Chapter 32
Ellie forcefully pulled her arm away from Alex’s grip. “I can’t do it” She met his gaze, summoning every bit of courage she had, refusing to back downl
They stared at each other for a moment until Alex nonchalantly pulled out his phone and opened a video from the hospital.
“You promised me you’d let me go with you to get a tattoo if I deleted the video!” Ellie exclaimed in disbelief.
Alex shot her a sidelong glance, smirking “Ellie, you don’t have the right to negotiate with me!”
Ignoring the furious color draining from her face, he continued. “I know that Haley dumped Aaron for me, and it stings
He leaned in closer. “Just agree to help me this time, and 111 delete the video!”
Ellie furrowed her brow, her eyes fixed on the video playing on his screen.
Seeing her hesitation, Alex raised a finger to the sky. “If I’m lying, may I be struck down by lightning!”
Ellie’s mind raced. If that video remained in Alex’s hands, who knew what he might do with it? Reluctantly, she finally conceded. “I can help you get her to meet up, but I won’t apologizel”
If bowing her head meant regaining some peace in her life, she was willing to do it.
“Tomorrow at 4 PM, there’s a movie Haley wants to see. I buy the tickets, and you can invite her, Alex said, a grin finally spreading across his face.
Seeing his smile, Ellie nodded. She declined his offer to drive her, hailing a cab to head back to her apartment.
To make her life better, she first needed to distance herself from the wrong person. She would take it one step at a time, slowly pulling away from this man named Alex.
The next afternoon, Ellie took a rare half–day off. Every time she met with Alex, something bad seemed to happen. Before heading out, she pulled a red string bracelet from her drawer and slipped it on, believing it could ward off misfortune..
Arriving early at the movie theater, she held the tickets Alex had given her and wasted for Haley.
“Ellie Haley arrived quickly, looking both excited and awkward
“Haley, 1 don’t get it. Why do you want to reconcile with me? You have so many friends; you don’t need me. Elle finally blurted out, voicing the question that had been stuck in her throat.
Haley’s eyes darted around nervously before she finally said. “Ellie, you’re different from my other friends. You grew up in the Warren family. Alex’s parents spoiled you like their own daughter, and Alex treats you like his little sister. Not to mention how much Carlos dotes on you.”
Seeing Ellie’s brow furrow deeper, Haley continued directly, “Alex’s parents have already been to my house. Alex and I are headed toward marriage. and you’re his sister. I don’t want us to have a falling out!”
So that’s why!
“It’s time. Let’s go inside, Ellie replied coolly, turning toward the entrance.
No wonder Haley could so decisively dech Aaron but still wanted to be friends! She was worried about her connection to the Warren family! A butter grin tugged at Ellie’s lips, the irony wasn’t lost on her.
Since it wasn’t the weekend and the workday hadn’t ended, there weren’t many people in the theater yet. As Ellie watched Alex walk toward her, holding a bouquet of roses, she stepped aside, fully aware they weren’t for her
“Haley, for you,” Alex said in front of Ellie as he handed the roses to Haley. She glanced at Ellie but didn’t take them
With a smirk, Alex turned and shoved a massive bouquet into Ellie’s arms. “Hold these for Haley”
Reluctantly, Ellic grabbed the flowers, and Alex noticed the red string on her wrist. “What’s that?” Ellie quickly hid her wrist. “It’s a red string for good luck.”
Alex pinched her check playfully. “Wearing that thing for luck is pointless; you’d be better off asking the to
ine to protect you”
With that, he tugged Haley along, glancing back at Ellie. “Take good care of those flowers. If even one is missing. I’ll come looking for you”
Elbe watched as Haley was half–dragged, half–pushed by Alex to the front row. Feeling numb, she turned her gaze away.
She didn’t want to watch the movie, nor did she care to see how Alex could make Haley laugh. Ellie closed her eyes to rest. Soon, Alex would come and take the flowers away, and she would personally delete the videos from his phone. That would be that.
Chapter 32
Time passed, and Ellie was johted awake by a thick cloud of smoke. Opening her eyes, she saw dense smoke all around and a crowd of people rushing frantically toward the exits. Ellie snapped to attention.
The smoke filled her lungs, making it hard to breathe. Steadying herself, she scanned the crowd for any sign of Alex and Haley. Tears streamed from her eyes due to the smoke, and as Ellie tried to move from her seat, people surged and pushed her hack.
Just when she felt hopeless, she finally spotted Alex. He was not far off, tightly holding Haley in his arms as they moved against the tide of people
toward her
Through blurred vision, she watched Alex protectively guide Haley past her, not even looking back!
Outside the theater, claos erupted. There were firefighters, theater staff, and a constant wave of fans spilling out…..
“Are you hurt!” Alex asked, pulling Haley out of the theater’s exit, immediately checking if she was okay.
Haley looked frightened, chitching Alex’s arm tightly. “Tm so scared, Alex! Please take me home
“Let’s go, Alex said without hesitation, wrapping his arm around Haley and moving forward.
There’s a fire inside!” someone shouted from behind them.
Alex
spun around to see the only exit blocked by flames! He released Haley, frantically scanning for Ellie but couldn’t see her. Panic gripped his heart!
Ellier Alex shouted, dialing her number while searching the crowd.
Minutes later, he reached the theater entrance, only to be stopped by firefighters. Alex’s eyes were red with desperation as he watched flames and smoke billow from the doorway. “Let me in!”
“You’ll only put yourself in danger! You can’t find anyone in there now?
now Haley pleaded, trying to hold him back
“Elle must be inside! I have to rescue her Alex pushed past Haley and kicked aside a staff member standing in his way, charging toward the
entrance
Just as he reached it, two firefighters and Haley worked together to restrain him,
At that moment, a figure darted post Alex, pushing through the firefighters blocking the entrance and rushing inside!
2/20
