Villain Ch 283. You're Not Alone
"Wait there. I'll take care of this," Allen instructed, his voice filled with reassurance.
"Y-Yes." Jane's response was a shaky affirmation, her voice trembling as her heart pounded even faster within her chest. She remained perched on the kitchen counter, feeling a mix of gratitude and unease at Allen's swift actions. His competence and attentiveness only served to intensify the swirling emotions within her.
Allen meticulously began the task of cleaning up the broken glass, his focus unwavering as he carefully collected the shards one by one. Fortunately, the glass had only shattered into a handful of large pieces, eliminating the risk of harmful glass dust. As he was about to rise from the floor, his gaze instinctively shifted to Jane's feet.
A sharp intake of breath escaped Allen's lips as he noticed a small gash just below Jane's knee. It was a minuscule wound, but it had managed to draw a droplet of blood to the surface.
In a spontaneous act of tenderness, Allen's instincts took over. Without a second thought, his hand gently cradled Jane's heel, and his lips pressed against the small wound. The gesture felt natural to him, a reflex that mirrored the actions of his grandmother whenever he had been hurt in the past. It was a simple act of comfort and care, a kiss that held the power to soothe both physical pain and emotional distress.
Jane's heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat as she watched Allen's tender display. The world seemed to fade into the background as her eyes remained fixed on him, her entire being consumed by the weight of that single sweet moment.
*Ba-thump*
Her gaze remained locked on Allen, her heart fluttering with a mixture of surprise and inexplicable emotion. The simplicity of his gesture had left her utterly mesmerized, her body feeling weak and her thoughts jumbled. How could this kind-hearted man, who had just kissed her wound with such gentle care, be the same devil emperor within Hell's Gate?
Allen lifted his head, his eyes meeting Jane's in a silent acknowledgment of the profound effect his gesture had on her. He could see the stunned expression that had settled upon her face, and a flicker of regret passed through him. The impulsive act had caught them both off guard, and he knew that allowing the awkwardness to linger would only exacerbate the situation.
Maintaining a calm exterior, Allen composed himself and spoke in a collected tone, masking any signs of unease that may have lingered within him.
"I'll grab a bandage for you," he stated, his voice carrying a hint of reassurance. Inwardly, he hoped that this small act would help alleviate any discomfort she may be feeling.
Without waiting for a response, Allen turned on his heel and discarded the broken glass into the trash bin.
Meanwhile, Jane's mind whirled with a potent mixture of confusion, desire, and a newfound longing. The simple act of care and tenderness from Allen had struck a chord deep within her being, awakening emotions she had long suppressed. It was as if her brain and heart were in unison, screaming out the same undeniable truth—she wanted him, she craved him with an intensity she had never experienced before. Living alone for so long, she had become accustomed to the absence of such moments, and now, the floodgates had opened, stirring emotions she had almost forgotten existed.
As the words struggled to escape her lips, Jane finally managed to find her voice. "What was that?" she blurted out, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and vulnerability.
Allen, caught off guard by her question, turned to face her with a quizzical expression. "What do you mean?" he queried, his confusion evident in his tone.
Jane took a moment to steady herself, gathering her thoughts before attempting to explain her tumultuous state. "The...the kiss," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why did you do it?"
He quickly grasped the source of her inquiry, and a gentle smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "My grandmother used to kiss away my injuries when I was a child," he explained, his voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and sincerity. "It was a way to comfort and soothe me. I'm sorry if it startled you."
The curiosity within Jane intensified as she listened to Allen's explanation, her desire to understand his past prompting her next question.
"You stayed with your grandma when you were little? Aren't your father and mother still alive?" she inquired, her voice tinged with genuine interest.
Allen's countenance shifted, doubt and a hint of pain flickering across his face. It was evident that his family situation was a sensitive topic for him, and he hesitated momentarily before responding.
"Yeah, my parents are still alive, but due to some complicated things, we have to live separately," he offered, his words concise yet cloaked in an air of restraint.
Without further ado, he promptly moved toward the sink and washed his hands. It was a subtle attempt to divert attention away from the pain that lurked within his eyes whenever his family was brought up in conversation.
Jane, however, remained perceptive, her astute observation honing in on the emotions that lay just beneath the surface. She caught the fleeting glimpse of the pain that passed through Allen's eyes, a glimpse that mirrored the expression he had worn during their encounter with Elio. It was a look that revealed his uncanny ability to hold back his emotions, to conceal the depths of his inner turmoil.
At that moment, Jane had an epiphany—a realization that this trait, this seemingly impenetrable fortress he had built around his emotions, was also deeply intertwined with the complexities of his family dynamics.
Without a word, Jane swiftly slid off the kitchen counter, her heart guiding her actions. She approached Allen from behind, her arms enveloping him in a warm, comforting embrace. The unexpected gesture startled Allen, but he recognized the genuine intent behind her actions. He gently released himself from her embrace, turning to face her with a mixture of surprise and curiosity etched across his features.
"What---" Before he could utter a single word, Jane closed the remaining distance between them, her lips softly pressing against his.
The kiss carried a weight of unspoken emotions, a silent affirmation of her deepening feelings. Jane's body pressed against his, the warmth and intensity of the moment causing Allen's back to press against the edge of the sink. With a slight tilt of her head, she deepened the kiss, pouring her heart into the connection they shared.
As the kiss came to an end, Jane continued to hold Allen tightly, her arms wrapped securely around his waist. Her lips moved closer to his ear, her voice barely above a whisper, yet filled with a heartfelt plea. She could feel the rapid beat of his heart against her chest, a palpable reminder of the vulnerability that lay within him.
"I don't know what happened in your past or your family, but please remember that you're not alone anymore, Allen," she murmured softly, her voice laced with sincerity and concern. "Please share your burden with us...with me."
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