After the Fall

Chapter 12: Unraveling Truths

The night of Gaps' party arrived, and excitement buzzed in the air as friends gathered to celebrate. Ling felt a sense of elation, her heart warmed by the laughter and camaraderie surrounding her. Orm was by her side, their connection stronger than ever after their intimate evening together. Ling's heart swelled with pride as she introduced Orm to her friends, feeling an overwhelming urge to show the world how much she cared.

As they mingled and danced, Ling's laughter rang out, mixing with the music and chatter. Everything felt perfect until Jennie entered the room, her presence commanding attention. Ling's heart sank slightly at the sight of her ex. She hadn't expected to see Jennie here, and the last thing she wanted was for her past to disrupt her present.

Jennie's eyes immediately locked onto Orm, a flicker of jealousy igniting within her. She approached the duo with a confident strut, a smirk playing on her lips. "Ling! So nice to see you having fun with your new girlfriend," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Ling forced a smile, determined to keep the atmosphere light. "Hey, Jennie! Just enjoying the party."

"Oh, I can see that," Jennie replied, her gaze flicking to Orm with a calculating intensity. "Looks like you're really into her." Her tone suggested otherwise, and Ling felt a knot tighten in her stomach.

Orm shifted uncomfortably beside Ling, sensing the underlying tension. "Nice to see you too, Jennie," she said politely, though Ling could tell she was taken aback by Jennie's attitude.

"Did you know Ling was the queen of bets?" Jennie continued, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I heard she's made a bet with her friends about who could sleep with you first." The room fell silent, the music fading into the background as everyone turned to listen.

"What?" Orm's voice was barely above a whisper, her expression a mixture of shock and disbelief. Ling's heart raced, and she felt the heat rise in her cheeks.

"Isn't that right, Ling?" Jennie pressed, relishing in the spotlight. "You've been boasting about how easy it was to get into Orm's pants."

Ling's heart dropped as her friends stared at her, a mix of confusion and concern etched on their faces. She could feel Orm's gaze piercing through her, filled with hurt and betrayal. "Jennie, that's not how it happened," she started, her voice shaking.

"Then what happened?" Jennie challenged, her tone mocking. "You were the one rubbing it in, claiming you'd won the bet and how easy it was to get Orm."

Ling glanced at Orm, desperation clawing at her throat. "It was a stupid joke! I didn't mean it like that!"

But it was too late. Jennie pulled out her phone, her finger hovering over the screen. "I just happen to have a recording of your little conversation with your friends," she said, her smirk widening. "Want to hear it?"

A hush fell over the crowd as they leaned in, eager to witness the unfolding drama. Ling's heart raced as she felt her world collapsing around her. "No, don't!" she pleaded, but Jennie pressed play.

The recording filled the air, Ling's voice mingled with her friends' laughter, boasting about the bet and how easy Orm would be to seduce. The laughter echoed back in her ears like a mocking chorus, and she felt as if the ground had been ripped from beneath her.

Orm's face paled as she listened, the hurt in her eyes cutting deeper than any blade. "I can't believe you," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "You really did think of me like that."

Jennie chimed in " she does babe, you're a joke to her, also did you know the night you were at Lings apartment, Ling was in my bed F*CKING me, I guess you weren't enough for her babes".

Ling looked at Jennie "shut the F*CK up Jennie".

"Orm, please, don't listen to her, please! That was just a joke!" Ling cried out, her heart pounding in her chest. "I didn't mean any of it! I love you!"

But the damage was done. Orm turned away, tears brimming in her eyes. "You don't get to say that after what I just heard," she said, her voice cracking. "You think this is funny? You made a bet about me!"

Ling reached out, desperation driving her forward. "Orm, don't walk away! I'm sorry! I really care about you!"

Orm turned back, the hurt etched into her features. "You don't get to decide how I feel, Ling. I need to get away from you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. I'm so disgusted by you.

As Orm walked away, Ling felt as if the air had been knocked out of her lungs. "No, Orm! Please!" she shouted, chasing after her. But before she could reach her, Orm spun around, her hand connecting sharply with Ling's cheek, the sound of the slap echoing in the air.

"Don't follow me," Orm said, her voice cold and broken. She turned and walked away, leaving Ling standing in stunned silence, the sting of Orm's slap lingering as a painful reminder of what she had lost.

Ling felt her heart shatter into a million pieces as she watched Orm disappear into the crowd. Her friends—Prik, Yeena, and Mint—moved in closer, their expressions filled with concern and sympathy.

"Ling, I'm so sorry," Prik said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Ling shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "I messed up. I should have told her the truth. I love her!"

"Then you need to go after her," Yeena urged, her voice firm. "Don't let this ruin everything."

But Ling could only stand there, her heart heavy with regret. She had let her past come back to haunt her, and now she had lost the person she cared about most.

As the party continued around her, Ling felt utterly alone, drowning in a sea of her own making. She knew she had to fight for Orm, but the words felt stuck in her throat, unable to bridge the chasm of hurt that had formed between them.