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nVillain Ch 613. Dagger-eyed Glares

nSophia mentally shook herself, a silent reminder to keep her focus on the task at hand. ‘No, just concentrate on what’s in front of you, Sophia,’ she scolded herself, mentally shutting the Hell’s Gate game and shifting her attention back to the real world.

nHer gaze drifted to the ongoing photoshoot, where Allen and Vivian were diving into their roles. Sophia, determined to be a pro despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her, prepped her trusty tablet and snatched up the stylus pen. It was her way of staying connected to the shoot without getting entangled in the Allen-Vivian spectacle.

nLooking at them wasn’t easy. Each pose, each glance felt like a stab, a reminder of a world where roles were being reshuffled. But Sophia had a job to do, and she wasn’t about to let her personal woes hijack the professional ship.

nShe doodled on her tablet, standing like a silent sentinel on the sidelines, Sophia injected suggestions into the creative mix. Maybe a touch of fairytale in the next set of photos, or small illustrations to sprinkle some magic into the frames. Her eyes flitted between Allen and Vivian.

nEvery now and then, she’d jot down a note or two, offering insights that could elevate the photoshoot to a whole new level. Sophia, even in the midst of her inner turmoil, managed to keep her cool.

nWith the final clicks of the camera, the intense photoshoot came to an end. Allen and Vivian, still wrapped up in their medieval personas, approached the photographer’s camera to inspect the fruits of their labor.

nAllen couldn’t help but unleash a low whistle of appreciation. “Wow, these look incredible!” he exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face.

nVivian, her eyes reflecting a similar sense of awe, nodded in agreement. The synergy between their fantasy personas and the envisioned world seemed to have been captured in each frame.

nThe photographer, sporting a satisfied grin, chimed in, “Glad you guys liked it. The key was in those expressions and poses – they brought the characters to life. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about making the viewer believe in the story we’re telling.”

nAllen, leaning in for a closer look, pointed at one particular shot where he embodied the dark king’s dominance. “This one, man! It’s like I can almost feel the power.”

nVivian, her eyes alight with enthusiasm, added, “And look at this one! It’s perfect!”

nThe photographer, obviously proud of his work, explained the nuances of his choices. “Exactly! Your expressions, the way you held back laughter during the more, um, ‘challenging’ poses – it all adds a layer of authenticity. People are going to look at these shots and feel the story, not just see it. These subtle details, the twinkle in your eyes, the tension in the air – that’s what makes these images pop.”

nIn the midst of the chit-chat, Allen’s eyes accidentally wandered over to Sophia. Catching the glance, Sophia just gave a subtle nod and ghosted out of the room without uttering a single word. She was on a mission – to make it clear she’s steering her interest away from Allen, playing it all cool and nonchalant.

nHer grand plan? Acting oblivious, leaving Allen scratching his head, and, hopefully, lowering his guard a bit. It was a tactical retreat from her side, way better than constantly pushing herself onto him.

nVivian, with her keen awareness, caught the subtle shift in Sophia’s demeanor. But she chose to keep her observations to herself, allowing the unspoken dynamics to linger in the air.

nTurning their attention back to the task at hand, Allen and Vivian exchanged a glance, silently acknowledging the need for a wardrobe change. The costumes, while visually stunning, were proving to be a bit of a hindrance in the movement department.

n“Hey,” Allen called over to the photographer, a grin on his face, “we gotta switch up the outfits. These medieval threads are cool, but they’re cramping our style, you know?”

nVivian chimed in, nodding in agreement, “Yeah, it’s like trying to duel a dragon in a straight jacket. Not practical.”

nThe photographer chuckled, understanding the struggle. “No worries. We’ve got something different lined up. Let’s take a quick break, get you guys suited up, and then we’ll dive back in. Cool?” he suggested.

n“Sounds like a plan,” Allen said, relief evident in his voice.

nThey headed towards the changing room. As they walked, Vivian shot a fleeting glance at Sophia’s absence. Once they made their distance from the photographer, Vivian couldn’t help but voice the obvious, muttering, “Okay, that’s unusual,” she said without stopping her steps.

nAllen, not one to let the unusual slide, shot her a quizzical look. “You mean Sophia?” he clarified, seeking confirmation.

n“Yeah,” Vivian affirmed, her voice carrying a puzzled note. “I mean, last time we crossed paths, it was like entering a lion’s den. I half expected her to unleash a storm or something. You know, maybe a hint of dagger-eyed glares.” She mimicked Sophia’s usual theatrics, chuckling at the thought.

nAllen raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. “Dagger-eyed glares, huh? Remind me not to get on your bad side,” he chuckled.

nVivian shot him a playful look. “Oh, you? You’re safe. I reserve the glares for special occasions.”

n“Glad to hear that. Anyway, Sophia’s been acting like that since our last meeting at the gym,” Allen spilled the tea with a level of calm that threw Vivian off. “Larissa also knows about it,” he said, his tone so relaxed you’d think he was talking about the weather. Apparently, he’d become immune to Sophia’s drama, a fact that Vivian found both intriguing and a tad perplexing.

nA frown etched itself onto Vivian’s forehead as she processed this information. “She also acted like that last time? Does that mean she has given up?” she asked, genuine disbelief in her voice. The idea of Sophia giving up was like imagining a cat who hates water voluntarily taking a bath – highly unlikely. Vivian’s mind darted to potential new love interests for Sophia, like maybe Liam or that Darren guy. The relief mingled with an odd sense of discomfort at the sudden shift.

n“Nah. She hasn’t given up,” Allen casually tossed out, as if revealing the latest plot twist in some soap opera. “I found out she followed me to my apartment last time using a taxi. Looks like she has other plans.” His nonchalant delivery was almost comical, and a chuckle slipped out as he reminisced about Sophia’s not-so-stealthy stalking adventure.

nVivian blinked, processing the information like a plot twist in a suspenseful movie. “Wait, she followed you?” she clarified, trying to wrap her head around the fact that Sophia was stepping up her game. Allen’s calm demeanor, mixed with a chuckle, hinted that he wasn’t overly concerned about it. Her eyes widened with a mix of panic and worry as she processed the revelation. “So, she knows your apartment now?” she blurted out, a hint of urgency in her voice.

nAllen simply nodded. “Yeah, but you know I won’t stay there anymore. I moved today. Yesterday was my last day,” he dropped the bomb with a casual tone.

nVivian, caught in the whirlwind of Sophia’s antics, felt a sudden rush of relief at Allen’s matter-of-fact statement. She heaved a sigh, as if releasing the tension that had been building up. “Oh, thank goodness. I was starting to worry we’d have Sophia popping up at your doorstep like a pizza delivery,” she joked, trying to lighten the mood.

nAllen chuckled, the weight of Sophia’s unexpected interest lifting from his shoulders. “Nah, I’ve dodged that bullet. No more unexpected Sophia surprises at my place.”

nThe changing room’s journey banter continued, with Vivian throwing a teasing smile Allen’s way. “Well, glad you escaped the Sophia stakeout. I was starting to think we needed to hire her as a private investigator for our drama-filled lives.”

nAllen chuckled, shooting back, “Nah, I prefer a drama-free zone. Besides, I’ve got my fair share of unexpected plot twists without her.”

nThey laughed off the Sophia saga, but soon, the decision to part ways for a costume change loomed. “Alright, time to go back to reality,” Allen declared, gesturing towards the separate changing rooms.

nVivian gave him a playful salute. “See you on the other side, Dark King.”

n“May the gods be in our favor, Priestess,” Allen replied, both of them stepping into their respective changing rooms.

nThe crew swarmed around them. Vivian found herself surrounded by a team of costume changers and makeup artists, each one meticulously undoing the intricate medieval ensemble. The rustling of fabric filled the air as the crew efficiently worked their magic.

n“Watch the makeup, please,” Vivian requested, trying not to stain the white costume.

n“Got it, Vivian. We’re pros at this,” one of the crew assured.

nMeanwhile, Allen’s changing room mirrored the organized chaos. The crew untangled him from the medieval threads, the fake gauntlets and armor pieces scattered like discarded armor after a victorious battle.

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