Love's Tangled Web (Alex and Ellie)

The clock ticked past one in the morning, and the rain came down like a waterfall. Alex pushed through the hotel's spinning doors and spotted Ellie, huddled in the corner of the portico, trying to dodge the rain's bullets. Even there, she was getting soaked, clutching a tattered umbrella, looking like a drowned rat with those big, damp eyes tracking him.

The doorman rushed over, shielding Alex with an umbrella as he beelined for his fancy car

"Alex" Ellie's voice called out, but he pretended not to hear, his strides lengthening.

Not to be deterred. Ellie dashed to the car as Alex slid in, her umbrella fighting a losing battle against the wind, her hand tugging at his arm.

"I messed up. and I'm sorry, she muttered, her voice harrly a whisper, head bowed like she always did when she was little, even if she didn't do anything wrong

Allex glanced at the und umbrella and then at Elle. "What exactly did you mess up?" he snapped, even though he was the one who should be on the apology train

The wind snatched the umbrella from Ellie's hand, and she let go of Alex's arm to wrestle it back. After a few deep breaths, she found her voice, soft but steady. Til help you, with her, she said, her ward a quiet offer Alex, already behind the wheel, paused with the seatbelt in hand, his eyes locked on Ellie

She stood there, eyes downcast, the wright of a lifetime of his shadow on her shoulders. She'd tried to escape it all running off to college far away. but here she was, right back in the thick of ic

His face was still a thundercloud, but his voice had an edge of curiosity. "You gonna talk back to me now?" he asked, a challenge in his tone.

Ellie shook her head, her compliance as automatic as it was unnecessary. "No" she whispered.

Alex's stern look softened, just a bit "Get in," he said, opening the door for her, a reluctant truce in the makin

Ellie took a moment before climbing into the car

Alex was quick to toss her a towel. Dry off, he said, griting straight to the point

She didn't have time for his games. Elle clutched the towel her voice edged with desperation. T've kept my end of the bargain. Can you let my brother go now!

Alex just stared, a dismissive snort escaping him that Ellie took as pure sarcasm. He held her gaze, and she fidgeted with the towel, the silence between them growing heavy

"First, give me all of Haley's contact info, Alex said, his hands resting easily on the steering wheel, his mood lighter. "If you play your cards right. your brother could be out tomorrow." was Alex's world; he

Ellie looked up, her eyes meeting his. It was clear he was in control of her brother's situation, and she felt powerless. Jaslands was could find out anything about anyone. Yet, he was making her jump through hoops.

"Why do you need me to give you her contact info when you could get at a million other ways!" Ellie asked, her frustration showing

"Because you're making this harder than it has to be," Alex replied, pausing for effect. "The more you resist, the more want you to do it"

Ellie frowned at his taunting words

Alex gave her a playful glance. "And since I'm serious about Haley. I'm planning on marrying her, so I need to be

e well-prepared:

His casual mention of marriage sent Ellie's emotions into a whirlwind. She lowered her head, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Her feelings for Alex were a one-sided struggle she couldn't control, and the pain was her own doing, She couldn't imagine how Haley would feel if she knew Ellie was helping Alex pursue her, or how her brother would react if he found out. But Ellie was out of options. With a heavy hear, she handed over Haley's contact information to Alex. "Alright, let's hit the road, Alex said, sucking his phone away with a pleased grin.

Ellie looked at him, puzzled "Where exactly are we headed?

Back to the old homestead. Alex answered, his voice leaving no room for debate.

She crossed her an determination in her eyes. "I'm not going back there. She only came to him as a last resort to help her brother. And she left that life behind a long time ago.

Instead of arguing, Alex)

x just stepped on the gas, and the car leaped forward. Ellie's breaths hirched, but she managed to keep her scream in check.

1/2

1:18 PM

The rain was pouring down, and even with the wipers on full blast, it was hard to see the road ahead. Ellie knew Alex's temper; she wasn't about to test his limits again. When he got mad, things could get intense As they raced towards the Warren Manor. Ellie kept to herself. Maybe it wasn't all bad-she'd get to see his grandfather and parents,

Lost in her thoughts about the mess she'd have to clean up once her brother was out. Ellie was snapped back to reality by her phone buzzing in her pocket. Seeing Haley's name flash on the screen, she snatched up the call Haley's voice was frantic on the phone. "Ellie. I'm in a mess. I had to get out of the house, and now my bank cards are frozen. Can you come pick me up! I'm really in a pinch here"

The night air was sliced by a sharp brake screech. Ellie was still processing the noise when Ales was already out in the downpour, pulling open her door. He didn't hesitate, just pulled her out and led her to the awning. "It's a monsoon out here, no cabs in sight. Haley can't be out alone-it's not safe. I'm going to get her he said, his tone all business. "Ellie, you stay right here. I'll have Evan come for you. Remember him, right' The builer,

Alex was back in the car and peeling out before Ellie could get a word in leaving her without even a tattered umbrella to fend off the rain.

Ellie stood there, watching the car's red lights vanish into the night. Her eyes brimmed with tears as a familiar sadness washed over her.

His car, a two-seater, always had to make room for the one be cared about, and she was the one who had to step aside. She wrapped her arms around herself the night and the rain masking her sobs as she let the emotions out I had been forty minutes, and no sign of Evan. The darkness around her felt alien, and a shiver of fear ran down her spine

She fumbled with her phone, the glow of the screen a small comfort as she checked her location. Luckily, her apartment was a manageable walk, just over an hour away.

Drenched and without an umbrella, Ellie resorted to an old trick, she raised her bag above her head and made a beeline for her apartment. No: point in waiting around; it was clear she was on her own.

The streets were a mess, with water pooling on the sidewalks and swirling around the open manholes. It was a ghost town out here, with hardly any cars passing by, and Ellie's heart raced with each step.

Then, out of nowhere, her world tippel. "Whoat" she exclaimed as her foot slipped, and she felt herself plummeting. The last thing she remembered was the sensation of falling before everything went dark. 1/2noveldrama