Only us [LingOrm]

5

Orm's pov

After a long day of filming, I noticed that Ling had abruptly left the studio. I couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling in my chest, especially since she'd been acting strange all day. I turned to Yoko, my assistant, hoping she could shed some light on Ling's sudden departure.

"Yoko, why did Ling leave so suddenly?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual.

"I have no idea," she replied, but her tone was far too innocent. She was definitely hiding something, and that only made me more suspicious.

"What's the matter?" I pressed, narrowing my eyes at her.

"I think she's not comfortable with the bed scenes," Yoko said after a brief hesitation. But I wasn't convinced. Something about her response felt off, like she was holding back the real reason.

By the time we wrapped up filming, the thought of Ling was still gnawing at me. I left the set with Yoko by my side, the two of us walking through the dimly lit corridors of the studio. As we approached the exit, I spotted Ling leaning against the wall, fast asleep. Her face looked peaceful, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere that had surrounded her earlier.

I couldn't resist the urge that bubbled up inside me. Maybe it was reckless, or maybe it was just the result of hours of pent-up emotions. I leaned in close and gave her a quick, soft peck on the lips, my heart fluttering in my chest.

"Orm!" Yoko whispered urgently, her eyes wide with shock.

"She's sleeping, she won't wake up," I whispered back, but I poked Ling's arm to be sure. Ling stirred slightly, but when I reached out to touch her neck, her hand shot up with lightning speed, grabbing my wrist and pinning me against the wall. Her eyes snapped open, the sharpness in them startling me.

"Oh, it's just you," she muttered, her grip loosening as she realized who I was. She stepped back, a little sheepish.

"Now I get why they say you have good reflexes," Yoko commented, her voice tinged with a mixture of awe and amusement.

"Kinda violent," I said, rubbing my wrist where Ling had grabbed me. It didn't hurt much, but I wanted to tease her a little.

"I'm sorry, did it hurt?" Ling asked, her fingers brushing against my wrist in a gentle, almost apologetic way.

Before I could answer, Yoko cleared her throat, and Ling immediately stepped back, the softness in her eyes replaced by her usual stoic expression.

"Sorry, let's go," Ling said, and we fell into step behind Yoko as we made our way out of the studio. The cold air of the building's air conditioner hit me as we walked, sending a shiver down my spine. I tried to suppress it, but Ling noticed. Without a word, she slipped off her blazer and draped it over my shoulders.

"See, Ling is such a good bodyguard," Yoko teased. "She's protecting you and also acting like your girl—"

Ling quickly covered Yoko's mouth with her hand, her expression one of mild panic. "Dear Yoko, some things are better left unsaid," she said, her voice stern but with an undertone of embarrassment. I couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

We stepped into the elevator, descending to the ground floor. As the doors opened, I spotted a familiar figure standing near the entrance—a girl I recognized as Ling's supposed "girlfriend." My mood soured instantly.

"Just a friend, huh?" I said, my voice laced with irritation as I glanced at Ling.

"She's not here for me!" Ling replied defensively, her eyes widening in alarm.

"She's here for me," Yoko chimed in, a sly grin on her face as she placed her clipboard on a nearby desk and walked over to the girl. My jaw dropped when the girl hugged Yoko and then kissed her, right there in the open. My annoyance dissipated, replaced by a wave of amusement.

"I want a bodyguard like that," I said, pointing at Yoko and her girlfriend, the sight of them together warming my heart despite my earlier jealousy.

"Keep asking, and it'll appear in your dreams," Ling replied, her voice gruff but her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

"Why in my dreams if she's right in front of me?" I shot back, loving the way Ling's blush deepened.

"Are you always like this?" Ling asked, exasperation creeping into her voice.

"Pretty? Yes," I replied, batting my eyelashes at her.

"Flirty," she clarified, her tone flat.

"I'm not a flirt," I said, stepping closer to her. "I just like seeing your cheeks turn red." As if on cue, her cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of pink. I grinned and leaned in, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

"Stop!" she protested, but there was no heat in her words. If anything, she seemed flustered, which only encouraged me further.

"Maybe...can you drive me home?" I asked, trying to sound innocent.

"Why?" she asked, clearly suspicious of my intentions.

"What if someone kidnaps me while I'm driving?" I said, feigning worry. I knew it was a ridiculous excuse, but I loved pushing her buttons.

"Orm, how the heck is someone going to kidnap you inside your car?" Ling replied, her voice laced with disbelief.

"Oh, so you're not driving me home?" I pouted, turning on the charm.

"Ugh, fine," she sighed, clearly resigned. She walked over to her car and opened the door for me, a gesture that didn't go unnoticed.

"How cute," I teased, reaching out to pinch her cheek as I slid into the passenger seat. She rolled her eyes but didn't protest, simply closing the door behind me and walking around to the driver's side.

The drive was quiet at first, but I couldn't resist the urge to tease her further. As she drove with one hand on the wheel, I reached over and grabbed her free hand, holding it just to see how she'd react.

"Where are you driving to?" I asked casually, as if I didn't already know the answer.

"Your house," she said, her tone guarded.

"I haven't told you the address," I pointed out, watching as her expression shifted. She looked momentarily panicked, but quickly composed herself.

"It was in your file," she muttered, trying to sound nonchalant.

"And you remembered," I said, a satisfied smile spreading across my face. I placed our joined hands on my thigh, feeling her tense up beside me.

"Orm, I'll crash the car," she warned, trying to pull her hand away.

"It's okay," I replied, tightening my grip on her hand. "If I die, I'll die next to you." I could feel her resolve crumbling, her usual cool demeanor slipping away as she focused on the road ahead.

We finally arrived at my house, and I reluctantly let go of her hand as I got out of the car. My heart was racing, the teasing banter and her flustered reactions leaving me feeling more exhilarated than I had in a long time.

As I walked up the steps to my front door, I glanced back at Ling, who was still sitting in the driver's seat, staring straight ahead. I smiled to myself, knowing I'd gotten under her skin. The thrill of our interactions lingered as I unlocked the door and stepped inside, the warmth of the evening fading as I closed the door behind me.

But even as I settled in for the night, my thoughts kept drifting back to Ling—her sharp reflexes, her stoic expression that melted away under my teasing, the way she had memorized my address even though she didn't have to. It was all too much to ignore. My heart was still pounding, my mind replaying every moment we'd shared that day. I couldn't deny it anymore—Ling was more than just my bodyguard.

She had become someone I couldn't stop thinking about, someone who made my heart race with just a look, someone I was beginning to care about far more than I should. And that terrified me as much as it thrilled me.