Falling For You

Chapter 4: Unspoken Tensions

After the tense encounter with Jak at school, Orm had reluctantly agreed to let Ling take her out to dinner. Ling had insisted, her eyes soft yet persistent, leaving Orm with little choice but to go along. Besides, after everything that had happened, a quiet evening away from work seemed like the kind of distraction Orm desperately needed.

The two of them arrived at an upscale restaurant, its sleek ambiance and low lighting casting a warm glow on their table by the window. The city lights twinkled outside, but inside, the world felt hushed and intimate.

As they sat down, the air between them seemed lighter—less charged with the tension from before. Orm couldn't help but glance across the table at Ling, who looked stunning in a casual yet elegant white blouse and fitted pants. Ling caught her gaze and smiled warmly, a hint of playfulness in her expression.

"You're staring," Ling teased, her voice soft but carrying the weight of an unspoken connection between them.

Orm's cheeks warmed as she quickly averted her eyes, focusing on the menu in front of her. "I'm just deciding what to eat," she said, though she wasn't sure if she was convincing herself or Ling.

Ling chuckled softly, leaning back in her chair as she glanced at her own menu. "I'll order for both of us. You're probably exhausted after everything today. Let me take care of it."

Before Orm could object, Ling called over the waiter and ordered an array of dishes, each one sounding more delicious than the last. When the waiter left, a comfortable silence settled between them as they sipped on their drinks, occasionally exchanging glances.

"So..." Ling broke the silence, her voice soft yet inquisitive. "What's been on your mind lately? Besides work, of course."

Orm hesitated, swirling the ice in her glass before answering. "Just...life. It's been a bit overwhelming, you know?"

Ling nodded, her gaze attentive. "Yeah, I get that. You've been handling a lot."

For a moment, Orm considered telling Ling everything—the stress from work, the constant feeling of being watched by someone, and, more importantly, the confusion she felt whenever she was around Ling. But she stopped herself. It wasn't the time, and besides, she wasn't sure Ling would even care.

"I'm fine," Orm said, though her voice lacked conviction. "It's just been a long week."

Ling reached across the table and touched Orm's hand gently, sending a surprising jolt of warmth through her. "You don't have to pretend with me, Orm. If you need to talk, I'm here."

Orm's heart stuttered at the unexpected kindness in Ling's voice. Before she could respond, their food arrived, and the moment dissolved into the clinking of plates and shared conversation. The two women laughed, joked, and for the first time in a long while, Orm felt like she could breathe.

As the night continued, Ling told stories from their school days, mostly ones Orm had forgotten, and for once, they shared memories without the weight of the past hanging between them. It was almost surreal how natural it felt, how easy it was to slip into the rhythm of Ling's presence.

Just as Orm was about to respond to Ling's latest teasing remark, Ling's phone buzzed on the table, cutting through the easy flow of conversation. Ling glanced down at the screen, her expression instantly tightening when she saw the name.

Orm noticed the shift in Ling's demeanor. "Everything okay?" she asked, her voice hesitant.

Ling sighed, her fingers tightening around the phone. "It's my mom...Khun Ann."