Whispers in the Dark [LingOrm]

Protection

Ling's pov

"What about your boyfriend?" Orm asked, her voice soft but probing as I drove us to her house. The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken concerns.

"Let him be. I just want to protect you, so I'm going with you," I replied nonchalantly, trying to mask the knot of tension tightening in my chest.

"Just protecting me?" she teased, a playful lilt to her voice that made my heart skip.

"Yeah, and now let me focus," I said, trying to steer my attention back to the road, though her words had already distracted me.

.....

"Urgh, I'm so tired," Orm sighed as we finally stepped into her house, the warmth and familiarity of her home enveloping us both.

"Today is Friday, so you have today and tomorrow to rest that little mind of yours," I said, ruffling her hair gently, trying to bring a smile to her tired face.

"Thank you, by the way," she said, her voice sincere and grateful. The look she gave me then made my heart swell with something more than just affection.

We showered separately, of course—you with your dirty mind—but the tension between us lingered in the air, thick and palpable.

"Finally, my bed," Orm groaned as she sank onto her mattress, the fatigue of the day melting away.

"So dramatic," I chuckled, lying down beside her, feeling the warmth of her presence seep into me.

"Hug!" she demanded, her voice muffled under the covers as she extended her arms like a child.

"Really, am I the tiny baby?" I teased, but I couldn't resist her. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close.

"Shh, just enjoy the moment," she whispered, snuggling into me, her breath warm against my skin.

The truth is, I'm doing everything I can to protect her, because the thought of that guy coming after her keeps me up at night. I want to protect her, to take care of her, to earn her trust. But more than that, a part of me wants her to ruin my relationship so we can be together—whatever it takes.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked, her voice breaking through my thoughts.

"Nothing," I lied, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Hey, don't worry about him, okay? He's not coming here. My house is packed with security, and I've alerted them that he's banned. They wouldn't believe him even if he tried something," she reassured me, her voice firm.

"I wasn't thinking about him, but it's good to know," I said, though her words did calm the storm inside me, allowing me to drift off to sleep.

...

I woke up in the middle of the night, reaching out instinctively for Orm, but the space beside me was cold and empty. Panic flared in my chest.

"Orm?" I called out, my voice trembling as I jumped out of bed. My mind raced with worst-case scenarios—what if the security wasn't good enough? What if he had found a way in?

I searched through her home, my heart pounding in my ears, but there was no sign of her. Desperation drove me to her workplace, hoping against hope that she'd be there.

"I need to see Kornnaphat," I demanded from her assistant, my voice edged with fear.

"Today is Saturday. She doesn't work on Saturdays," the assistant replied, her words reminding me of what I'd told Orm about resting. The irony made my stomach twist.

I was on the verge of a full-blown panic attack when my phone buzzed in my pocket, the screen displaying an unknown number. My heart stopped as dread filled me—what if it was her ex? My hands shook as I answered the call.

"Ling? Where are you?" Orm's voice rang out, sharp with irritation.

"Where were you?" I shot back, my voice just as sharp, masking my immense relief.

"I went out to buy breakfast! And you?"

"Oh... I went out to search for you," I admitted, the tension draining from my body as I let out a shaky breath.

She chuckled softly. "Okay, come home, my worried tiny girl."

"Stop it," I muttered, feeling a wave of embarrassment as I got back into the car.

...

"I'm home," I called out as I opened the door, only to be met with Orm crashing into me.

"Urgh, finally. I was about to go after you," she said, wrapping her arms around my waist, her grip tight and reassuring.

"Miss me already?" I teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"Ew, no. I was just worried," she said, but before I could respond, she leaned up and kissed me, catching me off guard.

"Ew," I teased back, though my heart was pounding in my chest.

"That's my li—" she started, but her words were cut off by the buzzing of my phone.

"What?" I snapped as I answered the call, trying to shake off the lingering emotions. It was Win, and I could already feel my irritation rising.

"Ling! Where the hell are you? Where did you sleep last night?" he yelled, his voice so loud I had to pull the phone away from my ear.

"I slept at the company. I'm full of work, so I had to sleep here, Win," I lied smoothly, making sure to say his name so Orm would know who I was talking to.

"Ew," Orm whispered as she let go of my waist and headed to the kitchen, her disdain for him evident.

"If that's all you wanted to know, I have to get back to work," I said, quickly hanging up. "You hate him," I laughed, turning to Orm.

"I also hate you," she quipped, her play-hard-to-get attitude making me grin.

"Really?" I murmured in her ear, my voice low and husky. I could see the flush creeping up her cheeks as she tried to look anywhere but at me, making me laugh.

"Maybe," she said softly, her shy smile making my heart flutter.