My lover is my boss (LingOrm)

29 - Perfect night

The late afternoon light poured through the tall windows of Ling's house, casting warm, honey-colored shadows across the floor. It was the kind of soft, golden light that made everything feel softer, more intimate. I watched Ling as she stood at the kitchen counter, fussing over a tray of appetizers. She was unusually quiet, her usual calmness replaced with a kind of nervous energy that seemed uncharacteristic of her.

"Are you sure you don't need help with anything?" I asked, stepping closer. My hand grazed hers as I reached for a glass, and I noticed the quick intake of her breath. Ling's fingers lingered just a second longer, her eyes holding mine in that deep, searching way of hers.

"I've got it," she said, her voice soft but filled with an undercurrent I couldn't quite place. She gave me a small smile, though I could tell her mind was elsewhere. "I just wanted tonight to be... special. For us."

I tilted my head, studying her. "Special how?"

She hesitated, her eyes flickering down to the tray before returning to mine. "Orm," she said, her tone low, almost vulnerable. "I just... I wanted tonight to feel right."

I blinked, surprised by the softness in her voice. Ling rarely showed vulnerability, and seeing her like this made my heart skip a beat. "Well, it already feels perfect to me," I said, taking her hand in mine. "Just being here with you... that's all I need."

Ling's gaze softened, her fingers tightening around mine. She led me to the living room, and we sank onto the couch, her arm draped over my shoulders as she pulled me close. For a few moments, we just sat there, wrapped in a quiet comfort, the kind that only comes when two people have found a safe haven in each other.

Then, out of nowhere, she spoke, her voice a gentle murmur against my ear. "Orm, do you remember the first time we met?"

A laugh bubbled up as I leaned into her. "Of course. You gave me that look that made me feel like you'd already figured me out."

Ling chuckled, her thumb tracing lazy circles along my arm. "Well, maybe I had," she said, her voice tinged with amusement. "Or maybe you were just unforgettable."

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks, and I turned slightly, nestling closer into her warmth. "So... why all the nostalgia? Are you planning something?"

Her silence stretched, and when I looked up, I caught a flicker of emotion in her eyes—something intense and unreadable. She reached out, her hand cupping my cheek as her thumb brushed against my skin, a touch that felt both grounding and electric.

"Orm," she began, her voice almost a whisper, "you've... become so much more to me than I ever thought possible. You're my heart, my best friend, and the person who makes every day feel brighter." Her words, spoken so softly, hung in the air between us, and I felt a lump form in my throat.

"Ling..." I murmured, my heart pounding as I searched her eyes, trying to understand where this was leading.

She took a deep breath, her eyes never leaving mine. "I don't want just to be your girlfriend. I want... all of you. Forever. I want to share every single moment with you, the laughter, the challenges, the love." Her fingers tightened slightly, her gaze unwavering. "Orm, will you be my wife?"

My breath hitched, and for a second, I felt as though the world had tilted. The weight of her words settled over me, and a wave of emotion surged up, so overwhelming it was almost hard to breathe. "Are... are you serious?" I whispered, my voice trembling.

She nodded, her eyes filled with a warmth and certainty that left no room for doubt. "Yes. I want us to build a life together. I want to be there for you, to protect you, to love you in all the ways that you deserve."

A tear slipped down my cheek, and I let out a shaky laugh, barely able to contain the happiness bubbling up inside me. "Yes," I whispered, my voice filled with a mix of laughter and tears. "Yes, Ling, I'll be your wife."

Ling's face broke into a radiant smile, and she leaned in, her lips meeting mine in a kiss that felt like a promise—a promise of love, of commitment, of a future filled with all the moments we would share. As we pulled away, she rested her forehead against mine, her thumb brushing away the tear that had fallen.

"You've made me so happy," she murmured, her voice soft but brimming with emotion.

I laughed, feeling my heart swell with a warmth that felt almost too big to contain. "I think you've done that for me," I whispered, my hands cupping her face as I took in every detail—the glint in her eyes, the softness of her smile, the look that told me I was her whole world.

She leaned back slightly, her hands still holding mine, and she gave me that mischievous smile that I'd grown to love. "Well," she said, her voice taking on a

playful tone, "I suppose we'll have to celebrate."

I arched an eyebrow, a grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Oh? And how exactly did you have in mind to celebrate?"

Ling's eyes sparkled with that familiar glint, and she leaned in close, her breath warm against my ear. "I have a few ideas," she whispered, her voice filled with promise.

And as the night unfolded, laughter, love, and happiness filled the room, sealing the moment between us, a memory I knew I would cherish for the rest of my life.