My Boss Is Secretly A Softie - Chapter 30

Chapter 30: A disloyal subject
“I want to fuck you.”

That’s what he wanted to say, but of course, he wouldn’t because if he did, then he truly wouldn’t be able to retrace his steps ever again, and he wasn’t sure if he was ready to take that risk.

“Don’t mess around next time,” he scolded lowly with a scowl, pinching Elara’s plump cheeks hard enough to leave a mark.

Elara whimpered apologetically, admitting to her faults, causing Terrence’s gaze to darken. Was she doing this on purpose?

“I’m sorry, I won’t tease you anymore!” she declared remorsefully.

Getting off the pitiful lady, Terrence plopped onto the bed beside her with a sigh. Maybe spending a month alone with this walking hazard of a woman wasn’t exactly the best idea.

Feeling a shuffle beside him, he was alerted to find Elara steadily crawling out of the bed, and he immediately called out, “What are you doing?”

“Leaving?” a confused Elara answered.

Terrence squinted his eyes dangerously, causing goosebumps to break out on the female’s body, but before she could escape, a pair of strong arms pulled her into a solid embrace.

“What?” she asked befuddled with her face to the male’s chest.

All she got was a simple response: “Sleep.”

‘Seriously? You know I can feel your hardness angel,’ Elara thought, feeling a bit flustered.

Maybe it was because of the guilt from having played about with Terrence too much or her possibly problematic open-mindedness when it came to her angel; either way, she didn’t mind cuddling with him despite his ‘situation.’

It made her wonder dazedly, was what happened that exciting? Enough to turn him on?

She never once considered herself to be the reason for his ‘situation’, after all, they were just friends. Things could happen but friends would always remain friends.

Elara felt that line felt familiar but couldn’t quite put her finger on where she heard it so she decided to toss it aside without much care.

The rising and falling of the male’s chest made for a certain type of comfort that could only be brought about by the embrace of a living being. His body warmth permeated through her, along with the subtle yet distinct smell of wine that coddled her to a slumber-like state.

She wrapped her hands around his waist, closing into the male further as she snuggled against his chest comfortably without care, disregarding the stiffness of her snuggle buddy.

Terrence suddenly regretted his decision; he had wanted to punish the lady for her daredevil actions, only for it to backfire. He had forgotten Elara’s perception of shyness was distorted and she had this audacious ability to do whatever once she perceived a certain kinship to someone.

Even unconventional things that others couldn’t fathom doing even with their closest friends.

It made him jealous and slightly depressed at the thought that she also acted the same with others, acting without regard for normal boundaries within platonic relationships. No wonder her relationship with Terra was so odd.

Feeling the soft, rhythmic breathing of the curled-up figure beside him who clung to him like an octopus, he felt an unpalatable heat spread over him, reddening his cheeks faintly.

He looked at the formerly unruly female obediently clutched in his arms, sleeping peacefully without a care in the world, and felt a softness akin to that of cotton candy overwhelm his heart.

A low rumble of laughter was heard as he held onto the sleeping woman even tighter. He could feel the warmth of her body, including the soft feeling of having her pressed against him; puffs of air from her quiet snores tickled his chest lightly and a soothing scent of lemon filled his smell.

Just holding the lady was therapeutic, and despite the unrest within him, he found himself drifting off, and soon he fell into a deep slumber.

***

“How is it, angel?” Elara asked warmly as she stared at the depressed male with bright eyes.

Terrence scoffed lightly, rightfully annoyed at the oblivious woman. He had woken up to an empty bed despite it not yet being Elara’s waking time, and since he hadn’t exercised due to his slight hangover, he could only meet her at breakfast.

The issue was the fact that this infuriating woman brushed off everything that happened like it was the norm!

She acted like whatever happened the night before was but a dream, and had it not been the glaring bite mark on her neck that she tried to cover by putting on a turtleneck along with his sharp memory, he would have doubted if the night’s event had really happened.

He sighed in defeat before muttering, “It’s perfect.”

Elara smiled in response, coaxing him to eat more while bringing up various recent discussions as they ate.

Terrence observed her lightly with a glow in his eyes; this was nothing—eventually, she’d have to accept him, one way or another.

***

“You can’t be talking like you don’t also know how problematic your plan was?” Elara criticized harshly causing the lady on the other end to shrink guiltily.

“Hey, but it worked, right? Now you’re sure he doesn’t see you like that no?” Star defended.

“Hmm,” Elara hummed lightly, twirling her curls as she plopped to the bed, “I guess so.”

“What’s with that response?”

Standing before the mirror while undoing her twists, Elara responded calmly, “I can’t exactly conclude. He seems normal, but something in his eyes says otherwise; you know I’m very good at reading people.”

Star was silent for a while before muttering, “Yeah… too good.”

Elara chuckled softly, swiftly making her way to each braid, “Terrence can’t hide it, or rather he’s not planning to hide it at all. It might not be a crush, but he wants me; it’s how he does that conflicts me….”

“Are you not worried?”

“Worried?” Elara questioned confusedly, “No, I’m not, this isn’t exactly the first time this has happened, no?”

‘Oh, you mean…’ Star thought.

“I don’t let pesky feelings get in the way of my relationships with others,” Elara said with a scowl, “Terry will get over me; it’s one of those phases people go through when they finally have someone to lean on. Most mistake their feelings of trust and companionship for romance, I’ve seen it so much that I can recognize it at a glance.”

“… Don’t you think you could be the problem, with how often it happens?”

“….”

“….”

“Huh. I never thought of it that way.”

Star: (－_ლ)

“Anyways, don’t do that thing where you make conclusions about people’s feelings all on your own due to your overconfidence. I know it works most times, but exceptions could occur, and not considering that could make you end up hurting people you love without realizing,” Star stated seriously.

Elara was good at what she did. However, it was undeniable she made certain reckless decisions due to her overconfidence, and although it had worked, for most parts, she, Star, still couldn’t help but worry the lady would rely too much on her abilities and make a terrible mistake.

The graceful figure of the alluring lady overlapped with her reflection as she ran her fingers through her hair, dissolving the curls formed due to the twist she had finished unbraiding.

She flicked her hair backward, playfully pulling it into various packing styles before she responded with a tinge of laughter within her voice, “You should trust me more, Star; I have my way of doing things, don’t worry.”

“You—fine, you do you but remember, be careful and call me if you need anything,” she recoiled in defeat.

“Mmhm,” Elara hummed in response before ending the call.

Picking up the wide-mouthed comb, she slowly made its wide edges through her hair, enjoying the feeling of combing through her slick hair.

Her mind wandered off to Star’s advice and then Terrence’s strange behavior, a light frown disturbing her serene features.

The worst thing about being aroace was when people you call friends can’t seem to resist crossing that line. It was… infuriating.

***

After having a ‘blast’ with Merlin, the terrible adviser, Terrence felt his damped mood slightly elevated.

Merlin: You asshole! I didn’t advise you to go that far! Why torture me?! (╥﹏╥)

Terrence: That’s just not my problem (⁠ ⁠╹⁠▽⁠╹⁠ ⁠)

Elara had invited him over to the library, and despite his qualms with the lady, he couldn’t bring it to himself to ignore her no matter what.

Walking into the library he was dazzled by the sight before him. Bright light illuminated the surroundings, enveloping the quiet lady underneath them who made her way through the pages of the book before her with effortless elegance.

Her head bent over slightly, lashes casting soft shadows over her eyes yet they couldn’t obscure the deep calmness within them, inviting and demanding silence of all who made their way to her sanctuary.

Her fair fingers glimmered underneath the light, the golden undertones of her skin radiating a distinct beauty that drew one within.

The woman sat calmly, her lips a unique blend of dark and pink hues pursed softly as if pondering the contents of the pages, and along with her lovely dark hair that draped over her shoulders, she possessed a regal charisma that permeated throughout the space drawing all eyes to her like a magnet.

Seemingly noticing his presence, she turned to face him with a sweet smile, an unconcealable look of adoration filling her eyes. Her mouth parted slowly, and a cool voice whispered, “Angel, come here.”

His body moved on its own, hypnotized by the charming lady before him.

“Ela…” he muttered dazedly, staring at his addiction with hazy eyes. He knelt before her, snaking his arms around her waist; clinging to her tightly like a child to his mother’s skirt.

Elara smiled, patting his head warmly as he sunk deeper into delirium, endlessly enthralled by her existence.

However, her next words snapped him to reality, the reality of what they truly were.

“Angel,” Elara called out lovingly, “We’re friends right?”

Terrence’s eyes widened in stun as his stiff body failed to obscure his reactions. The female above him had probably noticed this just as she also did with his signals but decided to ignore it anyway.

“Angel, why are you silent?” she questioned calmly, a biting chill hidden within her words, and Terrence could instinctively tell—she was drawing the line.

He looked up at the looming figure before her, whose aura had changed from that of a benevolent queen to an intimidating one, and felt laughter erupt within him.

He stared back reverendly like a loyal subject, vehemently replying, “Yes, of course.”

The duplicitous lady smiled at him warmly, once again reverting to her previous generosity, “Hmm, I like that. Go sit, let’s read together.”

Terrence chuckled softly, snuggling closer to her adorably, “This is fine.”

“Mm, then sit instead of kneeling.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Haha, stop kidding!”

Eventually, silence returned to the library. Watching the elusive female proceed with her reading, undisturbed by his presence or even worse—unconcerned, Terrence smirked dubiously.

Sorry, your Highness, but this subject has other plans.