My lover is my boss (LingOrm)

32 - Mother-in-law

Orm's pov

Ling's mother's house had always held a certain formality—a quiet elegance that seemed to mirror Ms. Kwong herself. As we stepped through the front door, I glanced around, noting the impeccably arranged living room. The soft light filtered through the carefully drawn curtains, casting a warm glow on the polished furniture and framed family photos on the walls. The scent of jasmine tea filled the air, a comforting, familiar fragrance that I knew was Ling's favorite.

Ling's hand brushed over mine, grounding me, and I could feel her own steady excitement as we entered. Ms. Kwong was standing by the small dining table, setting out delicate porcelain tea cups. She looked up when she heard us enter, her face brightening at the sight of us.

"Ling, Orm! You're here," she said warmly, her voice carrying that gentle calmness she was known for. She approached, giving Ling a brief hug and offering me a welcoming smile. "I made some tea. Please, sit down."

Ling and I exchanged a quick, meaningful look before sitting across from her. My heart was racing, and I could feel the significance of this moment settling over us like a weight, mixed with excitement and a little bit of nerves. Telling Ms. Kwong about our engagement felt monumental, but I knew that Ling and I were ready.

Ms. Kwong poured the tea, her movements precise and graceful, and after a few moments, she settled down across from us, folding her hands on the table. "It's lovely to see you both," she said, looking from Ling to me. "You have such bright energy today. I can tell there's something on your minds."

Ling smiled, her fingers brushing over mine in a reassuring gesture. "Mom," she began, her voice soft but steady, "Orm and I... we wanted to talk to you about something very important."

Ms. Kwong's eyebrow arched ever so slightly, her expression attentive and calm. "Oh? Important news?"

I took a breath, glancing at Ling for support before speaking. "Ms. Kwong, Ling and I... we're engaged. We're going to get married."

For a moment, Ms. Kwong simply looked at us, her gaze steady as she processed the news. Then, a slow, gentle smile spread across her face, and she leaned forward slightly, her eyes softening as she took in our expressions.

"Ling," she said quietly, her voice warm, "you're going to marry Orm?"

Ling nodded, her face lighting up with a rare vulnerability. "Yes, Mom. I asked Orm to be my wife, and she said yes."

Ms. Kwong's eyes softened further, a touch of emotion breaking through her composed exterior. "Orm, my dear," she said, her voice filled with warmth as she looked at me, "I'm so glad you two found each other. I've seen the way you look at each other, the way you bring out the best in one another. You've brought Ling a kind of joy I hadn't seen in her before."

I felt a rush of gratitude as I nodded, smiling at her. "Thank you, Ms. Kwong. Your support means everything to us."

She looked from me to Ling, her expression serious but filled with tenderness. "Ling," she said, turning her full attention to her daughter, "I'm so proud of you. Choosing someone to share your life with is a commitment not everyone understands, but I can see that you and Orm do."

Ling's face softened, her hand reaching over to squeeze mine. "Thank you, Mom. I know that Orm and I... we're each other's family now. We'll take care of each other, always."

Ms. Kwong gave a small, contented nod, her gaze lingering on us both with a quiet pride. "I'm sure you will," she said gently. She looked at me, her eyes warm and inviting. "Orm, I'm happy to welcome you into our family."

Those words settled around me, filling me with a deep sense of belonging. I felt a lump rise in my throat, and I swallowed, my voice soft as I replied, "Thank you, Ms. Kwong. I promise to love and cherish Ling always."

Ms. Kwong smiled, reaching out to place a gentle hand on mine. "I know you will, dear. And please," she added with a touch of humor in her voice, "feel free to call me just 'Mom' now."

Ling chuckled softly, the sound filling the room with warmth. "Looks like you're officially part of the family now, Orm."

My heart swelled, and I glanced between Ling and Ms. Kwong—no, Mom—with a gratitude that felt almost overwhelming. "I couldn't ask for anything more."

For the rest of the afternoon, we shared stories, dreams, and plans, with Ms. Kwong's support and love radiating through every word. By the time we left, I felt as though the bond between us all had deepened, sealing the beginning of a new chapter for Ling and me, surrounded by the strength and warmth of family.