Villain Ch 45. Loneliness
Allen led Jane out of the restaurant and onto the bustling city streets, he couldn’t help but worry about her well-being. She looked so tired and drained, her body swaying with each step as if she might collapse at any moment.
They walked in silence, the noise of the city fading into the background as Allen focused all his attention on Jane. He could see the exhaustion etched into every line of her face, the way her eyelids drooped heavily with weariness.
Five minutes later, they finally arrived at her apartment building. The building was tall and imposing, its glass and steel facade gleaming in the bright city lights.
“Just up here,” Jane mumbled, pointing towards the elevator.
But as they waited for the elevator to arrive, Allen could see that Jane was struggling to stay awake. Her head would droop, her eyes closing for just a moment before snapping back open again.
Without hesitation, Allen made a decision. He would walk Jane all the way to her apartment, just to make sure she didn’t fall asleep in the middle of the hallway.
And so, he took her arm gently in his, supporting her as they made their way down the long, dimly-lit hallway. They walked slowly, carefully, Allen’s hand hovering just inches from Jane’s back in case she stumbled.
As Allen stepped inside Jane’s apartment, he was struck by how cozy and inviting it looked. Despite being a studio type, it had the size and feel of a much larger space, thanks to Jane’s clever use of furniture and decor.
The living room was warm and inviting, with plush throw pillows and soft blankets draped over the sofa. The walls were adorned with colorful paintings and photographs, adding a touch of personality to the space.
“Here you go.” He set the groceries bag down on the counter, the contents clattering slightly as they settled. Turning to Jane, he was surprised to find that she had already collapsed onto the sofa, her breathing slow and even.
For a moment, Allen just stood there. His jaw dropped in disbelief. He couldn’t believe that Jane had fallen asleep so quickly, so suddenly. It was as if she had simply shut down, her body and mind too exhausted to continue.
“She must be so tired,” he muttered. The fact that she just fell asleep without caring that he was in that room, showed it. He could do something to her or even take her belongings, but she just collapsed like that.
He was about to leave but then his eyes flicked over to the groceries bag sitting on the counter. His gaze lingered on the bag. He knew that Jane had just bought perishable items, like milk, that shouldn’t be left at room temperature for too long.
With a sigh, Allen approached the bag and carefully took each item out, placing them gently on the counter. He was surprised by how few there were. They were only a carton of milk, a pack of eggs, a pack of white bread, two cups of instant noodles, and a box of cereal.
‘Maybe she only grabbed a few essentials for addition,’ he thought.
He opened the refrigerator and couldn’t help but feel a sense of disbelief. The shelves were almost completely empty, with only a few condiments. He leaned in closer, scanning the fridge for any signs of life. But there were none. No vegetables, no fruits, no dairy products, nothing. Just a few lonely items scattered haphazardly across the shelves.
His gaze drifted to the kitchen cupboard, but it was the same story there. A half-empty box of tea, a bottle of canola oil, and some spices were the only things he could see. The silence in the apartment was deafening, with only the hum of the fridge providing any background noise.
As he turned to face Jane, he couldn’t help but cringe at the sight. She looked so vulnerable and alone, sleeping on the sofa with her eyes closed. It was clear that she had been working hard and neglecting her own well-being.
She reminded him of his ex-girlfriend. Someone who was too proud to admit when she needed help, even when it was obvious to everyone else. He remembered how he used to take care of his ex, showering her with love and attention. But in the end, she still cheated on him.
‘Nice guys finish last’ somehow, he thought that idiom was true.
He knew he could have just left her. They had just known each other, so it shouldn’t be his business. The fact he had escorted her to her room to ensure her safety was good enough. But there was a feeling that tickled him.
So rather than leave, he decided to make her an egg sandwich, as it was the only thing he could cook with the ingredients she had bought. He heated up the frying pan and started to fry the eggs.
After he had finished cooking, he placed the sandwich on a plate and left a note on the counter. The note read, “Take better care of yourself, Jane. See you in the game.” He knew that he shouldn’t overstep his boundaries, but he felt that he needed to remind her to take better care of herself.
Before he left, he covered her with a small blanket that was at the end of the sofa. He looked at her for a moment, taking in the peaceful expression on her face.
“Why am I doing this?” he asked himself in irritation and confusion.
Maybe because he felt Jane was lonely like him?
Or maybe her shabbiness was similar to his ex?
It wasn’t until he looked upon her once more that he found his reason. There was a familiarity to her shabbiness, an echo of his past that stirred something deep within him. Her condition reminded him of a time when he was just like her, lost and alone in this city, a city that was foreign to him. When he just broke up, had no one, and was not interested in doing anything except playing games.
In those early days, his diet consisted of nothing more than eggs, milk, coke and bread, sometimes supplemented by instant noodles. He slept wherever he could, be it on the sofa or his gaming chair. At one point, his toxic behavior in the MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) games consumed him, his anger and frustration boiling over into every match. He cursed and raged, his toxicity leading to numerous bans of his game ID, but with each ban came a new email, a new identity to fuel his addiction. It was his way to vent his depression before he started writing.
Those dark times were now behind him, and he had made peace with himself.
‘Well, taking care of someone isn’t a bad thing. She is my teammate after all. At least I know why she wasn’t online last night,’ he thought.
Along with a long exhale, he made his way to the door, his mind already racing with plans for the day.
‘I should concentrate on leveling up today.’𝚍ｎ𝚘ｖ𝚕．𝚘𝚛𝚐