Fallen (Lingorm)

Chapter 26

Orm had barely survived the slowest, most mind-numbing day at work, mostly due to Lingling's absence—without her, there was no one to bother or banter with. 

Finally free, she made her way downstairs, ready to head home, when she spotted Detective Yinganda standing outside the building, leaning against her car, looking cool and casual as ever.

Raising an eyebrow, Orm greeted her, "Hey there."

Ying smiled, pulling a single rose from behind her back and handing it to Orm. Orm blinked, genuinely confused.

"What's this for?" she asked.

"It's for our... well, our messed-up date," Ying replied with an apologetic smile. "I know it wasn't all that exciting, and I'd like to make it up to you—if you'll let me, of course."

Orm couldn't help but smile, taking the rose and sniffing it playfully. "Hmm, might take more than just one flower this time."

Ying grinned. "Then I'll work for it until I've earned it."

They started walking together, with Orm side-eyeing Ying. "So, why didn't you come inside? The humidity today is unbearable"

Ying shrugged, glancing at the building with a bit of a smirk. "I'm, uh, banned from the firm."

"Banned?" Orm laughed thought she was joking, raising an eyebrow. "For what?"

Ying shrugged again as they kept walking. "Oh, nothing serious. Just a little... envy from someone on the inside, let's say."

They fell into step together, and Ying shot a curious glance at Orm's overstuffed bag as she struggled with it. "You have a car, right?"

She shook her head. "Not anymore. But I like the walks anyways."

Orm watched her, intrigued but not pressing it further, though the explanation seemed a bit thin. Instead, she shifted her bag awkwardly on her shoulder.