Villain Ch 134. Honesty
Larissa’s eyes fell on Allen after she had boldly posed that question. She found out about Allen’s stay at Shea’s house through a private message with Shea when Allen had yet to respond to his email. Larissa intended to call Allen and inform him about the email and the others had agreed. However, Shea had privately messaged Larissa, insisting that she would be the one to deliver the news to Allen since he was staying over at Shea’s house.
The revelation of Allen spending the night at Shea’s house both surprised and intrigued Larissa. It added another layer of complexity to their evolving connection. While they had only recently gotten to know each other, Larissa believed in open and honest communication, and she wanted to confirm the situation directly with Allen.
Allen met Larissa’s gaze, appreciating her directness and genuine interest. “Yes, it’s true,” he finally confessed. Zoe’s words from the previous night echoed in Allen’s mind.
“That sure escalated quickly,” Larissa remarked, her tone a mixture of surprise and curiosity. She kept her eyes trained on Allen, searching for any subtle clues that might reveal his true intentions.
“I was hanging out with Zoe. When I took her home, she offered to let me stay over due to the time,” he added.
Larissa continued, her voice remaining steady, masking the internal turmoil that threatened to surface. “So, last night, when we were engaged in the group hunt, you were actually online at Zoe’s place?” she sought clarification, her eyes delving into his, silently urging him to be honest with her.
Allen nodded, his expression a mix of honesty and apprehension.
The mischievous smile on Larissa’s face persisted, though, beneath the facade, her heart raced with turmoil. Leaning in slightly, Larissa posed the question that had been burning within her. “Does that mean you have made a decision to date one of them?” Her voice was calm, yet laced with a hint of vulnerability, her eyes searching Allen’s face for any signs of affirmation or denial.
He frowned, his brow furrowing as he processed Larissa’s question. They had only known each other for a brief period of time. Spending the night at Zoe’s place didn’t automatically equate to dating. It was a complex situation, filled with ambiguity and uncertainties that needed further clarification.
“It’s too soon to say,” Allen replied, his voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. “Just because I stayed over doesn’t mean we’re dating. We’re all still getting to know each other.” He paused, reflecting on his own emotions and intentions.
Indeed, Zoe had expressed her openness to non-monogamous relationships. But, he didn’t want to make assumptions without discussing it explicitly with Zoe. He had witnessed the fallout of hasty assumptions and overconfidence in relationships, as exemplified by Gerry’s experiences.
Larissa took a moment to absorb Allen’s response, realizing the truth in his words. It was too early to jump to conclusions. Perhaps it was simply their way of showing hospitality or it was just rich people’s pleasantries. Still, a peculiar feeling lingered within Larissa’s heart, a blend of curiosity and unease. Allen’s lack of mention regarding her request after their first lewd act in the game left her with a lingering sense of uncertainty.
“I see…” Larissa muttered, her voice laced with a mixture of understanding and lingering questions. She couldn’t shake the peculiar sensation that tugged at her, urging her to dig deeper.
Allen noticed the subtle shift in Larissa’s expression. He understood the internal conflict she was wrestling with. Without hesitation, he cut straight to the point, addressing the elephant in the room.
“Are you jealous?” he asked, his eyes intently focused on her.
“Me? No.” Larissa’s denial was swift, her voice carrying a tinge of defensiveness as she attempted to dismiss any notion of jealousy. But Allen saw through her facade, recognizing the truth etched upon her features. Her eyes darted nervously, betraying her internal struggle.
“I can read you like an open book,” Allen remarked, his voice gentle yet firm.
Due to his words, her defenses slowly crumbled under his perceptive gaze. She couldn’t deny the truth any longer; her emotions had been laid bare for him to see.
“Really?” she murmured, her voice a mix of surprise and unease. It was a vulnerable moment, one where her true feelings threatened to overpower her carefully constructed facade.
Recognizing the situation, Allen decided to seize the opportunity and address the thoughts that had been plaguing his mind since his conversation with Zoe. He wanted to share his thoughts openly. His honesty had always been a defining trait, and he believed it was crucial to foster understanding between them.
“Let me tell you what I discussed with Zoe last night,” Allen proposed, his words carrying a sense of purpose. He knew that transparency was essential for building trust and navigating the complexities of their evolving relationships.
Larissa’s eyes widened with anticipation. “Yes, if you don’t mind,” she immediately welcomed his statement with pleasure.
Allen began recounting the events of the previous night, he chose his words with great care. He understood the delicate nature of the situation and the importance of conveying his thoughts accurately. While he wanted to be open with Larissa, he also recognized the need to protect the absurd detail.
He described the essence of his conversation with Zoe, carefully omitting certain details that he deemed unnecessary for Larissa. He didn’t mention the kiss, the intense exchange of emotions, or the near-undressing that had taken place. Instead, he focused on the broader themes and sentiments discussed during their late-night conversation. ｏｖ𝚕．ｃｏ𝚖
Allen spoke of his desire for honesty and loyalty in relationships. And also conveyed Zoe’s idea. He stressed the importance of consent and communication, acknowledging that the traditional notions of exclusivity might not apply in their unique circumstances.
As he spoke, Allen’s eyes were fixed on Larissa, keenly observing every subtle change in her expression. He sought any hint of understanding, confusion, or even discomfort. He understood that this conversation could potentially shift the dynamics of their budding friendships, and he wanted to ensure that Larissa heard throughout the process.