Villain Ch 281. “Cooking”?

They walked side by side toward the elevator, Jane could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Nervousness coursed through her veins, tingling with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty. It was an unprecedented experience for her, entering a man’s room for the first time, and she couldn’t help but wonder what might transpire between them. The weight of those thoughts slowed her steps, causing her to lag behind Allen instead of walking alongside him. 𝑜𝑣𝘭.𝘯𝑡

Jane’s eyes surreptitiously roved over Allen’s broad shoulders, her gaze fixating on the expanse of bare skin that revealed itself around his neck and shoulders. A subtle blush crept onto her cheeks as her mind inadvertently wandered, appreciating the contours and lines that defined his physique.

‘Oh, he has a nice back,’ she thought, her thoughts momentarily consumed by the little details that had captured her attention.

They came to a halt in front of the elevator, waiting for its arrival. Allen’s gaze flickered to the grocery bag Jane held tightly in her hand.

“Let me take that for you,” he offered with a friendly smile, intending to help ease the burden she carried.

Jane’s eyes widened, her face turning a shade of crimson as she misinterpreted his gesture. She hesitated for a moment before shyly placing her hand in his, assuming he was reaching out for her hand. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice laced with a mix of embarrassment and anticipation.

Caught off guard by Jane’s reaction, Allen’s smile widened, but he quickly realized the misunderstanding. He pointed to the grocery bag, hoping to clarify his intention. “Oh, no, I meant your grocery bag,” he clarified, chuckling softly.

Jane’s cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red as she abruptly pulled her hand away, a mixture of embarrassment and amusement evident in her expression. “Oh, right!” she exclaimed, feeling a twinge of embarrassment at her initial assumption. She swiftly handed him the grocery bag, eager to rectify the situation and move past the awkward moment.

Allen gladly took the bag.

*Ding*

The elevator doors opened, and Allen and Jane stepped inside. Allen’s voice broke through the hum of the elevator. “I have to warn you, I haven’t had a chance to clean up, so please excuse any mess,” he explained, a tinge of apology evident in his tone.

Jane responded with a carefree shrug, her words carrying a hint of playfulness. “No worries. My apartment is also always in a mess,” she assured him, her casual tone belying a subtle hint of embarrassment.

They got out. Allen swung open the door to his apartment, Jane’s eyes widened in surprise. The apartment was far from the chaotic mess she had imagined. In fact, it was impeccably clean and organized, a stark contrast to her own living space. A faint blush of embarrassment warmed her cheeks as she realized the disparity between their tidiness levels.

Allen chuckled, seemingly aware of her reaction. “Well, it’s not always like this,” he confessed.

Jane nodded appreciatively, her gaze sweeping across the pristine surroundings. “You did a great job. It’s much cleaner than my place,” she admitted, a touch of self-deprecating humor lacing her words.

He walked over to the kitchen counter, placing the grocery bag down gently. He turned to face Jane, his fatigue becoming apparent. “I have to be honest with you. I’m pretty sleepy. I won’t be able to accompany you for long,” he confessed, a note of weariness creeping into his voice. Despite his exhaustion, he couldn’t help but appreciate Jane’s genuine concern for him.

“It’s okay. I’m just planning to make some food for you and leave. I don’t want to trouble you,” Jane admitted, a hint of sincerity in her voice as she walked up to Allen.

With a sense of enthusiasm, Jane unpacked the grocery bag, revealing its contents. The items she had purchased were initially intended for her own consumption, but she had made the decision to use them for Allen instead. After all, this grocery haul seemed to be a step above her usual purchases.

Allen observed the items being placed on the kitchen counter and couldn’t help but notice that most of them were instant food.

Jane turned to Allen with a newfound sense of confidence, determined to offer him a meal that would satisfy his hunger. She rattled off the options with a sense of enthusiasm, her eyes shining with anticipation.

“What do you want to eat? I’ve got some options here,” Jane declared, holding up the instant packs of food she had selected. “We’ve got cream soup, instant spaghetti, and even instant fried rice.”

Allen’s eyes were fixed on the assortment of instant packages she presented. He desperately fought back the cringes that threatened to surface, fully aware that these options were far from homemade cooking. In fact, they barely qualify as cooking at all.

Seeing Allen’s expression, she decided to take two instant noodles. “Oh, or do you want to go back to basics? Instant noodles,” she said.

Allen’s initial inclination to decline Jane’s offer lingered, his eyes involuntarily drifting towards a package of wonton soup resting on the kitchen counter. The familiar brand caught his attention, triggering a cascade of memories from his past—the comforting taste of his dark childhood. It was a bittersweet reminder, one he hadn’t anticipated encountering at this moment.

Unable to resist the nostalgic pull, Allen found himself drawn to the wonton soup. Despite his reservations, he mustered a small smile and spoke up. “I’ll take the wonton soup,” he agreed, his voice carrying a touch of vulnerability as he navigated the conflicting emotions within him. He had resolved not to dwell on the past, but in this instance, he couldn’t help but indulge in a taste of nostalgia.

Jane’s face lit up with a mixture of relief and excitement upon hearing his choice. She had sensed his hesitation, and her eagerness to please him had driven her to offer a variety of options. She didn’t want to disappoint him, despite her own limitations in culinary skills. The fact that he had accepted her gesture filled her with a sense of accomplishment.

“Great choice!” Jane exclaimed, her enthusiasm evident in her voice. “Just give me a moment, and I’ll get it ready for you.”