Bitter Rivalry, Sweeter Love

Chapter 12: A Heart-to-Heart

Ling's heart raced as the days went by, the weight of her feelings for Orm becoming increasingly unbearable. She watched Oom in a daze, finding it harder to maintain her role as the dutiful fiancée. The closer she got to Orm, the more she realized how much she was falling for her. Every shared glance and fleeting touch between them felt electric, yet Ling was tangled in the web of her family's expectations and the impending marriage.

At a lavish business event hosted by both families, the atmosphere was charged with excitement and ambition. Ling wore a stunning suit, tailored perfectly to emphasize her strong, confident presence. However, beneath the surface, her heart was a tempest, swirling with confusion and desire for the woman across the room.

Orm looked beautiful, dressed in a chic gown that accentuated her figure, but the smile she wore was forced. She chatted with Love and Jennie, her laughter light, but her eyes betrayed a deeper turmoil. Ling's heart twisted at the sight; she hated seeing Orm feigning happiness while she felt the weight of their unacknowledged feelings.

"Hey, Ling, are you okay?" Ying asked, interrupting Ling's thoughts as she joined her at the bar. "You seem... distant."

"I'm fine," Ling replied quickly, but she knew Ying could see through her facade.

"Fine doesn't mean fine. What's going on with you and Orm? I can feel the tension between you two," Ying pressed, concern etched across her face.

Ling sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know, Ying. It's complicated. I thought I could just go through with the engagement and ignore how I feel about her, but I can't. Every time I see her... it just makes everything harder."

Ying tilted her head, considering her next words carefully. "Have you talked to Orm about it? Maybe you should just be honest with her. You both deserve happiness."

Ling shook her head, feeling a mix of fear and confusion. "What if it destroys everything? Our families... they hate each other. If I admit my feelings, it could ruin everything."

Ying's expression softened. "But keeping it a secret is hurting you both. You have to follow your heart, Ling."

Taking a deep breath, Ling glanced across the room, her eyes locking onto Orm's for a fleeting moment. The world around her faded, and in that instant, it felt as if everything was possible. She could no longer ignore the truth that had been festering inside her.

As the evening progressed, Ling felt a sudden surge of courage. "You're right. I need to talk to her," she decided, determination flooding her veins.

Ling excused herself from the conversation with Ying and made her way through the crowd, her heart pounding. She spotted Orm standing alone on the balcony, her gaze lost in the night sky. The moonlight cast a gentle glow over her, making her look ethereal, and Ling couldn't help but feel a surge of longing.

"Orm," Ling called softly as she approached, and Orm turned, surprise flickering in her eyes.

"Ling," she replied, her voice a mixture of warmth and caution.

"Can we talk?" Ling asked, her heart racing as she stepped closer, drawn to Orm like a moth to a flame.

Orm hesitated but then nodded. "Sure."

They moved to a quieter corner of the balcony, the sounds of the party fading into the background. The air was thick with unspoken words as they stood in silence, each feeling the weight of the moment.

"I... I've been thinking a lot about us," Ling began, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Us?" Orm echoed, her brow furrowing. "What do you mean?"

Ling took a deep breath, her heart pounding. "I can't stop thinking about that night... and the kiss. I know I'm engaged to Oom, but... I can't help how I feel about you. You mean more to me than I can put into words."

Orm's breath hitched as she processed Ling's confession. "Ling, this is... complicated. My family—"

"Damn the families!" Ling interrupted, her voice rising with passion. "What about us? I don't want to hide anymore. I want to be with you. I want to explore this—whatever this is—between us."

Orm's heart raced, caught between the undeniable connection they shared and the reality of their situation. "But what about Oom? She deserves to know—"

"Does she?" Ling asked, frustration lacing her tone. "I've been pretending for too long, and it's tearing me apart. I can't keep living this lie. I don't want to hurt her, but I can't pretend with you anymore. You're the one I want."

Orm's mind was racing, and her heart swelled at Ling's words. "I feel the same, but it's so hard. Our families won't understand. I'm scared of what this could do."

Ling stepped closer, their faces inches apart, the heat between them palpable. "Sometimes the hardest things are the most worthwhile. We owe it to ourselves to see where this could lead."

Just as Orm opened her mouth to respond, the moment was shattered by the unmistakable voice of Oom, calling out for Ling. "Ling! Where are you?"

The tension in the air shifted instantly. Ling and Orm exchanged a glance filled with unspoken emotions, both knowing that their moment was slipping away.

"I should go," Ling said reluctantly, her heart sinking.

"Wait," Orm whispered, stepping forward and capturing Ling's hand in hers. "Please, just don't forget what we talked about."

"I won't," Ling promised, squeezing Orm's hand gently before letting go. With a heavy heart, she turned to rejoin the party, feeling the weight of their conversation linger like a sweet yet painful memory.

As Ling returned to Oom's side, she felt the distance between her and Orm growing again. Oom wrapped an arm around her waist, a smile plastered on her face, but Ling's heart was still with Orm, caught in a whirlwind of emotion.

Ling knew she had to confront her feelings, no matter the consequences. The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, she felt a spark of hope igniting in her heart.