After the Fall

Chapter 18: The Unspoken Truth

The reunion had stirred emotions that Orm thought she had long since buried. Seeing Ling—or Sirilak, as she had become—brought back memories she had tried to forget, memories of love, hurt, and betrayal. But now, standing beside Popor, her wife of nearly two years, Orm was reminded of how far she had come, of the life she had built after Ling had left.

Popor, ever confident and protective, sensed Orm's unease as they stood together at the party. She squeezed Orm's hand gently, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of Sirilak. Orm had told her everything about her past with Ling—the good, the bad, and the heartbreak. But Popor knew Orm well enough to see that there was still something unresolved between them, something that time and distance hadn't erased.

"You okay?" Popor asked, her voice low and steady as she leaned in closer to Orm.

Orm nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just...a lot, you know?"

Popor's expression softened, and she nodded in understanding. She had always known that she wasn't Orm's first love, but she also knew how deeply Orm cared for her now. "If it's too much, we can leave," Popor offered, her tone protective but gentle.

"No," Orm replied quickly, shaking her head. "I'm okay. I want to be here. It's just weird, seeing her again after all these years."

Popor's eyes flickered with a hint of jealousy, but she kept her tone light. "Well, if she gives you any trouble, I'm right here." She kissed Orm's temple, her usual confident smirk in place.

As they mingled with old friends, Orm couldn't help but steal glances at Sirilak throughout the night. There was something different about her, beyond just the name change. Ling had always been driven, ambitious, but now there was a coldness to her, a distance that hadn't been there before. Orm couldn't shake the feeling that beneath the polished exterior, Ling was still hiding something—perhaps the hurt she had caused all those years ago.

The night was filled with laughter and nostalgia, as old friends caught up and swapped stories about their lives after university. Ying and Mew, ever the dynamic duo, shared their experiences as surgeons, while Gap and Fluke entertained everyone with tales from their engineering projects across Asia. Prikhing and Yeena, now rising stars in law and entertainment, were as lively as ever, though Prikhing couldn't stop teasing Ying about their married life.

And then there was Sirilak.

Though she had greeted everyone warmly, there was a wall between her and the group—a formality that none of them were used to. She was polite, engaged, but distant. It was as though the Ling they had known was a memory, replaced by this woman who had become a powerhouse in the business world.

As the evening wore on, Sirilak found herself standing alone once again, watching the interactions from a distance. She had changed, yes, but being around these people—her old friends—made her realize how much she missed the simplicity of those days. Life had become a whirlwind of business deals, meetings, and endless work, and though she had achieved success, there was an emptiness that success couldn't fill.

Just as Sirilak was lost in thought, the grand doors of the venue opened with a soft creak, drawing everyone's attention. Heads turned, and whispers rippled through the crowd as the woman who walked in exuded elegance and confidence. Dressed in a breathtaking gown that accentuated her grace, Diana Flipo—one of Asia's top models and actresses—made her entrance.

There was no need for introductions. Diana was a household name, her face gracing billboards, magazine covers, and screens across the continent. Her beauty was undeniable, but it was her poise and presence that commanded the room. As she made her way through the crowd, people parted to let her through, their eyes following her every move.

Sirilak's eyes widened slightly as she saw Diana approach, a small smile tugging at her lips. Diana's entrance was indeed grand, as expected from someone of her stature, but for Sirilak, she was more than just a celebrity. She was her wife.

Diana reached Sirilak and, without hesitation, wrapped her arms around her, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. "Sorry I'm late," Diana whispered, her voice soft but filled with warmth. "Work ran over."
Sirilak smiled, a genuine one this time, the coldness in her eyes momentarily melting. "I figured as much," she replied, her tone affectionate. "Glad you could make it."

Sirilak's eyes softened as Diana approached. The crowd was abuzz with murmurs, recognizing the celebrity, but what came next left them stunned. Sirilak, with a small but proud smile, reached out to take Diana's hand.

"Everyone," Sirilak began, her voice clear and confident, "I'd like you all to meet my wife, Diana Flipo."

The room fell silent for a brief moment, shock rippling through the group. Ling had returned after five long years, not just as a successful CEO but as a married woman. And to Diana Flipo, no less—a woman of beauty, grace, and fame.

Ying and Prikhing exchanged a glance, taken aback by the news. Orm, standing beside Popor, felt her heart skip a beat, though she remained composed on the outside. The emotions that rushed through her—surprise, disbelief, and something she couldn't quite place—were difficult to ignore.

Diana smiled warmly, nodding at the group as she squeezed Sirilak's hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you all. I've heard so much about this group of friends," Diana said, her voice smooth, yet friendly.

As the introductions continued, Sirilak stood beside Diana, her expression showing a rare glimpse of vulnerability. Though she appeared as polished and composed as ever, those who knew her well—like Orm—could sense the layers of emotions beneath the surface. This reunion was as much a challenge for her as it was for Orm.

Popor stiffened beside Orm as she took in the sight of Sirilak and Diana together. "Well, that's a surprise," Popor muttered under her breath, her tone more tense than she intended.

Orm couldn't tear her eyes away from the pair. Seeing Sirilak with Diana—a woman so beautiful, so perfect—stirred something in her. It wasn't jealousy, exactly, but it was something close to it. There was a sharp pang of realization that the Ling she had once loved had moved on, built a new life, found someone new.

But as Orm watched them, she couldn't help but notice the distance in Sirilak's eyes, even when she was with Diana. There was something off, something unspoken between them. Was it just her imagination? Or was Sirilak still haunted by the past, just as Orm was?

The rest of the evening passed in a blur. Sirilak introduced Diana to the group, and though everyone was polite and welcoming, there was an underlying tension. Orm tried her best to stay composed, but every glance she shared with Sirilak reminded her of the pain she had worked so hard to bury.

As the night drew to a close, Orm found herself alone on the balcony, staring out at the city lights. The weight of the evening pressed down on her, and for the first time in years, she allowed herself to think about what might have been—if things had been different, if Ling hadn't left, if she hadn't married Popor.

"Thinking about something?" Sirilak's voice broke the silence.

Orm turned to see Sirilak standing behind her, her hands in her pockets, her gaze unreadable.

Orm shrugged, her voice soft. "Just...life, I guess. How much things have changed."

Sirilak stepped closer, standing beside her. "Yeah. Life has a way of doing that."

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of everything unsaid hanging between them. Orm wasn't sure what to say—what could she say to the woman who had once shattered her heart? But before she could speak, Sirilak broke the silence.

"I'm happy for you, you know," Sirilak said quietly. "You and Popor. I can see she cares about you."

Orm swallowed, her heart pounding in her chest. "She does. And I care about her too."

Sirilak nodded, though there was a sadness in her eyes. "Good. You deserve to be happy, Orm."

Orm didn't know how to respond. There was so much she wanted to say, but none of it felt right. Instead, she just nodded, her heart heavy with the weight of the past.

As Sirilak walked away, Orm watched her go, her mind racing with thoughts of what could have been—if only things had been different.