Chapter 0016 Candice narrowed her eyes . " I will . " Sonia then dragged Alex back into the game . Alex followed her without sparing an extra glance at Candice . When Candice left the club , she turned around to Jackson and said , " Thank you . " Jackson answered softly , " You're welcome . I'll drive you back . " " It's … " Before she could finish , Jackson stopped her by pointing at the sky . " Forecast says there's a storm tonight . It's not safe for a girl like you to go home alone . " A rare persistence . Candice stopped arguing with him and got into his car . Jackson was a man who knew how to keep his distance . After he dropped Candice , he left without asking any other questions . Candice still had his jacket with her . He lent it to her earlier when her dress got dirty because of her car . She wanted to clean it before returning it to him . It was drizzling for the whole night and it escalated into a storm around midnight . Candice was not a fan of thunder , so she shut the windows tight . Around two in the morning , beeps were heard from her security door unlocking . Her heart sank when she heard it as she was still awake . When she walked out of her room , Alex was already sitting on the couch with his jacket hanging on the coat rack and pouring himself a glass of water . He was still feeling chilly as he had just come in from the storm . Candice paused for a moment before she asked , " What are you doing here ? " Alex did not answer . He put the empty glass down and got up . He then unbuttoned his shirt , revealing his perfectly toned body . He casually took his belt off and said , " Get me some clothes , I'm taking a shower . " Candice had Alex's clothes in her house , which he left behind many moons ago . ** Hecho 1/3 +15 BONOS When she took the clean clothes out , Alex was already in the bathroom . The shower somehow sounded louder than the storm outside . Candice got herself a jacket and waited for him in the living room . Knocks came from the bathroom and Alex's lazy voice followed , " Clothes . " Candice put her phone down and brought the man his clothes . Before she could knock on the door , it opened from the inside . Alex stood before her , naked . Candice instinctively looked away . The man scoffed and said , " Which part haven't you seen before ? You're shy now ? " Candice kept her calm and said , " It's better to keep things clear . " " Clear ? For who ? " Alex wore his pants but he tossed the shirt away . He dragged Candice into the shower and pressed her against the wall . There was a subtle sneer in his tone when he said , " Jackson is back and you're trying to steer clear from me ? " Candice frowned at the man . She suddenly noticed the man's bloodshot eyes , which made his frosty eyes look disarray . Alex was drunk . Candice finally realized what was going on . It was rare for Alex to get drunk . The only time she remembered he did was during the first year she started following him . He was a fresh graduate and he got terribly drunk from a gathering . When Candice went to pick him up , he grabbed her waist and muttered gibberish at her . Alex was displeased when Candice's gaze started to drift away . He pinched her chin and peered down at her . He tilted her face left and right for a moment and frowned . " Ugly . " Candice slapped his hand away . When she bent over to pick up his clothes , she asked without looking at him , " Then who is better ? " Alex did not answer . He pushed her away and left the shower . 2/3 +15 BONOS He crashed on the couch in the living room . Candice wanted to wake the man and tell him to go back to his own place , but when she saw the frown on his face , she surrendered . When Candice woke up the next day , she saw Alex in the living room , looking terrible . He looked at her with furrowed brows . " Don't tell Sonia about this . " +15 BONOS Chapter 0017 Title: A Fated Encounter In "A Fated Encounter" by CrushReels, a captivating modern romance unfolds. Emma Brown finds herself entangled in a complex web of family obligations when her father, Henry, pressures her to marry Tommy Anderson in place of her sister Bella to salvage their struggling business. As Emma navigates this unexpected turn of events, she discovers that Tommy is not the man rumors portray him to be. Their relationship evolves beyond mere obligation, revealing layers of depth and emotion amidst the backdrop of societal expectations and personal desires. This novel delves into themes of duty, love, and self-discovery as Emma grapples with conflicting emotions and the realization that fate may have a different plan in store for her. With nuanced character development and a unique twist on the conventional romance narrative, "A Fated Encounter" stands out as a compelling tale of love and sacrifice. Experience this engrossing story online at CrushReels and immerse yourself in a world where destiny intertwines with the complexities of the heart.