Chapter 47

KATELYN.

"Do you have any more questions?" No one raised their hand, so the vice president started erasing what was written on the whiteboard.

"Okay, let's have a nice holiday vacation next week. No one should be late, alright?"

"Yes, sir!"

"And by the way, Mr. Park and Ms. Hernandez, can you create our itinerary? Since both of you are from the same province, Brentwood," he added, and Gadreel and I exchanged glances. He was sitting in front, far away from the three of us, Eli and Aimee.

"Sure," he replied, and I nodded.

Even though I didn't want to work or talk to this guy again, I had no choice because it was necessary for our three-day, two-night vacation trip with the school.

My co-teachers had no idea what had happened between Gadreel and me, so I couldn't refuse, fearing they might say something or notice my behavior.

"Why do you two need to work together?" Eli asked with a frown, glaring at Gadreel irritably.

We were already packing our things since the meeting was over and it was time to go home.

"Don't be too angry, you're the fiancee, after all," I heard Aimee say as Gadreel approached our position. He looked at Eligor seriously but then suddenly smiled and shifted his gaze to me.

"Do you have a minute?" he asked me, and I just nodded.

"Can't you discuss it in front of us and Aimee?" Eligor asked. Fortunately, no one else could hear our conversation because most of the teachers had already rushed to go home.

"No, I don't want to," Gadreel replied curtly and carelessly, furrowing my brow. Who does he think he is? Ordering me around as if I wanted to comply.

"If you don't want them to know about what happened to you this past month, it's better for us to talk privately," Gadreel whispered to me, and I looked at him in wonder.

"What do you mean?" He was really intriguing to the point where he convinced me to have a private conversation with him. But did he think I would agree?

"It's about your dreams, Kate, the ones you told me about," he whispered, sending chills down my spine. I lowered my head and didn't know what my next move should be.

"Hey, Gadreel! What are you planning now? What did you say to Kate?" Aimee asked irritably, and we saw Loraine approaching us.

"Hey, what's up? What's happening?" she asked, but no one answered. They were waiting for my response to Gadreel.

We walked down the long hallway and went to the school's parking lot. He stopped in front of his car and leaned against it.

"What do you need to say? Why did you have to take me this far?" I asked irritably, and he pulled something out of his pocket.

"Where did you buy this dream catcher?" he asked, and when I saw what he was referring to, I almost snatched it from his hand, but he quickly raised it out of my reach.

"Why is it with you? I've been looking for that for a long time, and it turns out you're the one who found it," I replied irritably, and he hid my dream catcher in his pocket again.

"What does this do? Why is it so important to you, Katelyn?" I swallowed hard and couldn't look straight at him. I didn't know what to answer, and he also knew about my trauma.

"It's just like a lucky charm to me, so can you please give it back?" I asked irritably, but he shook his head.

"No, you have to tell me where you got this first, then I'll give it back to you. Besides, there are a few things I still need to confirm with you," he replied, looking around.

"I have another question for you," he whispered and approached me again.

"Have you noticed anything strange? Like Loraine suddenly appearing out of nowhere," as he mentioned it, my heart started beating rapidly.

I thought I was the only one who noticed, but it seemed Gadreel did too.

"Do you really know her? Did you really come from the same university?" he asked, and I turned to look at him. I could see how frustrated he looked. His eyes were deep, and his face clearly showed exhaustion.

It seemed like he hadn't slept for days.

"That's what I remember," I stuttered in response, and he seemed surprised by my answer.

"Are you unsure about your answer? Why? Do you feel like your memory is playing tricks on you?" With the words he uttered, memories that had long been stored in my mind suddenly rushed in.

Memories of me being with Aimee, the bullying I endured from elementary school to college.

But in the rush of memories that came to my mind, not a single one had Loraine claiming to be my friend.

I covered my mouth, and now it was clear to me why things seemed off. I was filled with a sudden sense of dread and anxiety.

"Have you realized it too? Isn't it true that she was never really at school before? She suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and almost everyone around me knows her except for me!" he replied, holding his head.

"Am I going crazy, Kate? I'm scared. I feel like I'm the only one who knows the truth," he answered, fear evident in Gadreel's eyes. But he wasn't alone because even I, even I now, have become aware of the things I should know.

"You're right. I can't remember her entering or applying as a teacher in this school. I can't recall the times when Aimee and I were together with her in university," I explained, and he nodded, gripping my shoulders. I was frightened by him because he seemed like he was going mad.

"Exactly! That's what I'm thinking too! Kate, she's not real. There's something strange happening around us, and I know it's because of this dream catcher. It's preventing her from manipulating us and getting what she wants," Gadreel replied. My mind became even more confused by the events, but now I had evidence that I wasn't the only one feeling that something was wrong.

"You've had dreams that felt real, haven't you? I know those dreams you're referring to have additional details that you can't mention," he said, and I looked at him again, surprised.

"They're not just dreams, right, Kate? They're sex dreams, where you engage in sexual activities within those dreams," he responded, shocking me. I didn't know where he got this information, but everything he said was correct.

"Remember when you went for a check-up regarding those sudden bruises on your body? I know it sounds extreme, and you might think I'm crazy, but I know that an incubus is behind it all."

I didn't know what to say anymore. Everything he told me was accurate, and deep down, I knew it myself, even if I tried to deny it.

"I just want to say something more," he said, leaning closer to me and whispering words I didn't expect.

"Kate!" Both of us turned to Eli, who seemed angry and glared at Gadreel.

"Ah, Eli..." I instinctively moved away from Gadreel and went to Eli's side.

"What happened? Are you okay?" he asked, but I couldn't stop my hands from trembling.

I just nodded and urged him to move away from Gadreel.

"I'll message you the details about the vacation trip," Gadreel added before entering his car. I couldn't help but feel anxious about what he said, especially since I wasn't the only one experiencing strange things around me.

What should I do if Gadreel is right? How should I act in front of them?

"You look pale, Kate. Are you alright?" Eli asked, holding my other cheek. I nodded and hugged him tightly to calm the anxiety I was feeling.

The nervousness was further intensified by the last words Gadreel said.

***

I was inside my apartment, lying on the bed. Starting next week, my students would have their holiday vacation, and we teachers would have a vacation trip to Brentwood, where there are many hot springs and other tourist spots.

It has been years since I visited our province. That's where I grew up, and I still remember the events that happened while I was there in our old house.

I looked at the dream catcher hanging on my window. As far as I know, my mom kept many other dream catchers among her belongings back then.

Are they still there? I couldn't find the old woman who used to sell them, and if I search online, the dream catcher I bought from the old woman has a slight difference from the ones listed in online shops.

"How did my dream catcher end up with Gadreel? Maybe it fell before I had the accident, and he picked it up." I took a deep breath and turned around to lie down again.

"Kate?" I heard Eli knock, and I got up.

"Come in," I replied, and he smiled at me as he entered and sat beside the bed.

"I prepared dinner at my apartment. Do you want to sleep in my room?" he asked, and suddenly, I felt nervous.

I clasped my hands together and tried to calm myself. I looked at him and shook my head.

"I prefer my room. Don't you like my room?" I asked him, noticing the disappointment on his face.

"Oh, but your bed is small. I won't be able to do different positions—"

"Enough, that's enough! Just go to your room," I snapped at him, feeling even more nervous.

All because of what Gadreel said, my thoughts were all over the place.

Why did Gadreel decide to suspect Eli as the man in my dream? With Loraine, we were getting along, but Eligor?

No! I won't believe the words of that deceiver.

"Kate? Is something wrong? You've had a furrowed brow for a while now," Eli said, approaching me and planting a kiss on my forehead.

"I-it's nothing. I'm just thinking about our vacation trip," I replied to him, and his kiss descended to my lips.

He kissed me briefly, then looked at me and smiled.

"If you need any help, I'm here, okay? I don't want my princess to suffer," he replied, making me blush.

Why did I ever suspect Eligor when he's so kind to me? I know he doesn't want me to get hurt, and how can someone with an angelic face like his become a type of demon?

"Thank you, Eli. I love you." Those words escaped my mouth unexpectedly, surprising him, but what surprised me, even more, was that he didn't say those words back, that he loved me too.