Love’s Cunning Ruse

Chapter 13

Elliot?

Julie immediately flashed a smile at the man, then quickly took a step to the side, seizing this rare opportunity. She gestured to Manuel, who was beside her, to snap a few clear front–facing pictures of Elliot.

She wasn’t sure if she was imagining it, but the moment she moved to her new position, she noticed a slight tremor at the corner of Elliot’s lips.

The photo session went smoothly and concluded after the dinner. Julie carefully examined the photos in Manuel’s and Hasan’s cameras.

Afraid that there might be issues, Julie made copies of the photos before parting ways with them. Then she smiled at Manuel and Hasan, saying, “That’s it for now. Tomorrow is Raymon’s official birthday banquet, so I’ll bring the invitations tomorrow. So, let’s meet at the hotel entrance tomorrow, alright?”

After seeing them nod, Julie smiled. Just as she turned around, a familiar voice came from behind, “Satisfied with the photos?”

“Kind of.” Julie instinctively replied before realizing who it was.

When she looked back, she saw Elliot standing under a streetlight in a white shirt with a light–colored blazer casually draped over his wrist. His tall figure was elongated, his shirt sleeves were slightly rolled up, and his outfit was paired with a black waistcoat. He looked effortlessly casual and gentlemanly.

Julie smiled at Elliot, then seemingly ignored him and reached out to hail a cab.

Elliot’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he briskly walked up to Julie, positioning his tall frame in front of her. With a hint of disappointment, he furrowed his brow, “You really don’t remember me?” Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

Julie naturally smiled, nodding, “I do.”

Elliot let out a sigh of relief, giving Julie’s hair a playful ruffle and a satisfied smile. However, Julie, due to his odd behavior just now, took a cautious step back, furrowing her brows. She maintained her distance, looking at him as if he were a stranger, a bit like she was observing a lunatic.

Elliot’s hand froze in mid–air, and he looked at Julie in displeasure, asking, “What’s wrong? Can’t I touch you?”

A drop of sweat appeared on Julie’s head.

Was this guy a little off? They just met tonight, and now they were already at the ‘let’s touch each other‘ stage?

“Mr. Sanches, do you have a peculiar habit of randomly patting people’s heads? Julie combed through her hair, looking unamused.

Mr. Sanches?

Elliot’s eyes darkened slightly, and he took a step closer to Julie. He was about to say something when she instantly jumped back a couple of meters, like a rabbit.

Elliot’s expression grew darker, and he watched Julie, who was desperately trying to hail a taxi in the distance.

“I’m not a bad guy.”

Yet there was a clear puzzlement in the woman’s eyes. Julie thought, what bad guys admitted they were bad guys?

“Don’t come any closer!” Julie tried to halt Elliot. “The incident with my colleagues falling earlier today was an accident, not intentional. They didn’t mean to disrupt your event, Mr. Sanches. There must be a misunderstanding. Please forgive us. Can we talk?”

Elliot furrowed his brow. Why did she keep addressing him as Mr. Sanches? Why was she being so formal? He took a step forward.

Julie immediately, as if frightened, stepped back and then pointed to a spot in front of Elliot, looking at him seriously. “Stop there, talk from there.”

A touch of sadness filled Elliot after seeing Julie’s guarded stance, but he went along with her request and stood on the

‘spot. “I’m Elliot; have you forgotten me?”

“I haven’t forgotten. Didn’t we just meet?” At this moment, in Julie’s eyes, Elliot had turned into a random guy who invaded her personal space.

Julie knew getting a taxi at this hour wasn’t easy, so when a taxi pulled up in front of her, without hesitation, she got in.

“Driver, go, go!” Julie leaned back on the rear seat and urged the driver, then quickly glanced at Elliot outside the car

window.

The driver immediately started the car, and as Elliot gradually disappeared from view, Julie finally let out a sigh of relief. She patted her chest gently and turned to look, only to find a very familiar man sitting right beside her.