My lover is my boss (LingOrm)

2 - The invitation

Orm's pov

"Urgh, I hate my boss," I groaned, slumping back in the worn-out chair in the corner of Becky's small but cozy apartment. The frustration in my voice wasn't new—it had been building up for months, maybe even years—but today, it felt especially raw. My fingers drummed impatiently on the armrest as I stared blankly at the ceiling, trying to make sense of how I had ended up with the most demanding boss in the universe.

Becky looked up from her magazine, her expression a mixture of amusement and mild concern. She had heard me complain about Ms. Kwong countless times, and though she sympathized, I could tell she thought I should just let it go.

"Girl, why don't you just work with your father?" Becky asked with a casual shrug. She tossed the magazine aside and sat up, pulling her legs under her as she turned to face me. It was a question she had asked before, one that made perfect sense on paper. My father owned a successful company, and I could easily slide into a comfortable position there, but the idea filled me with dread.

I sighed, shaking my head. "Because people would think I don't deserve my job, that I just got it because I'm his daughter. I want to earn my way, not ride on someone else's coattails."

Becky nodded, understanding. She didn't push the issue, though I could tell she still thought it was a waste of my energy. "Got it," she said with a grin, "but what did your boss do this time?"

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Oh, you know, the usual. She was having a headache, so I tried to help her, and of course, she snapped at me. Like, I was genuinely concerned for her well-being, and she just brushed me off like I was an annoying fly buzzing around her head."

Becky raised an eyebrow. "Well, at least she pays you well, right?"

"Yeah," I admitted, my mood lifting slightly as I remembered my paycheck. I leaned forward, a mischievous smile tugging at my lips. "Eighty thousand baht this month."

Becky's jaw dropped. She stared at me, wide-eyed and incredulous. "What?! I only got forty thousand!"

I couldn't help but laugh at her reaction. "Yeah, I guess my boss isn't all that bad after all," I said, feeling a little smug. The money certainly took the edge off the constant stress of working for someone like Ms. Kwong. Still, I knew Becky had a point—her job was no cakewalk either, and her reaction only emphasized the disparities we faced in our respective workplaces.

Becky crossed her arms, fuming. "My boss literally filled me up with reports, buried me in paperwork, and that's what I get? Forty thousand?! Are you kidding me?" She threw her hands up in frustration, and I could see the indignation burning in her eyes. Becky's work life wasn't any easier than mine, but her boss was stingy when it came to salary, and that just added insult to injury.

"Well," I said, still chuckling at the ridiculousness of it all, "want me to ask Ling if you can work at my place?" I offered jokingly, though I knew it wasn't a serious suggestion. Becky and I both knew how toxic the Kwong family could be, and no matter how much she complained about her current situation, working under Ms. Kwong or anyone related to her was not something either of us truly wanted.

Becky rolled her eyes, leaning back against the cushions. "Please, don't even joke about it. I'm already working for her sister," she muttered, her voice dripping with exhaustion.

"Wait, you're working for Freen?" I asked, surprised. Becky had mentioned her new job a few times, but I hadn't realized it was within the same infamous family. The Kwongs had a reputation for being demanding and cold, and if Freen was anything like Ms. Kwong, I knew Becky was in for a rough time.