The Story of Us | LingOrm

Chapter 10: Love Unshaken

The sun had barely crept over the horizon when Orm found herself standing in the familiar hallway of Ling's apartment building. The early morning silence was broken only by the soft echo of her footsteps and the thunderous beating of her own heart. She paused, her hand hovering over the doorbell, as memories of happier times in this very spot washed over her.

Orm closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and willed her racing pulse to slow. The air felt heavy with anticipation and a hint of trepidation. But with one final steadying breath, she pressed the doorbell. The cheerful chime seemed out of place given the circumstances.

Five seconds passed.

Then ten.

Fifteen...

The silence stretched on, each moment feeling like an eternity. Orm's finger hovered over the bell again, hesitating. Just as she was about to press it, the muffled sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears. Her heart leapt into her throat.

Orm straightened her posture and schooled her features, preparing herself for whatever reception awaited her. The lock clicked, and the door began to open slowly.

"Good morning, P'Lingling!" Orm exclaimed, summoning every ounce of cheerfulness she could muster. Her smile was bright, perhaps a touch too bright, a valiant attempt to mask the whirlwind of emotions churning beneath the surface.

Ling stood in the doorway, looking as if she had just been roused from a deep slumber. Her hair was tousled, her eyes slightly unfocused. She wore loose-fitting pajamas that seemed to emphasize how much weight she had lost during her hospital stay. A deep crease formed between her brows as she stared at Orm, her expression a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

For a moment, Ling said nothing, her gaze darting from Orm to the empty hallway behind her, as if searching for an explanation. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words and lingering hurt.

Orm watched as Ling's eyes struggled to focus, noting the slight sway in her stance. She remembered the cocktail of medications Ling had been prescribed – pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, who knew what else. For a fleeting moment, Orm wondered if Ling thought she was hallucinating.

"Nong Orm?" Ling finally spoke, her voice rough with sleep and uncertainty. "What are you... why are you here?"

The question hung in the air between them, laden with more meaning than its simple words suggested. Orm's smile faltered for just a second before she hitched it back into place, ready to explain her presence.

Orm took a deep breath, steeling herself before speaking. "I was hired by Mr. and Mrs. Kwong to be your personal assistant while you're recovering," she explained, her voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in her stomach.

"I have no upcoming projects," she continued, which wasn't entirely a lie; her schedule was indeed clear, "and since the pay was good, I figured it wouldn't hurt to accept the job offer. A girls gotta pay her bills," Orm added. It was a weak attempt at humor, born from a desire to lighten the mood and perhaps spark a glimmer of the old Ling.

Ling's brow furrowed deeper as she tried to process this information. Through the haze of medication and lingering sleep, she vaguely recalled her parents mentioning hiring someone to help her. But Orm? It seemed too convenient, too contrived. Was this some kind of elaborate joke?

Skepticism and irritation flashed across Ling's face. Without a word, she began to close the door, clearly unimpressed with this turn of events. However, Orm's reflexes, sharpened by anticipation and determination, were quicker.

"Oh no, you don't!" Orm warned, her arm shooting out to stop the door's progress. Her voice carried a mix of desperation and resolve that surprised even herself. In the past, Ling's strength would have easily overpowered her, but now, in Ling's weakened state, Orm found herself able to hold her ground.