Chapter 21：Recall that feeling of dread. (2/2)

He jokingly points his thumb over his shoulder at Mr. Hille, and with a smirk tells me, ”Also, I've kinda had enough of that stupid brat over there. Being around him drains my energy.”

”So what do you say, Ms. Raley?” He ends with a friendly smile with his other hand still on me.

”Sure. Just make sure that you can keep up with me.” I don't care either way, as long as we win.

That's, of course, as long as my other partner isn't Ren. He's going to be the death of me.

”I'll do my best, Ms. Raley! Leave it to me.”, Charles flashes his teeth at me, brimming with confidence.

I am utterly unaware that both guys behind us are completely fuming, and Mr. Boet's words have sparked some rivalry between the three of them.

I've almost completely forgotten about the staff that was still with us in the room.

They clear their throat, ”Ahem. Now that the four of you are split into two groups, please go over this checklist and choose four games in total. Please decide within 15 minutes.”

I quickly skim over it.

Half of these sound pretty standard, but the other column is OUTRAGEOUS! We are required to at least pick one from the absurd list of challenges.

I'm starting to feel faint as I go over it: one-cord bungee jumping, one-parachute sky diving, shark tank, cockroach pool, insect buffet, and snake bath, to name a few.

'ARE THEY CRAZY?! A lot of those options are DISGUSTING!' I cry out inside my head.

Are they planning to give us a heart attack so that we can entertain them or something?!

These assholes... They owe me TWO FAVORS... maybe even THREE!

I give Mr. Celo a call so I could threaten him, but the only thing he could do is apologize profusely, begging us not to cancel on them.

He does his best to explain that there were so many changes once they found out who the participants were.

They wanted to make full use of their popularity to boost the ratings as much as possible.

Still! It doesn't mean they had to go to the extreme like this.

Is the program director some kind of sadist or something to be able to think up of all these?!

The previous challenges were a lot tamer compared to these.

I sigh deeply once the call ended.

In the background, I could hear three adult men bickering like kids.

”This is unfair! There's no way I'm strapping myself to Mr. Harland! Ms. Raley, please switch with Jett!” Ren exclaims and looks disappointed.

Hah! As if I'd let that happen, I'd rather do one of those challenges on my own than pair up with him.

Jett retorts, ”Not like I'd want that myself. And not to mention...” He angrily eyes Charles and me as if he wants to telepathically let me know there's no way he's okay with that, either.

Hmph.

I'm honestly too scared to do the first two even on my own anyway. Having someone else strapped to me won't help much.

While they were still busy fighting among themselves, I cut them off and explain the situation.

They eventually concede, seeing as the advantages we'll be getting out of this should make it worth it.

We all look over the list of challenges again so we can discuss which ones we should do.

I guess the shark tank seems the best out of all the others to be honest.

At least I'll be inside a cage, no big deal at all.

Smugly crossing my arms, I do my best to convince them, ”I say we go for the shark tank. It's the least bit sca- I mean, it's the most doable out of all the others I'd say.”

They're reluctant but end up agreeing with me.

We quickly decide on the remaining three challenges, and we sit down on the armchairs that were provided for us.

I sigh and recall that feeling of dread I had this morning and realize it may have been in anticipation of this.