Villain Ch 135. Confession
Larissa listened intently to Allen, a sense of admiration filling her as he spoke. Indeed, she was quite surprised by his boldness, but more so by his honesty. It was a trait that she valued greatly, and it was a good start to any relationship.
As Allen spoke, Larissa couldn't help but be struck by how observant he was. It was a trait that many writers possessed, as they needed to be observant to craft their stories. She wondered if he was a writer himself, or if he simply had a keen eye for detail. Either way, she found it to be an attractive quality.
"In other words, Zoe asked you to create a real harem?" Larissa assumed, her voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of amusement.
The idea was unconventional, to say the least, but rather than objecting or feeling saddened by it, she surprisingly felt a sense of calm wash over her. At least this meant that their relationship wasn't confined to the game alone, and she still had a chance to be with Allen in the real world. It was undeniably strange, but she couldn't help but wonder if the polygamous dynamics they had experienced in the game had somehow influenced her perspective on relationships.
Allen nodded in agreement, a slight smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Suggested," he corrected, his tone laced with a hint of playfulness. "Zoe simply doesn't want any competition in between you guys," he added, his eyes meeting Larissa's.
It did make sense, she mused, considering the complexities and uncertainties that often accompanied traditional relationships. Perhaps this unconventional arrangement could bring a sense of security and harmony, albeit in a rather unconventional way.
However, there was one burning question that lingered in Larissa's mind, and she decided to find out.
"One question, Allen." Larissa leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table, her gaze fixed on him with unwavering intensity. She was determined to get to the bottom of this.
"What makes you and Zoe think that I have a crush on you? Is it because of my first request in the game?" Her voice carried a firmness as if she were challenging his perception of their dynamic. She had never openly acknowledged her feelings, not yet at least, and she had made sure to keep them hidden from Allen. She believed she had masked them perfectly, but somehow, Allen had seen through her facade.
Allen couldn't help but notice the way Larissa leaned in, her posture exuding both intimidation and emphasis. It was clear that she had strong emotions behind her question. He knew that answering this question would require careful consideration, as Larissa could easily deny any claims he made. Taking a deep breath, he decided to take his chance and respond honestly.
Mirroring her gesture, Allen leaned in, his eyes meeting hers with a serious expression. "Larissa, it's not solely based on your first request in the game," he began, his voice steady. "It's more about the way you communicate with me, the subtle hints and gestures that often go unnoticed by others." He paused for a moment, searching for the right words to convey his observations. "For me—it's hard not to notice."
Allen's calm demeanor made Larissa feel a sudden surge of nervousness washing over her. Her heart pounded in her chest, its rhythm quickening with each passing moment. It seemed as if the world around them had faded into the background, leaving only the two of them locked in an intense exchange. She could feel her cheeks warming, a telltale sign of the blush that threatened to betray her inner turmoil.
Her eyes flickered, a fleeting desire to avert her gaze and escape from the intensity of the moment. But Larissa knew she couldn't allow herself to falter. She mustered every ounce of determination, forcing herself to meet Allen's steady gaze. She couldn't let him see how much his words affected her.
"I don't think there is anything wrong or strange with how I act or communicate with you," Larissa asserted, her voice filled with a hint of defensiveness. She tried to hold her ground, refusing to let Allen's words penetrate her armor of denial.
But Allen remained unnervingly calm, his expression unchanged. It was as if her attempts to intimidate him had no effect, and this only served to intensify Larissa's internal turmoil. She couldn't understand how he maintained such composure, even in the face of her questions and hesitations.
"Feel free to deny it. It is your right," Allen replied, his voice carrying an air of certainty. "But remember, regret always comes late. Why mask it if you can tell the truth?"
His words struck a chord within her, their weight sinking deep into her thoughts. She couldn't deny that he was right, that she had been hiding her true feelings behind a facade of indifference. And now, confronted with his unwavering honesty, she felt the weight of her own self-deception bearing down on her.
"I already said what was on my mind, so I expected the same from you," he continued, his tone unwavering. The directness of his words hit her with a force she hadn't anticipated. It was a gentle yet firm challenge, pushing her to confront the truth she had been evading.
Larissa's heart pounded in her chest, its rhythm mirroring the chaotic thoughts swirling in her mind. She knew she had been masking her feelings, protecting herself from vulnerability and potential rejection. But Allen's unyielding honesty had breached her defenses, and now she stood at a crossroads, torn between the comfort of her disguise and the possibility of true connection.
At that moment, the weight of her ego bore down upon her. She realized that it was unfair to Allen, unfair to both of them.
Larissa felt her face flush with embarrassment. Unable to maintain eye contact any longer, Larissa turned her head to the side, hoping to hide her blushing face. She pressed her lips together tightly, trying to control her emotions. She felt vulnerable and exposed like all her secrets had been laid bare.
But as she took a moment to compose herself, Larissa began to realize that perhaps this was a good thing. Maybe it was time to stop pretending and be honest with herself and with Allen. After all, he had been honest with her, even if it was difficult.
"You win..." she said in a low voice. "I do have feelings for you."