Villain Ch 377. Risky Move
Allen placed his phone aside and decided it was time for a refreshing bath. After that, he carried on with his routine – having breakfast, immersing himself in his writing, and then finally logging into the virtual world. The group chat seemed relatively quiet, leading him to believe that the topic had been exhausted. However, he quickly realized that was not the case as he went online.
The voices of the girls were lively in the meeting room, capturing his attention right away.
"Elio is the one who drove her to the agency this morning?" Bella exclaimed, her disbelief evident in her tone. Her gaze was fixed on Vivian, seeking confirmation.
Vivian nodded, her expression somewhat serious. "Yes. I saw them at the entrance when I wanted to meet Mr. Bell for my new photoshoot project."
"Why Elio? Why didn't Liam and Darren drive her?" Alice questioned, a puzzled expression on her face.
"Did she sleep with Elio too?" Jane chimed in, her brows furrowed in contemplation.
Zoe grimaced in disgust. "Three sticks in a row? God have mercy for her coochie," she remarked, her tone laced with both disbelief and mockery.
Vivian, sitting amongst them, leaned in to share her observations. "Well, I don't think so. I didn't catch any intimacy from them," she clarified, her voice low as if sharing a secret.
"In fact, Elio looked strange," Vivian continued, her words piquing everyone's interest.
"You mean?" Shea prodded, curiosity evident in her tone.
"He gave her a look of 'I know what you were doing but I'll pretend I don't know until you say it,'" Vivian revealed, her expression one of sympathy for Sophia.
"Oof… That sounds really painful," Larissa cringed, shaking her head.
"So, he knows?" Jane sought confirmation, wanting to ensure they were on the same page.
"I'm not sure. But I think so," Vivian concluded, her words hanging in the virtual air as they pondered the complex situation that had unfolded.
Allen fell into a contemplative silence. He stood at the entrance of the hall, caught between the desire to join the conversation and the uncertainty of what to say. As much as he wanted to offer his thoughts, the complexities of the situation held him back. He sympathized with Elio, feeling a pang of empathy for the awkward position he found himself in. But Allen's own history with Elio and the negative impression they held of each other created a barrier, preventing him from stepping in.
He acknowledged the weight of his own actions and decisions, recognizing that his involvement could potentially exacerbate an already volatile situation. It was like tiptoeing around a fire, wary of throwing gasoline and igniting an uncontrollable blaze.
Likewise with Sophia. He longed to resolve their issues, but the question of how lingered unanswered. His rejection had been clear, yet Sophia seemed reluctant to let go.
Yet, amidst the turmoil, a thought crossed his mind. Maybe, just maybe, this chaotic turn of events would help him break free from the framework Sophia had painted around him. After all, she seemed to have found new toys, Liam and Darren.
But then, Allen's train of thought was abruptly derailed by a comment from Vivian that hit him like a punch to the gut.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure she slept with Darren and Liam. She's been walking a little weird today," Vivian's words landed with a thud, triggering a painful flashback to an old wound. Suddenly, his mind was flooded with memories of betrayal, of Sophia with another man in their once-shared bed. The pain resurfaced, gripping his heart like a vise.
He clenched his teeth, trying to push back the surge of emotion threatening to overwhelm him. It was a raw nerve, a memory he had tried to bury, and now it was brought back to the forefront of his mind. The pain was a fresh wound once again, a vivid reminder of his past heartbreak.
As the waves of emotions churned within him, a thought emerged, a somewhat reckless impulse. "Maybe I should stir the pot a bit…" he muttered to himself. He wasn't intending to make matters worse or create more drama, but rather he saw an opportunity to offer Elio some clarity. He knew the turmoil Elio was likely experiencing, the confusion and hurt that mirrored his own from that time. Elio, like him, might be grappling with the betrayal of both his team and someone he cared about deeply.
Shea's voice broke through his thoughts, yanking his attention back to the present. "Allen? Is that you?" she asked, her words pulling him out of his internal reverie. He stepped into the hall, his presence now acknowledged by the group.
Vivian chimed in, her tone tinged with irritation. "You really need to break the habit of lurking by the entrance and eavesdropping," she grumbled, her annoyance evident. "Why not just join the conversation with us?" she asked, seemingly exasperated.
Allen approached the group, his expression a mix of contemplation and uncertainty. "I did want to join, honestly," he admitted, his voice carrying a touch of hesitance. "But I was at a loss for words, just like I was in the previous chat," he explained, a hint of vulnerability in his tone.
Bella's curiosity got the best of her. "Is it because she's your ex?" she asked, seeking clarification from Allen about his hesitance.
Allen shook his head slightly. "No, it's not about that. It's more about not having a clear solution for the situation," he admitted, his voice reflecting his inner conflict. "I mean, I could take actions that might make things worse, but it's like I'd be throwing myself into a fire. It's a risky move that could easily backfire, and honestly, I'm not up for that," he explained, his words laden with a sense of caution.
His explanation brought a moment of silence to the group. They absorbed his words, seemingly understanding the weight of his predicament. "What?" Allen quipped, a hint of humor in his tone as he swept his gaze around, addressing their reactions.
Alice spoke up, her words holding a mixture of observation and compliment. "You know, you're showing a level of maturity that's quite unexpected for someone with a delinquent past," she said, her tone appreciative.
He offered a wry smile in response. "Well, I appreciate the compliment. I guess we all grow up eventually," he said with a shrug, acknowledging the changes life had brought him.
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