Twilight of Shadows | LingOrm (GxG)

SIXTEEN

Earn slumped onto her couch, exhausted after finishing an event. Just as she reached for her phone, it buzzed.

Nook: "Earn!!! Big news! You've been offered a two-year modeling contract in Australia!! It's huge!! We need to talk details, but omg, this is your shot! Let me know what you think!"

Her eyes widened. "Australia?" she whispered. It felt surreal. A contract abroad? Her dream. She quickly typed a response, heart racing.

Earn: "OMG P'Nook!! That's insane! I'm freaking out!! Definitely want to talk more, I'm sooo excited! Let's meet asap!"

Her finger hovered over "send" for just a second before tapping it. As the excitement settled, her mind wandered to someone else.

Lada.

She groaned, rubbing her temples. Why did everything lead back to her? It had started with admiration, but somewhere along the line, it had shifted. Deeper. Stronger. Complicated.

"Why now?" she muttered to herself, recalling Lada's grace, her unyielding strength. There was something magnetic about her, something Earn couldn't shake. But then there was Narin. Sweet, innocent Narin.

She smiled softly at the thought of the little girl. "Aunty Earn!" she could still hear Narin's voice echoing in her head.

But then, her smile faded.

Her thoughts shifted, darkened. "Lada's family destroyed mine," she whispered. The past was always there, lurking in the back of her mind. She remembered her mother's tears, the way everything fell apart because of the Worachais.

And now, here she was, falling for one of them.

A bitter laugh escaped her. "You've really done it now, Earn."

Her phone buzzed again. It was Nook, eager to set up a meeting. But Earn hesitated.

Two years in Australia. That was a dream she'd held onto for years. She'd imagined it-walking international runways, living in the heart of Sydney, being more than just a local model.

But then she thought of Narin again. That little girl had wormed her way into Earn's heart in ways she hadn't expected. Could she leave her behind?

"Australia," Earn muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, "or Lada and Narin."

Could she really walk away from the life she was starting to build here, from the bonds she was forming?

With a sigh, she texted Nook back.

Earn: "Let's meet tomorrow. Need to think things through."

She set the phone aside and leaned back, closing her eyes. For now, the decision could wait. Just for tonight, she'd let herself dream.

•••

Lada's house came into view as Earn parked her car, her fingers tightening around the steering wheel. She inhaled deeply, trying to push the heaviness in her chest away. Saturdays were usually a reprieve, a chance to be with Lada and Narin. But today... today felt different.

Lada greeted her at the door with her usual bright smile. "You're here!" She leaned in for a kiss, but Earn turned slightly, letting it land on her cheek. Lada's smile faltered for a split second before she recovered.

"Hey," Earn said softly, her voice lacking its usual warmth.

Lada's brow furrowed. "You okay?" Her hand gently brushed Earn's arm, her eyes searching.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Earn forced a smile, glancing past her at the sound of Narin's excited footsteps.

"Aunty Earn!" Narin came barreling down the stairs, her face lighting up as she ran into Earn's arms. For a moment, the weight in Earn's chest lightened as she scooped Narin up, twirling her around.

Lada watched them closely, a flicker of concern crossing her face. Earn felt the tension even through the happy chatter of Narin, like a thread pulling tighter between her and Lada.

As they headed to the mall, Lada kept glancing at Earn, but didn't push. The usual playful rhythm between them was absent. Earn found herself lagging behind, letting Lada and Narin walk ahead.

At one point, Lada picked up a dress, striking a silly pose. "What do you think? Should I add this to my wardrobe?" she teased, her eyes bright, expecting the usual banter.

Earn barely glanced at the dress. "Yeah, it's nice," she mumbled, her voice distracted.

Lada's smile faltered, her eyes narrowing slightly as she put the dress back. She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Earn, you've been off all day. Talk to me. What's going on?"

Earn exhaled, keeping her gaze on the racks of clothes. "I'm just tired. Long week."

Lada wasn't convinced, but she nodded, her worry deepening.

Lunch was no better. Narin babbled happily about her day, while Lada and Earn sat across from each other in strained silence. Lada reached across the table, her fingers brushing against Earn's hand. But Earn pulled away, pretending to reach for her drink.

Lada's expression tightened, but she stayed silent, her eyes tracking every small movement Earn made. It was like she was waiting for something... anything to break the distance.

After lunch, as Narin dashed off to explore a nearby toy store, Lada finally turned to Earn. Her voice was soft but firm. "Earn, please. What's wrong? I can't help if you don't tell me."

Earn hesitated, her heart racing. She could feel Lada's eyes on her, feel the unspoken question between them. She wanted to open up, to explain everything swirling in her head. But the words stuck, too heavy to say.

"I'm fine," Earn said, the lie sounding hollow even to her.

Lada's shoulders sagged a little, her frustration clear, but before she could press further, Narin returned, excitedly holding up a new toy. The conversation was over. For now.

As the evening crept in and they headed back to Lada's house, the weight of the day pressed harder on Earn. Normally, this was the time where they'd all settle in for a quiet night together. But tonight, Earn couldn't bear it.

"I think I'm gonna head home," Earn said as they stood by the door.

Lada blinked, caught off guard. "Already? I thought we'd spend the evening together, just the two of us."

Earn forced a smile, though it barely touched her eyes. "I'm just really tired. I need to rest."

Lada stepped closer, her hands resting lightly on Earn's waist. "But... I'm not tired," she whispered, her breath warm against Earn's neck as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I've missed this beautiful face."

Earn's pulse quickened. She knew where this was going, and her defenses were slipping. "Lada... Narin might see us."

Lada's eyes darkened with frustration. "Why do you always use Narin as an excuse? What about me?" Her fingers traced the line of Earn's jaw, brushing against her ear. "You've barely spoken to me. No texts, no calls. Don't you miss me?"

"Lada... I really have to go. I've got work tomorrow," Earn stammered, gently removing Lada's hand from her face.

But Lada pulled Earn closer, her grip firm yet soft. "Wait... you didn't answer my question." Her voice was low, almost a whisper, filled with a desperate need for connection.

Earn hesitated, her gaze drifting away. "Of course I do."

Lada's disappointment flickered in her eyes, the warmth of their moment dimming. She let her hand fall to her side and stepped back, nodding slowly. "Hmmm okay." Her voice was soft, but the hurt was there. "Just know that you can always talk to me, right? I'm here, no matter what."

Earn nodded, swallowing hard. "Yeah, I know."

As she walked to her car, Earn could feel Lada's gaze on her, full of unanswered questions and growing doubt. She had come so close to telling her the truth today, but she wasn't ready. Not yet.

And as the road stretched out ahead, all Earn could think about was Lada's face-the pain she had caused.