Villain Ch 298. Disappointment
Leaving Sophia far behind, Allen quickened his pace toward his motorcycle in the restaurant parking lot, his mind filled with a mix of emotions. He felt a sense of relief for finally speaking his mind and expressing the hurt that had been building up within him for years. The weight of their complicated relationship had taken its toll on him, and he believed that walking away from her life was the best decision for both of them.
What Allen didn't realize was that Elio, who had been searching for Sophia, had just parked his motorcycle across the street. Frustrated by the lack of response to his messages, Elio furrowed his brows and pulled out his phone once again, checking the chat app. To his surprise, Sophia hadn't even read his messages, which was unusual considering that she should have been able to freely use her phone if she had taken a ride with Guuber or a taxi. This realization only heightened his concern.
Perched atop his motorcycle, Elio removed his helmet and dialed Sophia's number. As he scanned his surroundings, his gaze darted from one person to another, hoping to catch a glimpse of her familiar figure. However, she was nowhere to be found. And just like her lack of response to his messages, she didn't answer his call either.
But as Elio's gaze scanned the bustling street, it came to a sudden halt. His eyes widened as he recognized a figure in the distance. It was Allen, walking briskly with an expression of anger and annoyance etched upon his face. A sense of unease washed over Elio, his instincts tingling with the feeling that something was amiss.
Instinctively, Elio canceled his call and swiftly pocketed his phone, his attention fully focused on Allen's direction. His mind raced as he tried to piece together the puzzle before him. Why was Allen here? What had transpired between him and Sophia?
Revving his motorcycle once again, Elio swiftly executed a U-turn, passing Allen in the process. His instincts had proven right, leading him to the exact spot where Sophia sat alone on a bench. Puffy-eyed and visibly distressed, tears streamed down her face as she clutched her phone tightly in one hand. Elio's heart ached at the sight of her sorrow, his concern intensifying.
As he approached, Elio noticed the kindness of passersby who offered assistance, concerned by her tear-stained cheeks. But Sophia, lost in her melancholy, politely declined their offers, assuring them that she was fine and needed no help. She sat there, waiting for someone, her sadness laid bare for all to see.
Elio's footsteps grew heavier with each step closer to Sophia. His worry etched onto his face, he removed his helmet and called out her name softly, his voice filled with both concern and relief at having found her.
"Sophia," he called out, his tone filled with a mixture of compassion and understanding. He approached her cautiously, giving her the space she needed while making his presence known.
Elio's presence brought a mixture of emotions to Sophia. Her heart raced with anticipation, hoping that it was Allen who had come to comfort her. But as she lifted her head and saw Elio's familiar face, her disappointment became evident. She struggled to conceal her true feelings, her disappointment mingling with resentment, forming a volatile cocktail of emotions within her chest. A wave of frustration surged through her, a desire to vent her pent-up emotions on Elio, questioning why it was him who had come instead of Allen.
"Elio, why are you here? I thought you had left," she murmured, her gaze fixated on the ground. In an attempt to hide her vulnerability, her fingers quickly danced across the screen of her phone, ordering a Guuber ride. The disappointment that swirled within her chest threatened to spill over, her frustration ready to be unleashed upon Elio.
Elio's worried expression deepened as he heard her words. He couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt, his concern for her well being overshadowed by the tension between them. Taking a seat beside her, he spoke softly, hoping to alleviate some of her distress.
"I texted you, but you didn't respond," he said, his tone laced with genuine concern. He tried to offer a sense of understanding, a reminder that he had reached out to her despite the lack of response. Elio wanted nothing more than to be there for her, to support her through her hardships.
Sophia forced herself to offer a strained smile, her attempt at maintaining a fa?ade of composure. She knew she had to respond to Elio's concern, to alleviate any worries he might have. After all, she couldn't let him see through her inner turmoil.
"Yeah, sorry for not replying earlier. I just read your text," she apologized, her voice tinged with a hint of regret.
Elio's gaze held a mixture of understanding and curiosity as he leaned in closer. He had a sense that there was more to the story than Sophia was letting on. He wanted to know the truth, to understand the situation fully.
"It's because of Allen, isn't it? You just met him, right?" Elio's words were laced with a hint of anticipation, hoping to confirm his suspicions.
Sophia sighed softly, trying to find the right words to convey her current state of mind. She wanted to be honest, but at the same time, she didn't want to reveal too much. She needed to keep her emotions in check, to protect herself from further disappointment.
"We...we happened to cross paths," she responded, keeping her answer vague. She wanted to convey the idea that the encounter with Allen was purely coincidental, without delving into the true depth of their interaction. By downplaying the significance of their meeting, she hoped to dissuade Elio from further probing.
She knew she should be happy with Elio's presence, grateful for his concern and willingness to be there for her. After all, he had always been a good friend and a reliable companion in Hell's Gate. But at this moment, her heart yearned for Allen, and it clouded her ability to fully appreciate Elio's support. She couldn't understand why Elio had chosen to come to her at this time when all she wanted was Allen's presence.
"What did he say to you?" Elio persisted, his curiosity getting the better of him as he tried to piece together the puzzle.
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