Villain Ch 133. Attention
After the unexpected turn of events, he reached for his phone, checking his notifications, and as Shea had mentioned, there it was—an email from the game developer. He quickly opened it and read the contents. Without hesitation, Allen responded to the email, confirming his participation.
Joining the group chat, they discussed what they would do tomorrow. However, due to the late hour, the conversation was cut short, and one by one, they bid each other goodnight.
The new day dawned, the morning sun casting a golden hue over the cityscape outside the window. He woke up promptly as his alarm clock displayed 07:00 AM and went to his usual morning routine. A refreshing shower invigorated his senses, and he dressed in his fresh clothes.
Allen made his way to the dining room for breakfast, thinking that he would meet with Zoe and Larissa. But it seemed Zoe and Shea weren't morning people, since she couldn't find them in the dining room. Or maybe… It was because of what happened last night.
After texting Shea and bidding her farewell, Allen made his way back to his apartment. He gathered his belongings and swiftly gathered his bag, ensuring he had everything he needed before embarking on his next destination.
With his bag slung over his shoulder, Allen made his way to the gym. As he entered, the familiar scent of sweat and determination greeted him, and his gaze immediately sought out Gerry. Today, he had an important meeting and needed to finish his workout faster than usual.
Allen greeted Gerry with a nod. They exchanged a few brief words before they started their workout. And today was leg day, a grueling session that often tested his endurance and mental fortitude.
Beads of sweat trickled down their foreheads as they pushed themselves to the limit, the strain evident in their muscles as they conquered one challenging exercise after another.
Forty five minutes later, Gerry bid Allen farewell. So Allen made his way to the stretching area to cool down. There, he spotted the foam roller and decided to use it.
With a smile on his face, Allen positioned himself on the foam roller and began the process of self-massage. The gentle pressure against his muscles offered a soothing sensation, releasing tension and promoting blood flow. He methodically rolled over his calves, thighs, and glutes, allowing the foam roller to knead away any knots or tightness.
Not far from him, the morning Pilates class had just come to an end, and the room buzzed with the energy of accomplishment. Sweaty bodies glistened under the soft glow of the studio lights as participants began to gather their belongings and make their way toward the locker room. The majority of the class had been dominated by women.
They walked toward the locker room. Their attention was instantly drawn to Allen, who diligently continued his foam rolling routine nearby. Whispers and curious glances were exchanged among the women, their curiosity piqued by his presence. Among them was Larissa.
'Oh… My God… I don't regret my decision to change my schedule whatsoever…' she thought. Her eyes fell on Allen.
Allen positioned himself on the floor with the foam roller beneath his quads. He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath as he began to roll the foam up and down the front of his thighs. The sensation was intense and he winced slightly as he hit a particularly tight spot.
As he continued to roll, he became aware of the women in the room. He could feel their eyes on him, and he knew that they were watching his every move. He tried to ignore them, but it was difficult. He couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious.
Maddie, a blonde girl with her hair pulled back in a ponytail, leaned in closer to Larissa, her eyes filled with curiosity. The whispers and glances had not gone unnoticed by Larissa, and she could sense Maddie's growing interest in Allen.
"Do you know him?" Maddie asked in a hushed tone, gesturing discreetly towards Allen with a nod of her head. "Is he an instructor here at the gym?"
Larissa's lips curled into a knowing smile as she observed Maddie's intrigue. "No, he's a new member," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of mystery.
Maddie's eyes widened with fascination, her curiosity now fully ignited. "He seems different, doesn't he?" she mused, her gaze fixated on him.
Larissa nodded. "Um… Yeah." She was unable to say that she was also interested in him.
But the brief moment of attention focused on Allen was interrupted by a gym enthusiast, his ego inflated by his belief that the girls' glances were directed at him. Confidently, he flashed a smug smile in their direction and proceeded to flex his well-toned muscles, attempting to captivate their attention further.
However, as his misunderstanding became apparent, the girls' expressions shifted from curiosity to disdain. Their brows furrowed in annoyance, and they exchanged knowing glances, silently communicating their shared sentiment of exasperation.
Disappointed by the turn of events, the girls gradually dispersed, each retreating to their respective destinations within the gym. Larissa, too, decided it was time to make her way to the changing room.
She entered the bustling changing room, the sound of laughter and chatter filled the air. Women hurriedly swapped their workout clothes for more comfortable attire, their energy still buzzing from the exhilaration of their exercise session.
Pulling out her phone, Larissa tapped out a quick message to Allen, informing him that she would be waiting for him in the lobby.
Fifteen minutes later, Larissa found herself sitting in the lobby. Her gaze fell upon Allen, who entered with a warm smile, his gym bag slung over his shoulder. Together, they made their way to the restaurant situated conveniently next door.
Seated at a cozy booth in the restaurant, Larissa and Allen sat down in anticipation of their delicious meal.
Larissa's gaze shifted slightly as she broke the silence. "Where's Gerry? I didn't see him at the gym this morning," she opened the conversation with a basic question, her tone laced with genuine curiosity.
"Ah, Gerry had an important meeting this morning, so he had to leave the gym earlier than usual," he explained. "He mentioned it before we started our workout."
Larissa nodded, accepting the explanation. She leaned in a bit closer, her eyes holding a glimmer of mischievousness. "Speaking of last night, did you really stay over at Shea's house?" she asked, her voice dipped in curiosity.