I Am The Game's Villain-Chapter 583: Date With Layla [2]

"It was so fast, Honey. We should do it again later," Layla said, her face flushed with excitement, a bright pink hue spreading across her cheeks.

"Yeah... later... definitely," I muttered, still trying to recover from all the insane loops.

Who the hell designed this ride?!

Layla, perfectly alright leaned against me, wrapping her arms around my torso and resting her head against my chest. She stayed like that, her warmth pressing into me, her steady breaths tickling my skin.

Around us, a few loners—who probably had no one to cling to—scowled in envy, but I ignored them. Instead, I pulled Layla closer, returning her embrace.

"I haven't felt this happy in... I don't even remember when, Honey," she mumbled, suddenly emotion filling her tone.

"Same," I said truthfully.

When was the last time I felt this at peace? This genuinely good and happy, without a single worry gnawing at the back of my mind?

I couldn't even remember.

It was like everything else faded away when I was with her—just like how I used to feel when I spent time with Ephera back on Earth.

Layla suddenly lifted her head, her pink eyes shimmering lightly. "I want to know everything that happened to you this past year, Honey," she said, her gaze locking onto mine. "Will you tell me?"

I looked down at her, the seriousness in her expression. She wasn't asking lightly—she really wanted to know.

"Anything, Layla," I said with a small smile.

Her lips curled into a smile of her own before she closed her eyes. I leaned in and kissed her softly, letting the moment linger for a few seconds before she pulled back.

"I'm hungry, Honey," she said, only to immediately cling to my side again, wrapping her arms around mine.

"Yeah, same. There's got to be some good places around here," I said, taking the lead as we wandered forward.

Since we were inside a theme park, I already knew everything would be overpriced and ridiculously fancy. Finding the right place was a challenge, but I went with the best option available.

"A table for two. Private," I told the waiter, tossing him enough coins to live comfortably for the next year.

The man's eyes widened before he quickly bowed. "R-Right away, sir. Please follow me."

He led us up to the third floor, where the atmosphere was noticeably different—more elegant, filled with nobles engaged in hushed conversations over extravagant meals.

Despite the stares we attracted, the waiter guided us to an isolated table inside what looked like a private cabin.

Finally, some peace and quiet.

Layla and I exchanged glances before stepping inside, shutting out the rest of the world once again.

We didn't waste much time choosing from the menu, and neither of us opted for anything too heavy. In the end, we both settled on a pasta dish paired with a delicate, flavorful fish on the side.

I twirled some pasta around my fork, taking a bite. The rich blend of spices and herbs melted on my tongue, better than I expected.

"This is better than I thought," I muttered, slightly surprised as I raised my fork for another bite.

"Indeed," Layla agreed before reaching out and gently grasping my wrist. Before I could react, she guided my fork to her lips and slid the food into her mouth, closing her lips around it.

I watched as she sensually swallowed, her throat moving, her lips glistening as she slowly pulled the fork away.

"Delicious," she purred, flashing me an amused smile.

I arched a brow. "We ordered the same thing, didn't we, Layla?"

"Did we?" She asked, tilting her head. "I feel like it tastes better from your plate."

She plucked a piece of bread, taking a small bite while grinning mischievously at me.

I shook my head. "Never mind."

I knew exactly what she was doing—and it was definitely working.

Just as I was about to refocus on my meal, I suddenly felt something graze my leg.

"...!"

A shiver ran down my spine. I lowered my gaze beneath the table and saw Layla's foot stretched out, resting lightly against my leg.

"Layla?" I asked, my voice coming out a little tighter than I intended.

"What is it, Honey?" She asked innocently, though the glint in her pink eyes said otherwise.

Before I could react, she teasingly flicked her foot beneath the fabric of my pants, the bare skin of her toes trailing up my calf.

I tensed, feeling another shiver run through me.

"You are such a virgin, Honey," Layla giggled.

I grimaced, reaching out and grasping her foot firmly. "Says the virgin herself."

Layla simply shrugged. "Not for long," she said nonchalantly.

Then, without warning, she pressed her foot between my legs.

Until now, I had been composed. But my body betrayed me, reacting instantly to her touch.

"Alright, let's calm down," I said quickly, lowering her leg before I completely lost control.

"Indeed," Layla hummed, still smiling as she picked up a spoonful of the cake she had ordered. Slowly, she brought it to her lips, taking her time as she slid it into her mouth.

I sighed, shaking my head. "You know, it's going to be hard to finish this date if you keep doing things like this."

Layla laughed, finally putting her spoon down. "Fine, Honey." Then, she rested her chin on her hand, eyes twinkling now. "Now, tell me all about your wonderful time at Sancta Vedelia."

"Right…"

There was nothing to hide from Layla, she already knew everything about me so I proceeded to explain to her everything that had happened since I came to Sancta Vedelia.

…

…

Half an hour had passed. That's how long it had taken me to explain everything that had happened over the past year.

Layla had remained mostly silent throughout, only interjecting with a few questions here and there. Otherwise, she simply listened, her expression serious, absorbing every word.

"And now," I finished, leaning back against my seat, swirling the drink in my glass before taking a slow sip, "I'm banned by the very people who should be grateful to me. Funny, isn't it?"

Layla didn't respond immediately. Instead, she just stared at me, her pink eyes locked onto mine with an unreadable intensity.

"...What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Still, she didn't speak.

"I know what you're thinking," I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. "That I was too altruistic or whatever, but I—"

"Edward," she interrupted.

"Yeah?"

Without another word, she stood up, stepping around the table. Before I could react, she slid onto my lap, straddling me with ease.

"Layla?" I blinked, startled.

She ignored my surprise, her expression unreadable as she cupped my face gently. "How do you really feel about what that Kleines said?"

I sighed slowly, my fingers instinctively resting against her waist. "What do I feel?" I repeated, my tone becoming a bit heavy. "I already told you… he was right. I'm not really his son. I was never Alea's son, either." A bitter chuckle escaped me. "I think I just tried to convince myself I was. Clung to that hope, like an idiot, that I still had a family. And now, well—" I shook my head. "I know how pathetic that sounds."

"You aren't pathetic, Honey," Layla said, her fingers tracing the line of my jaw. "Wanting a family isn't pathetic. It's human. Everyone feels that at some point—whether they're a child or the oldest person alive. I wished for my mother all this time… and I still do."

Her words struck something deep within me.

"There's nothing wrong with it," she added.

"Nothing wrong, huh?" I muttered. "Maybe. But I wish I hadn't wanted it. Would've spared me all this… pain."

Thinking about Alea and Christina now only made it worse.

Layla's expression softened. "Do you regret it?"

"I…"

I hesitated.

Thinking back to the start of the year, the moments I spent with them… the way they made me feel, even if it was fleeting. I couldn't say I regretted everything. Anna and Samara had been treated like family too, and they had learned from them, just like I had.

Layla rested her forehead against mine. "If it hurts this much, Honey, then don't see them anymore," she said softly.

"You think that's the right choice?" I asked her.

She nodded, brushing her thumb against my cheek. "I don't want you to be in pain."

Her fingers grazed the scar along my face.

"If they don't see you as family, then why should you see them as family either?" Layla asked me.

"Even if their thoughts are justified?" I said, my gaze dropping to the ground.

"Who cares about justifications?" she scoffed, tilting my chin up. "The only one who matters to me is you. You should put yourself first before worrying about anyone else."

A lump formed in my throat. "E–Everything you're saying… it sounds just like Ephera, Layla..."

I felt like I had always wished someone would say this to me in this world. First Cleenah and now Layla. Hearing it from these two especially was really doing something to me.

Layla's expression softened. "And Ephera was right from the very start. I'll be forever grateful to her for making my Honey this strong." She leaned in, resting her forehead against mine.

I clenched my fists. "I'm not strong… not anymore. I can't even control my own body, let alone my fate." My voice wavered, as I braced myself to speak about the Prophecy.

Layla simply smiled, her fingers tracing soothing circles along my wrist.

"Prophecies and fate are meaningless."

"...!"

She knows?

Who told her? Cleenah?

Layla pulled back slightly, gazing at me. "They're meaningless in front of you, Nyr."

"Layla—"

"Shh..." She silenced me with a delicate finger against my lips.

I blinked.

"I know you won't die. You can't die," she said. "Or… do you want to come back with me to Celesta if you're scared?"

I shook my head.

"The only reason you're still here, despite the prophecy, is because some women you love are here. You're worried about them, aren't you?"

I swallowed hard, then nodded.

She saw right through me. Again.

Sancta Vedelia meant nothing to me. But Celeste, Elizabeth, and the others…

Until the story of the Second Game ended, I had to make sure every one of them survived.

Layla giggled, brushing a strand of hair from my face before pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "You're so greedy, Honey and…as you should be."

She leaned in and whispered to me.

"Be even greedier. Fight against that prophecy that dares to claim you'll die."

Layla rested her head against my shoulder, her warm breath ghosting over my skin as she continued in a tender voice.

"You have so much to do, Edward. Ephera is waiting for you. Persephone in the Underworld. And what about the people who dared to steal your happiness? You want to make them pay, don't you? You can't let a mere prophecy dictate your fate. That's not you."

Lifting her head, she cupped my face, her fingers trembling ever so slightly. Her dark pink eyes searched mine, a flicker of vulnerability surfacing—something I had rarely seen in her. Her lips parted, quivering as though she was barely holding herself together.

"You can't abandon us... You can't abandon me, honey."

A single tear slipped down her cheek. Without thinking, I reached out and gently wiped it away, my thumb lingering for a moment against her soft skin.

She hadn't taken the Prophecy as calmly as she appeared to have.

"I won't," I said.

Her lips parted slightly, as if those two words were all she needed to hear—something to anchor her, to make her believe. But I knew she needed more.

"I won't ever," I promised, pulling her further into my arms. Her body melted against mine as I held her closer.

"I will always come back. To everyone. To you. I promise."

Layla swallowed hard. Then, without another word, she leaned in, her lips capturing mine in a fierce kiss.