I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 582 582: Date With Layla [1]

Not even a single day of peace—not even when my wife is finally here after a whole damn year.

Life really has it out for me.

Shaking my head, I stepped out of the elevator, only to be greeted by an unwelcome sight.

”Who is she?”

”A celebrity?”

”More like a foreign princess?”

”Move! I need a picture!”

A crowd had gathered in the lobby, a sea of people whispering and snapping photos, their phones held high. My expression soured.

At the center of it all, sitting on a bench like she owned the place, was Layla. Her long legs crossed elegantly, her posture relaxed as if the commotion around her didnʼt exist. The four bodyguards surrounding her kept the crowd at bay, forming a wide perimeter, yet Layla paid them no mind.

She twirled a strand of hair between her fingers, her gaze lost in thought, utterly indifferent to the chaos she had caused.

Then, as if sensing my presence, she turned her head. A bright, heart-melting smile spread across her lips before she gracefully stood. Releasing a wave of mana, she cleared a path, sending the onlookers stumbling backward.

In a few swift steps, she was beside me, slipping her arm through mine without hesitation.

”Oh my, Honey, you look handsome as always,” she purred, her voice dripping with playful affection.

I raised an eyebrow. ”Just that?”

She hadnʼt changed a bit.

”Are you sulking, Honey?” Layla giggled softly, her pinkish eyes twinkling with amusement.

I shrugged, steering us toward the hotel exit, ignoring the stunned stares that followed our every move.

”Not really…” I muttered.

Layla sighed dramatically. ”If Iʼm being honest, I think I preferred you with black hair. Also, your haircutʼs too neat, and your outfit? A little too flashy for you.”

I halted mid-step, processing her words.

”Arenʼt you just describing me from my past life?” I asked, dumbfounded.

Back on Earth, thanks to Ephera—and her preferences that had ended liking as well—I had adopted a more understated look. Dark, muted colors, hair simply brushed back, and of course, black hair.

Laylaʼs lips curled into a sly smile. ”Not at all~”

I narrowed my eyes. ”You want me to dye my hair black again, donʼt you?”

She gasped. ”Come on, Honey! Why should we care about looks when itʼs our date? I just want you to be yourself!”

I laughed, letting her drag me forward. ”Looks do matter, though. Like right now, I find you exceptionally hot.”

Her grip on my arm tightened, her smug smile deepening. ”Obviously. I always am.”

I raised an eyebrow. ”Didnʼt you prepare yourself to meet me? Why shouldnʼt I do the same?”

Layla let out a soft sigh, shaking her head. ”Because youʼre at your best when you donʼt change yourself to impress others. Just be you, Honey.”

I glanced at her, a small smile resting on my lips. ”Then by that logic, you shouldnʼt feel the need to impress me either. I love you just the way you are.”

She met my gaze with a knowing smile. ”Unfortunately, I canʼt afford to do that,” she said sulking a bit. ”Youʼll have more women in the future, Honey. I have to set myself apart—to impress you both in appearance and… skills.”

Something about the way she said skills sent a shiver down my spine.

I narrowed my eyes. ”What kind of skills?”

Her smile widened mischievously. ”Bedroom skills.”

I nearly choked on air. ”W–Well…”

Layla chuckled, pressing herself closer against me, her soft curves molding against my arm. The warmth of her body was sticking to me, and I could feel the steady rise and fall of her chest.

”If thereʼs anything Iʼd like you to impress me with, Honey,” she whispered, her lips brushing dangerously close to my ear, ”itʼs in bed.”

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure. ”Iʼll, huh… do my best.”

Her playful smile didnʼt waver. ”I expect nothing less—especially since you already have some experience.”

The shift in her tone was subtle, but I felt a sudden chill crawl up my spine.

Layla wasnʼt letting this go.

”How many times have you done it, and with how many women, Honey?” She asked sweetly, her grip tightening ever so slightly around my arm.

”Layla, I donʼt think—”

”Honey?”

The way she said it sent a clear message: Answer me.

I sighed, knowing there was no escape. ”Just one. Elizabeth. And only three times.”

Laylaʼs expression didnʼt change, but I swore her grip on my arm became just a bit firmer.

”The first time was… because of the potion,” I admitted quickly. ”The second and third times were kind of… necessary to calm her down.”

Layla tilted her head, as if processing my words. ”Three times, I see…”

I felt her fingers squeeze around my arm. Whether intentional or not, the pressure sent a faint prickle of unease through me.

I had no excuses. Not really.

The first time? That had been beyond my control. But the second and third? If I had truly tried, I could have stopped things before they escalated.

But I didnʼt.

”Does she love you, at least? This… Elizabeth?” Layla asked, uttering Elizabethʼs name as if it was hard for her.

”I doubt it. Feels more like she just wants my blood.”

Laylaʼs expression darkened instantly. ”What a waste,” she muttered, disappointed. ”I canʼt believe you wasted your first time on that woman, Honey.”

The shift in her demeanor was almost scary.

”I would have given you a magical first time,” she continued, certainly. ”Or at the very least, it shouldʼve been Ephera, Persephone, or Cleenah.”

My eyes widened. ”Wait—Layla, calm down,” I said hastily.

She was speaking about sex so casually, without the slightest bit of shame. Worse, she was listing names without a care in the world when one of the concerned parties was probably overhearing all of this.

”Am I wrong, Honey?” She asked, raising a delicate brow.

”Well…”

Memories flashed through my mind—Elizabethʼs tears, my own guilt, the overwhelming weight of that moment. The way she cried afterward… and the way I felt so empty and lost after it all.

Yeah. Layla wasnʼt wrong.

”I guess… yes.”

But was Elizabeth crying because of what happened, or was it something else entirely? That part, I wasnʼt so sure about.

Layla sighed, pouting slightly as she leaned into me. ”Iʼm a very understanding woman, Honey. You donʼt have to hesitate with me, you know?”

I forced a small smile. ”I know.”

But that wasnʼt the problem.

The truth was—I was more scared of her than I was of Elizabeth.

Because in the game, Laylaʼs Villainess Route was permanently burned into my memory.

No matter how many times I tried, I never won against her when things went down that path. There were different degrees of her villainess route, but the hardest one? That one was impossible to beat.

Elizabethʼs instability was nothing compared to how dangerous Layla could be. And I seriously doubted Nihil had put that into the game for nothing.

If he created that Game to warn me about potential death flags and looming dangers, then Laylaʼs Villainess Route existed for a very clear reason.

She wasnʼt the strongest Villainess across three entire games for nothing.

”Are you thinking about me, Honey?” Layla suddenly asked, smiling up at me.

”Yeah, of course.”

Her smile deepened. ”Even when Iʼm right beside you? Oh, Honey, youʼre going to make me fall for you all over again,” she murmured, blushing slightly as she clung to my arm.

Well, there wouldnʼt be a Villainess Route anymore now that she had won in love—at least, I hoped so. But that didnʼt mean that side of her had disappeared completely. It was still there, sealed away… as long as nothing triggered it.

”Oh, look, Honey! An entertainment park!” Layla suddenly exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement as she pointed ahead.

I followed her gaze.

Central Vedelia had dozens of amusement parks, catering to the endless waves of visitors flocking to the city. It wasnʼt surprising to stumble upon one, but the sheer enthusiasm in Laylaʼs voice made it feel different—special.

”Letʼs go, Honey!” She grabbed my hand and pulled me forward without waiting for a reply.

I let myself be dragged along quite delighted

For a brief moment, I was reminded of Ephera—how she had done the exact same thing once, pulling me toward a haunted house just to watch me struggle. She knew full well that I hated ghosts, but she took a twisted delight in seeing me put on a brave face.

Thankfully, Layla wasnʼt that kind of sadist.

”Come on, climb in, Honey!” Layla grinned, stretching out a hand to me as she slid into a two-person roller coaster car.

I hesitated, glancing up at the track ahead.

A dozen loops.

A track that looked like it was designed specifically to give people heart attacks.

Right…

I took Laylaʼs hand, and she pulled me in without a second thought. The moment I sat down, the automatic seatbelt snapped into place, locking us in securely.

A high-pitched scream tore through the air.

”Kyaaaa!!”

I looked up just in time to see the car ahead of us launch at a terrifying speed, its passengers shrieking as they shot toward the first massive drop.

Wait—what the hell is that speed?!

Before I could process my impending doom, I felt Laylaʼs fingers tighten around my left arm. I turned to her.

She was gripping me a little too tightly, her eyes sparkling with excitement but also carrying the faintest trace of nervousness.

”Are you scared, Layla?” I asked, amused by the contrast.

She blinked before smiling at me sweetly. ”I am scared, Honey. Will you protect me if we fall?”

”Oi, donʼt say things like that—”

-WHOOOOSH!!

The car rocketed forward, and my words were stolen away by the wind.