Villain Ch 310. Someone From His Past
"It's not that I don't want to see them," Allen finally replied, his voice soft. "I miss them a lot, but it's just... complicated. You know my stepdad never thought I existed. I wonder if I only made the situation worse if I decided to visit them," he said in skepticism. Allen had always felt like an outsider in his own family, especially after his mother remarried. His stepfather seemed to resent his presence, and it had created a rift between them that seemed impossible to mend.
Besides that, they also almost never asked him how he was. Only his brother occasionally texted him, and even those messages were few and far between. It seemed like his family had moved on without him, leaving him to navigate his life on his own. He wasn't even sure that they knew that he won the tournament two years ago, a life-changing event that should have been a moment of pride for his family. But his family wasn't into gaming, and they had never really understood his passion for it.
"Well, you've been gone for a very long time, at least you have to show that you are still alive," said Geralt, attempting to lighten the mood with a hint of joking tone.
"Then a video call should be enough, right?" Allen replied, trying to maintain a light tone despite the seriousness of the topic.
Geralt responded with a dry smile. "You know I don't mean it that way, right?" he said, his voice tinged with concern.
Allen let out a sigh, knowing exactly what Geralt meant. It was true that his mother and brother still cared for him, even if their communication had become sparse over the years. His stepfather had played a significant role in creating distance between them, and it had taken a toll on their relationship.
"Your brother just graduated from high school, remember? And your mother's birthday just passed last month," Geralt reminded gently. "I think it's time you visited them. You can give one or two presents to them," he suggested with a teasing grin.
That left Allen speechless.
"Besides, you should at least explain what's on the magazine's cover," Geralt added with a teasing smirk.
Allen chuckled, slightly embarrassed. "You know about that?" he said in mock surprise.
"Urban Enigma is a famous magazine, dude. It's sold everywhere, and don't forget the ads, they're all over the internet. It was only a matter of time before your family found out about your new profession. At least you can go back and say, 'HA! I'm not a porn writer anymore! I'm a model now! I'm freaking rich!' Like that! And see how your stepdad's face turns pale," Geralt said, narrowing his eyes mischievously.
Geralt's enthusiasm caused several nearby guests to turn and glance in their direction, curious about the lively conversation. But he quickly composed himself, slipping back into his usual formal demeanor as if nothing had happened.
Allen couldn't help but roll his eyes at his friend's antics. "It's just a side job," he clarified, trying to downplay his newfound modeling career. "My first try in modeling. Besides, I'm still a writer. It's a harem, not porn. Porn stories don't have plots, whereas harems have intricate storylines and character development," he explained, hoping to clear up any misconceptions.
"I don't really read stories, so it all sounds the same to me," Geralt replied with an innocent grin, not one to be bothered by the distinction between different genres.
Allen shook his head in amusement. "Well, it's not the same," he insisted. "But I guess it's not for everyone."
Geralt shrugged nonchalantly. "To each their own, right?" he said with a casual wave of his hand.
"Right..." Allen said with a huff, playfully rolling his eyes at Geralt's evasiveness. "Anyway, it's rare for you to ask me to go home. Did something happen?" he asked, genuinely curious about his friend's sudden invitation. Geralt wasn't one to make spontaneous plans without a reason, and Allen couldn't help but wonder what was going on.
"Ugh," Geralt grunted, looking slightly annoyed but amused at the same time. "You're too sharp for your own good," he hissed, shaking his head.
Allen couldn't help but grin. He had known Geralt for years, and their friendship had always been marked by playful banter and a deep understanding of each other's quirks. They could read each other like an open book, which was one of the reasons why their bond was so strong.
"What happened?" Allen pressed, leaning in slightly with an eager expression. "Did my stepdad go berserk because of the neighbor's dog poop in his lawn again?" he guessed, recalling the absurd moments when his stepfather would unleash his fury over the slightest inconvenience.
Geralt chuckled, but there was a hint of tension in his laughter. "No, it's not that," he said, his expression growing tense. "But worse."
"Two dogs then? Plus, the neighbor's cat destroyed his plants," Allen guessed playfully, knowing just how much his stepdad prided himself on his perfectly manicured lawn.
Geralt chuckled, shaking his head. "No, it's not about the lawn," he said, his tone growing more serious. He leaned in closer to Allen as if about to share a confidential secret. "But about a man," he whispered, his voice barely audible above the din of the restaurant.
Allen's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "A man? What do you mean?" His frown deepened as he tried to make sense of Geralt's cryptic revelation. "He likes men now?" he guessed, his confusion evident. But then, as if a bolt of lightning struck him, realization dawned on his face, and his eyes widened in shock. "Wait... is my mom having an affair?" he blurted out, his mind racing with the implications of such a possibility.
"No!" Geralt said, sounding a little exasperated by the wild guess. "It's not that," he clarified, his tone serious. "Around a week ago, a man came to your house. He was dressed nicely and looked like he didn't come from that area. I saw him talk to your mom at the entrance, and they both looked serious. Your mom seemed shocked and a bit emotional. But it was Sunday, so your stepdad was at home. They only talked for a while before he yelled at that man and kicked him out of the house, threatening him to call the police," Geralt recounted.
Allen's mind was racing with possibilities, and his heart pounded in his chest. Several thoughts and emotions immediately rushed through his mind like a whirlwind. A hope that he had buried deep inside him resurfaced, and he found himself grappling with a mix of anticipation and anxiety.
Could it be possible? Could this mysterious man be someone from his past, someone who held answers to the questions that had haunted him for years? Questions about his biological father, his identity, and the truth behind his parentage.
"Do you know anything about that man?" Allen asked, his voice now serious and full of concern.
Geralt furrowed his brows, trying to recall the brief encounter. "I tried to talk to him after your step dad kicked him out," he said, "but he didn't say much. Just mentioned that he was from the club."
"What club?" Allen inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"Club 36," Geralt replied, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty. The name immediately struck a chord with Allen, sending a surge of emotions through him. It was an old club, a place that held significant meaning in him. It was where his mom and his biological father had first met.
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