Chapter 219 - Love-Hate

"This humiliation~ahm..."

Trisha took the spoonful of porridge Teren offered.

"Isn't feeding the sick natural?"

"That doesn't apply to me."

"It applies to you now."

"Urgh..."

In the end, all arguments will lead to Trisha's loss since she's sick no matter how much she denies it.

After eating, she was given medicine. Her face had denial but knowing that she will be forced to swallow it in the end, she just took it without any more say.

"Grab onto my shoulder."

Teren offered but Trisha put up her hand and said, "Pass"

It was to be expected so Teren wasn't bothered. He just let it go and followed Trisha's flimsy attempt to walk straight. He couldn't help but find this funny.

"Stop laughing!"

Trisha growled at him but he didn't stop.

"You're too prideful."

Teren then swallowed his laughter and commented.

"Hm, it's all about the mentality. If I'm not like this, do you think I'm still sane, right now?"

Teren nodded in agreement. He also believes that mentality is a part of it, however, the mentality is not all of it, he believes. Deep down, there should be underlying strength where people rely on when the unexpected occurs.

Without it, people will be left paralyzed, scared, or traumatized to even know what's happening.

'Trisha is strong in her consciousness. Maybe she's not only born with it, she has to have the intention and motive in gaining strength.'

But Teren knew that asking won't get him anywhere. Eventually, he will learn of it and use it to further strengthen Trisha.

Before entering the basement, the two encountered Josh who is on his way to school with his bag and in his uniform.

"Ah... good morning, Teren."

He slightly nodded, subconsciously trying to give respect. Teren just nodded back and replied his greeting.

"Good morning too."

"Umm, then I'll see you at school."

Josh felt awkward and pressured as he was about to power-walk his way out. But Teren shook his head.

"No, I'm not going to school today, I have a patient to take care of."

Even though Teren didn't mention Trisha, Josh still glanced at her as he could see her dazed look, pinkish complexion, and most of all, her "walking"

Meanwhile, the girl in question turned around when she heard this.

"I don't need any caring! Seeing you more will just make my case worse!"

"Careful on your way, Josh. Please explain to the teachers that I have something emergency going on. Say it's personal so that they won't ask any further."

Ignoring Trisha's shout, Teren told Josh which the latter nodded and went his way out.

"You... don't think I will be deceived."

Trisha muttered which Teren didn't catch on much and just ignored.

...

Some hours later, within Mershen High, there was a topic that everyone was talking about.

"It seemed that Hat Guy invaded the Public just the other day and took their Boss!"

"Oh no! Poor girl! When I was just developing a crush on her!"

"Yeah, did you see how cool she is? I think only our idol, Iesa or Yumera can compete with her."

"Hey, dude, you're exaggerating things when you put a real-life celebrity onto this."

"What? Don't think Iesa or the Public's Boss can stand beside her?"

"Urgh... I see what you mean by that."

After those discussions, the school bell rang, signaling the end of the morning break.

Lina: 'Wow, Teren actually kidnapped someone...'

The third period was about to start when Lina thought to herself. But she's aware that someone's listening.

'A certain someone must be jealous right now and regretting that she broke up with him...'

Lina covered her lips as they formed a smile.

Dehian: 'Are you perhaps talking about me?'

Lina: 'Ah, sorry, did that hit you? I'm not talking about you, I'm actually talking about Catherine. Whoops, that guy has a lot of women. Now that he's free, he can meet any girl he wants. Maybe that's why he's absent right now, having with the girl he kidnapped.'

Dehian: 'Are you even aware of your own thoughts? Are you saying that Catherine once became Teren's ex too?'

'Ah... you're right. I didn't say that certain someone broke up with him so yeah, I was talking about you.'

Lina turned her slightly turned her head with a mocking face directed at Dehian. Meanwhile, the latter just ignored her.

Dehian: 'It was Iesa who fell in love, not me. Now that she's extremely guilty of all of this, she doesn't have the strength to come out. I'm just angry that that guy has the luxury to have fun.'

Lina: 'Ah, is that so? I think your logic is flawed too. You see, I searched into Teren's memories and learned about the time you pulled him into the emergency stairs. Are you fond of giving information to the person you hate?'

'What do you mean by that?'

Dehian's eyes were finally directed at Lina with a tint of irritation.

Lina: 'You say you hate him but actually, you're in love. All of this doesn't make sense. Are you and Iesa really different or is that an illusion you created? I don't know what happened to the past and Teren must've done something quite heavy. But then, you fell in love, what a mistake! Now, you're in a dilemma!'

Dehian: 'You seem to be having fun for someone who's locked in fear.'

Lina then stopped thinking and just looked back at Dehian, ignoring Nick who seemed to become stiff as he became the center of the two women.

'You can never escape him even if all things flipped upside down. What's that called? Ah yes, Stockholm Syndrome. You feel like a captive that no matter where you flee, he will get to you. That's how much fear Teren is inscribed within you. And now, you think that loving him will make him reciprocate it. Love is many things and one of them is restraining. You think controlling him will make you escape your fate. You want to hear more?'

Lina: 'No need, I'm aware of it, you fart-breathing entity. I don't want to admit that I'm in love with him because of fear so I use lust as an excuse. Are you happy?'

Dehian: 'Not really...'

At that moment, Lina smiled again.