Althea covered her face with the palm of her hands. She's not used to compliments, and Ray saying it seriously only made her flustered on how to respond.
She peeked through her finger as she groaned in embarrassment before Ray's deep voice chuckled in amusement.
"Not funny, dear." Althea hissed through her teeth, trying to look mad to stop the embarrassment from showing but epic-ly failed by her reddened cheeks and neck.
"Of course it's not, baby. I'm serious." Ray seemed to wish nothing but pulling away Althea's hands and see how red she is, "You're so beautiful, you have many good qualities to be a partner, and you're--"
"Ahh okay, okay. I believe you. Thanks." Althea couldn't hear any longer or she might catch a fever from how much her face burn, "Get to the point, why are you asking me this?" she hurriedly changed the topic.
Ray clicked his tongue in pity that he needed to end his teasings for now due to their talk, but was set to tease her again from now on.
"Well, I'm saying that those qualities are what made me insecure, dear." Ray heaved a sigh, "You are this attractive but you don't even realize it. That makes me insecure about how many stupid boys you must've attracted without knowing."
"No wa--"
"No way, huh?" Ray cut off Althea's sentence, "Then tell me how many people have confessed to you until now?"
"Until now?" Althea felt strange for the unexpected question.
"Yeah. How many?"
Althea hummed as she tried to remember, "Is elementary school counted?"
Ray cursed under his breath on how can there be brats liking her since early on but knowing that man's desire knows no bounds and those feeling might continue until her high school, he said, "Yes. All included."
"Umm..." Althea folded and unfold her fingers, counting how many there might be.
"Around 18... I guess?"
Ray gritted his teeth in annoyance. He expected as much but it was still a lot for him to handle, "You have that many pursuers and still think that you won't attract anyone?"
"Well, those from elementary was just kidding for sure, then the others might be just bored, pretty sure the attraction is temporary. After all... " Althea didn't finish her words but Ray could guess.
It's not that Althea looked down on their feelings, nor did she think that their feelings were not true, she just had that low confidence in herself that she thought those pursuers should either be not serious or even if they were, it would only be temporary.
It was also why she couldn't tell Ray that he might love her before even though she had her guesses.
She felt like she doesn't deserve to be loved that much.
Ray understood but he still felt frustrated. He wanted to smack whoever made her look down on herself this much. After all, such ignorance would make it difficult for her to accept and understand his point of view, not to mention wishing for her to know when she should draw a line to others.
"Look, dear. All men are wolves." Ray stated seriously and Althea raised her brows, "You too?"
"Of course, me too." Ray confirmed, "What I'm saying is whatever reason they might have for taking interest in you, they *were* attracted to you and for sure wanted to make you theirs to some extent."
'After all, only fools would let such a beautiful and delicious lamb go' Ray marveled silently.
Althea still had a doubt in her heart but nodded nonetheless. Thinking that if Ray said that far then it should be true.
"That's why I'm worried." Ray sighed for the n-th time. "What if you took fancy to one of them-- no. Even if you don't, thinking that they're close to you, able to talk to you directly, doing various activities with you, even breathing the same air as you is driving me mad. I'm one who can't do any of it in real after all."
Althea could hear the hints of desperation and mockery in his tone which probably directed to himself, "I won't leave you, Ray." she assured.
"Yes, I do really hope that you won't. Not like I will let you after all." Ray shrugged, "but I do wish you understand why I need you to be away from boys."
Althea nodded, "I understand. But I still need to talk to them for work, and I wish to hang out too."
Ray smiled helplessly as he expected it, "Okay. At least, you can interact with them for work. But hanging out..." Ray struggled to make up his mind.
"Please, I'm rarely even allowed to hang out," Althea clasped her hands.
"... I understand. You can but you need to maintain a proper distance." Ray decided.
"Proper distance?"
"Well if I told you to decide how much then I guess you won't know." Ray shook his head. "Better to keep them at an arm's length. And try to stay away as much as possible." Ray gave his condition.
Althea still felt reluctant but knowing that Ray had made his concessions as best as he could, she agreed.