Villain Ch 154. Her White Knights [Part 1]
"Believe me," she pleaded, her voice filled with sincerity, "I will never betray you again," she tried to bargain.
Allen, tilting his head slightly with a sly grin, raised an eyebrow in amusement. His eyes locked onto Sophia's. "What if," he drawled, his voice dripping with intrigue, "I'm the one that betrayed you?" His voice sounded like a venom.
Due to his question, Sophia's eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat. The weight of his question hit her like a tidal wave, leaving her momentarily speechless. Her mind raced, desperately searching for an appropriate response, but her words failed her, melting into stammers of disbelief.
"W-What?" she managed to utter, her voice barely a whisper.
Allen's gaze intensified, his eyes piercing through her defenses. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"You've had your chance," he stated, his voice laced with a mixture of disappointment and anger. There was no mistaking the emotions etched on his face. "So next should be my turn," he claimed.
Throughout their time together, they had shared intimate moments, nights spent intertwined in each other's arms. However, despite their closeness, he had never ventured beyond the realm of tender hugs and gentle kisses. It wasn't due to a lack of desire on his part, but rather Sophia's steadfast belief in abstaining from premarital sex.
At first, he respected her decision, considering it a testament to the value she placed on their relationship. He believed it was a reflection of her deep commitment and dedication. But then, everything had crumbled around him.
In his mind, he had constructed an image of Sophia as an epitome of loyalty and faithfulness. He had placed her on a pedestal, regarding her refusal for physical intimacy as a testament to her unwavering devotion. But reality had ruthlessly shattered his illusions.
She had gloriously betrayed him.
Sophie's world crumbled around her as the weight of Allen's words bore down on her. Speechless, she sat there, tears streaming down her face, unable to find the right words to express her overwhelming emotions.
Allen, his face etched with a mixture of frustration and resignation, took a deep breath. "I knew this talk would be useless," he muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with bitterness. He made a move to stand up, ready to walk away from the useless confrontation, but just as he did, an unexpected figure approached Sophie's side.
A hand extended towards her, offering a tissue to wipe away her tears. She looked up to see a familiar face. His presence brought a strange mixture of relief and confusion, momentarily diverting her attention from the turmoil between her and Allen.
"Long time no see, Godlike," the man greeted Allen with a tone that held a hint of both nostalgia and displeasure. His gaze locked onto Allen's, brimming with a silent challenge. The nickname Allen used held a remnant in the Shadow Cosmic Combat games.
Allen's gaze locked onto the man's face, the simmering displeasure mirrored in his own expression. Recognition flickered in his eyes. With a voice laced with both defiance and a tinge of bitterness, Allen fired back, "Macchiato."
The nickname rolled off Allen's tongue. How could Allen possibly forget the face that stood before him? The face that embodied the betrayal he had suffered. It was Macchiato, the very person who made two members of his team reverse direction and left him right before enrollment of an international tournament, leaving him no choice but to follow the solo category.
Elio, taken aback by the sudden reunion with the player he had always considered his fiercest rival, blinked in surprise. After the solo category tournament, Allen had vanished from the pro gaming community, leaving Elio to wonder what had become of him. The sight of him now brought forth a wave of conflicting emotions—memories of intense battles and unspoken competition resurfacing in his mind.
"I should have known. You're Al's player," Elio hissed through gritted teeth, his eyes narrowing with a mix of recognition and disdain. "There's no way there are other soloists who can fight as sharp as you."
Realizing the connection between Mac and Elio, Allen couldn't help but sport an evil smile, his heart ablaze with a mix of vindication and anticipation. "Ah, so you're Elio," he assumed. In the gaming championship, they were never called by their real name, only their characters' names.
"I don't know what your relationship with Sophia is," Elio spoke matter-of-factly, his voice tinged with a touch of righteous anger, "but I think you should be ashamed for making her cry."
Rather than rising to Elio's bait, Allen's lips curved into a mocking chuckle. Elio's words, delivered with the conviction of his character as a skilled swordsman, struck a chord within Allen. It was almost amusing to him, the way Elio played the role of the defender, even in real life. However, instead of addressing Elio's accusation directly, Allen's attention shifted to Sophia, who sat across from him, her tear-stained face hidden behind a tissue.
"Oh...," Allen drawled, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "You've acquired yourself a new knight, have you, Sophia? Congratulations," he continued, his words laced with bitterness. "Looks like you don't need me anymore."
Sophia was speechless, her face streaked with tears, struggling to regain her composure. Her heartache was palpable, causing her sobs to echo through the air. Elio refused to let Allen's mockery go unchallenged. His frustration seeped into his words as he confronted Allen, refusing to accept the unjust animosity directed at her.
"I choose what I want to do," Elio retorted, his voice laced with displeasure. "Why do you lash your hatred at her?" he demanded, his eyes narrowing in defiance.
Allen responded with equal disapproval. "Because this should be only between me and her," he claimed, his tone filled with discontent. "Yet you intervene without knowing the whole problem," he added, emphasizing the boundary Elio had crossed.
Elio fell silent. Deep down, he knew Allen had a point. He realized that he had overstepped his boundaries by involving himself in a situation that wasn't his to meddle in. Yet, the heroic instinct inside of him refused to back down.
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