Chapter 32 : not even in his wildest dreams
After some coaxing and just the right amount of emotional manipulation masked as charm, Eiden managed to convince Lyra to skip class. Together, they snuck out of campus like two mischievous rebels evading the world’s most overqualified hall monitors. They hailed a cab, one of those slightly run-down but reliable ones with worn leather seats and the faint scent of air freshener and old gum. Their destination? A known hotspot for couples.
It was a weekday, so the place wasn’t as crowded as usual. Most of the typical visitors students trying to spark love between exams were likely still trapped in lecture halls or scribbling in notebooks. Still, the location had no shortage of lovebirds. Couples dotted the park, some walking hand in hand, others whispering sweet nothings under the shade of trees or sharing drinks at nearby stalls.
Eiden, ever the strategist, wanted to sell the illusion of being a couple just enough to boost Lyra’s feelings and progress his quest. But a moral dilemma lingered. Would this be considered cheating if I added more girls to the harem later? He wasn’t technically dating Lyra yet, but the emotional entanglement was growing. He needed a safe middle ground.
Solution? Hand holding. A universally accepted gesture that walked the line between innocent and intimate. "It’s just so we don’t get lost in the crowd," Eiden said nonchalantly as he reached for her hand.
It was a painfully dumb excuse. The place wasn’t packed at all. In fact, there was more open space than people. But Lyra didn’t question it. Her brain short-circuited the moment his warm fingers laced with hers.
Oh my God!!! He’s holding my hand! He’s actually holding my hand! His hand is so big and warm. I can feel his heat his pulse! What do I do? What if I start sweating? What if he lets go? Oh my god, don’t let go!
Her thoughts spiraled into chaos while Eiden calmly walked beside her, pretending to scan their surroundings while secretly trying to formulate his next move. He needed to flirt, yes but carefully. He couldn’t come across as a sleazy guy taking advantage of an innocent girl. The last thing he wanted was to seem like a manipulative scumbag. The problem was that he was manipulating her. But with charm. So... maybe it was forgivable?
He was deep in thought when something or rather someone caught his eye.nA girl walking a few feet away.nShe had long, dark hair that shimmered in the sunlight, contrasting against her pale, flawless skin. Her figure was elegant and lean, and her steps were light, almost ballerina-like. Her face was calm, composed, with piercing deep blue eyes that briefly met Eiden’s before drifting away. She looked about the same height as Sasha, maybe even a bit taller.
But none of that was why Eiden focused on her. Above her head, glowing faintly but unmistakably, was a system-generated arrow with target written on it .Wait... isn’t that the same girl I saw when I was with Sasha last time? He squinted slightly, trying not to be obvious. The system interface automatically displayed her name and affiliation.
Maya Fernandez. Current Harem: Danny Chill (3 members). Tch. Danny Chill? What kind of discount boyband name is that? Eiden tilted his head, analyzing. She looks like a high schooler... and if she’s in a harem already, then Danny must be around that age too. Which means... a problem.
Unlike Lyra, who was in college and already shared a few classes with him, Maya was younger. It wouldn’t be easy to get close to her. High school students had different routines, different spaces, and any unsolicited interaction might be seen as creepy. He needed context, a bridge something natural to initiate conversation without raising red flags.
But the real hurdle? Danny. If he turned out to be a good guy, this mission would get complicated. Eiden didn’t mind sabotaging relationships where the other guy was an obvious jerk. But if Danny was genuinely good to Maya attentive, kind, respectful then... separating them would feel wrong.