Whispers in the Dark [LingOrm]

"I'm a Mess, but I'm the Mess That You Wanted"

Ling's pov

I stirred from sleep, waking up. The familiar warmth of Orm's blazer draped over me had slipped off as I moved, and I shivered slightly at the loss. My eyes slowly adjusted to the scene before me—Orm was seated at my desk, intently focused on my computer screen, her fingers dancing across the keyboard.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice thick with sleep as I pushed myself up into a sitting position.

"Working," she replied without looking up, her tone casual, but there was a certain intensity in the way she was concentrating.

"Working my work?" I asked, a hint of amusement creeping into my voice as I stretched, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. I couldn't help but be curious about what she was doing with my work files.

"Yes," she said simply, finally turning to look at me. Her gaze softened slightly as it met mine. "Are you feeling better?"

"Yes," I answered, getting up from the couch and walking over to her. There was something captivating about the way she was sitting—her posture was unusually professional, almost cold, a stark contrast to her usual lively, energetic self. I found myself fascinated by this side of her that I so rarely saw. "Hmm, impressive."

"You liked it?" she asked, her professional demeanor melting away as a playful, almost childlike grin spread across her face.

"Yes," I chuckled, feeling a sense of warmth spreading through my chest. Her ability to switch between these two personas so effortlessly never failed to amuse me.

"Okay, so work's over. Come," she said, grabbing my hand with a firm yet gentle grip and guiding me toward the door. Her touch was comforting, familiar, but there was an underlying urgency in the way she led me out of the office, down the hallway, and to her car. Once we reached the car, she let go of my hand, and I immediately missed the connection.

"Are you already going to kill me?" I asked with a teasing smile as I buckled my seatbelt, curiosity bubbling inside me. The sudden decision to go somewhere had caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but wonder where she was taking me.

"What?" she asked, a look of confusion crossing her face as she started the car.

"Where the hell are you taking me?" I asked more directly, my tone still light but laced with genuine curiosity.

"Oh, to that park," she said nonchalantly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"The one you two kissed?" I asked, confusion and a hint of anger creeping into my voice. Memories of that day surfaced in my mind, bringing with them a mixture of emotions I wasn't quite ready to deal with. But before I could dwell on it, Orm reached over and grabbed my hand again, her grip firm and reassuring, her other hand steady on the steering wheel.

The warmth of her touch slowly melted away my irritation, and I found myself relaxing, allowing her to guide me wherever she intended.

...

"I want to explain how things happened that day," she said once we arrived at the park, her voice gentle yet determined.

"Well, you already did that," I replied grumpily, crossing my arms as I leaned against the car. I wasn't sure if I wanted to hear it again; the memories were still raw, and I wasn't in the mood for a trip down that particular lane.

"Okay, so I was talking with her about a game I like," she continued, ignoring my reluctance. "You'll be me, and I'll be Ying."

"You won't let me go, right?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as I tried to guess where this was going. She simply nodded in confirmation. "Okay. Oh Ying, my love, I'm playing a game, known as playing with Ling's heart," I said in an exaggerated, mocking tone, trying to imitate what I imagined her voice sounded like during that conversation.

"Interesting, tell me more," she said, leaning in closer, her voice dropping to a low, seductive whisper. Before I could respond, she closed the gap between us, her lips brushing against mine in a brief, teasing kiss that left me both flustered and annoyed.

"Stupid," I muttered, turning away from her quickly to hide the blush that was creeping up my cheeks. My heart was racing, betraying the indifference I was trying to project. I started walking away, aiming to put some distance between us, if only to give myself a moment to gather my thoughts.

"You love me, you have to admit," she called after me, her voice filled with playful confidence.

"Never," I shot back over my shoulder, refusing to look at her as I made my way toward her car again. The truth was, her words had struck a nerve, but I wasn't about to let her see how much of an effect she had on me. I climbed into the passenger seat, still refusing to meet her gaze. "Get me back to my office, I have to catch my car."

"Am I your Uber?" she asked, her tone dripping with irony as she slid into the driver's seat beside me.

"Yes, now drive," I demanded, turning my attention to the window, trying to hide the lingering blush on my cheeks. The city passed by in a blur outside, but all I could focus on was the feeling of her presence beside me—so close, yet so far. I sensed the smirk playing on her lips without needing to look at her, and it only made my heart race faster.

The drive back was quiet, filled with unspoken tension. I could feel her glancing at me every now and then, but I stubbornly kept my eyes on the passing scenery, willing myself to remain calm. It wasn't until we pulled up in front of my office building that the silence was finally broken.

I was just about to unbuckle my seatbelt when Orm suddenly leaned in, her proximity sending my senses into overdrive. "My payment," she said, her voice soft but insistent.

"Payment?" I echoed, a laugh escaping me despite myself. I turned to face her, only to find her inches away, her eyes locked onto mine with that familiar mischievous glint.

"For the ride," she clarified, her lips curving into a smile as she leaned in even closer, clearly aiming for a kiss.

But I was quicker. I put my hand up in front of my mouth, effectively blocking her attempt. "Not happening," I said, shaking my head as I unbuckled my seatbelt and reached for the door handle, a mix of amusement and relief washing over me.

Orm pouted dramatically, her disappointment exaggerated, but there was a playful sparkle in her eyes. "You're no fun," she teased as I stepped out of the car, her voice following me as I made my way to my own car.