The Last Scene's Secret

Chapter 10: Holding On or Letting Go?

Warning: This chapter contains emotional scenes and themes of heartache and regret. Please take care of yourself while reading.^^

As the days passed, Ling and Orm spoke only when necessary, their conversations limited strictly to the lines of their script. The series, which was planned for only eight episodes, had flown by, and now they were filming the final scenes.

Episode eight was centered around a wedding, a moment meant to symbolize the culmination of their characters' love story. As the production crew set up the scene, the tension between Ling and Orm was palpable, hanging thick in the air. Despite the script's requirement for joy and love, both actresses found it difficult to muster genuine smiles.

In the wedding scene, Ling and Orm stood opposite each other, dressed in beautiful wedding attire. Ling wore a stunning white gown that shimmered under the soft lights, while Orm looked dashing in a tailored suit. The vows were exchanged, and their characters professed their undying love. When it came time for the kiss, they moved closer, their faces just inches apart. Ling hesitated for a split second, memories of their real-life kisses flooding her mind. Orm's eyes were searching, perhaps hoping for a sign, a flicker of the old Ling. Ling closed her eyes and leaned in, the kiss scripted and mechanical, lacking the genuine passion of their previous encounters.

"Cut! That's a wrap!" Ying, the director, shouted, his voice breaking the silence. Applause erupted from the crew, signaling the end of their work together.

As the crew started to pack up and dismantle the set, Ling turned to leave without a word. Orm watched her go, feeling the weight of unsaid words and unresolved emotions bearing down on her. She had hoped, perhaps naively, that something would change during this final scene, that the lines they spoke would translate into reality. But Ling remained distant, cold.

Ling, on the other hand, felt the pressure of Prigkhing's threat looming over her like a dark cloud. The text she received that morning replayed in her mind: "Tee-rak, come back to me if you don't want this photo leaked." She knew she had no choice but to return to Prigkhing, to sacrifice her happiness with Orm to protect them both. The thought of Orm's career being tarnished because of their past made her heartache.

Back in the dressing room, Ling looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes reflecting the turmoil within her. She removed her wedding gown slowly, the weight of each movement making her feel as though she were underwater. She had been avoiding her own reflection, afraid of the guilt and sorrow she might see there. The sight of the gown hanging limply on the hanger was a poignant reminder of what she had lost.

After filming wrapped, the fans buzzed with excitement over Ling and Orm's performance, praising their chemistry. Social media exploded with comments about their upcoming projects. Yet, Ling's manager, aware of Prigkhing's threats, made a swift decision. Ling would not accept the new series, "Falling for You," which had been eagerly anticipated by fans. Ling's withdrawal fueled speculation among fans. Rumors began to swirl, suggesting that Ling and Orm had a real-life romance that had somehow gone wrong, mirroring the turmoil of their on-screen love.

A few days after the wrap party, Ling returned to her apartment, her heart heavy with the decisions she had made. As she stepped inside, her eyes fell on the puzzle that sat on her desk, the one she and Orm had been working on together. The sight of the shattered puzzle mirrored the way she felt inside—broken, incomplete.

Orm tried to reach out to Ling several times, sending her messages that went unanswered. She knew something was wrong but had no idea how deep the problem ran. Each silence from Ling was like another nail in the coffin of their relationship. Orm's own manager had berated her, warning her to stay away from Ling to preserve her image and career. Torn between her feelings for Ling and the harsh reality of the industry, Orm felt powerless.

Back at home, Orm stared at her phone, her last text to Ling still unread: "I miss you. Can we talk?" She knew Ling had received it but had chosen not to respond. A hollow feeling settled in Orm's chest. For her, Ling had become more than just a co-star; she was the person who made everything seem worthwhile. But now, with Ling pulling away, it felt as though the ground beneath Orm's feet was crumbling.

Meanwhile, Ling stood by the window of her apartment, looking out at the city lights, her eyes red from crying. Prigkhing's shadow loomed over her, a constant reminder of the choices she had made. The puzzle pieces scattered across the floor seemed to echo her thoughts—scattered, lost, impossible to piece back together. A single tear slid down her cheek as she whispered into the empty room, "You know what, right now, the person who should be by my side the most is you, Orm."

As if responding to her unspoken wish, her phone buzzed with a new message. But when she saw it was from Prigkhing, the hope in her heart was crushed. She needed to end this charade. The weight of the secrets, the lies, and the fear of exposure were too much. As much as it pained her, she decided to face Prigkhing and do whatever it took to protect Orm from scandal. She had to sacrifice her own happiness to ensure that Orm's career and reputation remained intact.

That evening, Ling prepared herself to meet Prigkhing, knowing she would have to sever the last threads of hope that connected her to Orm. In the back of her mind, the memory of Orm's smile haunted her, a reminder of what could have been if only things were different.

As she walked out of her apartment, leaving behind the broken pieces of the puzzle and her shattered dreams, Ling whispered to herself, "I'm sorry, Orm. I hope one day you'll understand why I did this."

The next morning, Orm received a text from her manager: "I've booked you for an interview tomorrow. No mention of Ling. Keep it professional." Orm's heart sank as she realized that the life she wanted with Ling was slipping further and further away, bound by the chains of the past and the cruel reality of their world.

Her phone buzzed again, snapping her out of her thoughts. This time it was a reminder about the interview details, a clear indication of how her life was being controlled. Every step was calculated, every word monitored, and there was no room for Ling in this carefully curated existence.

As Orm arrived at the building for her scheduled shoot, she felt a heaviness settle in her chest. The anticipation of seeing Ling filled her with both hope and dread. She wanted to talk to her, to find a way to make things right, but every time she rehearsed the words in her mind, they fell short. They felt inadequate against the hurt they had caused each other.

Orm stepped out of the elevator only to bump into Ying, the director of their series. Ying's face was clouded with concern. "Orm, do you have a minute to talk?" she asked gently, leading Orm to a quiet corner away from prying eyes and ears.

"What's going on?" Orm asked, trying to mask the unease in her voice.

Ying looked at her with sincere eyes, her expression softening. "Ling kept crying all night," Ying revealed. Orm's eyes widened slightly, a pang of guilt striking her heart.

"Why are you telling me this?" Orm asked, her voice barely above a whisper, feeling the weight of Ying's words sinking in.

"Because I care about you both," Ying replied, leaning in closer. "Orm, many people come into our lives, but loving someone more than ourselves happens only once. If you let Ling go, you might never find your other half again. Don't make the mistake of thinking that this kind of love is easy to find. Please, think about it," Ying pleaded, her voice laced with a deep sense of urgency.

Orm swallowed hard, her emotions waging a war inside her. She had spent so long convincing herself that distancing herself from Ling was the right choice, that her career and reputation were all that mattered. But Ying's words hit her hard, breaking down the barriers she had so carefully built around her heart.

Ying left her and she walked to the television studio for her interview her manager's instructions echoing in her mind: "No mention of Ling. Keep it professional." Orm plastered a smile on her face as she was ushered to the stage, bright lights flooding the set, cameras rolling, the host greeting her warmly.

Orm sat in the brightly lit television studio, the cameras set up around her, capturing every angle. She felt the heat of the stage lights bearing down on her, making the room feel warmer than it should. The set was sleek and modern, with a large backdrop of the series poster featuring Orm and Ling together, both of them smiling with a chemistry that had captured the hearts of fans everywhere. Today, though, that picture felt like a cruel reminder of the distance that now lay between them.

Orm's manager stood just off-camera, giving her a reassuring nod as the host, a well-known TV personality with a friendly demeanor, began the interview. Orm took a deep breath, steadying herself for the questions she knew were coming.

"Welcome, Orm! It's so great to have you here with us," the host said, beaming a wide smile. "Your series has been such a huge success! Fans are absolutely loving it. How does it feel to be part of a project that's touched so many people?"

Orm returned the smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thank you so much. It's been an incredible experience. I'm really grateful for all the support we've received. Seeing the fans' reactions and knowing that our work is appreciated means the world to me."

The host nodded enthusiastically. "It's truly amazing! You and Ling have created such memorable characters. The chemistry between you two is just off the charts!" The host leaned in slightly, as if to share a secret. "Speaking of which, question five from our viewers is about Ling Ling Kwong. Many of them are wondering, why isn't Ling here with you today? We actually invited both of you for this interview."

Orm's heart skipped a beat, her mind racing. Her manager's warning echoed in her ears: No mention of Ling. Keep it professional. Orm's smile faltered for a brief moment, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Well," Orm started, choosing her words carefully, "Ling has been really busy with her own projects lately. She's been getting a lot of offers and has a packed schedule, so unfortunately, she couldn't join us today. But I know she appreciates all the love and support from the fans."

The host didn't seem entirely satisfied with the answer. "That's a shame. Fans have noticed that you two haven't been seen together as much lately. Some are even speculating that there's something going on behind the scenes. Care to comment on that?"

Orm felt a tight knot form in her stomach. She had to tread carefully. "Ling and I are both very focused on our careers," she replied diplomatically. "We've shared a lot of great moments on set, and those memories will always be special. But sometimes, life gets in the way, and we get caught up in our own work."

The host nodded, sensing Orm's reluctance to dive deeper into the topic. "Well, whatever is happening, we just hope everything's okay. You two have become such an iconic duo! Let's move on to some questions about your upcoming projects, shall we?"

Orm nodded, relieved that the conversation was shifting away from Ling. The host continued with questions about her future roles, her plans, and her thoughts on the success of their current series. Orm answered each question as best as she could, but her mind kept drifting back to Ling, to the tension that had grown between them, and to the uncertainty of their future.

Three days passed, each one feeling heavier than the last. Ying's words haunted Orm, playing over and over in her mind like a broken record. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was making a mistake, that by staying silent, she was losing the one person who truly mattered. She couldn't focus on anything, her thoughts constantly drifting back to Ling, to the moments they shared, the unspoken words between them.

as Orm lay on her couch, her phone buzzed with a notification. It was a news alert. "Ling Ling Kwong heading back to Hong Kong for a major project," it read. Her heart skipped a beat. She opened the article, her eyes scanning quickly through the lines, and her breath caught in her throat when she saw the details. Ling's flight was today.

Panic surged through her. She couldn't just let Ling leave. Not without trying. Not without saying something. Ignoring her rational mind, Orm jumped to her feet, grabbed her bag, and raced out of her apartment, heading straight for the airport.

As Orm sped through the city, her manager's voice shouting, "Where are you going, Orm?! Orm, this isn't in the schedule! You have commitments!" Orm ignored her, tears blurring her vision. She didn't care anymore about the schedule, the commitments, the rules. All that mattered was getting to Ling before it was too late.

Desperate, she called Ying. The phone rang for what felt like an eternity before Ying answered. "Orm? What's happening?" Ying asked, sensing the urgency in Orm's breathing.

"I'm going to the airport. I need to see Ling. Can you meet me there?" Orm asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

"I'm already on my way," Ying replied. "I'll be there soon. Don't do anything reckless, Orm. Just get to her."

Orm hung up, her heart pounding in her chest as she finally arrived at the airport. She sprinted through the terminals, her eyes scanning the flight information screens frantically. She spotted Ling's flight details and her heart sank.

Orm arrived at the airport and an announcement rang through the airport speakers. "Attention, passengers. Flight 271 to Hong Kong has departed. Final call was 10 minutes ago." Orm felt like the floor had dropped out from under her. She had missed Ling by mere minutes. The tears she had been holding back finally spilled over, running down her cheeks as she stood in the middle of the busy airport, lost and broken.

She had been too late. She had let Ling slip away. The realization was like a knife in her chest, cutting deeper than she thought possible. As people bustled around her, going about their lives, Orm felt her world crumble, the weight of everything she had lost pressing down on her shoulders. She collapsed onto a nearby bench, her face buried in her hands, sobbing as the truth settled in.

Orm pulled out her phone and dialed Ying again. Her voice was shaky, barely audible. "She's gone, Ying. I was too late. Her flight... it already left," Orm choked out, her tears making her voice waver.

Ying's voice was soft and soothing on the other end, trying to comfort her. "Orm, it's not over. You still have time to make things right. This isn't the end," Ying reassured her. But Orm wasn't sure if she could believe that anymore. All she knew was the ache in her heart and the fear that she had lost Ling forever.