Chapter 411 Mr. Charming
Villain Ch 411. Mr. Charming
Larissa's gaze fixated on Allen. It was as if time had slowed down, and her surroundings faded into a blur. Her heart, like a runaway drumbeat, quickened its rhythm, echoing the way it had raced the very first time she'd met Allen at that gym.
She'd grown accustomed to seeing him around, having crossed paths with him countless times before, but today was different. His presence seemed to radiate a newfound vibrancy, casting him in a light that accentuated his natural charm. There was a gleam in his eye that drew her in like a magnet pulling her closer.
"What's wrong with her?" Allen muttered under his breath, his brows furrowed in confusion.
Gerry was quick to respond with a teasing grin. "Looks like someone's got a bad case of love-struck syndrome," he quipped, a hint of mischief in his voice.
Allen rolled his eyes, clicking his tongue in exasperation. He turned to Gerry, his expression a mix of bewilderment and irritation. "Come on, man. This isn't like her at all. We've met plenty of times before," he reminded his friend. Allen was well aware of Larissa's long-standing crush on him, but this level of giddiness was definitely a new development.
Gerry just shrugged, clearly enjoying the spectacle. "I'm telling you, your charm is at an all-time high today," he teased, unable to resist poking fun at his friend's apparent magnetic pull.
"Right," Allen scoffed, not quite buying into Gerry's theory. He shifted his gaze back to Larissa, his curiosity piqued.
Allen, still baffled by Larissa's unusual behavior, tilted his head slightly and shot her a perplexed look. His expression seemed to ask, "What's going on with you? Why the sudden silence?"
Larissa, realizing that she'd been caught in her love-struck reverie, snapped back to reality. With a subtle movement of her hand, she sent a signal that only Allen, Larissa, and Gerry were privy to. It was a discreet sign, a shared secret code among the trio, conveying her message without words.
The signal spoke volumes. It meant that she would be waiting for them in the lobby, just as they always did, ready to head next door for their usual meal together.
As soon as Larissa's signal reached Allen and Gerry, they exchanged knowing glances. Without a word, they both gave her a thumbs-up, a silent confirmation that they were on the same page and ready to meet her in the lobby.
Larissa wasted no time, swiftly gathering her belongings and making her way to the showers. Her heart still fluttered from the encounter.
Gerry, with a curiosity that couldn't be contained, fired off the question. "So, does she know about your real dad?"
Allen's response came with a hint of uncertainty. "Well, she probably doesn't," he replied. He hadn't told any of the girls. If he told them it was too obvious that Jordan was his dad.
Gerry's brow furrowed in confusion. "Probably?" he repeated, trying to make sense of Allen's vague answer.
A sly grin spread across Allen's face as he clarified, "Yeah, well, you know how it goes with girls. They can dig up information faster than lightning strikes." He added a teasing tone to drive the point home.
Gerry continued nodding, his curiosity piqued. "So, you planning to spill the beans to her too?" he guessed, his tone laced with intrigue.
Allen, with a warm smile, affirmed, "Yeah, eventually. After things settle down a bit, you know? She's one of my dearest friends."
Gerry's frown deepened as he probed further. "Just a friend, huh? You gonna keep it at that?" He wanted clarity on the nature of Allen and Larissa's relationship, his curiosity leaving no stone unturned.
Allen pursed his lips, caught in a web of thoughts and emotions. The question of whether to make a move on Larissa weighed heavily on his mind.
Gerry let out a sigh and a knowing smile. "Is it because of the model in that magazine?" he ventured, his voice tinged with playful suspicion. He meant Vivian.
Allen's admission came with a hint of unease. "Well, that's one of the reasons," he admitted, his thoughts laid bare. Despite their agreement to share him, he couldn't shake the odd feeling that had settled within him. It had taken root after witnessing Sophia's actions with Elio and the others. A gnawing doubt had taken hold – a fear that he might unintentionally manipulate the girls the same way Sophia had manipulated those boys.
Even though Allen knew he had no intentions of such manipulation, a lingering apprehension haunted him.
Gerry, the wanna-be detective, made a guess. "So, they know each other?" he ventured.
Allen nodded in agreement. "Yeah, they do. And they're also well aware of their feelings for me and okay with it," he confirmed, hoping Gerry might have some sage advice to offer.
But Gerry's reaction was far from what Allen expected. He hopped off the treadmill and pulled a dramatic cringe. "Wait, so you're turning into some kind of heartthrob now?" he complained with a mock pout. "That's just not fair, man!"
Allen chuckled at Gerry's playful grumbling. "Hey, I didn't ask for this, you know," he said, trying to ease his friend's teasing. "It's not like I have a playbook for dealing with all this attention."
Gerry, still wearing a mock frown, shook his head in mock disbelief. "Well, my friend," he said with a mischievous grin, "looks like you've got quite your very own harem story now. Maybe we should start calling you 'Mr. Charming.'"
Allen laughed, shaking his head at Gerry's antics. "Let's not get carried away," he said, the weight of the situation still on his mind. "I've got a lot to figure out, and I don't want anyone getting hurt in the process."
Gerry, though known for his playful banter, could see the concern in Allen's eyes. He laid a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder. "Don't worry, man," he said with genuine support. "If they said they are okay with it, then you should make a move. You have the green light, after all, just step on that gas pedal, dude!"
Allen couldn't deny the truth in Gerry's words. "You are right..." said Allen with a smile. He hopped off the treadmill. "Maybe I should make my move."