Faking It, Lovin' It || Lingorm

Chapter 24: The Reconciliation (🔞)

Orm's heart pounded in her chest as she stood outside Lingling's office building, her mind racing with everything she needed to say. The city buzzed around her, indifferent to the storm of emotions swirling within. After weeks of self-reflection, she had finally mustered the courage to confront Lingling and take responsibility for the mistakes that had kept them apart. No more running. No more fear. Today was the day she would reclaim what was hers.

As she stepped into the sleek, glass-faceted structure, the familiar scent of coffee wafted through the air and tugged at her heartstrings. It was the same aroma that had drawn her to Lingling during their countless café dates—their shared moments that had felt so genuine, so right. Orm approached the receptionist, her nerves bidding her trembles as she asked for Lingling. After a brief wait, she was granted entry.

The moment she stepped inside, Orm felt an electric tension in the air. Lingling sat at her desk, buried in paperwork, a slight furrow in her brow. Orm took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of bravery within her. Lingling looked up and met her gaze. For a fleeting moment, the space between them felt like an eternity.

"Orm?" Lingling's voice was incredulous, a blend of surprise and something softer lingering in her tone.

"Can we talk?" Orm's voice cracked, but she steadied herself, stepping closer to the desk, her heart racing with hope and fear.

"Is this about... us?" Lingling's eyes searched Orm's, a hint of wariness lacing her words.

"Yes, please." Orm's voice was steady now, fueled by the longing that had brought her here. "I know I messed up, and I'm sorry for running away. I've been terrified of commitment, of what we could have, and it made me shut down. I realize now that my fear kept me from facing my true feelings for you."

Lingling's expression softened, though the hurt was still evident in her eyes. "You left, Orm. You left when all I wanted was to be with you."

"I know," Orm replied, her throat tightening. "I don't expect forgiveness, but I promise you, I won't run again. I'm here to fight for us. I want a real, lasting relationship with you. More than anything, I want to rebuild what we had—this time from a place of honesty and understanding."

Silence hung between them, thick as the Manhattan air outside. Orm dared to hope, watching as Lingling's features softened, inching closer toward the vulnerability they had shared before.

"I've missed you, Orm," Lingling finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. There was a flicker of something—hope, desire? It fluttered through the air like a spark in the wind. "I don't want to close the door on us. Not yet."

Orm's heart soared, but she took a cautious step forward. "Then let's talk, really talk. To make sure we're on the same page. I want to understand your feelings and my own."

As they launched into the depths of their hearts, hours melted away. They discussed their fears, their insecurities, and the moments that had pulled them apart. Lingling revealed her frustrations at being left in the dark while Orm confessed her internal battles, stripping bare the walls she'd built around her heart.

Finally, a sense of lightness filled the space, as Orm and Lingling found common ground—a mutual understanding of their feelings, which had never been fake, just buried under fear. With every word exchanged, the roots of their love began to intertwine again, slowly binding them tighter.

"Let's take it slow," Lingling suggested, a glimmer in her eyes. "But I want to know you, every part of you—completely."

Orm's breath hitched; the implications of Lingling's words sent warm shivers dancing across her skin. "I want that too," she admitted, taking a step forward. "I want to trust you with all of me."