Villain Ch 373. Hot And Cold
"So, half serious, huh?" Allen quirked an eyebrow, his voice dripping with playful skepticism.
Bella's response was quick and unabashed. "Yeah, but don't worry, it's not a weird fetish or anything," she winked at him, her tone light.
Allen's surprise was evident as he chuckled. "Wow, you really don't hold back, do you?"
Bella's grin widened mischievously. "Life's short, gotta be direct," she shrugged, her playful confidence undeniable.
Allen's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Well, you're certainly keeping things interesting."
Bella's playful tone persisted. "Got to keep you on your toes before Alice snatches you away," she teased, her voice laden with mock urgency.
Alice couldn't resist joining the teasing game. "Oh, please. I'll have him before you even blink," she retorted with a confident edge to her voice, her eyes still focused on the road ahead.
Bella wasn't about to back down. "You think so? Challenge accepted," she shot back with a smirk. Her eyes danced with playful determination. She was about to move to the back seat, however, before Bella could make it, Alice's authoritative voice cut in, stopping Bella in her tracks. "Hey, back to your seat or I'll kick you out of this car," Alice threatened with mock seriousness.
Bella huffed, feigning exasperation. "Fine, fine. No fun," she grumbled as she settled back into her seat.
Alice's annoyance cut through the banter. "Don't 'no fun' me! Why are you suddenly so obsessed with 'Allen's hotdog'?" Alice quipped with a roll of her eyes.
Bella, undeterred, put on an exaggerated pout and shot a mischievous glance Allen's way. "Because he's cute?" she offered, her tone dripping with playful innocence.
"Cute?" Allen couldn't help but ask, genuine surprise in his voice. He glanced at Bella, his expression a mixture of amusement and curiosity.
Bella held his gaze, her tone confident as she explained, "Yeah, cute. You've got this whole hot and cold thing going on, and I find it endearing. Everyone's got their own version of cute, right?"
It was a response that almost caught Allen off guard, and he had to suppress a chuckle at the unexpected compliment. "Fair point," he conceded, a smile tugging at his lips.
Alice intervened with a no-nonsense tone. "Alright, enough antics. Sit properly and stop acting like a little kid, Bella," she scolded, her annoyance clear in her voice.
Bella, still wearing her playful grin, finally settled back into her seat, giving a mock salute. "Alright, alright, Captain Serious. I'll behave," she responded with a wink.
With traffic snarled around them, the car moved at a snail's pace. Alice, perhaps trying to alleviate the boredom, cranked up the music, filling the car with lively tunes. Soon enough, their voices joined in a chorus of lyrics, blending with the melody in a way that made the traffic jam seem less frustrating.
Alice and Bella sang their hearts out, occasionally breaking into fits of giggles or swaying their bodies to the rhythm. Allen couldn't help but chuckle at their infectious energy. He watched their playful demeanor, feeling a warmth spread through him. It was a side of them he hadn't seen before, an unguarded and carefree version that was both refreshing and endearing.
Sitting in the back seat, Allen simply enjoyed their singing and antics. It was a welcome distraction from the events of the day. As he observed them, he realized that this was the first time he had spent such a prolonged period of time with Alice and Bella without the rest of the group. And it was strangely invigorating.
He had to admit, both of them were a bit…crazy, but in the best possible way. Not the kind of crazy that was reckless or harmful, but the kind that reflected people who embraced life to the fullest and found joy in the simplest of things. They radiated positivity and exuberance, bringing an undeniable sense of fun to every situation.
And that infectious spirit was rubbing off on him. In the midst of the traffic and the music-filled car, Allen found himself forgetting the worries of his family's affair and simply enjoying the moment. It was as if their enthusiasm was lifting his mood, making him smile and laugh along with them.
Finally breaking free from the clutches of the traffic, the car pulled into the parking lot of a quaint little diner. It seemed like a random choice, prompted more by their grumbling stomachs than any well-thought-out decision. None of them had ever set foot in this place before, but at this point, hunger was calling the shots.
The diner had that classic diner charm, with its neon sign flickering proudly and a checkerboard floor that felt straight out of a 50s movie. Despite its unassuming appearance, the place was buzzing with activity. People from all walks of life sat at the counter and in the booths, savoring their meals and engaged in lively conversations.
Alice parked the car, and they made their way into the diner, greeted by the cheerful jingle of a bell above the door. As they stepped in, the aroma of comfort food filled the air—wafts of sizzling bacon, freshly brewed coffee, and the unmistakable scent of fried goodness. The hunger pangs in their stomachs were practically rejoicing.
They found a booth, squeezing in together as the waitress handed them menus. Tacos and burritos seemed to be the popular choices on the menu, so they ordered those, along with some drinks to quench their thirst.
When their plates finally arrived, adorned with tacos and burritos that looked promisingly delicious, they dug in with gusto. The first bites were met with appreciative nods and muffled hums of approval. The taste wasn't out-of-this-world amazing, but it wasn't disappointing either. It fell squarely into the realm of "just right," hitting the spot for hungry stomachs that had been impatiently waiting for sustenance.
Between bites, they exchanged glances and chatted. The simple meal was doing its job, satiating their hunger and bringing a sense of comfort that only familiar flavors could provide.
Drowning in conversation and the food, they didn't realize that in a corner not far from their table, two figures sat at a booth, watching them discreetly. Their expressions were a mix of curiosity and something more inscrutable. They exchanged a few hushed words, their eyes never leaving the trio enjoying their meal. One of them even took their picture with his phone.
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