“Angel, are you hard?”

"Elara, are you sure you're not just letting the signals float over your head?" Star asked seriously.

It had been a day since the forest exploration; after falling off the tree, the duo ended up retiring early in exhaustion.

Now Elara thought to confide in someone mostly because her mind wouldn't stop bothering her about Terrence possibly having feelings for her.

Of course, she didn't believe it, but the voice in her head was rather infuriating! And so here she was.

"I'm sure he doesn't see me like that…" Elara insisted stubbornly.

Star groaned, annoyed by her unusual refusal to acknowledge her words. Why was she so adamant about that boss bestie of hers not having a crush on her?!

"See Ela crushes aren't the end of relationships, that thought is for kids. As adults, we develop crushes, confess, and when we're rejected, we move on. There's no need for a whole dilemma to be formed. Terrence having a crush on you is not the worst yet! It's if he can't accept being rejected…. Then that's a whole other matter," Star advised.

Elara hummed before denying it once more, "Not possible; Terrence himself stressed how he's being burned out from relationships. He hasn't been in one for years now, and out of everyone he meets, he gets a crush on me. Is my charisma that high?"

'Yes, it, is; you have no idea how terrifying it can be… wait, what? It's Ela we're talking about here! Of course, she knows!'

"Are you bragging right now? Of course, it's high! Your looks might not be heaven-defying and all, but you sure have your way of weaving into people's hearts. Don't you know this better than anyone?" Star criticized garnering her a moment of silence from Elara before she responded playful—

"Not with everyone; I mean, you guys are fine, no? My rizz is not that powerful."

"Why does it feel like you're still bragging? And anyway, just like you said, not everyone is the same. I'm not saying to ask him directly. Why don't we sound him out, hm? I know three tips that never fail, worked with Dominic," Star suggested.

'Dominic revealed himself willingly though…'

Not like she could say that though; that was a secret she promised to keep for the male.

"I don't exactly trust you when it comes to this kind of thing; you have a special talent of screwing things up but lemme give you a chance," Elara chirped.

Star felt a vein pop over her head, "You want it or not?"

Elara chuckled nervously, "Yes, yes."

"Beg."

"....."

"Mmhm?" Star hummed happily, obviously pleased at Elara's displeasure.

Elara sighed internally, pleading reluctantly, "Please?"

"Not bad," Star commented, "So this is what you're gonna do…."

***

"Hey angel, what's keeping you there? Scared of a lady showing off a little skin?" Elara spoke with a breathy voice, an unusual smirk enhancing the roguish glint in her eyes.

Terrence stared dumbfounded at the mischievous female who blew a flirtatious kiss to him. Unlike the last time when she wore a simple bikini, this time she decided to be more daring, wearing one that showed off a little bit too much.

The thin straps of the bra elegantly tied around her back, its slight looseness flashing a bit of her cleavage. It was undeniable that the lady was blessed with a bountiful bosom and wide hips which were somehow larger than her bust.

Her bikini pants wrapped around her downside, it's fitness showcasing her round and perky butt. Its bare edges flashed to an alluring lap, which formed the outline of her curvaceous hips.

Probably due to her constant exercise, her body fat was perfectly distributed. With lean arms, a toned neck and clavicle, and a slim waist but plump curves—her body was the dream body of most women.

She laid languidly inside the pool with her upper body adrift, her fluffy hair puffed up as if resistant to water with visible droplets trickling down.

Due to the creamy green color of her outfit, it clung tightly to her skin, acting as more of a transparent medium than a cover, leaving little to the imagination.

Terrence sat rigidly on the lounge with crossed legs watching the seductive lady bob about the waters while throwing flirtatious remarks at him playfully.

He gulped uneasily, what the hell was this woman doing?!

For some reason, since this morning, Elara had been doing this thing where she tried all she could to leave him flustered. At first, he thought he was imagining it, but when the lady dragged him to the pool and then left, only to come out wearing a rather suggestive bikini, he began doubting himself.

It finally dawned on him that she was indeed up to something. The sly showcase before entering the pool, as well as the continuous playful statements, was more than enough confirmation the lady was up to something.

He felt immensely confused. Wasn't Ela meant to be aroace? Then there was no way she was hinting at him to that. Then what exactly was she hinting at? Was she testing him?!

Deep in thought, he felt something cool fall over him, snapping him out of his daze and looking over; he was stunned to find the unruly woman leaning over the pool edge while calling out to him.

Due to her position, he could see most of her bust, and probably because he had been staring a bit too blatantly, Elara's coy voice called out to him, "Like what you see?"

Swiftly moving his eyes, he coughed nervously, "Ela, what the hell are you doing?"

"Flirting," the giggling lady responded casually.

"Why?" he asked desperately.

"Hmm, lemme see," unfolding her hands from the pool, Elara turned around, leaning to the pool edge with her back turned to the man she propped herself up slightly before bending her neck backward to whisper, "Not telling yah."

Terrence: I'm doomed.

Swimming away, Elara called out to the male once more, "Come on, angel, don't be a wimp! Can't handle a flirty lady~?"

Terrence sighed in defeat, "Turn around then I'll come in."

"Why~?"

'So you won't see things that are not supposed to be seen,' Terrence thought, not that he could tell that to her face.

"I won't come in unless you do so."

Elara pouted before complying, "Aw fine~."

Soon, there were ripples and splashes behind her, and turning with a smile, she was met with an enticing sight.

Diving out of the water, the dangerously alluring male swiped back his hair in one smooth motion.

"Ohh, you look nice," Elara praised in admiration as she swam up to him.

It wasn't a lie. Water droplets trickled down the man's smooth chest and toned abdominal muscles which glowed seductively under the sunlight. His wet hair and hazy eyes gave off a hypnotic feel to them that left Elara feeling a bit lightheaded.

"You're not so bad yourself," Terrence replied with equal fervor smirking while reaching out to Elara, who evaded him.

She giggled, splashing him with a handful of water before swimming away as he chased after her. However, the lady was very swift and elusive, and after three successful evasions, Terrence could feel his competitive spirit invigorated.

Unaware of this, Elara moved a bit closer once more, splashing him before moving to evade, only to be almost captured by the male when he threw his figure at her, eliciting a shriek.

"Hey, that's cheating!" she exclaimed, moving farther away from Terrence, who had his face submerged in water from his epic fail.

After waiting for a while with no response from the man, Elara became worried swimming up to him to tap his shimmering blonde hair.

Terrence finally looked up to the female who stood before him with a teasing smile. Her fair skin sparkled under the sunlight while her alluring body hovered over him, its owner unaware of what she was incurring.

Meanwhile, Elara internally pumped her fist up, great! He finally flirted back. And now to move on to the next step—

"Angel, are you hard?"

Terrence, who was busy admiring his crush, immediately widened his eyes, utterly shocked.

".....?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!"

The next second Elara was left alone in the pool with a startled Terrence dashing off hastily like a wild rabbit.

"...." Had she been too blunt?