Whispers in the Dark [LingOrm]

we were born to be broken

Orm's pov

"Baby, is this shirt mine?" Ling's voice broke through my thoughts as I buttoned up the shirt. She was standing at the doorway, her gaze playful yet curious. The shirt in question was one of her favorites, a light blue that contrasted beautifully with her skin. I could see the amusement dancing in her eyes, waiting for my response.

"Yes," I confessed, a small smile tugging at my lips. "I wanted to have your perfume with me all day, so I won't feel lonely." It was the truth, even if it sounded a bit sappy. Her scent, lingering on the fabric, made me feel like she was close, even when she wasn't.

Ling grinned, her teasing nature evident. "You miss me that much?"

I rolled my eyes, though the warmth in my chest was undeniable. "No, Ling," I replied, trying to sound annoyed but failing miserably. "I don't miss you. I hate you." The words came out sharper than I intended, and I immediately regretted them.

Her smile wavered, the light in her eyes dimming as she realized I wasn't in the mood for jokes. "Okay, I'm sorry. I also miss you," she murmured, stepping closer and reaching out to take my hand. Her touch was gentle, almost apologetic, and it made my heart ache. I squeezed her hand, silently apologizing for my tone, but the moment had already shifted, leaving a faint tension between us.

Later that day, as I was about to leave my office to grab some lunch, I was caught off guard by the sight of my dad standing in the doorway. It was rare for him to drop by unannounced, and the seriousness in his expression instantly put me on edge.

"Oh, hey," I greeted him, my surprise evident. My relationship with my father had always been a mix of respect and a constant need to prove myself, so his unexpected visit had me bracing for something serious.

"Sorry to interrupt your lunch, but can I talk to you?" he asked, his tone devoid of the usual warmth. This wasn't a casual visit; he had something on his mind.

"Yeah, sure, come in," I said, stepping aside to let him into the office. He took a seat in the chair opposite my desk, and I returned to mine, trying to mask the growing unease. What could be so important that he'd seek me out like this?

"What's the matter?" I asked, keeping my voice steady, though I could feel my pulse quicken.

"Who are you dating?" he asked directly, his gaze sharp and unyielding. He didn't beat around the bush, and the bluntness of his question caught me off guard.

"Me? No one," I replied too quickly, the words tumbling out before I could think them through. The lie hung in the air, and I instantly regretted it. I wasn't fooling anyone, least of all my father.

"I knew it," he said, leaning forward slightly, his eyes narrowing. "You broke up with Bright. Now tell me, who are you hanging out with?"

"I'm not," I insisted, but the crack in my voice betrayed me. I could feel my resolve weakening under his intense scrutiny, like a spotlight burning through my carefully constructed defenses.

"I've noticed you've been a lot happier recently," he continued, his voice calm but probing. "Always leaving for lunch right on time, when you used to stay late just to avoid Bright. And this perfume—it's not yours."

Damn it, hot girlfriend! I cursed internally, realizing just how much he had been observing.

"I changed perfumes," I said, trying to sound nonchalant, though my heart was racing. "And I'm happier now that Bright isn't around. Don't worry, I'm not seeing anyone." I forced a casual tone, but the look in his eyes told me he wasn't buying it.

"If that's the case, I'm happy for you," he said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, standing up as if to leave. But just as he turned toward the door, it swung open, and there stood Ling, looking radiant and a little out of breath.