Chapter 180: An Opportunity for Revenge
The moment Eric’s declaration registered in her mind Monica was so completely taken aback that she just stood there. Her mouth was slightly agape.
Her mind was a complete blank. It took a few long silent seconds for the full import of his words to sink in. And when they did her shock was immediately replaced by a fresh wave of indignant fury.
She pointed a trembling accusatory finger at Eric. Her voice rose in a sharp incredulous shout. "How could you make such a decision without even asking me first?!" she demanded.
Her voice echoed in the now-silent training hall. Everyone was watching her.
Eric however had anticipated this reaction. He had known with an absolute certainty that Monica would not take kindly to his unilateral decision. He had known she would be angry.
He looked at her his expression now one of a calm almost apologetic sincerity. "At this moment," he said his voice quiet but firm "I see no one else in this entire class who I could partner with besides you."
His words were so unexpected so direct. They seemed to catch Monica off guard. She was momentarily at a loss for words. She looked away from Eric.
Her gaze swept across the other students in the large training hall. She saw their expressions. They showed a mixture of fear resentment and a clear undisguised desire to have nothing to do with him. She then turned her gaze back to Eric. Her own expression was now a mixture of confusion and a lingering defiant pride.
"But what makes you think," she challenged her voice still sharp though now laced with a hint of genuine curiosity "that I would want to team up with you?"