The Last Scene's Secret

Chapter 5: The Puzzle

Orm found herself standing outside Ling's condo, the weight of an unusual request from their director, Ying, lingering in her mind. Ying had insisted that Orm pick up Ling for their next shoot as a form of "fan service"—a gesture to fuel the buzz surrounding their on-screen chemistry. The idea of it made Orm uneasy, but she couldn't refuse. The fans would love it, and Ying had been insistent.

She hesitated briefly before ringing the doorbell. A moment later, the door swung open, revealing Ling. Her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Orm standing on her doorstep. "What are you doing here?" Ling asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

Without waiting for an invitation, Orm stepped inside, the familiar scent of Ling's home wrapping around her. "I'm here to pick up my enemy," Orm replied with a hint of irony. "Ying thought it would be a great idea for fan service."

Ling blinked, processing the information before nodding slowly. "Ahhh, okay. I'll get ready now."

"Okay," Orm responded, her voice softer than she intended.

As Ling disappeared into another room to get ready, Orm's eyes wandered around the living space. Her gaze fell on a partially completed puzzle spread across the table. She took a step closer, and her heart skipped a beat as recognition washed over her. The puzzle—it was eerily familiar. My dream... But why does Ling have this?

Before she could piece together the swirling thoughts in her mind, Ling returned, dressed and ready to go. "Okay, I'm done," she announced, her voice breaking Orm's trance. Orm quickly masked her confusion and hurried out of the condo before she could ask any questions, her mind still reeling from the unsettling discovery.

Later that day, they were on set filming episode two of their series. The scene called for them to portray a deepening connection between their characters—sweet, intimate moments that hinted at a past neither fully understood. The cameras captured every touch, every glance, but for Orm, the lines between fiction and reality were starting to blur. The puzzle from Ling's condo kept creeping back into her thoughts.

Orm's character was supposed to be tender, but her mind was anything but calm. As soon as the director called cut, she found herself making an impulsive decision. "I need to take Ling home," she told Ying, masking her real intention with the pretext of being considerate. The truth was, Orm needed answers.

They drove in silence, the tension between them almost palpable. When they reached Ling's place, Orm hesitated before speaking. "I think I left something at your table," she lied, her voice betraying her unease.

Ling looked at her, puzzled but shrugged. "Alright, let's go in."

Back inside the condo, Orm's heart pounded as they approached the table where the puzzle lay. Ling turned to her. "Did you find it?"

Orm bit her lip, knowing she couldn't dodge the truth any longer. "Actually... I didn't come back for that. I... I want to stay for the night. And I want to know more about this puzzle."

Ling's expression shifted from curiosity to wariness. "Why does it bother you so much?" she asked, her tone defensive as she scoffed slightly.

Orm exhaled sharply, the weight of her own memories pressing down on her. "Because I saw this in my dream, okay? And I need to know why you have it."

The confession hung in the air, and Ling froze, her spine tingling with a mix of fear and disbelief. "Wh-what? You have that dream too? I... I thought I was the only one. But... I don't remember you being there."