The Last Scene's Secret

Chapter 10: Holding On or Letting Go?

Warning: This chapter contains emotional scenes and themes of heartache and regret. Please take care of yourself while reading.^^

As the days passed, Ling and Orm spoke only when necessary, their conversations limited strictly to the lines of their script. The series, which was planned for only eight episodes, had flown by, and now they were filming the final scenes.

Episode eight was centered around a wedding, a moment meant to symbolize the culmination of their characters' love story. As the production crew set up the scene, the tension between Ling and Orm was palpable, hanging thick in the air. Despite the script's requirement for joy and love, both actresses found it difficult to muster genuine smiles.

In the wedding scene, Ling and Orm stood opposite each other, dressed in beautiful wedding attire. Ling wore a stunning white gown that shimmered under the soft lights, while Orm looked dashing in a tailored suit. The vows were exchanged, and their characters professed their undying love. When it came time for the kiss, they moved closer, their faces just inches apart. Ling hesitated for a split second, memories of their real-life kisses flooding her mind. Orm's eyes were searching, perhaps hoping for a sign, a flicker of the old Ling. Ling closed her eyes and leaned in, the kiss scripted and mechanical, lacking the genuine passion of their previous encounters.

"Cut! That's a wrap!" Ying, the director, shouted, his voice breaking the silence. Applause erupted from the crew, signaling the end of their work together.

As the crew started to pack up and dismantle the set, Ling turned to leave without a word. Orm watched her go, feeling the weight of unsaid words and unresolved emotions bearing down on her. She had hoped, perhaps naively, that something would change during this final scene, that the lines they spoke would translate into reality. But Ling remained distant, cold.

Ling, on the other hand, felt the pressure of Prigkhing's threat looming over her like a dark cloud. The text she received that morning replayed in her mind: "Tee-rak, come back to me if you don't want this photo leaked." She knew she had no choice but to return to Prigkhing, to sacrifice her happiness with Orm to protect them both. The thought of Orm's career being tarnished because of their past made her heartache.

Back in the dressing room, Ling looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes reflecting the turmoil within her. She removed her wedding gown slowly, the weight of each movement making her feel as though she were underwater. She had been avoiding her own reflection, afraid of the guilt and sorrow she might see there. The sight of the gown hanging limply on the hanger was a poignant reminder of what she had lost.

After filming wrapped, the fans buzzed with excitement over Ling and Orm's performance, praising their chemistry. Social media exploded with comments about their upcoming projects. Yet, Ling's manager, aware of Prigkhing's threats, made a swift decision. Ling would not accept the new series, "Falling for You," which had been eagerly anticipated by fans. Ling's withdrawal fueled speculation among fans. Rumors began to swirl, suggesting that Ling and Orm had a real-life romance that had somehow gone wrong, mirroring the turmoil of their on-screen love.

A few days after the wrap party, Ling returned to her apartment, her heart heavy with the decisions she had made. As she stepped inside, her eyes fell on the puzzle that sat on her desk, the one she and Orm had been working on together. The sight of the shattered puzzle mirrored the way she felt inside—broken, incomplete.

Orm tried to reach out to Ling several times, sending her messages that went unanswered. She knew something was wrong but had no idea how deep the problem ran. Each silence from Ling was like another nail in the coffin of their relationship. Orm's own manager had berated her, warning her to stay away from Ling to preserve her image and career. Torn between her feelings for Ling and the harsh reality of the industry, Orm felt powerless.