Résonance: a LingOrm's Story

Chapter 39: The Weight of the World

Office bullying is a silent yet pervasive form of harassment that can destroy a person's sense of self-worth. It often manifests in subtle but damaging ways—whispered conversations behind one's back, exclusion from team activities, rumors that spread like wildfire. In Orm's case, it wasn't just the typical office politics. It was worse because it was deeply personal. Her relationship with Ling had become the subject of office gossip, and her private life was being dissected for public entertainment.

Orm had always been a cheerful, hardworking person. She was liked by most people, and her sunny disposition made her a natural at her job. But now, her world had flipped upside down. Every time she walked into the office, she felt the weight of eyes on her, judging, sneering. The group of women who had initially admired P'Tun's interest in her had turned into her tormentors. Their small gestures of bullying had grown in intensity, and now it felt like she couldn't escape it no matter where she went.

The rumors about her dating a woman spread like wildfire, especially in an office environment where gossip was currency. Some people were open-minded, others were not, and in the finance industry—dominated by traditional values—Orm's relationship with Ling was seen as a scandal. The whispers were incessant, like a constant hum that Orm couldn't tune out.

Orm's online presence, once a source of joy and self-expression, had also turned into a battlefield. She had always prided herself on being an influencer, someone who could inspire others and share the best parts of her life. But now, as she scrolled through her phone, the comment section on her posts was filled with venom.

Some comments were supportive:
"Orm, we love you! Don't let the haters get you down."
"You and Ling are such a cute couple. Stay strong!"

But others were harsh, judgmental:
"You've lost all credibility."
"How can we trust someone who hides things about their life? Disgusting."
"She's only with that woman because she's rich. Gold digger!"

The negativity hit Orm like a punch to the gut. Her heart pounded as she read the comments, the harsh words burning into her brain. She didn't know what hurt more—the fact that people were attacking her relationship with Ling, or that some of these people had once been her followers, her supporters.

And then there was the small entertainment news outlet that had picked up the story. Orm's relationship with Ling had made headlines on social media. They hadn't named Ling outright, but the hints were obvious. The headline read: "Famous Influencer Orm Spotted With Mystery Woman—Are They More Than Friends?"

Orm's breath caught in her throat as she saw her face plastered next to Ling's blurred-out image on a gossip blog. They had gone public without even meaning to. What had been a private and beautiful part of her life was now fodder for public speculation.

Ying, scrolling through her own feed one day, stumbled upon the news. At first, she was taken aback. She hadn't expected the rumor mill to latch onto Orm and Ling's relationship like this. It was one thing for close friends and family to know, but this? This was a different level of exposure.

Ying immediately felt the need to reach out. She couldn't sit back and watch her friends go through this alone. She messaged Ling but didn't get a reply. She knew how Ling was—when things got tough, she tended to close herself off, retreating into her shell until she had figured out a solution. But Ying knew Orm wasn't like that. Orm was the type who needed her friends during hard times, who needed support to get through the storm.

Ying decided to take action. She cleared her schedule for the afternoon and headed over to Ling and Orm's apartment. If Ling wasn't answering her phone, maybe she could catch Orm. She wasn't going to let either of them deal with this alone.

Pring, meanwhile, had been worried about Orm ever since she'd heard about the bullying at work. She had noticed the shift in Orm's mood over the last few weeks—how her usually bubbly best friend had become quieter, more withdrawn. But now, with the rumors spreading online and the tension in the air, Pring knew it was more serious than Orm had let on.

Pring wasn't the type to sit back when someone she loved was in pain. She texted Orm, demanding they meet up. But when Orm replied with a vague "I'm fine," Pring knew better than to believe her. She grabbed her things and headed straight to Orm's place. If Orm wouldn't come to her, then Pring would go to Orm.

Ling had always prided herself on being calm and collected, the one who had all the answers. But now, for the first time in a long while, she was at a loss. She loved Orm more than anything, and seeing her crumble under the weight of the bullying was tearing her apart. But how could she fix this?

Ling had been racking her brain for days, trying to figure out the best way to support Orm. Should she confront P'Tun? Should she take the matter up with Orm's company? But the thought of drawing more attention to the situation made her hesitant. She didn't want to make things worse for Orm.

And then there was the leaked picture. Ling's own face had begun circulating online, rumored to be Orm's mysterious girlfriend. It wasn't just affecting Orm anymore—Ling's business was starting to feel the impact. Clients had started to ask questions, and though no one had pulled out of deals yet, Ling could feel the tension. She knew it was only a matter of time before the gossip reached her own professional circles.

Worse still, the news had reached Hong Kong. Ling's family, though supportive in private, had a public image to uphold. The Kwong family business was well-known, and this kind of scandal could damage their reputation back home. Ling's heart pounded at the thought of her parents dealing with the fallout of her personal life being aired in such a public way.

She felt trapped—wanting to protect Orm, wanting to protect her business, wanting to protect her family. But there didn't seem to be a clear solution. Every option felt like it would only make things worse.

The final blow came when more photos of Ling and Orm were leaked online. This time, there was no mistaking Ling's face. The captions were brutal: "Famous Businesswoman Ling Kwong in a Secret Relationship with Female Influencer!"

Within hours, the news had spread across multiple platforms. Ling's inbox was flooded with messages from concerned clients, investors, and even a few family members. The once-private relationship was now a public spectacle, and the backlash was immediate.

Orm's brand endorsements began to falter. Some companies, though initially supportive, started to distance themselves, not wanting to be associated with the controversy. Ling's business, though still strong, was now under scrutiny from conservative clients who didn't approve of her personal life being in the spotlight.

The worst part was seeing the toll it took on Orm. She had always been so proud of her work, her online presence. Now, she barely posted anymore, and when she did, the comments were flooded with hate and judgment.

That night, as Orm lay in Ling's arms, the weight of everything hit her all at once. She had been trying so hard to stay strong, to push through the bullying, the rumors, the public scrutiny. But now, it felt like too much. The pressure was crushing her, and for the first time in a long time, she didn't know how to keep going.

Orm's body shook with silent sobs as she buried her face in Ling's chest. Ling held her close, her own heart breaking with every tear that fell. She had never seen Orm like this—so vulnerable, so completely broken. And it killed her that she couldn't take the pain away.

"I don't know how much more of this I can take," Orm whispered, her voice trembling. "I'm trying, P'Ling, but it's so hard."

Ling kissed the top of Orm's head, her own eyes filled with unshed tears. "I know, baby. I know. We'll get through this. I promise."

But as Ling stared into the darkness of their bedroom, she wasn't sure how they would. Everything felt so overwhelming, so impossible. And for the first time in her life, Ling didn't have the answers.