Secretly Watching Over Her

Chapter 8: No Turning Back

Days had passed since Ling discovered the unsettling truth about Orm's "obsession", yet she couldn't shake the images from her mind. She tried to focus on her work, diving into patient care and administrative duties at the hospital, but her thoughts often drifted back to that small room filled with photos and journals. Each time she closed her eyes, she saw the walls plastered with images of herself—some from moments she hadn't even realized Orm had been watching. It made her feel vulnerable and exposed, as though her life was an open book that someone else had been reading without her knowledge.

Ling was no stranger to feeling watched. As a high-profile figure, being constantly observed came with the territory. But this was different. It wasn't the gaze of the public or the media—it was personal, intimate, and unsettling. Even as she tried to focus on her patients, those eyes followed her in her mind, and she felt trapped in a loop of confusion and doubt.

Her concerns about the hospital's security grew sharper as the days went by. For the past week, she had noticed three men lingering around the hospital. They were always there, loitering by the entrance, pretending to read magazines in the lobby, or leaning against their car in the parking lot. Their eyes followed her every move, and it didn't take long for Ling to sense that they weren't there by accident. They were watching her.

Ling's instincts, honed by years of navigating the treacherous waters of the business world, were on high alert. Something was off. She discreetly informed hospital security, describing the men and asking them to keep a closer watch. The security team assured her they would investigate, but a week passed, and the men were still there, their presence a dark cloud over Ling's daily routine.

The morning sun filtered through the blinds of Ling's office, casting stripes of light across her desk. She sat back in her chair, rubbing her temples. Her mind was racing with thoughts of Orm, the mysterious men, and the unease that had settled deep in her gut. Suddenly, the shrill wail of the hospital alarm pierced the air, jolting Ling from her thoughts. Her heart skipped a beat, adrenaline flooding her veins.

She stood up abruptly, knocking over a stack of patient files as she rushed to the door. The hallway was already in chaos. Nurses were shouting instructions, patients were being wheeled back to their rooms, and the sound of frantic footsteps echoed down the corridors. Ling's pulse quickened as she heard a deep, commanding voice cut through the noise.

"Where is Dr. Kwong?" The voice boomed, carrying an edge of anger and desperation. "We want Dr. Kwong! Bring her to us now!"

Ling peered around the corner, her eyes widening at the sight before her. The three men she had noticed earlier were now in the main lobby, each brandishing a gun. They were holding doctors, nurses, and even patients hostage. Fear spread like wildfire through the hospital staff, the usually bustling hallways now paralyzed with tension and panic.

"Give us the doctor, or else all of you are going to die!" one of the men shouted, his face red with rage.

Ling's breath caught in her throat. Her eyes darted around, searching for an escape route. She knew she couldn't run; she had to think of a way to diffuse the situation, to protect her staff and patients. Her mind raced through possibilities, each one seeming more impossible than the last. She ducked back into her office, her back pressed against the door, trying to steady her breathing. The reality of the situation pressed in on her like a vice. Why were they after her? What did they want?

Meanwhile, across the city, Orm was heading to the airport, scrolling through her phone as she reviewed her schedule for the shoot in Korea. Her manager was talking about the day's plans, but Orm's mind was elsewhere, thoughts of Ling flitting through her head. A sudden news alert flashed across her screen, freezing her mid-step.