Chapter
13
After saying goodbye to her brother, Ellie rushed to the bar where she worked part–time. She’il missed out on an interview last time because Haley called her back to handle a hotel issue, so she was determined not to let it happen again.
The bar’s entrance was small and unassuming. As she stepped inside, a subtle mix of alcohol and cigarette smoke filled the air. It wasn’t as noisy as she’d expected. The lighting was warm and inviting the music was mellow, and a few young couples were dancing in the corner.
A waiter led Ellie upstairs to a private room. There, she was taken aback by the woman sitting on the sofa.
The woman wore a stylish dress that flamered her petite figure, her dark hair tied back in a low punytail Her light makeup made her look no older than thirty, and she had a gentle, scholarly aura that seemed slightly out of place in the bar’s lively atmosphere.
Noticing Ellie’s nervousness, the woman gestured to a seat across from her and said, “Do I look intimidating?”
Her question immediately eased the tension, and Ellie felt herself relax
They chatted for a bit, and Ellie learned that the woman was named Whitney York and owned the bar. They had briefly discussed things over phone, and Ellie’s interview had gone anothly
the
As Ellie was about to leave, she remembered the small bed that Alex had broken. It felt awkward to bring it up during their first meeting, but she needed a solution to avoid sleeping on the floor that night.
So she finally id, “Whitney, do you know of any affordable places to rent around here
“Sorry, I don’t know about that Whitney replied, her voice as soft as her demeanor.
Ellie tried to act casual, saying it was no big deal.
“Actually Whitney continued, “I have a niece who owns a small apartment nearby that she doesn’t use She’s been aliroad for a few years and won’t be back for a while
“If you don’t mind, you can move in for free and just keep an eye on it. You’d unly need to cover the unlities.
h a hint of concern stillingered in her eyes.
Ellie was thrilled, though a
Whinney handed her a key. Tve owned this bar for years, and the first three floors are all mine. You don’t have to worry about any scams.”
Feeling
a bit embarrassed that her thoughts had been so transparent. Ellie shyly lowered her head.
Ellie felt a bounce in her step as she left the bar. After a night on Alex’s wobbly berl, she grabbed her keys and headed to her new apartment the next day to clean and get settled.
The place was just a quick walk through the lively night market from the bar, and the bus breeze. The apartment was fully furnished, so she could just move in with her belongings.
stop right outside made her commute to the hospital a
She didn’t have many things to move, and the only heavy items were two boxes in the corner. Initially, she thought about selling them, but in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to part with them.
After a long night of organizing. Elle finally had her cozy space ready. She looked at the two dusty boxes, which held secrets she kept to herself After some hesitation, she brought a chair over, opened the loses, and carefully stored all the drawing papers in the closes without looking at a single one.
As she picked up the empty boxes to leave, she noticed a skeichpad in the corner. It had an unfinished drawing of a man’s face without any features. She picked up a charcoal pencil and added a simple weed in the corner. Wanting to erase in but unable to find an eraser, she ended up adding more
lines to the skrich
The pencil snapped with a crack. Ellie gave a small bitter smile; it felt like even the pencil was telling her to stop being so stubborn. Her fingers traced the lines on the paper, her vision blurring
“No more drawing, I’m done for good she thought, feeling her heart was more tangled than the lines she had drawn.
Suddenly, her phone rang, breaking the silence. Alex’s voice was agitated, “Where are you right now! Why didn’t you tell me you were moving!”
Ellie forced a smile and hung up. He knew he had messed up her bed. She had been moving her things bit by bit for days. If he had cared even a Indie, he would have noticed she was gone much sooner
1/2
1:19 PM & c
Chapter 13
Maybe it was Alex’s late–night call or just the struggle of selling into a new place, but Ellie couldn’t sleep a wink.
The next morning, her body clock woke her up right on time. As she splashed water on her face, she was shocked by the dark circles under her eye
Kummaging through some makeup samples Haley had given her, she put on a bit of makeup to mask her tired look.
The workday flew by, and after clocking mat in the evening, Ellie called Aaron as she stepped out of the hospital. He suggested they shop for a birthday gift for Haley together.
Concilemally. H
Elle also wanted to
(to pick something up for Whitney to thank her for letting her stay
As she walked by a temporary parking qut, the window of a shiny silver Phantom sports car rolled ilown, and Alex honked.
Elhe had to stop. She didn’t want to engage, but after living under the same roof for over ten years, it felt right to at least say hello. “Hey, Alex,” she greeted him
“Get in,” Alex said, but Ellie shook her head. “I can’t. I have other plans
When Alex unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the door, Elle instinctively took a step
ep back. It had been a few days since they last saw each other, and she realized they still had nothing to say,
Seal “Not going
“Hanging up on me like that? You’ve got some bad habits, Alex said, grabbing her by the neck and pulling her into the passenger seat. home again? Where are you staying?”
Ellie looked down, biting her lip and staying silent.
got your tongue?” Alex said, frustration clear in his voice. His gaze roamed over her before landing on her lips. He swallowed hard, tossed pack of wet wipes at her, and said, “Wipe off that lipstick.”
Elle complied, pulling out a wet wipe to remove her lipstick.
Alex shot her a sharp look. “Come with me first. You’re staying at home tonight”
“I can’t go with you, I’m meeting Aaron, Lille insisted, reaching for the lock to get out of the car
Alex smacked her hand away. “What could your brother possibly want! Buckle up”
stepped out of the elevator with Alex.
Twenty minutes later, Ellie found herself in a swanky mall in downtown Jaslands, feeling out of place as she st
She glanced down at her budget–friendly outfit and couldn’t help but feel a bit self–conscious.
Alex, why are we here?” she asked, hesitating to move forward.
“I need your help picking out a birthday gift for Haley,” he replied.
Before Ellie could react, Alex had already steered her toward a jewelry counter. So, this was the real reason for the rush.
His gaze was drawn to a beautiful pink diamond pendant necklace. The sales clerk eagerly presented it. “Sir, this would look stunning on your girlfriend. With her fair skin and beauty, it would be perfect
I’m not—” Ellie started to say
Alex, sitting at the counter, chuckled at her flustered expression. “Don’t worry, I have better taste than that. My girlfriend is way prettier than she is?
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