Villain Ch 290. Urban Enigma

The clock on the cozy coffee shop’s wall ticked away, displaying the time as 10:03 AM. Sophia and Elio sat across from each other, their lattes steaming gently on the wooden table. The hum of conversation and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as they waited for their friends to arrive. It was their second gathering, and this time, Liam (Greg) and Darren (Player_Eater) were expected to join them.

The reason for this meeting stemmed from the escalating clashes between Liam and Elio within the game. What started as a slight tinge of jealousy had morphed into something much more destructive, threatening to disrupt their once-harmonious team. Tensions ran high, and heated arguments became the norm whenever they went hunting. Elio always attempted to resolve the conflicts within the game. They had engaged in numerous discussions, and though they managed to find common ground each time, the same problems resurfaced, like stubborn weeds that refused to be eradicated.

Frustrated by the persistent conflict, Elio had taken the initiative to hold a virtual meeting. He wanted to address the issue head-on and offered Liam the option to leave the team and the guild if he no longer found it enjoyable. However, to Elio’s surprise, Liam adamantly refused. He expressed his desire to remain part of the guild, even going as far as accusing Elio of attempting to oust him from the group.

The deteriorating relationship between Liam and Elio had inadvertently pushed Darren closer to Liam’s side. Darren, perhaps feeling uncomfortable with the growing tension, chose to distance himself from the escalating conflict. The once tight-knit group was now fragmented, and the consequences of their rift weighed heavily on all of them.

Elio could no longer stand idly by and watch their bonds crumble. He understood that this issue had lingered for far too long and that it was time to address it outside the virtual world. Elio decided to organize another gathering, hoping that by discussing their troubles face-to-face, they could find a resolution and restore the harmony that once defined their dynamic.

Elio brought the warm cup of latte to his lips, taking a sip as his gaze lingered on Sophia, who sat across from him. He couldn’t help but notice the visible melancholy etched on her face, a haunting sadness that seemed to radiate from her very being. His eyes trailed down to the magazine lying in front of her, captivated by its presence.

His eyes were fixated on the cover of the magazine. The words “Urban Enigma” were boldly emblazoned across the top, immediately drawing his attention. A captivating photograph adorned the front page, featuring a man and a woman. The man exuded an air of danger, his gaze sharp and intimidating. The woman, on the other hand, appeared resigned, as if caught within the grasp of an inescapable fate.

But it was the highlight of the magazine that truly grabbed his attention. A series of photographs featuring the same models, captured in different poses, sprawled across the pages. Some tucked with Sophia’s illustrations, the pictures she drew based on the photos.

*Tuk*

Elio set his cup back onto the table, and a small tapping sound echoed through the air, capturing Sophia’s attention. She glanced up at him, her eyes reflecting a mixture of pain and determination. Elio couldn’t help but voice his concern, the words tumbling out with a hint of caution.

“If it’s hurt you, maybe you should stop looking at him. Haven’t you suffered enough while you were creating those illustrations?” he gently advised, hoping to alleviate some of the agony Sophia seemed to be experiencing.

Sophia let out a sigh, her mind flooded with vivid memories of the countless tears she had shed throughout the process. She knew deep down that this had been the toughest project she had taken on as a digital illustrator. The emotional toll it had taken on her was undeniable, yet she found herself unable to tear her gaze away from the very source of her pain.

“I know,” she replied softly, her voice tinged with a hint of resignation. The weight of her emotions hung heavy in the air, but she felt compelled to explain her reasoning to Elio. She turned to face him fully, her eyes searching for understanding.

“But as an artist, I feel the need to see how the agency represents my art. It’s a way for me to gauge their interpretation and evaluate my own skills,” Sophia reasoned, though deep down she knew her true motive went beyond professional curiosity. In reality, her attention was inexplicably drawn more to the photographs themselves than to her own illustrations. She had only drawn two poses, which meant she had received two photos as references. However, on the pages of this magazine, there were a total of ten captivating images, including the cover.

Elio shook his head slowly, his expression a mix of understanding and disbelief. “Sounds like torture,” he admitted, his voice tinged with sympathy. He couldn’t fathom the emotional turmoil Sophia willingly subjected herself to, even if it was in the name of art.

Sophia closed the magazine, her lips curving into a bitter smile. “It’s not torture,” she responded, her tone carrying a hint of defiance.

Elio let out a heavy sigh, his gaze fixed on Sophia, searching for a way to convey his concern. “How long do you want to continue like this?” he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and worry.

Confusion creased Sophia’s brow as she furrowed her forehead. “What do you mean?” she questioned. 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘭．𝘦𝘵

Elio met her gaze unwaveringly, his voice firm and direct. “How long will you keep putting your hope in him, torturing yourself in the process?” His words cut through the silence, his irritation palpable. He couldn’t bear to see Sophia trapped in a cycle of pain, her hopes tied to someone who seemed to cause her nothing but anguish.

Sophia fell silent, her eyes flickering with a mix of contemplation and uncertainty. Elio’s words had struck a chord within her, igniting a conflict within her heart. She knew deep down that clinging to false hope and subjecting herself to unnecessary suffering was not a path she should tread.

“You know,” Elio began, his tone tinged with a mix of frustration and concern, “there are plenty of guys out there who are interested in you. They’re vying for your attention, and yet you chose him.” His words were tinged with a touch of exasperation, as he struggled to understand why Sophia would continue to pursue someone who clearly didn’t reciprocate her feelings. While he acknowledged that she felt a sense of guilt, he believed that an apology should have sufficed. Whether or not Allen chose to forgive her was his own decision to make.

Sophia’s eyes met Elio’s, filled with a mixture of sadness and longing. “If only it were that easy to forget,” she murmured, her voice tinged with a hint of resignation. She understood that moving on should have been a simple task, but matters of the heart rarely adhered to logic. The emotional bonds she had formed with Allen ran deep, making it incredibly difficult to simply let go.

Elio opened his mouth to respond, to offer further words of advice or guidance, but his words were halted as a stranger approached their table. With a purposeful stride, the man placed a new magazine on the table, identical to the one Sophia had closed moments ago.