Villain Ch 344. Bold Strategy

After their conversation at the gym, the trio decided to hit the showers and change into fresh clothes. Once they were cleaned up and dressed, they made their way to the restaurant next door. It was one of their favorite spots to refuel after a workout session, and today was no different. The tantalizing aroma of freshly cooked food greeted them as they walked in, and the friendly chatter of fellow patrons created a cozy atmosphere.

As they settled into their chosen table, Allen recounted the details of Gerry’s encounter with Sophia and Elio from last night. He weaved in the amusing tidbits, mimicking Gerry’s animated storytelling style. The whole scene had been quite the spectacle, and Allen’s reenactment of Gerry’s dramatic account had Larissa and Gerry laughing heartily.

Larissa, however, seemed a bit quieter than usual.

Half an hour later, Gerry decided it was time for him to take his leave. He gave a wave to Allen and Larissa, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “I’m off you two. Enjoy your meal and whatever top-secret conversation you’re about to have.”

Once he left, she made her move. “Allen, I just want to ask,” Larissa began, leaning forward a bit as they continued their meal. Her tone was serious, her expression curious yet concerned.

Allen set his fork down and looked at her, a playful glint in his eyes. “Shoot.”

She took a deep breath, her gaze meeting his directly. “Do you need our help to take care of her?” Her question was straightforward.

A chuckle escaped Allen’s lips, and he leaned back in his chair, regarding Larissa with a bemused expression. “Take care of her? Larissa, that’s quite a loaded question. Care to elaborate?”

Larissa rolled her eyes playfully, realizing she had left the question open to interpretation. “I mean, do you need some backup? Like, should we come up with a plan to deal with Sophia’s…uh, advances?” ｂ𝚍ｎｏ𝚟ｌ.

Allen raised an eyebrow, a smirk dancing on his lips. “Ah, so you’re suggesting I need a team to fend off Sophia?”

Larissa shrugged nonchalantly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Hey, I’ve seen the way she looks at you. It’s like she’s trying to decode your every move. Maybe she needs a bit of a reality check.”

Allen’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a more contemplative expression. “Sophia has a way of getting under my skin, and it’s not always easy to decipher her intentions. But, honestly, Larissa, I’ve come to a point where I don’t want to invest too much energy in trying to figure her out.”

“What about if we make her sleep with Elio?” Larissa’s voice held a mischievous tone, and she leaned in slightly, her eyes glinting with a playful gleam.

Allen’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, his lips curving into an amused smile. “Well, that’s certainly a bold strategy.”

Larissa shrugged, a devilish grin forming. “I mean, if she’s so fixated on you, maybe a little diversion will make her rethink her priorities.”

Allen chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. “As much as that might be tempting, I don’t think orchestrating a romantic entanglement is the way to go.”

Larissa pouted, feigning disappointment. “You’re no fun, Allen. Besides, it could be like a soap opera plot twist.”

He rolled his eyes playfully. “I think real life is already dramatic enough without us adding scripted romance into the mix.”

Larissa laughed, the sound tinkling like wind chimes. “Alright, point taken.”

Allen’s attention momentarily shifted from the conversation with Larissa to his phone as it vibrated on the table. With a quick swipe, he unlocked the device and scanned the incoming message. A small smile tugged at his lips as he read the familiar name: Evan, his stepbrother.

He sent a text two days ago to congratulate Evan. He also asked when he could return home and visit them both, without his stepdad of course. Evan said he needed time to find out his dad’s schedule before he confirmed it.

Evan: I got it! It’s this Sunday!

A frown appeared on Allen’s forehead due to his confusion and immediately replied.

Allen: Sunday? Are you sure?

Evan: Yes! Dad will go fishing with his friends in the morning. So, it will be a perfect opportunity!

Allen: Since when did he like fishing?

Evan: He didn’t really like it. Dad just got another job three months ago and some of his coworkers at this new company love fishing. Since he was trying to blend in with them, he decided to go along.

Allen: OK. See you on Sunday then.

Without wasting time, Allen tapped the screen of his phone, closing the chat app after his conversation with Evan. Shifting his attention, he navigated to another app on his phone.

The ticket booking app’s digital interface greeted him with a variety of options. Allen’s nimble fingers danced across the screen as he entered the necessary details. He needed to ensure that the transportation part of the plan was set in stone. The last thing he wanted was to rely on his motorcycle, especially considering his dad’s unpredictable change of heart.

Larissa’s perceptive gaze shifted toward Allen, noting the subtle shift in his demeanor. There was something different about him – a seriousness that hadn’t been there moments ago. Concern flickered in her eyes, and though she was tempted to ask what was on his mind, she decided to opt for a more casual approach. With a purposeful nonchalance, she reached into her bag and retrieved a small tube of hand cream. It was a habit of hers, always ready to combat the dryness that occasionally plagued her skin.

With a gentle squeeze, a bit more hand cream than intended oozed onto the back of her hand. Her lips curled into a sheepish smile as she announced her minor mishap, her gaze shifting toward him to gauge his reaction.

“Ah, I think I may have gone a little overboard,” she admitted, her voice carrying a lighthearted tone. “Do you want some?” she inquired, tilting her head slightly as she extended her hand toward him. The hand cream glistened on her skin, a small offering that seemed to bridge the gap between their conversation and whatever was occupying his thoughts.

Without a word, Allen’s hand reached out, his fingers outstretched to accept her offer. His actions were swift and almost automatic, a sign that he appreciated the distraction and the momentary connection. His eyes remained locked onto the screen.