Orm wiped down a glass, bored out of her mind. It was a slow night. Or at least, it was, Until she saw her.

A woman had just walked in, her presence shifting the entire atmosphere.

Tall. Confident. Dressed in a fitted blazer and heels that made her legs seem endless. Her long, sleek hair was pulled back in a casual yet elegant ponytail.

But none of that mattered. What mattered was.. Wait.

"Ying?"

Orm's chest tightened. She hadn't seen her in years.

Ying hadn't changed. If anything, she looked even better. More mature, more refined. Like someone who belonged in a high-end place like this.

And Orm?

She was still the same poor girl who had to hustle just to survive. Her fingers gripped the glass tighter. She knew she should look away.

But she couldn't.

She was frozen, staring at Ying like a ghost from her past had just walked through the door.

Ying, completely unaware, took a seat in the VIP section, chatting with a few well-dressed business associates.

Orm swallowed hard. She should move. Do something. But her feet refused to listen.

For the first time in a long time Orm didn't have the upper hand. Orm forced herself to breathe.

Get it together.

She wasn't a shy schoolgirl anymore. She was Orm Kornnaphat, smooth, charming, and in control. So why did seeing Ying make her feel like she was sixteen again?

She swallowed her nerves and turned away, pretending to focus on polishing glasses. Maybe if she stayed busy, she could—

"Orm?"

She stiffened. That voice. That warm, familiar voice.

She turned slowly, and there she was, Ying, standing right in front of her, looking just as surprised as Orm felt.

Ying blinked. "It is you."

Orm's lips curled into a smirk. "In the flesh."

Ying laughed, shaking her head. "Wow. I can't believe it. How long has it been?"

Orm tilted her head. "Since you left me heartbroken?"

Ying choked on her drink. "What?"

Orm grinned. "Kidding." She leaned on the counter, playful. "Unless you want to apologize."

Ying laughed, eyes crinkling at the corners. "I see you haven't changed."

Orm pouted. "I'll have you know, I've become quite the heartbreaker myself."

Ying raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Should I be worried?"

Orm tapped her chin, pretending to think. "Mmm... depends. You single?"

Ying chuckled. "And if I am?"

Orm leaned in slightly, voice teasing. "Then I might have to steal your heart."

Ying smiled, resting her elbow on the bar. "That so?"

Orm placed a hand over her own chest, feigning sincerity. "Scout's honor."

Ying laughed again, shaking her head. "You're impossible."

Orm winked. "But charming."

Ying studied her for a moment, then smiled. "Yeah. You are."

For a second, Orm forgot how to breathe.

But she recovered quickly, flashing her best grin. "Careful, Ying. Flirt with me too much, and I might start thinking you missed me."

Ying swirled the drink in her glass. "Maybe I did."

Orm's smirk faltered. Did she just... Before she could respond, a friend of Ying's called her over.

Ying gave Orm one last smile. "I'll see you around, heartbreaker."

And just like that, she walked away, leaving Orm standing there, gripping the bar like it was the only thing keeping her upright.

What just happened?

Orm wiped down the counter for the last time that night, sighing. It was almost disappointing how peaceful the evening had been.

No Lingling. No annoying rich people trying to shove money at her. Just a normal shift.

For once.

She should be relieved, but a strange part of her, one she refused to acknowledge, felt off about Lingling's absence.

Shaking the thought away, Orm untied her apron and stretched. "Finally done."

"Not yet."

Orm turned, eyebrows raising.

Ying was leaning against the bar, arms crossed, a knowing smile on her lips.

"You waiting for me?" Orm teased.

Ying chuckled. "You sound surprised."

Orm smirked. "Well, a gorgeous woman waiting for me after work? It's a little hard to believe."

Ying playfully rolled her eyes. "Still as dramatic as ever."

Orm tapped her chest. "I prefer charming."

Ying shook her head but didn't deny it. "Walk with me?"

Orm pretended to think. "Hmm. I don't know... What's in it for me?"

Ying laughed. "How about my number?"

Orm's grin widened. "Well, when you put it that way."

Ying handed her phone over. "Go on."

Orm took it, deliberately typing her name in with a heart emoji. Ying raised an eyebrow when she got her phone back. "Orm Heartbreaker Kornnaphat?"

Orm winked. "Branding."

Ying laughed again, shaking her head. They started walking together, their steps slow, easy.

For the first time in a while, Orm felt something light in her chest.

The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of rain. Orm and Ying strolled side by side, their pace unhurried.

"So," Orm started, shoving her hands in her pockets, "what brings you back? Business? Or did you just miss me?"

Ying smirked. "Maybe a bit of both."

Orm clicked her tongue. "Dangerous answer."

Ying raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

Orm shot her a playful look. "Makes me think I have a chance."

Ying laughed, shaking her head. "Still a flirt, I see."

Orm gasped dramatically. "I am deeply offended. I am simply appreciating a beautiful woman."

Ying chuckled. "And how many beautiful women do you appreciate in one night?"

Orm grinned. "You'd be surprised."

Ying nudged her. "Unbelievable."

They continued walking until they reached a street corner. Ying stopped first.

"This is me," she said, nodding toward a parked car.

Orm tilted her head. "Private driver? Fancy."

Ying shrugged. "Perks of the job."

Orm hummed. "Mysterious."

Ying smirked. "I'll tell you more next time."

"Oh? There's a next time?" Orm teased.

Ying opened her car door, pausing. "Would you say no?"

Orm leaned against the lamppost, grinning. "Not a chance."

Ying smiled, slipping into the car. "Goodnight, Orm."

Orm watched as the car pulled away before letting out a deep breath. What just happened?

By the time Orm got home, Mae Koy was already setting up for bed, yawning as she folded a blanket.

Orm dropped onto the couch with a sigh.

Mae glanced at her. "Long night?"

Orm grinned. "Mae, you remember my school crush, Ying?"

Mae Koy frowned slightly, thinking. "That rich girl you used to follow around like a lost puppy?"

Orm pouted. "I was not a lost puppy."

Mae smirked. "Sure, sure. What about her?"

Orm threw her arms behind her head. "She's back."

Mae's eyebrows lifted. "And?"

Orm smirked. "And I think she might be into me."

Mae snorted. "Poor girl."

Orm gasped. "Mae!"

Mae laughed, ruffling Orm's hair. "Go to bed, heartbreaker."

Orm groaned but smiled as she got up.

Orm had just finished showering when her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She grabbed it, expecting some work message, only to see Ying's name on the screen.

Ying: Still awake?

Orm smirked, typing back.

Orm: Who, me? I sleep at 9 PM like a responsible adult.

Ying: ...It's 2 AM.

Orm: Exactly. My bedtime was 5 hours ago. What a bad influence you are.

Ying: So you're blaming me?

Orm: Obviously. You are the one texting me first.

Ying: Fine. Should I stop texting then?

Orm paused, then quickly typed.

Orm: Wait, wait, let's not be dramatic.

A few seconds later, a new message popped up.

Ying: I'm dramatic?

Orm grinned.

Orm: You? Nooo, never. I'm just saying, if you stop texting, I might have to stare at the ceiling all night, wondering if I scared you away. And that would be very sad.

Ying: Sounds like a you problem.

Orm gasped.

Orm: Wow. This is bullying.

Ying: You survived high school. You'll be fine.

Orm: Emotionally? Debatable.

Ying: Orm.

    Orm: Yes, Ying?

    Ying: Go to sleep.

Orm smirked, typing one last message.

    Orm: Only if you say goodnight properly.

    Ying: ...Goodnight, Orm.

    Orm: Sweet dreams, Senior.

Three dots appeared. Then disappeared. Then appeared again.

Ying didn't reply. Orm burst out laughing.

Totally worth it.