Only us [LingOrm]

6

Ling's pov

I woke up from a strange dream—one of those dreams that leaves you disoriented and a little flushed when you wake up. It was the kind of dream that made you feel like a teenager all over again, even though those years are long behind you. The worst part? I knew exactly who the dream was about. It was Orm, of course. At this point, it seems like she's the only person who can invade my thoughts, awake or asleep.

I shook off the remnants of the dream, pushing the discomfort to the back of my mind as I got ready for the day. My phone buzzed with a few texts.

Ying: "Good morning, sleepyhead. Don't forget you have work today! Bye!"

I sighed. Ying's playful tone was always a reminder of the simpler life I could have led, a life unburdened by the chaos I've now embraced. But that wasn't me anymore. I had responsibilities now, and most of them revolved around Orm.

When I arrived at Orm's house, I had a feeling she wasn't awake yet. She had probably stayed up late, losing track of time playing video games or watching some series. Instead of ringing the bell, I leaned against the wall, waiting.

After a few minutes, the door creaked open. Orm stepped out, rubbing her eyes and yawning. Her hair was a mess, and she looked like she could fall asleep standing up.

"Hey, Ling," she mumbled through a yawn.

"Good morning. Sleepy?" I asked, though it was more of a statement than a question. She nodded, confirming my suspicions.

I led her to the car and made her sit in the back seat so she could lie down. She needed the rest. I drove to a nearby café, keeping the car running so she could stay comfortable in the air-conditioned vehicle. My car is armored, so I knew she was safe. When I returned with two coffees and a slice of chocolate cake, she was still sound asleep.

I held the coffee cup under her nose, letting the aroma of the freshly brewed drink fill her senses. She stirred, slowly waking up.

"Take a little bit; it'll help," I said, handing her the coffee.

"Thanks," she mumbled, taking a sip. She looked more awake now, though there were still dark circles under her eyes.

"You didn't sleep last night?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"No," she admitted.

"Why?"

"I was playing," she said with a sheepish grin.

"Orm!" I scolded, but there was no real anger in my voice. It was hard to stay mad at her when she looked so innocent.

"Let me be," she pouted, making me roll my eyes.

"Oh, I also brought this," I said, handing her the small pot containing a slice of chocolate cake. Her eyes lit up when she saw it.

"Thanks!" she exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug.

"Okay, now eat, or your manager will kill me," I teased, earning a soft chuckle from her.

The rest of the drive to her company was quiet. Orm had curled up in the back seat, and I assumed she had fallen asleep again. When we arrived, I opened the door for her, and she stumbled out, draping her arm over my shoulder for support.

"Are you okay?" I asked, concerned by how tired she seemed.

"Just sleepy," she replied. "I'm doing this so I won't fall asleep on the floor."

I chuckled softly. In all my years of work, I had never been so clingy to anyone. I wasn't a logical person by nature, but even I knew there were lines I couldn't cross. No matter how much I cared for Orm, I couldn't date her or get involved with her in any way. My enemies would see her as a weakness, a way to get to me, and I couldn't allow that to happen.