A Love Trap

He wondered if a thief had broken into Ellie's apartment, but he quickly dismissed that notion. Her apartment was in a very nice neighborhood so it was far-fetched for anyone to break in. Then that left only one explanation. Ellie might be back!

Francis' eyes lit up with the realization that Ellie might have returned from her trip.

He walked in hastily, eager to see the girl he adored.

But when he entered, he found that the apartment reeked of alcohol.

Then he spotted Ellie, who was leaning against a couch. She had passed out.

Seeing her in this miserable condition, Francis frowned and walked toward her.

She was not the kind of girl to over indulge in alcohol. Sometimes, she would have a bit of wine with Ashley if they were celebrating something. However, she had never crossed the limit when it came to drinking and she had certainly never been in a sorry state like this.

Francis didn't know the whole story, but her face was red and she appeared drunk.

He knelt down next to her. Taking the beer bottle from her hand, he asked, "Ellie, what's wrong?" She woke up with a start! She tried to hold on to the beer in her hand. Francis hissed, "Stop drinking it. That's enough!"

He was really worried about Ellie.

However, she grasped the bottle even tighter and replied, "No!"

Ellie was not as strong as Francis. Plus she was inebriated. She could barely hold on to the bottle.

So, it was very easy for him to take the bottle from her.

Ellie realized this and tried to grab another beer from the box. Francis' brows furrowed even tighter.

He couldn't understand what had happened to her.

She seemed fine before she went to L City. He couldn't fathom why she would want to get drunk.

Francis pushed the box of beers away from her. She was not happy with this. She tried to glare at him, but she was too drunk to focus. All she knew was that the man in front of her was very familiar. So she didn't really bother.

"Give... give it back to me!"

she slurred, looking in his direction.

how it normally sounded.

absolutely

to grab her beer. She lifted the bottle to her

her eyes like pearls from a broken necklace, one after another. "I am all alone now! I have no one but myself from now on," she wailed.

the bottle, curled up into a ball and burst into

loud cry jolted Francis back. She buried her head between her knees and sobbed

but none of them could make him feel

how to help her. His first reaction was

but stopped before

that Ashley might already be asleep. As Ellie had just returned, there was a strong chance that Ashley might not know

decision for a short while, he finally put his

Ellie, he asked, "Ellie, please stop crying.

respond. "Did anybody hurt you? If that is the case, I will send someone to

something happen in L City? Ellie, please don't cry. You can tell me about it!

"Ellie..."

her, but he wasn't

this awful and inconsolable

Francis would have shamelessly left the crying woman and

more. He cared deeply about Ellie. If there was a way to make

way to make her stop crying, when Ellie grabbed his arms and pulled him close. She hugged him tight and sobbed, "They are all gone... They left me all alone... I am

was able to piece together a vague idea

he couldn't figure out who had left her and why she was

hug. However,

here for you. And I will be here for

suddenly upon hearing his words.

looked confused and lost. She was asking the question

course! You always have me. I am all yours. I will not

definitely in his heart, but in this tender

go of all his bad habits. He wanted to be with her and love her forever. He wanted to

and made up his mind!

hands and tried to focus on him through the haze of tears and

it. She squinted, trying her