Entwined Destinies

Chapter 2: The Engagement

Orm's House

Orm sipped her wine slowly, letting the rich flavor linger on her tongue as Charlotte walked into the room. The soft clink of glass was followed by Charlotte's casual question.

"How was the date?" Charlotte's voice was smooth, almost nonchalant, as she made her way to the couch. Charlotte Austin, Orm's older cousin, was striking—tall, confident, and a successful model. Her presence commanded attention, but her bond with Orm was rooted in something far deeper. Since Orm was an only child, her parents had asked Charlotte to live with her, not wanting their daughter to be alone. It had been that way ever since.

Orm smirked and tilted her head. "Unexpected."

Charlotte, lounging effortlessly on the couch, barely looked up from her phone. "I don't believe that for a second. You only agreed to this arrangement because you already knew who your parents paired you with."

"P'Char~ you know I'm not that type of girl," Orm teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Charlotte rolled her eyes but didn't bother to hide her smile. "N'Orm, revenge isn't a game to play lightly. And after what happened between—"

"Shush, P'Char, shush..." Orm cut her cousin off quickly, a hint of something darker crossing her expression.

"The arrangement is inevitable," Orm said, her voice now firmer, more resolute. "Whether the Ratanapongs want it or not, Lingling Sirilak Ratanapong is going to marry me. No matter what."

Charlotte shook her head, not entirely sure what was stirring in Orm's mind. She had always been a puzzle, hard to read and harder to predict. But Charlotte loved her cousin deeply, and whatever Orm was getting herself into, she would be there for her.

"Just be careful, okay?"

"I know," Orm replied, her voice softening, but her determination still unmistakable.

---

The next morning

Lingling sat at her office desk, sorting through paperwork, when her older cousin Faye, Engfa's older sister, arrived. Faye was clearly bemused as she listened to Lingling's latest family drama.

"Huh?? How small can the world be?!" Faye exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Your grandma wants you to marry Milk's ex? That's wild!"

Lingling sighed, rubbing her temples. "Yeah, it's a complete mess."

Faye leaned in, her concern deepening. "How is Milk taking this? I can't imagine it's going well."

"Bad," Lingling replied, her voice heavy with worry. "Like really bad."

Faye frowned, her worry evident. "I thought Milk was tough, but this must be hitting her hard. To think that that girl was the only one who ever made Milk cry like a baby!"

Lingling's face darkened. Without warning, she smacked Faye lightly on the arm. "Faye, this isn't the time to make jokes about it. Milk's hurting, and it's serious."

Faye looked taken aback, rubbing her arm and catching Lingling's intense gaze. "Sorry, Ling. I didn't mean to make light of it. I just... I can't believe how deep this is all going."

Lingling took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "I know, it's just a lot to handle right now. I need to focus on the meeting, but I also need to make sure Milk is okay."

Just then, Lingling's secretary, Prigkhing, knocked and entered the room. "Khun Lingling, the meeting with the board of directors is about to begin."

Lingling glanced at her watch, realizing the time. "Thanks, Prigkhing. I'll be there soon."