Novel Full Chapter 1966: Stolen Kiss [Part 1]
Chapter 1966: Stolen Kiss [Part 1]
Villain Ch 1966. Stolen Kiss [Part 1]
The sky was a gradient of deep indigo and gold now, the last edge of sunlight bleeding out behind the tall silhouettes of the city. The air was crisp, the kind of evening breeze that kissed bare skin and whispered memories.
Allen and Mila walked side by side, hands clasped like they’d been doing it forever, even though this was still new. Still delicate. Still unspoken in some places.
The fast-food joint’s neon faded behind them, replaced by the sleek glow of the Cyber building’s polished facade just steps away. Its glass walls mirrored the streetlamps, the glowing signs, and the faint pulse of city life.
Mila’s heels clicked gently against the sidewalk, while Allen’s footsteps were silent in comparison, his pace slow, unhurried. She glanced sideways at him.
He was quiet.
Not brooding. Just… elsewhere.
And that silence? It wasn’t usual. Not when they were together.
“You’re still thinking about Elio,” she said softly.
Allen’s eyes flicked toward her. Caught. But not defensive.
“A bit,” he admitted, rolling his thumb along the back of her hand.
Mila’s voice was casual, but not playful. “About what?”
Allen looked up at the darkening sky, the faint blinking of a plane far above. The wind pulled a few strands of his hair out of place.
“…The tournament,” he said at last.
She tilted her head, curious. “Something Elio said about it that’s got you worried?”
Allen paused.
His mouth twitched.
The grin that almost surfaced wasn’t sweet. It was the wrong grin. The kind that belonged in battlefields and behind glowing HUDs. The kind that tasted like challenge and fire and chaos. He crushed it down before it could bloom.
“Worried?” Allen echoed. “No. Not worried.”
“Then what?”
He exhaled slowly. “Excited.”
Mila blinked, raising an eyebrow. “Excited?”
Allen smirked again, this time lighter. Almost flirtatious. “Yeah.”
She narrowed her eyes just a bit, smiling. “Why do you sound like you’re hiding something?”
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m just saying… we might face each other. As ourselves.”
She laughed. “You mean, in-game?”
Allen gave a small shrug. “Or something like that.”
She gave him a suspicious look. “Wait. Are you joining the tournament? Allen—you can’t. You’re the son of—”
“Might,” Allen cut in, his tone smooth. “I said might, Mila. Not certain.”
“You better not be trying to break the rules just to be dramatic.”
Allen grinned. “Oh, I’m always dramatic. It’s just usually legal.”
She rolled her eyes and laughed again, but her fingers laced tighter into his. “Seriously though. You’re not gonna mess up your dad’s company over some arena flex, right?”
Allen tilted his head toward her. “You think I’d risk my reputation just to prove something?”
Mila squinted up at him. “Yes. You absolutely would.”
He laughed. Couldn’t help it. “Okay, yeah, maybe.”
“I knew it.”
“But,” he said, tugging her a little closer so their arms brushed, “I wouldn’t risk it. Don’t worry about that.”
He leaned in slightly, the wind catching the edge of his jacket, voice softer but playful. “You know… rather than that… I’m thinking about a proper date,” he said, changing the subject so smoothly she almost didn’t notice.
Mila blinked. “A date?”
Allen turned his head and met her eyes with a half-smile. “Yes. An actual one. Not post-meeting burger joint. I mean a real date. With a plan. And flowers. And me pretending to be less intense than I actually am.”
Her lips parted for a second. She felt heat blooming up her neck fast, catching her completely off guard. “Oh.”
She felt like a spark had gone off under her skin.
Her heart kicked against her ribs, fast and ungraceful. She tried to play it cool. Failed spectacularly.
“I—um. That’s a good idea,” she said, smiling, even as her cheeks absolutely betrayed her. “But…”
Allen tilted his head. “But?”
She sighed and glanced up at him, unsure how to word it.
“I mean… what about the paparazzi?” she asked, voice dropping. “You’re Allen Goldborne. Your name hits headlines for breathing in a different tempo.”
He snorted quietly. “Exaggerated.”
“It’s true,” she said, elbowing his side gently. “And I’m Mila Sterlinghart. You know our families. The history. You think they’ll leave us alone on a cute candlelit dinner?”
His expression didn’t waver. “Do you want to be left alone?”
Her breath caught again.
“I’m asking,” Allen said. “Do you mind… if we announce it officially? That we’re dating?”
She blinked up at him.
“What?”
“I don’t want to hide it,” he said. His voice wasn’t overly dramatic, just honest. “I don’t like lying. It’s exhausting. And it’s not like we’re doing anything wrong.”
Mila opened her mouth, then closed it.
Her heart felt too big in her chest suddenly. Like it didn’t know what to do with itself. The world slowed down for a beat. Everything outside… the street noise, the LED buzz of the building, the muted hum of their phones… just went distant.
“You… want to go public?” she asked, barely above a whisper.
He nodded once. “If you’re okay with it.”
She didn’t answer right away. She was looking at him too hard, like her eyes were trying to understand something new about him.
Because Allen looked… soft.
Not in a weak way. Not fragile. Just… different.
Less guarded. Less controlled.
The guy she knew, the Allen Goldborne, was sharp and cold and fast-thinking. He was always six steps ahead of everyone in the room. His expressions came in degrees. Neutral, smug, annoyed, rarely anything else. But now?
Now his eyes were open. Calm. There was a quiet to him that felt warm instead of icy.
It made her feel something strange in her stomach. A fluttery little twist that caught her so off guard she had to step back a pace and steady herself.
“I’m not used to this,” she admitted, laughing nervously.
“To what?”
“You. Being… open.”
Allen chuckled. “I’m full of surprises.”
She flushed again. “I can see that.”
There was a pause between them. Not awkward. Just full. Heavy with possibilities.
“I’d like that,” she finally said, cheeks still pink. “I’d like… to go on a date. A proper one. And maybe not care if someone catches it.”