Ling sat with Bow and Mint on the couch, watching the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Her eyes softened, a smile creeping onto her lips as she saw Orm marching alongside the other Thai athletes. The grand venue's lights, the crowd's roar, and the jubilant atmosphere made her heart swell with pride. Orm's face shone with joy, and Ling could only hope that she would deliver the best performance she had trained for.
"How can an athlete be this beautiful?" Bow remarked, her eyes glued to the TV screen, completely awestruck by Orm.
"I never thought I'd be friends with a national athlete!" Mint chimed in, her excitement palpable.
Bow, catching the energy, turned to Ling. "Should we fly there to support her on her match day? We can surprise her!"
"Yeah, let's go!" Mint nodded enthusiastically, looking at Ling expectantly.
Ling hesitated, her smile faltering. "I have a full schedule of therapy sessions. I'd love to go, but there's no way I can make it." Her voice carried a hint of regret, but that was just an excuse because she had already promised Gulf not to take Orm's blood anymore.
The TV continued to broadcast the vibrant Paris skyline as the ceremony carried on. The iconic Seine River shimmered under the city's lights, the Eiffel Tower gleaming in the background, while fireworks exploded in a dazzling display over the venue.
Ling retreated to her bedroom after the end of the show, the lingering thoughts of Orm swirling in her mind. Lying on her bed, she grabbed her phone, and her fingers quickly typed out a message.
How did it go in Paris? I saw you on TV during the opening just now.
She stared at the screen, waiting for Orm's reply, but minutes passed without any response. Feeling slightly dejected, she placed the phone on the bedside table and headed to the bathroom.
Ling's night skincare routine was a calming ritual she seldom skipped. She with a cleansing oil, massaging it gently over her skin before rinsing it off with warm water. Next came the foaming cleanser, a creamy lather that she massaged in circular motions. After drying her face with a soft towel, she applied a hydrating toner, then a lightweight serum, and finally, the facial mask—a sheet soaked in nourishing essence to replenish her skin.
Just as she finished smoothing the mask onto her face, her phone rang. Rushing to grab it, she didn't bother checking who was calling before answering.
"Hello?" she greeted breathlessly.
A laugh burst through the speaker. "Hey, I just saw your ears," Orm teased.
Ling pulled the phone away, blinking at the screen. It was a video call. She chuckled, realizing her blunder. "Oh, it's a video call." Her smile widened.
"I wanted to show you this," Orm said, turning her camera to reveal the sparkling Seine River, the nighttime view of Paris breathtakingly beautiful.
Ling's heart fluttered at the sight but quickly hid it behind a playful pout. "Hmm, I thought you called because you missed me," she teased.
"You want me to miss you?" Orm laughed, a little awkwardly.
"Can't I?" Ling said, her voice a little too soft, too sincere. The flutter in Orm's chest grew, even though she tried to laugh it off.
Changing the subject, Orm focused on Ling's face. "So that's the secret to your beauty? A facial mask, huh?" she joked, noticing the sheet mask still plastered across Ling's face.
"Oh, I must look so weird in this." Ling peeled off the mask, her cheeks flushing as she looked back at the screen. "But enough about me. How's everything there? Is the hotel all right? Can you sleep well?"
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Live With Your Blood || LingOrm
FanfictionOrm, plagued by severe period pain, finds relief after being bitten by Ling, a vampire secretly living among humans. Desperate to alleviate her pain, Orm strikes a deal with Ling: in exchange for regular bites, she will provide Ling with blood. As t...
