Chapter 10

The rhythmic thwack of small stones against glass was a sound Prim knew all too well. It wasn't the random ping of debris; this was deliberate, insistent. Her heart thumped a panicked tattoo against her ribs. She'd heard it start faintly, almost a whisper, but now it was louder, more brazen. Fear, cold and sharp, pricked at her skin.

She hurried towards the grand front doors of the mansion, where Orm, Pring, and Ying were positioned, more like bored sentinels than vigilant protectors. Their postures were lax, their eyes glazed over with fatigue. "I know you're tired," Prim began, her voice tight with anxiety, "but please look around! You hear it too, right?" She gestured towards the direction of the noise, each thwack making her flinch.

Ying, always the most pragmatic, shrugged, her dark eyes showing no flicker of concern. "Maybe it's one of your rivals in the company, boss. A sign, maybe. I also need to protect your son from it." Her gaze drifted towards the upper floors, where her charge, Prim's son, slept peacefully.

Prim shook her head emphatically, her short black hair flying around her face. "No, you three need to be here! Now focus, girls! Your new bodyguard couldn't arrive yet and I am not taking chances." Her words were sharper than intended, born of the fear that coiled in her gut. She relied on these women; their lethargy was a betrayal.

Orm, a mountain of muscle usually radiating quiet competence, shifted her weight, a low groan escaping her lips. "I want to rest, boss." She didn't meet Prim's eyes.

Prim's temper flared. "I said no! Don't you hear what I said?" The weariness in her own voice didn't diminish her anger, it fueled it.

Ying, ever the mediator, intervened. "I think you should let her rest, boss. I mean, Orm can sit around and observe. After all, she can continue her duty than doing nothing." She glanced at Orm, a flicker of understanding passing between them.

Prim hesitated, her gaze darting between her three bodyguards. The rationale was there, she knew it and also she knew that she cannot pressure them more. Still, she felt a pang of resentment at their casual attitude while she was on the brink of a panic attack.

As if to punctuate her inner turmoil, another thwack rang out, this time closer, from a second-floor window. Prim gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. The fear was no longer a cold prick; it was a gaping maw threatening to swallow her whole.

The three bodyguards, however, remained remarkably unmoved. They had been through so much recently, the punishment from their boss, the grueling training schedule, the endless monotony of their duties. It seemed nothing could shock them anymore. The rocks could have been falling from the sky and they might not have reacted.

"Don't you care?" Prim asked them, her voice now a mere whisper of a panic attack.

Finally, like a switch flipping, their apathy shattered. Orm's head snapped up, her eyes widening and going into combat mode. Pring, a wiry woman with a perpetually skeptical expression, straightened, her hand instinctively reaching for the hidden weapons she carried. Even Ying's usual cool demeanor was replaced by a tense alertness. The sound made them realize how much danger the boss could be in.

Ying was the first to move, scanning the grounds. "Where is it coming from?" she asked.

Pring pointed to the side of the house. "I think they're between the trees at the side. Probably behind the hedges."

Following her bodyguards' lead, Prim took a shaky breath. At the very least, they were finally paying attention. It was not her rivals, it was surely someone who was out to get her.

With a shared look of grim determination, the three bodyguards began a silent, almost ritualistic, search of the perimeter, their movement fluid, their eyes darting through the shadows. Prim, heart still hammering, followed behind, her fear slowly morphing into a fragile hope. It was going to be a long night. She knew that much. With her girls by her side, she knew they would deal with this issue quickly and efficiently.

Ling was still observing the whole place and wondered that now Tan still wouldn't appeared, then she realize that Prim was now in the verge of panicking hiding near from Pring and Ying. 

The mansion, usually a beacon of controlled chaos, felt strangely empty to Ling. She'd expected Tan to make an appearance, to survey his domain with that infuriatingly calm gaze, but he was nowhere to be seen. Her eyes darted around the room, taking in the scattered remnants of their little 'performance' – a few overturned chairs, a spilled vase, and a lingering sense of unease. Her gaze landed on Prim, huddled near Pring and Ying, her face a mask of barely contained panic.

"What now?" Dandao's low growl broke through Ling's thoughts. She could hear the impatience in her voice, the simmering frustration that Tan hadn't taken the bait.

Ling shook her head, a sudden clarity washing over her. This hadn't worked. Tan, the ever-calculating businessman, wouldn't be rattled by cheap theatrics. "I think it's enough we scared the woman now," she said, her voice sharper than intended. "I should focus on Tan, and he wasn't here. I know what is the perfect idea for him. This won't make him scared at all."

"So what's the plan?" Nene asked, her eyes reflecting the swirling chaos of the room with a hint of excitement.

Ling smirked, a plan beginning to form. "I'm planning bigger this time so I won't suffer from pretending to be a nice bodyguard here. Let's leave for now."

The three of them slipped out of the hall, leaving behind the remnants of their failed attempt. The past few weeks had been a blur of planning and subtle sabotage, aimed at disrupting Tan's company from within. But Ling was growing restless, her desire for retribution morphing into a more focused, perhaps even dangerous ambition.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Dandao asked days later, his face etched with concern as they sat in Ling's cramped apartment. "They are dangerous. It's better if we throw rocks at them or destroy their house instead."

Ling shook her head, disappointment heavy in her chest. "They won't learn! I want Tan to get scared too. That doesn't work on him, but maybe destroying his company is a good idea. Because he's always been so focused on his business than his family." She felt a surge of anger at the thought of Tan, his coldness toward his own flesh and blood fueling her resolve.

"How about we make him a scandal?" Nene suggested, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Ling paused, considering. "Like what? Creating cheating stories? He'd just say there's no proof, and he's got connections with a lot of bodyguards. But maybe you're right... I can accuse them of abusing their bodyguards. It could affect their company's reputation."

"Um... maybe we could go viral if you record it and post it on social media?" Nene added, pulling out her phone and scrolling through various platforms.

"Yeah, thanks for the suggestions, Nene. I guess the internet can help me out for now." Ling leaned back on the worn sofa, her mind already buzzing with possibilities. How to capture the truth and twist it into a weapon, that was the question.

The afternoon was spent brainstorming, the three of them a chaotic mess of ideas, half-eaten takeout containers, and crumpled papers. They were watching some random stripper dance video, when the door burst open and Fang staggered in, eyes blazing with anger. She threw the remaining contents of her drink, a syrupy, sticky concoction, all over Ling.

"What's your problem?!" Ling asked, her voice dripping with venom as she stood up, her usually calm demeanor completely shattered.

"Hey, you're my problem here! You just ignore Orm and enjoy this party," Fang spat, her words thick with jealousy and spite. "I should be the deserving person for her, not you and Mei! You two are just both petty." She shoved Ling, her touch rough and unwarranted.

A red haze descended over Ling. Years of simmering rage and frustration boiled over. Without thinking, she lashed out, her fist connecting with Fang's jaw with a satisfying crack. Fang crumpled to the floor, her friends rushing to her side, their faces a mixture of shock and anger.

Ling stood over her, breathing heavily, her chest heaving. "If you have a problem with me, so be it. You're just pathetic!" She brushed past Nene and Dandao, ignoring their worried calls. She needed to calm down. Needed to find an anchor in the storm that was raging inside her. Only one person was her anchor, well she might be. Ling strode out the door, the image of Fang's crumpled form burning in her mind. She needed to see Orm.

Her walk to Mei's apartment was brisk, the city lights blurring around her. She was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions – the satisfaction of hitting fang, the anger at Tan and his company, and the frustration that her plans were so far from perfect. It was all overwhelming, and she just needed to be with Mei for some time. Her heart pounded with each step, she can't wait to see her.

The key rattled in the lock, a familiar sound that usually brought a sense of calm to Ling. But tonight, a knot of anxiety tightened in her chest. She pushed the door open and stepped inside, her gaze immediately drawn to Orm. It wasn't Orm's usual radiant smile or easy laughter that greeted her, but a palpable, undeniable roundness beneath her loose shirt. Orm's baby bump was large, unmistakably advanced. Ling's carefully constructed world tilted on its axis.

A wave of complex emotions washed over Ling. Confusion, a flicker of something akin to panic, and then a strange, detached rationale took hold. She had known, deep down, that this was a possibility, a loose end from their short, intense connection months ago. But the reality of it, the physical manifestation of life growing inside Orm, was a jarring shock. She had been so focused on her own agenda, her own pain, that she had almost forgotten about Orm completely.

Reaching into her coat pocket, Ling pulled out a thick wad of cash. She had planned for this, considered it the most straightforward way to deal with what she saw as a complication. "Here," she said, extending the money towards Orm, her voice flat, devoid of emotion. "Take it. It should be enough."

Orm's eyes, usually so luminous, narrowed. A flicker of hurt, then anger, crossed her face. Her voice, when she spoke, was thick with sarcasm. "Do you think that would impress me?" she asked, the words dripping with disdain. She didn't reach for the cash.

Ling was taken aback by her reaction. She had fully expected a more accommodating, perhaps even grateful response. That's what she had always gotten and that's what she expected tonight. Her face hardened. "I know you would find me to say the baby is mine, of course I know that, so you need money," she stated, her voice still cold and dismissive.

A sharp, stinging slap landed across Ling's cheek. The force of it surprised her, a physical manifestation of Orm's anger that sent her reeling. "Do you think it's about money?!" Orm's voice was laced with fury. "But you wanted to ignore this responsibility now!"

Ling touched her cheek, her eyes widening in incredulity. "Ignore? Are you aware that I'm doing my revenge for my sister's death and you think I'm the one who's careless you're talking about?!" The words tumbled out, revealing a wound she had been constantly picking at. She had been consumed with her vengeance, the need to make those responsible for her sister's death suffer, and she had convinced herself that nothing else mattered, not even the potential life she had helped create.

Orm's expression softened slightly, but her anger was still simmering beneath the surface. "Fuck that!" Orm yelled, her voice cracking. "Stop focusing on that anymore! Focus on our babies!"

Ling's brow furrowed in confusion. "What?" she asked, bewildered.

Orm turned from her and grabbed a framed photograph off a nearby table, pulling out a small, rectangular image tucked into the back. She held it up for Ling to see. It was an ultrasound, not of one baby, but of several. "You gave me five babies, here you go!" Orm said, her voice laced with a mixture of anger and something else that Ling couldn't quite place.

Ling's eyes widened, her breath hitching in her throat. "W-What? Five babies at all once? You got to be kidding me! I can handle one, but five?!" Her mind swam as she tried to process this information. Five lives, her lives, growing inside Orm. This was more than a complication; it was a cataclysmic event. "I'm not ready for this..." The words were a pathetic whisper, a confession of her utter unpreparedness.

Orm's face crumpled, tears welling up in her eyes as she shook her head, overwhelmed by the enormity of what she was facing. She had imagined a different scenario, a loving partner by her side, not this cold, distant woman trying to buy her way out of responsibility. She had hoped, deep down, that Ling would have cared about her, about the children.

Something inside Ling shifted. The coldness that had been her shield began to crack. Seeing Orm so vulnerable, so obviously terrified, touched something deep within her. A need to protect, to comfort, washed over her. Ling stepped forward, hesitant at first, then reached out and gently pulled Orm into an embrace, rubbing her back soothingly. "Don't worry," she murmured, her voice softer now, infused with a sincerity she hadn't realized she possessed. "We will take care of them, alright. Let me take care of you too."

Orm clung to Ling, her sobs subsiding into soft whimpers. "Ling," she said, her voice thick with emotion, "I love you." And then, she surprised Ling by pulling back slightly and kissing her, a passionate, desperate kiss that spoke volumes about her vulnerability and her love.

Ling responded without hesitation, the kiss igniting a forgotten fire within her. Her hand moved to unbutton Orm's shirt, her heart pounding in her chest. She carefully lifted Orm into her arms, carrying her to the bedroom, gently placing her on the soft mattress.

Ling's hands roamed over Orm's swollen belly, feeling the gentle flutters of life within. She kissed her way down, her mouth tracing a path along Orm's collarbone, pausing to suck gently on her nipples. Orm arched her back, a low moan escaping her throat, the pleasure of the moment a stark contrast to the fear and anger that had filled her only moments before.

Orm reached down, her hand finding Ling's throbbing dick, stroking it with a familiar rhythm. Ling groaned, her hips jerking forward, her desire for Orm overwhelming. She leaned in, capturing Orm's mouth again, their tongues tangling together in a dance of hunger. They rolled over, Orm straddling Ling, her swollen belly pressing into her as she lowered herself onto Ling's waiting cock.

The sensation was indescribable, the heat and tightness of Orm's body enveloping Ling in a way she hadn't felt in months. She pushed into her, feeling the resistance of the five babies they had created together, a strange mix of fear and excitement coursing through her veins. Orm's moans grew louder, her breath coming in gasps as Ling's thrusts grew more urgent.

The room was filled with the sounds of their passion, the creaking of the bed and the wet slap of their bodies joining together. Ling's eyes never left Orm's, seeing the love and anger, the fear and determination, all melded into a fiery intensity that mirrored her own tumultuous emotions. The weight of their future, their shared responsibility, hung in the air around them, a tangible force that seemed to drive their desire to even greater heights.

Orm's hips rocked back and forth, her breasts bouncing with each movement. Ling's hands found them, kneading the sensitive flesh as Orm leaned back, arching her back. The sight was intoxicating, the reality of the life they had created together finally sinking in. Ling felt a strange sense of pride, a fierce protectiveness that she hadn't expected. Her mind raced with thoughts of what it would mean to be a mother, to have five tiny lives relying on her, to raise them in a world filled with danger and pain, a world she had been so focused on avenging.

Their rhythm grew faster, the passion between them a fiery storm that consumed them both. Ling felt her climax building, her body tensing as she drove deeper into Orm. Orm's nails dug into her shoulders, her cries of pleasure becoming more urgent. The pressure mounted, the tension in the room almost unbearable.

And then, just as Ling felt she could hold on no longer, Orm's body clenched around her, her orgasm tearing through her with the force of a hurricane. Ling followed, her own release shuddering through her, a white-hot wave of pleasure that seemed to last an eternity.

As they lay tangled together, their breathing ragged and hearts racing, Ling felt something she hadn't felt in a long time: peace. The anger and bitterness that had fueled her for so long began to recede, making room for something new, something she hadn't allowed herself to feel since her sister's death: hope.

They held each other tightly, the reality of their situation setting in. Five babies. Five little lives that would need their love, care, and protection. Ling's mind raced with questions, with fears, but she pushed them aside for the moment, focusing instead on the warmth of Orm's body against hers, the steady beat of her heart beneath her palm.

Orm's breathing slowly evened out, and she pulled back to look at Ling with a mix of love and determination. "We can do this together," she said, her voice a whisper. "We have to."

Ling nodded, her eyes still a little dazed from the intensity of their lovemaking. The weight of the world was momentarily lifted from her shoulders, but she knew it would come crashing down again once they faced reality. "We'll figure it out," she murmured, stroking Orm's sweat-dampened hair. "I'm not going anywhere."

They laid there, wrapped in each other's arms, the quiet of the room punctuated only by the steady rhythm of their hearts and the faint sound of traffic outside the window. It was a strange calm before the storm, a brief reprieve from the chaos that was sure to come. Ling felt the baby bump shift and press against her, a gentle reminder of the monumental task ahead.

Orm reached up, tracing Ling's features with her fingertips. "We'll need to tell people," she murmured. "Your family... our friends. Everyone."

Ling took a deep breath, her chest tightening at the thought. "I know," she said, her voice low. "But not yet." The need for secrecy was still strong within her, a habit from her months of undercover work and the pursuit of vengeance. She wasn't ready to face the outside world with the truth of their situation. Not when she was still navigating the tumult of emotions inside herself.

Orm nodded, understanding, and leaned in to kiss Ling softly. "Okay," she said. "We'll tell them when we're ready."

For a while, they lay there, their hearts slowly returning to a normal rhythm, their bodies cooling from the fever of passion. Ling's hand remained on Orm's belly, feeling the slight movements of their unborn children. It was a strange sensation, one that filled her with a mix of awe and fear. She had been living in a world of shadows and violence, and the thought of bringing innocent lives into it was almost too much to bear.

Orm's eyes searched Ling's, looking for the truth she had hoped to find in her kiss. "We really need to talk," she said, her voice still a little shaky from their lovemaking. "About us, about the babies, about everything."

Ling nodded, her grip on Orm's hand tightening. "You're right," she said, sitting up and pulling Orm with her. "We can't keep this a secret forever."

Orm's gaze was intense, her eyes searching Ling's for any sign of doubt or fear. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Ling took a moment to consider her answer. The room was a mess of scattered clothes and discarded cash, a stark reminder of the tumultuous beginning to this conversation. But now, as she looked into the depths of Orm's eyes, she knew that she had to be. For the sake of the five lives growing inside her, she had to find a way to balance her all-consuming need for vengeance with the love that was blossoming in her heart. "I am," she said, her voice firm. "I'm in this with you."