Chapter 6 The First Jealousy #2
Khun Dew calmly took a sip of her drink.
"I wouldn't dream of it."
Ling sighed.
She knew that tone.
Khun Dew had noticed.
That was unfortunate.
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Pete stayed with Orm for most of the evening. He told stories about their old projects. He teased her about how she used to overthink every presentation. He reminded her of a time she had accidentally sent the wrong file to an entire project group. Orm laughed so hard she nearly spilled her drink.
"You promised you'd never tell anyone about that."
"I promised I'd never tell anyone important."
"You are terrible."
"I know."
She hit his arm lightly.
Pete laughed.
Across the room, Ling saw it. Her expression tightened. Fluke appeared beside her.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine."
"You don't look fine."
"I'm perfectly fine."
Fluke followed her gaze.
Pete was standing beside Orm.
"Oh."
Ling looked at him.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Say it."
Fluke smiled.
"I think I understand."
"Understand what?"
"Why you've been staring over there all night."
"I'm not staring."
Fluke raised an eyebrow.
Ling sighed.
"He's her friend."
"Yes."
"An old friend."
"Yes."
"So?"
"So nothing."
Ling looked at him.
Fluke smiled.
"You know, for someone who insists she's protecting the campaign, you seem very invested in one particular guest."
Ling frowned.
"I am protecting the campaign."
"Of course."
"I am."
"I believe you."
"You don't."
"No."
Ling gave him a look.
Fluke laughed.
"Sorry."
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Eventually, Pete asked Orm to join him on the quieter side of the rooftop. They stepped away from the crowd.
"You seem happy," he said.
Orm looked surprised.
"Do I?"
"Yeah."
She thought about it.
"I think I'm finally settling in."
"Good."
Pete smiled.
"I'm proud of you."
Orm's smile softened.
"Thank you."
There was a pause.
Then Pete said,
"So..."
Orm looked at him.
"What?"
"Are you and Ling really together?"
Orm's heart skipped. She had expected the question eventually. Still, hearing it from someone who actually knew her felt different.
"Why?"
Pete laughed.
"Because everyone is talking about it."
Orm looked down.
"It's complicated."
"That's not a no."
"No."
Pete smiled.
"So it is true?"
Orm hesitated.
"We're... figuring things out."
Pete looked at her for a moment.
Then smiled.
"Well, she seems serious about you."
Orm looked toward Ling.
Ling was speaking with a client.
"She is my boss."
Pete laughed.
"That isn't what I meant."
Orm didn't answer.
Pete continued.
"Do you like her?"
Orm stared at him.
"Why does everyone keep asking me that?"
"Because you're terrible at hiding your face."
"I'm not."
"You are."
Orm laughed.
"She's difficult."
"That's not an answer."
"She's critical."
"Still not an answer."
"She's arrogant."
Pete smiled.
"Definitely not an answer."
Orm shook her head.
"I don't know."
Pete nodded.
"Fair."
He looked at her.
"But if you do..."
Orm waited.
"...don't pretend you don't."
She stared at him.
"What?"
Pete shrugged.
"That's all."
Before she could respond, someone called her name.
"Orm!"
She turned.
Ling was standing a few metres away.
Her expression was calm.
Too calm.
"We need a photograph."
Orm nodded.
"Coming."
Pete smiled.
"Go."
Orm turned toward Ling.
As she approached, she noticed something.
Ling wasn't looking at Pete anymore.
She was looking at her.
Only her.
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"Everything okay?" Orm asked.
"Yes."
"You seem annoyed."
"I'm not."
Orm smiled.
"You are."
Ling looked at her.
"Why do you think that?"
"Because you've been staring at Pete all night."
"I haven't."
"You have."
"I was observing."
Orm laughed.
"Observing."
"Yes."
"What were you observing?"
Ling's expression remained composed.
"The event."
"Of course."
"Yes."
"Specifically the area where Pete was standing?"
Ling sighed.
"Orm."
Orm smiled.
"Are you jealous?"
"No."
The answer came so quickly that Orm burst out laughing.
"I didn't even finish the question."
"I knew what you were going to ask."
"And?"
"I'm not jealous."
Orm stepped closer.
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You absolutely are."
Ling looked around.
"Keep your voice down."
Orm's eyes widened.
"Why?"
"Because people are listening."
Orm smiled.
"So you are."
"I'm not."
"Then why are you worried?"
Ling lowered her voice.
"I'm protecting the campaign."
Orm stared at her.
Then laughed.
"The campaign?"
"Yes."
"From Pete?"
"From unnecessary complications."
Orm shook her head.
"He is an old friend."
"I know."
"He's harmless."
"I know."
"He isn't going to ruin Aurelia."
"I know."
"Then why are you watching him?"
Ling paused.
"I wasn't."
Orm grinned.
"You were."
Ling looked away.
Orm laughed again.
"You're jealous."
"I'm not."
"You are."
Ling turned toward her.
"You seem very pleased with yourself."
"I am."
"Why?"
"Because you're usually impossible to read."
Ling's expression softened.
"And now?"
"Now you're obvious."
Ling smiled despite herself.
"Don't get used to it."
"I won't."
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