Whispers in the Dark [LingOrm]

The Meeting

this chapter might contain the following sensitive topics: sexual abuse

Ling's pov

I arrived at the company early, hoping to avoid any awkward encounters with Win. The tension between us was unbearable, and I needed a clear head for the meeting today. As I settled into my office, my phone buzzed on the desk, and my dad's name flashed on the screen.

"Dad? What's the matter?" I asked, concern lacing my voice. It wasn't like him to call unexpectedly.

"Ling, can you handle the meeting for me today? I'm not feeling well," he said, his voice sounding tired and strained.

"Of course, don't worry about it. I'll take care of everything," I assured him, though my heart sank a little. My dad rarely admitted to feeling unwell.

After hanging up, I made my way to the meeting room, mentally preparing myself for the discussions ahead. A few minutes later, a soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Ms. Kwong, Mr. and Ms. Serathaphong are here," my assistant announced.

As they entered, I felt the air in the room shift. The girl from the club—the one who had been on my mind since that night—walked in, her expression a mix of surprise and barely concealed anger. Her once-serious face was now a storm of emotions, and I could feel the tension between us like a live wire.

We all sat down, and I began discussing the partnership with Mr. Serathaphong. She responded with professional poise, but her daughter remained silent, only nodding or adding brief comments when absolutely necessary. The silence between us was heavy, almost suffocating.

"Excuse me for a moment," Mr. Serathaphong said as his phone buzzed, and hestepped out of the room.

I took the opportunity to break the ice. "Why are you so quiet?" I asked softly, trying to bridge the gap between us.

She shot me a sarcastic look. "Don't know, maybe you should go back to your boyfriend and ask him," she snapped, the bitterness in her tone unmistakable.

"Wait, are you still mad about that?" I asked, disbelief coloring my voice.

"Just shut up, Kwong," she muttered, her voice low, as her father reentered the room, effectively ending our conversation.

I swallowed the retort that threatened to spill from my lips and turned back to the business at hand. "So, that's all of your questions?" I asked politely, masking the turmoil inside me.

"Yes, Dad, let's go," she said curtly, standing up and heading for the door without a second glance at me.

"Sorry, I think she's having a bad day," Mr. Serathaphong apologized, offering me a sympathetic smile.

After they left, I tried to shake off the encounter, but her words clung to me like a shadow. I had to focus. There was still work to do, and I had to visit the Serathaphong company to confirm some final details.

....

When I arrived, I was ushered into Mr. Serathaphong's office. He greeted me with a warm smile.

"So, that's all his requirements?" he asked, referring to my father's conditions for the partnership.

"Yes, and he's also sorry for not attending the meeting. He's not feeling well," I explained, trying to keep the conversation professional despite my lingering thoughts.

"Oh, don't worry about it. I completely understand," he said kindly, nodding in sympathy.

As we wrapped up, I noticed another door with a golden nameplate: 'Orm Kornnaphat'. It had to be her office. My heart raced as I walked over and knocked lightly.

"Enter," came her voice from the other side.

I stepped inside, and she looked up, surprise flashing across her face before it settled into something colder. "You?" she said, her tone guarded.

I closed the door behind me, trying to keep my voice light. "I came to talk to you, but more specifically, to ask you out," I said teasingly, trying to gauge her reaction.

She scoffed, her eyes narrowing. "Ask your boyfriend instead," she replied, her words laced with venom.

I took a deep breath, stepping closer. "Come on, Orm, stop being like that. I wanted it last night too, but I couldn't go through with it. I don't know you... but I want to," I said earnestly, my voice softening as I spoke.

She sighed, leaning her head on her hand, her expression a mixture of exhaustion and frustration.

"Is that a yes?" I asked, a small smile playing on my lips.

She looked at me, her eyes reflecting her internal struggle. "Say something more, and I will kill you," she threatened, but her voice held a hint of a smile. "This is a maybe, but please, can you not talk about my boyfriend?" she added, the weariness in her voice clear.

I studied her, noticing the dark circles under her eyes, the way her shoulders slumped. "Are you okay?" I asked gently, sensing she was holding something back.

She hesitated before responding, her voice barely above a whisper. "Actually, no. I don't feel secure in my own home. I haven't been sleeping because I'm afraid of what he could do," she admitted, her vulnerability catching me off guard.

I moved closer, my heart aching for her. "Hey, come here," I said softly, opening my arms to her. She looked at me uncertainly before slowly approaching. I led her to the couch in her office and sat down, pulling her to sit beside me. "You can rest here. You're safe with me," I assured her, gently guiding her head to rest on my thighs. "So, tell me, what are you afraid of?"

She hesitated, her voice trembling as she spoke. "It was one night... I got home, and he was 'sleeping'," she made air quotes with her fingers, "but he wasn't. He was very awake. He started talking to me, saying things that... I can't even repeat. I've been scared ever since." Tears began to slip down her cheeks as she recalled the memory.

I felt a surge of protectiveness. "Shh, it's okay. Don't cry. I'm here with you," I murmured, lying down beside her on the couch so she could feel more comfortable. I wiped away her tears gently. "I'm sorry for making you remember it," I said, my thumb brushing softly over her cheek. "Why didn't you break up with him?"

She sniffled, her voice shaky. "Because... he always says he'll kill himself if I leave, and I don't want to be the reason for that," she confessed, her voice breaking.

I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her even closer. "Oh, come here," I whispered, holding her tightly as she cried into my shoulder. I stroked her hair, my heart breaking for her. "You're not responsible for his actions, Orm. You deserve to feel safe, to be happy. We'll figure this out together, okay?"

She nodded against my chest, her sobs gradually subsiding as exhaustion overtook her. I held her until her breathing evened out, and she fell asleep in my arms, finally finding a moment of peace.