Love's Tangled Web (Alex and Ellie)

Maybe it was the alcohol boosting Ellie's courage, but when she heard Haley's voice, she suddenly stepped closer to Alex. Their eyes met and she taunted. "If your fiancée sees us like this, what would she think?" "Shat up" Alex's eyebrows twitched with anger at Ellie's deliberate provocation.

Ellie tried to break free from Alex, but he held her wrists even tighter, Realizing she couldn't get away, she gave up and looked up at him, ready to confront him head-on. With a slight smirk, she gently asked, "Alex, do you like me?" Their eyes met, and Alex said clearly. "Want me to like you? Not in this lifetime"

Ellie felt a wave of self-mockery inside. Deep down, the already knew the truth, but every time she saw the mix of emotions in Alex's eyes couldn't shake the feeling that he might actually like her too.

she

Alex looked imo Ellie's eyes, watching her every expression. Thinking about those pictures, a surge of unexplainable feelings rose inside him. After a moment of hesitation, he asked. "Is your strong dishike for Haley because you're jealous of her?" Ellie gave him a sly grin. "Want to find out?"

Alex frowned. "Of course."

Ellie responded, "Then open the door and let Haley in. I'll tell you right in front of her, how about that?

Alex fell silent, confused and shocked

Standing close to Alex. Ellie felt his rapid heartbeat, and she tried to stay calm inside. She could put on a brave face too

She expected Haley to come in after hearing her and Alex But surprisingly, the knocking stopped, and the sound of high heels on the floor got further away.

to figure out what she was thinking She

"Can you let go of me now!" Ellie slowly eased the sension she felt and looked at Alex. She didn't want him to fig would never let him know that she had liked him for many years.

"After drinking so much, can you still walk?" Alex asked again, subconsciously softening his ver

Their eyes met, and the concern in Alex's eyes made he feel a twinge of irony. "What does it matter to you?" she snapped.

Maybe it was the alcohol, but Ellie suddenly ducked her head and bit Alex's west. He winced and let go, and she opened the door and lett

"Jerk," Ellie muttered, feeling dizzy as she leaned against the wall and walked inward the restroom. "Turse your hands to shake, and may your feet trip you." Layton came out of the restroom and heart Ellie drunkenly cursing Alex, nearly bursting into laughter.

After washing her face and sobering up a bit, Elle realized she was back in the restroom Remembering that she just bit Alex, she shook her head vigorously and let. From a distance, she saw that Haley was instructing the waiter to unlock the door to the private room where Alex had just pulled her in

"Ellie, was it you and Alex who just locked yourselves in there" Haley asked. She felt so jealous when she saw Ellie that she almost wanted to tear her apart.

The alcohol was hitting hard, giving Ellie a bad headache. She rubbed her temples vigorously. "Want to know? Go ask him," she said, then walked right past Haley. Haley clenched her fists, struggling to control herself. Seeing Ellie heading towards the private room, the pushed down her annoyance and Followed

Ellie staggered into the room and quietly sat back in her sear. Thinking about how she had dared to challenge and even bice Alex while drunk, she felt a bit uneasy.

Haley forced a smile while looking at Alex sitting relaxed in his usual spot. "Alex, where did you go? Ive been looking for you and couldn't see you anywhere," she said, trying to hide her feelings.

Alex looked down, playing with the metal lighter in his hand. "I needed a smoke, so I went out for a cigarette." he said.

Ellie couldn't help but feel a bit sarcastic. For someone as proud as Alex was, he actually lied He cared so much about Haley, worried she might misunderstand and feel buri.

LA

Vouchers

329 PM

"Indeed, your smoking habit has been quite strong lately, Alex," Layton commented with a hint. "You should try to control it for your fancée"

Lacey noticed Alex picking up a piece of dessert and quickly remarked, "Ales, that piece is this place's signature dessert, and it's the last one. If you care about Ellie, give it to her. If you care about your fiancée, give it to Haley. You shouldn't eat it yourself" Without thinking. Allex placed the dessert onto Haley's plate, saying, "Of course, Haley deserves il"

"Thank you," Haley said proudly as she looked at Alex. But when her eyes fell on the bite mark on his wrist, her expression front

"I definitely didn't mishear earlier. It must have been Alex and Elle locking themselves in the room. How else could she have biten him unless he had pushed her too far! Haley thought, her face going pale as she pictured what might have gone down between Ellie and Alex in there

"Don't like it?" Alex asked, and Haley quickly looked down and replied evasively. "Of course, I like it."

Lary laughed and nudged Ellie. "Look at Alex, he's totally partial"

Listening to Alex call Haley affectionately, Ellie lowered her head, gripping her fork tightly. It wasn't that he was showing Evoritism. He reserved all his love and exceptions for Haley. Layton's sharp eyes darted between Ellie and Alex. "It's just a cookie, no big deal. But when Alex was chasing after Haley, he had bought all the famous snacks in the city, right, Haley?" Haley forced herself to hold back her feelings and managed a faint smile. "You're exaggerating it."

Ellie quietly ate her food, remembering the crushed box of cookies Alex had given her at the hospital. All of a sudden, the vegetables in her mouth tasted bitter.

When they finished their meal, it was already past two o'clock. Ellie turned down Lacey's offer to give her a ride and decided to get a cab by herself

Layton sent Haley and Lacey off to go shopping while he stayed in the car, smoking with Alex. He looked at the fresh bite mark on Alex's wrist and teased. "Don't tell me that was from Haley"

Alex looked down at the bite mark on his wrist, emotions swirling in his eyesnoveldrama

As Alex stayed silent, Layton knew he had guessed right. "Alex, don't blame me for not warning you. The Owens family is no ordinary family, and although they aren't as prominent as the Warren family, they're still significant.

"Haley was really into Aaron for over a year, and they dated for almost turn before she dumped him and moved seamlessly on to you. She's not simple, so be careful not to let things get out of hand." Aaron wouldn't have lasted"

Alex snorted through his nose. "Haley just saw the reality for what it was. Even without me interfering, she and Aaron

"No wonder Ellie cursed you so much. You're such a jerk Layton rolled his eyes at Alex.

Alex bit down on his cigarette, squinting at Laytod.

Layton gestured to Alex. "She called you a jerk and cursed that when you get old, you'll have shaky hands and won't even be able to walk straight

Furious, Alex p got out of the car, slammed the door, and walked away.

Ellie got out of the elevator and saw Alex at her apartment door. She glanced around but didn't move.

'Did you leave your soul in the elevator?" Alex approached her, midging her towards the door. "Open up"

I stood at the door. "What do you want?

Olie just

Alex turned sideways to face Ellie, leaning against the door with one hand and showing her the bite mark on the other. I was just being nice, thecking if you were badly hun, and you bit me like this and called me a jerk." lie looked down, refusing to admit it. I drank too much I don't remember a thing"

dex gritted his teeth. "You cursed me that when I'm old, I'll have shaky hands, stumbling all over?"

甘