let's go, I'll send you home." Before starting the engine.