Villain Ch 378. I’m No Different

Larissa’s curiosity was evident as she posed a question. “So, are you just going to be a spectator in all of this?” she inquired, referring to Allen’s stance on the situation.

Allen nodded in affirmation. “Yeah, I’ll probably have a talk with Elio if our paths cross,” he responded, his tone indicating a mixture of determination and resignation.

Jane sought clarification, her question probing further. “A talk about Sophia?”

Allen confirmed with a firm nod. “Yeah, but it’ll be all sunshine and rainbows about it. We’re not exactly on friendly terms,” he replied with a slight huff, reflecting the lingering tension between him and Elio.

He continued, his words reflecting a blend of realism and matter-of-factness. “Ultimately, it’s up to him how he wants to handle things. If he’s okay with sharing a girl, then I can’t really argue. After all, we’ve done similar things ourselves. I’m not about to hold a double standard here,” Allen explained, his stance consistent with his principles.

Alice chimed in with agreement. “He’s got a point,” she noted. ．

Bella, ever ready with her playful commentary, interjected with a mock complaint. “Oh, come on! Can’t we just live in our own little world without all these reality checks?” she quipped.

Allen’s response was nonchalant, accompanied by a casual shrug. “I only said my piece,” he stated, indicating his intention to conclude the conversation.

Shea jumped in, steering the focus toward their shared interests. “Absolutely, let’s wrap up this discussion and get back to planning our next hunt, shall we?” she suggested, her tone cheerful and motivating.

Jane chimed in with a slight grimace. “I’m with you guys, but I’ve still got some work to finish up,” she admitted.

“Class calls, unfortunately,” Zoe added.

Vivian contributed, “I need to check on the new videos my editor just sent over. I’ll be back online once I’m done with that.”

Allen couldn’t help but express his bemusement, his gaze shifting toward the group. “So, you all log in just to have a good gossip session?” he quipped, his expression a mix of amusement and disbelief.

The girls shared a knowing smile, seemingly unapologetic. “Hey, it’s in our nature, okay?” Zoe playfully retorted, as if offering a lighthearted justification.

“Right,” Allen responded with a wry tone, glancing at Bella, Alice, Larissa, and Shea, who were still listening intently. “Are you guys available?” he queried, his attention now directed to his immediate companions.

With enthusiasm, Bella quickly chimed in, “Absolutely! Let’s wreak havoc on something!”

—–

In a different place, Elio was seated in his gaming chair, staring at the screen in front of him. His work for the day was wrapped up, and he should have been eager to jump into the game, yet a heaviness hung over him. His gaze wandered to the VR device resting on the table nearby, an escape into a fantasy world that he wasn’t quite ready to embrace.

His mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, all tied to what he had witnessed earlier that morning. The image of Sophia stepping out of a car with Darren and Liam had etched itself into his memory. The disheveled state of their clothes was a clear indicator that they had embarked on some wild escapade the night before. The realization struck him deep, gnawing at his thoughts.

Betrayal was a word that floated in his mind, but he struggled with it. Elio understood, on a rational level, that he had no right to feel betrayed. He and Sophia weren’t in a romantic relationship, merely comrades who fought side by side in the virtual world. She was free to choose whomever she wished. And yet, a pang of hurt lingered, fueled by his own unspoken emotions.

A sigh escaped his lips as he wrestled with his feelings. He knew he shouldn’t be upset, but he couldn’t help it. It was a mix of annoyance, regret, and a touch of jealousy. He had managed to keep himself in check when he helped a drunk Sophia home; his restraint was a testament to his respect for her. But now, seeing Liam and Darren step into the picture, it felt like they had snatched her away right under his nose.

“Allen…” The sound of Sophia’s voice, her voice, calling out his name, reverberated through Elio’s thoughts. It was as if those two syllables had the power to unravel his tangled emotions and reveal the core of his turmoil. It was a name, yet it held so much weight, so much significance.

In that moment, he recognized that his reluctance to confront his feelings wasn’t borne out of his own choice, but rather from the grip of his own ego. He had been trying to play the role of the mature one, to not be seen as a mere replacement for Allen. And yet, deep down, he knew he was faltering. Darren and Liam, who were involved with Sophia, didn’t seem to care about any of that. They were unburdened by such concerns.

Elio’s frustration boiled over, his hands gripping the edges of his gaming chair as he leaned forward. A heavy sigh escaped his lips, laden with disappointment and a sense of resignation. His eyes closed, shutting out the world momentarily, as he tried to make sense of his own turmoil.

He let out a self-deprecating chuckle, the bitter taste of realization settling in. “In the end, I’m no different from them, am I?” he muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with a mix of irony and disappointment. The realization hit him like a splash of cold water, cutting through his inner conflict. He wasn’t as different from Darren and Liam as he had tried to convince himself.

The weight of his emotions pressed on him, leaving him with a sense of defeat. The chair creaked as he slumped back, his fingers tapping absentmindedly on the armrest. He knew he needed to sort through his feelings, to find clarity in the midst of this confusion. But for now, he let himself wallow in the messiness of it all, hoping that with time, he could untangle the knots he had created.