Love's Tangled Web (Alex and Ellie)

Uncontrolly, Alex leaned in closer. Elle felt a

a rush of warmth as his breath neared her, and her mind was raring to keep up

Then, just when things were getting tense, Alex's phone rang. Ellie gasped and quickly shoved Alex away. His chest was rising and falling fast. betraying the desire brewing beneath his cool farade.

"Blushing like that, Ellie. You're not thinking I'm going to kiss you, are you?" Alex joked, trying to brush off the moment. He watched for her reaction, but as soon as she looked up at him, he quickly turned his gaze away, answered the call, and left.

Once the door clicked shut behind him, Ellie felt her whole body relax as she sink to the floor. She closed her eyes, with Alex's unique scent still lingering in her nose. Her heart raced just thinking about their almost-kisa

Deep down, she knew it was just one of Alex's challish jokes when he was bored. He had pulled similar stunts before. Even though she knew he was kidding, the couldn't help but feel tense, and her heart would beat faster. Taking a deep breath, Ellie felt a wave of frustration wash over her. In the adult world, all those ambiguous moments seemed to have their own hidden reasons.

Every time Alex Touched her, it went beyond normal friendly interaction. She knew he wasn't interested in her romantically-it was just a habir be'd had since they were kids-but she still didn't stop it in time.

In the past, she had entertained fantasies about him, holding onto hope with every accidental touch. But now things were different; they were adults, and he already had someone he liked. She couldn't let it happen again. see a doctor.

At the same time, in the most luxurious club in Jaslands, Layton slida bucket of ice across the coffee table to Alex. "Maybe you should see a Why are you throwing ice in everything you drank lately!"

Alex shot Layton a glare and filled his glass with ice,

Layton said. "Seriously, cut Trevor some slack. You've already tackled him three times, and just as he woke up, you stormed into the hospital and beat him up again.

This incident is causing quite a stir in our circle. Trevor's parents came to my house yesterday, asking my dad to mediate between you and your parents. Didn't your folks scold you?"

Alex let out a cold laugh. "Yeah, my mom yelled at me for not finishing off that jerk the first time"

Layton was left speechless.

After downing three glasses of ice-filled red wine. Alex fixed his intense stare on Layton.

Layton looked around the private room-it was just him and Alex Alex's intense stare made Layton uneasy. "Quit staring at me like that You're giving me nightmares."

Alex didn't move. "If a guy suddenly starts having those feelings for a girl does it mean he likes her?"

"Hey, you and Haley have gotten pretty close lately. Don't tell me you two haven't booked up yet?" Layton asked, sitting down beside Alex, wine glass in hand

Alex hesitated. "Not Hary

Layton was confused. He locked eyes with Alex for a moment, and then it hit him. He gave Alexa light punch on the shoulder

"That's what you call laking someone! If I see a pretty girl I don't even know and feel something. If want to kiss her, hug her, and take her to bed. It's just a guy's instinct, man. You must really be out of touch with women," Layton smiled.

Alex leaned forward, elbows on his knees, fingers digging into his short hair. He couldn't shake off the memory of almost kissing Ellie tonight, and his breath caught at the thought

He thought to himself, I must have been single for too long and really need woman. I can't believe I'm having thoughts about a young girl like Ellie. The person I like is Haley, and the one I really want is Haley.

I need to suppress these dangerous thoughts and propose to Italey as soon as possible. It's time to move in with her and start living like a normal

Check-in

2/2

Chapter to

Late at night, at the Encounter Bar in the Old Alley. During the intermission, Elle went to the drewing room to touch up her makeup but was stopped by Haley in the hallway. The air between them crackled with tension, and Ellie could practically feel the hostility radiating off Haley,

"LDir. Fim giving you a serious warning again. You need to keep your distance from my boyfriend. Haley said, looking Ellie up and down with an

arrogant sneer

As Ellie stayed silent, Haley continued, I was worried about you after that last incident. But you had my boyfriend staying over at your place for an entire week! Don't you think that's a bit much?"

Listening to Haley's accusations, Ellie lowered her eyes. She was bullied by ten jerks, and Alex rescued her back to her apartment. She had tried to get Alex to leave almost every day, but he insisted on staying and even chose to sleep on the couch Hut feel so

She knew this was all wrong, but what could she say! Alex had a mind of his own, and if she could've convinced him otherwise, she wouldn't trapped. Still, she didn't want to stay here and listen to Haley point fingers.

Ellie raised her eyes to meet Haley's angry stare and calmly said, "Tve been living and eating with Alex for over a decade. If you have a problem with it, maybe you should talk to him instead of confronting me. aley walked over and stood.

Haley was

y was momentarily speechless due to Ellie's re

rriort. As Ellienoveldrama

pushed open the door to the makeup room, Haley

"Ellie, Alex almost ended up in serious trouble because of you. He still refuses to let Trevor go, and it's already worried the parents of both families. If you care about Alex, you need to tell him to hack off," said Haley. Ellie sat down at her vanity, removing her earrings. "The might listen to anyone else, but he would never listen to me. If you have time to lecture me, why not go talk to him instead?"

Haley shot back. "Lite, do you think it's worth it to have the two top families in Jaslands become enemies because of your"

Ellie shrugged. "It's not up to you to decide if it's worth it or not."

Haley suddenly asked, "Ellie, do you like Alex

Ellie's hands froer.

Haley noticed Ellie's unusual reaction, her eyes narrowing sharply. "Trn warning you, Alex is my boyfriend. Whatever you think you feel, you better bury it now, or we can't even be friends"

Ellie set down her earrings and stood up slowly, her expression a mix of seriousness and distance. "Haley, you don't have a shred of sincerity towards me or Aaron. What kind of friends are we really!!" Mentioning Aaron struck a nerve with Haley. She stared at Ellie for a long moment before turning to leave.

Watching Haley leave angrily, Ellie quietly sat down to continue fixing her makeup. She had decided long ago to treat those who were good to her with kindness, bur she wouldn't put up with any more unfair insults. A few days later, Ellie was working at the hospital when Layton suddenly approached her.

"Every time "Trevor gris saved, Alex ends up putting him in the ICU, Now Trevor's family wants my dad to step in and sort this dut, Ellie, you to talk to Alex and get him to stop causing trouble." Layton said.

Before leaving he pulled Ellie aside and said, "By the way I've noticed Alex has been drinking a lot of cold water recently. I suspect there's something wrong with his health. Can you prescribe some medicine for him" Comman