Behind the Script

Chapter 20: The Aftermath

Ling Ling watched Orm walk away, her mind racing. She reminded herself that this was just "Orm being Orm." It had to be. Anything else was too dangerous to believe.

As they continued filming, Ling Ling couldn't help but notice the shift in Orm's behavior. On camera , Orm's touches were more calculated, careful as if she were deliberately holding back.

But off camera, Orm would let her guard down, her actions growing bolder— however there were times where Orm would falter,  during an interview Orm leaned in close, inhaling the scent of Ling Ling's hair in front of everyone.

"P'Ling," Orm said, her voice casual but her expression anything but. "Did you wash your hair today?"

Ling Ling smiled tightly, trying not to overthink. "Yes, every day."

Orm's eyes lit up, her fingers tracing a small circle on Ling Ling's knee as she whispered, " You smell amazing, P'Ling."

The host raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Orm, did you just smell Ling Ling's hair?"
Orm's laugh was soft, unapologetic. "What? She smells like flowers. Why wouldn't I?"

Ling Ling managed to keep her expression neutral, but her thoughts spiraled. Was this just Orm's way of playing up for the fans? Was this how she treated everyone she worked with?

But Ling Ling doubts grew when Ling Ling stumbled across a compilation on social media later that night. Fans had uploaded countless clips of Orm being affectionate with others—hugs, lingering touches, whispered jokes. There were even photos of Orm holding hands with another actress at an event.

And then there was the sports celebrity . Orm told Ling Ling that she rejected her that's why Ling Ling had dismissed the rumors before, chalking them up to overzealous fans. But now, as she scrolled through the posts, she couldn't ignore the "evidence": matching jewelry, shared playlists, and cryptic captions.

One caption stood out: Good luck, with a white heart emoji.

White heart.

Ling Ling's chest tightened as she stared at the post. Are they together? Orm had used the same emoji countless times in their private messages. Ling Ling had thought it was something special—something just for them.

But it wasn't.

The next day, Ling Ling arrived at Channel 3 network building with her mind made up. She couldn't keep letting herself get carried away. She ignored Orm's attempts at conversation, giving short answers and keeping her distance.

Then she saw Orm's outfit for the day: an elegant white dress  with her ash coloured hair that made her look like a fantasy character come to life. Ling Ling's breath caught despite herself, her resolve faltering.

"P'Ling," Orm called, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "How do I look?"

Ling Ling's lips twitched into a faint smile before she caught herself. "Like trouble," she muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" Orm asked, tilting her head with a teasing smile.

Ling Ling forced a polite smile, ignoring the flutter in her chest. "I said you look nice, N'Orm."

Orm's smile faltered, confusion flickering in her eyes, but she said nothing. Ling Ling, however, decided she needed a change—literally. She asked her stylist for something daring, something provocative.

When Ling Ling stepped out in a plunging neckline, the fans who waited in the lobby erupted into screams. She knew exactly what she was doing.

Orm's eyes widened as she hurried over. She laughed nervously, trying to pull Ling Ling's blazer closed. "P'Ling, what are you doing?"