Chapter 132 - Eline's Offer

From that point on, Teren has been dreaming about that entity. However, he either ignores her or just 'exit' that dream. That's why he was more tired than before. 

Monday arrives and he got to his chair.

But the moment, he and Iesa made eye contact, his drowsiness is instantly removed.

Nick saw this and just shrugged his shoulders. He no longer has the obligation to care about them. However, he did get confused over one thing.

'Why are they still a couple? Do they not want to be official because of Teren's plan? After all, he didn't include Iesa in taking over the Spirit Plane. Maybe she's his weakness and he needs to remove his link to her? Yeah, maybe that's it.'

Nick wasn't so far off but he's still mistaken. Not that he was to be blamed for it, he didn't know the whole story.

When Hanon came into the classroom, the same scene happened. He was able to Monday into something fun. But when Teacher Jerad came in, the students felt tired.

"Before we start, I've received a word that a group of students didn't attend the afternoon classes last Friday... However, since Sir Hanon supervised your... camping, he was the one who took the responsibility. Since nothing happened, just your absences, he just received a fair warning."

Almost everyone knew who those people are even though Teacher Jerad didn't mention any names. However, they excluded Teren from that, thinking that he was just coincidentally absent too.

Why?

It's because he was not deemed 'cool' enough to be with the popular group. It's silly but the others don't want to accept it either even if someone said Teren was included in the popular group's camping. It was simple jealousy and they think that it had no consequences. So why not fool themselves since they were comfortable with that?

After the second period, Eline stood up.

"I can do this...!"

She made a resolute gesture. Her friends put up a thumbs up, except for Catherine who thinks that what she will do is unnecessary and maybe even dangerous. However, she still supported her in the end.

Feeling that something was about to start when Eline walked towards Teren, those who have yet to exit the classroom watched this.

What does Eline want from Teren? Last time, she pulled him out to somewhere and came back crying which they learned Iesa was the reason. Is there a drama happening?

But why is Teren the center of this!? The classmates thought.

Iesa already knew what Eline intends to do, however, she has no reason to.

'I can't keep acting like an envious girlfriend. I'm mature, I have trust, and it's not like Teren is going to be swayed by just any girl.'

If only Iesa knows that Teren from the future wanted her to step in at that moment, she would've. However, Teren's worries have yet to come.

"Boss Har- Teren."

Eline called out to him, stopping him from walking out.

"Yes?"

"You looked tired, want me to give you a massage?"

Eline said after a brief hesitation. She looked honest when she said that. Confusion immediately spread out to almost every classmate.

Did I hear wrong? They thought.

Meanwhile, Teren froze. He realized his mistake. Did he mention that they shouldn't talk to him at school? No! He was too busy wanting Iesa on Saturday and was too busy thinking about Iesa on Sunday!

It's akin to a drug addict seeing the consequences of his addiction, Teren fell into an internal turmoil.

He has three choices: 

Ignore Eline, hoping that she realizes what he wants to convey. In that way, they could just play it off as Eline mistaking what she said. At that point, she had to adlib like she was actually talking to Iesa or Nick or even Lina who was present now.

Deny her, however, that would attract not only attention but more malice. He declined Eline!? Who does he think he is!? Teren expected those were the thoughts of others if he did so.

Accept her offer, but the consequences... could they play if off like a joke? However, it's also possible that it's like Eline was bullying Teren too, that's it.

A second just passed by and Teren made his decision. The safest option was to ignore her. You miss all the shots you don't take. What if Eline realized what he wants to convey?

'Eh? Did he not hear me?'

"Teren," Eline called out again, "I said I'm going to give you a massage again. I'm actually training myself."

If Catherine was kind and aggressive, Eline was honest and proactive. She even said that she was training her massaging skills for him.

It failed in the worst way possible!

Teren glanced at her coldly but soon, he stopped himself.

'Calm down, it's not her fault. She's probably thinking of having a use for me to gain my favor. It's my fault for not warning them not to talk to me at school.'

'Is she messing with him?'

Was the general thought of the class, Teren was aware of that. However, if he denies her, there was one more thing that he had yet to consider; she will submissively take what he said!

At that point, everyone would think that Eline was not messing with him but was genuine while listening to his words. This time, it was all up how Teren will act.

"Eh? Me?" he pointed at himself as if he didn't expect he would be 'targeted' by Eline. He should look like a kid expecting to be bullied!

"Hm?" Eline was surprised at Teren's 'timid reaction' but she didn't think much about it, "Yeah, don't you want to?"

Teren lowered his head and nodded. That reaction made it seem like Eline threatened him and he was forced to agree.

He was the only one who understood his actions. Those who know who he is including Iesa and Nick were puzzled. However, for the rest of the class, they were relieved. This is how the scene should play out.

Teren didn't care about his image in the school. If he want to, he could show his true self at any moment and make all these people kneel before him. However, that would be unnecessary, that's for the future.

Actually thinking about it, he actually forgot about something. While Eline kneads his back, he opened his phone and sent a picture to the group chat.

Teren: [I want you to bring these guys to the warehouse.]

Uncle Jo: [That would be hard with just their faces but what did they do?]

Teren: [They annoyed me and also, I want to thank them.]

Uncle Jo: [On it, Boss Hark!]

Behind the phone, Uncle Jo actually shivered. When was the last time Teren asked them to get people who annoyed him?

'Good thing I snapped a picture of their faces when they were getting questioned by the security back at the mall.'

Teren sighed in relief as he enjoyed Eline's massage while acting stiff as if he doesn't want it. 

'Later, I should tell them to show that they're just messing with me.. Then after that, they should stop.'