Unbelievable

                                    

                                          



"Why am I here again?" I asked, glancing at Tan and Bow, who were sitting across from me.



"Because Lingling's not here, and you're the next best thing," Tan replied, while Bow nodded in agreement.



After a grueling day on set, Tan had called me, sounding urgent, and texted me the address to meet him. I had assumed it would be our usual group, only to find just the three of us gathered at the bar.



Tan was panicking—his and Ying's eighth anniversary was fast approaching, and he had no idea what to do. I wasn't much help, poking holes in every wild idea they came up with, half-listening while texting Lingling.



Orm: "How do you rein these two in?" I attached a picture of the duo, both lost in discussion.

00K: "With lots of patience," she replied almost immediately.

Orm: "You're a saint."

00K: "Gotta go. Call you later."



Lingling was in Korea this week for magazine shoots and interviews. She would be back just in time for Ratee's birthday, but in the meantime, I was left to fend for myself. Before she flew out, she had stopped by my apartment with breakfast, a memory that felt like a warm blanket.



Flashback

It was early, too early, when persistent knocking roused me from a deep sleep. Groaning, I dragged myself to the door and opened it to find Lingling standing there, barely holding back her laughter.



"I told you last night I'd come by early," she teased as she walked in, gently guiding me to the couch. I must've looked like a mess—hair sticking out in every direction, wrinkled clothes, and puffy eyes. But I didn't care. Lingling had seen me at my worst, and this didn't even compare.



"I was up until 3:30 finishing a level," I mumbled, rubbing my eyes and leaning into my hands.



She set down the bag she was holding. "I brought you breakfast."



I nodded sluggishly, my eyes fluttering shut every few seconds. "Too tired to eat."