Behind the Script

Chapter 10- The Launch

The mini pilot of *The Secret of Us* aired on Valentine's Day, and the buzz was immediate. Fans flooded Channel 3's social media with comments, and Ling Ling couldn't help but scroll through a few with Orm.

"They look so good together!" Orm read aloud, eyes wide with excitement. She nudged Ling Ling, grinning. "See? They're loving us!"

Ling Ling chuckled, reading another comment. "Can't wait to see their chemistry!" She glanced at Orm. "Chemistry, huh?"

Orm shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. "Guess all that 'practice' is paying off."

Ling Ling smirked. "Maybe. But I think we both know who's leading this chemistry."

"Oh, really?" Orm shot back, laughing as she nudged Ling Ling playfully. "Just wait till the next scene. Fahlada might be all in charge, but Earn has a few tricks up her sleeve."

Ling Ling shook her head, smiling. "Looking forward to seeing you try, Orm."

Their banter was lighthearted, but deep down, both felt the anticipation building. With each passing day, the excitement around the show grew, and their filming schedules became packed. Ling Ling had most of her scenes as Dr. Fahlada wearing sleek, powerful suits—quite a change from her usual flowy dresses. She couldn't deny that the suits transformed her, giving her an extra sense of confidence.

One day, as she stepped out of the changing tent in a fitted black blazer, she noticed Orm staring, her mouth slightly open. Ling Ling grinned and put her hands in her pockets, strolling over casually. "Like what you see, Orm?"

Orm snapped out of her daze, blushing. "Uh... yeah, I mean—well, you look... like... you're about to save lives or... something..." She stammered, flustered, while the rest of the cast and crew stifled their laughs.

"Oh, I plan to," Ling Ling teased, raising an eyebrow. "Fahlada is here to save lives—and maybe break a few hearts along the way."

Orm laughed, finally regaining her composure. "Just don't break mine too hard, okay?"

As filming continued, they fell into an easy rhythm, often lingering with each other between takes. Orm would hang around even during Ling Ling's solo emotional scenes, offering a warm cup of tea or a silent, comforting presence when the cameras stopped rolling. Ling Ling noticed how Orm's gentleness steadied her, something she hadn't experienced with other co-stars. Orm had a way of making her feel seen.

One afternoon, after an especially intense scene, Ling Ling slumped in her chair, exhausted. Orm, who had been waiting nearby, came over and quietly handed her a bottle of water.

"Need a break?" Orm asked softly, sitting beside her.

Ling Ling sighed. "I think I need more than a break. Maybe a vacation?" She chuckled, but her eyes held a hint of exhaustion.

Orm smiled sympathetically. "If I could, I'd take you somewhere. Anywhere you want."

Ling Ling raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And where would you take me, Orm?"

Orm pretended to think seriously. "Well, knowing you, probably somewhere calm... maybe a beach? You could sunbathe, read, sip fancy drinks..." She looked over at Ling Ling. "How does that sound?"

"Perfect," Ling Ling sighed, leaning back with a small smile. "I'll hold you to that when we wrap up filming."

Orm winked. "Deal."

As they spent more time together, Ling Ling found herself catching glimpses of Orm's little quirks. Orm had a habit of dozing off between takes, her head slowly drooping before finally settling in a soft slump. Ling Ling found it adorable, often caught staring at Orm with an involuntary smile.

One time, Mae caught her watching Orm, her gaze soft. Ling Ling blushed, realizing she'd been caught, but Mae just gave her an understanding smile, as if she'd known all along.

Despite the positive buzz, Ling Ling grew nervous about how audiences would truly respond. Her manager warned her to avoid comments online, but she couldn't resist. As she scrolled, she noticed a few negative ones mixed in.

"Are they trying to copy FreenBecky? No one can beat the OG," she read, frowning. She muttered to herself, "OG?"

Orm peeked over her shoulder. "Don't worry about them. 'OG' just means 'original,' like... the first big pair."

Ling Ling sighed. "I don't want to be a copy. I want... us to feel different. Unique."

Orm put a reassuring hand on Ling Ling's shoulder. "Hey, we're going to be different. And besides," she gave Ling Ling a gentle nudge, "who's better at being you than you?"

Ling Ling chuckled, touched by Orm's words. "Thanks. You know, you're actually pretty good at this pep talk thing."

Orm winked. "I try."

The next week, they were in a meeting with P'Dew when someone knocked on the door, looking slightly flustered.

"Excuse me," they said, "but there's... a group of fans waiting in the lobby. They're asking for Ling Ling and Orm."

Ling Ling's eyes widened as she exchanged a glance with Orm. "For... us?" she asked, almost disbelieving.

The person nodded, smiling. "Yes, they're definitely here for you two."

When the meeting ended, they made their way to the lobby, a bit nervous. As they stepped out, a group of fans erupted in cheers, waving posters and banners featuring their faces.

"Ling Ling! Orm!" they called out, beaming. "We're here to support you!"

Ling Ling's heart swelled. She had been in the industry for years, but this kind of attention was new. She glanced at Orm, who was smiling broadly, and felt a rush of gratitude.

They walked over to the fans, who eagerly snapped photos and handed them small gifts—flowers, chocolates, handwritten notes. Ling Ling thanked each of them personally, her voice warm. "Thank you all so much. We'll do our best, and we hope you'll love the show when it airs."

One fan, looking shy but determined, handed Orm a small, hand-knitted scarf. "Please take care of Ling Ling!" she said, glancing nervously between them. "And keep holding her hand like you did in the pilot!"

Orm laughed, taking the scarf. "Promise!" She glanced at Ling Ling, and in a sudden, bold move, reached over and took her hand, intertwining their fingers.

Ling Ling looked down, her heart racing. The fans' cheers grew louder, and Ling Ling couldn't help but laugh at the energy around them.

As they waved goodbye to the fans, Orm squeezed Ling Ling's hand lightly. "Feels pretty surreal, huh?"

Ling Ling nodded, glancing over at Orm with a smile. "Definitely. But... if I'm doing this with you, I think I can handle it."

Orm grinned. "Good. Because you're stuck with me now."

Ling Ling laughed, giving Orm's hand one last squeeze. "Wouldn't have it any other way."