Unscripted Love | Lingorm

Self Confessions

The day was supposed to be peaceful. Ling sat curled up on her living room couch, staring out of the window. It was a rare two-day break from filming, and she had planned to spend it quietly, away from the overwhelming set and all the confusing emotions that seemed to be tied to it. More importantly, it was a chance to avoid confronting the feelings she had been burying for days—especially those surrounding Orm.

Orm. Just thinking about her name sent a strange ripple through Ling's chest. Today was her birthday. Of course, Ling had known that; she'd been thinking about it all morning. She had even gone out of her way to buy Orm a gift—a delicate Tiffany & Co. necklace with Orm's initials, "O'K," etched on the silver pendant. It had felt like a good idea when she first saw it. But now, sitting there with the small blue box tucked into her bag, she wasn't sure anymore.

Would Orm even want it? Ling had been questioning everything recently, especially the strained distance between them. Orm had been so cold to her on set. Reserved. She wasn't sure if she could still consider them friends, let alone someone close enough to gift something so personal.

As Ling sat there, contemplating whether or not she should even show up, her phone buzzed loudly on the coffee table. The name "Ma'Koi" flashed across the screen, and Ling hesitated for a beat before answering.

"Hello?" Ling's voice came out more hesitant than she'd intended.

"Ling, darling!" Ma'Koi's voice was warm and cheerful on the other end, immediately pulling Ling into the conversation. "I just wanted to remind you about Orm's birthday party tonight. We're hosting it at the house. You're coming, right?"

Ling swallowed, trying to think of an excuse, but none came. She'd already planned to drop by briefly, deliver the necklace, and leave before things could get too complicated. But Ma'Koi's invitation made it sound like a command, not a request. Ling knew Orm's mother well enough to know there would be no polite way to refuse.

"I... wasn't sure if I should," Ling started, her fingers tightening around her phone. "I don't want to intrude—"

"Nonsense!" Ma'Koi's tone was final. "Orm would love to have you there. Everyone from the cast is coming. Eclair, Jakarin, and Anada too. You'll all have a wonderful time. No excuses. I'll see you at 7!"

Before Ling could say another word, Ma'Koi had hung up, leaving her staring at the screen in disbelief. There was no way out now. Ling sighed and looked over at the necklace box on the table, her mind racing.

Orm's birthday. The Tiffany necklace. The brownie cake she had baked earlier because Orm had once mentioned how much she loved chocolate brownies. The thought of seeing Orm again, of possibly facing that cold, distant version of her, made Ling's stomach twist.

---

By the time she arrived at Orm's family mansion, Ling could barely focus on anything but the pounding of her heart. The place was stunning—large, elegant, and entirely too grand for Ling to feel comfortable in. She hadn't expected something so massive, even knowing that Orm came from wealth. The house was bathed in warm lights, the perfect picture of celebration, yet it only added to the tension building in her chest.