The Last Scene's Secret

Chapter 11: The End of Us

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

Three years later 

Thailand's sun was just beginning to set, casting a warm orange glow over the bustling city of Bangkok. The airport was alive with the sounds of travelers—families reunited, tourists arriving, and businesspeople rushing to catch their flights. Among the crowd, a figure stepped off a plane, her presence turning heads. Ling Ling Kwong, once a name on everyone's lips, had returned.

Ling stood at the airport's arrival gate, her suitcase by her side, her hair slightly tousled from the long flight. She looked different—matured, with a refined elegance that only time and experience could bring. Her eyes held a depth that spoke of stories untold, of lessons learned, and of wounds both healed and still raw. She wore a simple yet stylish outfit, a pair of sunglasses perched atop her head, and her expression was unreadable as she took in her surroundings.

 The memories came flooding back, uninvited but persistent. The last time she had been in this city, everything had fallen apart. The pressure of the media, the manipulations, the threats from Prigkhing, and, most of all, the heartbreaking parting with Orm. Ling had left Thailand to escape, to find herself again amidst the chaos that had once been her life. Now, after three years of building a successful career in Hong Kong, she was back to confront the past.

Ling's heart pounded in her chest as she made her way through the terminal. The familiar sounds and sights of Bangkok greeted her like old friends, each corner of the city holding memories of her past with Orm. They had been so close, so intertwined. The series that brought them together was still talked about by fans, their love scenes still shared on social media, even though both had moved on to other projects.

 As Ling walked through the airport, she spotted a poster advertising Orm's latest film. Orm's face, smiling and beautiful, seemed to look right at her. Ling stopped, her eyes lingering on the image. Orm had become even more successful in her absence. Her films had become box-office hits, her face gracing magazine covers, her name becoming a staple in the industry. Ling felt a pang of something she couldn't quite define—pride, regret, longing.

"Ling Ling Kwong, welcome back!" A voice broke through her thoughts. Ling turned to see her manager, Jai, approaching with a warm smile. Jai had been the one to convince Ling to return to Thailand, promising her that the time was right, that her fans had not forgotten her.

 "Thank you, Jai," Ling replied, forcing a smile. "It feels...strange to be back."Jai nodded, understanding in her eyes. 

Jai nodded, understanding in her eyes. "It's only natural. You've been away for a long time. But this is your home, Ling. Your fans here have missed you. And there's so much opportunity waiting for you. I've set up a few meetings for later this week, but I thought you might want some time to settle in first."

 Ling nodded. "Yes, that would be good. I need to get my bearings. It feels like everything has changed, and yet nothing has."

As they walked towards the car, Jai started talking about the upcoming meetings, the offers already pouring in, and the projects lined up. But Ling's mind was elsewhere. She couldn't shake the feeling that returning to Thailand would bring her face-to-face with her past sooner than she was ready. She wondered what Orm was doing right now, if she was happy, if she had found someone new. She wondered if Orm still thought about her

The drive through the city was both nostalgic and bittersweet. Ling watched the streets pass by, recognizing landmarks and places that held special memories. Her old apartment building, the café where she and Orm used to grab coffee after long shoots, the park where they once took a late-night walk just to talk. Every sight was a reminder of what she had left behind.