Every Single Thing I Touch || HeartLiming "Moonlight Chicken"

23. Illicit Affairs

No trigger warnings. Enjoy the fluff (before the doom—) 😎😎😎

"I know I have good judgment, I know I have good taste. It's funny and it's ironic, That only I feel that way. I promise 'em that you're different and everyone makes mistakes"

—Sabrina Carpenter, "Please please please"

"GOOD MORNING!"

Liming's voice rang through the office as he strolled into his cubicle, a grin stretched wide across his face and a noticeable spring in his step. His entire team paused, their heads turning in unison to stare at him in disbelief. This was Liming—their notoriously stoic CRO, the man who hadn't cracked a smile since he'd joined the company. Now, here he was, beaming as if the world had turned upside down.

Teung blinked, momentarily frozen before slowly inching toward Liming's cubicle. Next to him, Marie let out an exaggerated coo, her eyes glued to Liming like he was a rare celestial event.

"What... was that?" Aom asked, her voice laced with confusion as she turned to Chantana. They exchanged bewildered glances.

"Did he just smile at us? And say good morning?" Chantana pointed at herself, as if needing confirmation that she wasn't imagining things.

Marie rolled her chair between them, practically melting into the usually uncomfortable seat cushion. "His smile is so beautiful... oh my god," she gushed, twirling in her chair dreamily.

Aom and Chantana shot each other another wide-eyed look, still processing the shocking display from their boss. Marie, however, was in her own world, twirling like a kid on a carousel. But then, as if suddenly struck by inspiration, she straightened in her chair and fixed her gaze on Teung, who was gathering his files with a dazed look.

Before he could react, Marie grabbed his hand, causing him to jerk in surprise.

"What are you—?" he began, but Marie cut him off.

"Something's up," she whispered urgently, nodding in the direction of Liming's cubicle. "He's too happy. You've got to find out what's going on. Use your charm, flirt a little, get the details."

Teung's face flushed, and he instinctively tried to pull his arm free from Marie's grip. "I'm not—you know he's not my type, right?"

"Wait," Chantana interjected, dragging her chair closer, with Aom right behind her.

"You're not gay?!" Aom blurted out, eyes wide with shock.

Chantana shot her a disapproving look. "Wow, subtle, Aom. Real subtle."

"Oh, please," Marie rolled her eyes, still laser-focused on her mission. "He's everyone's type. Cold, smart, tall, totally ripped, looks like a freaking model, and that smile..."

Marie trailed off, sighing dreamily as she twirled in her chair once more. Aom and Chantana, meanwhile, had already started gossiping again in hushed tones. Teung, on the other hand, couldn't stop staring at Liming, who was—was he giggling? And... biting his nails? The sight made Teung's legs feel like jelly.

This was not P'Liming. This was some doppelgänger, some alternate-universe version of their hard-edged CRO.

"I—I've got to—" Teung started, but no one seemed to be listening. Steeling himself, he cleared his throat and began walking toward Liming's cubicle, his heart racing faster with every step.

As he neared, Liming's laughter became clearer, and Teung caught a glimpse of him leaning back in his chair, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. For a moment, Teung hesitated, wondering if maybe, just maybe, he should turn back. But curiosity got the better of him.