Love's perfect match novel (Elspeth and Callum)
Chapter 746 Side Story: Childhood Sweetheart 6

That year, Alice was 14, and Damian was 21.

As usual, Damian went to pick up Alice after school. Just as he habitually slung his backpack over his shoulder, he suddenly heard whispers coming from a corner.

"He's Damian Lynwood, isn't he? He's so good-looking."

"It's not just his looks. He's also the sole heir of Winthrop Group. His grades are decent too. You don't know how many girls at our school tried to pursue him to be his girlfriend back then."

"Forget those girls back then. Even now, just looking at him makes my heart race."

Damian didn't pay it much attention; after all, in his mind, nothing was more important than picking up Alice.

However, Alice's face suddenly fell. Damian thought she might be feeling unwell, so he bent down, gently cupping her face to check on her. Seeing that she was fine, he sighed in relief.

"I thought you might be ill. If nothing's wrong, I'll take you home first." Damian smiled and started walking with a light step. "Oh, by the way, my mom made your favorite food today!"

Alice managed a faint smile. "Damian, can I skip going to your place for dinner today? I want to go back to my own home."

"Why?"

Alice lowered her head and fidgeted. "I've had dinner at your place seven days in a row. I just want to go home for once."

Damian's face showed a hint of disappointment, but since it was her request, he naturally wouldn't refuse.

"Then I'll walk you home."

Unexpectedly, Alice shook her head. "No need, Damian. You can go ahead. I'd like to go home by myself."

"Tell me the truth. What have you been through?" Damian was quite perceptive, noticing her unusual mood.

"I'm really fine. Don't overthink it." Alice smiled, shaking her head. Though she was putting on a brave face, Damian could still sense something was off.

"I advise you to tell me the truth. Otherwise, I might get angry."

Of course, Damian had no intention of genuinely getting angry with her, but he could still use the threat to his advantage.

As expected, Alice trembled a bit and hesitated. "Damian, you're about to graduate soon, and I'm sure you'll be busy with work afterward. You won't have as much time to pick me up from school. So, if possible, I'd like to get used to commuting on my own."

Oh, that's the reason.

Damian's smile slowly returned, mixed with a touch of tenderness. "Don't worry. No matter how busy my job gets, I'll always come to pick you up after school."

Damian's words were always genuine, and this time was no exception.

Alice's smile reappeared. "Then I want to have my favorite food!"

"Okay, let's head to my house!"

However, the next day after school, Alice waited at the school gate for a long time but didn't see Damian anywhere.

Naturally, she felt quite disappointed. After all, he had promised her yesterday, but today, he broke his promise. It was irresponsible of him.

Alice cursed him silently in her heart countless times until the sun had completely set, and the street was lit with dazzling lights before she finally decided to head home with her bag on her back.

Since Damian usually picked her up, the Damazio Family didn't send a driver to get her. Fortunately, the school wasn't far from her house, so Alice thought a short walk wouldn't hurt.

As she walked forward listlessly, a figure suddenly stumbled toward her from a corner.

Alice focused her gaze and her eyes immediately lit up. "Damian!"

Although he hadn't arrived on time, he had still come to pick her up as promised.

However, as Alice caught a whiff of alcohol on Damian's body, she furrowed her brows. "Damian, why did you drink so much?"

Damian looked at her and suddenly broke into a huge smile. "Because, I like..."

Alice didn't catch what he said and instinctively took a step closer.

Without warning, the person in front of her suddenly embraced her, and the overpowering scent of alcohol made her dizzy.

Damian leaned in slightly, his lips near her ear as he whispered, "I finally found you...'

Only now did Alice fully understand what he said.

What did he mean by "finally found me?"

"

This made Alice quite furious. This drunken Damian must've mistaken me for someone else!

She pushed him away with force, but the person hugging her remained unfazed. He even hugged her tighter.

Staring at his slightly flushed cheeks courtesy of the alcohol, Alice felt her heart unexpectedly skip a beat, and she instinctively tried to move back.

"Damian, you've had too much to drink. Get up."

Damian shook his head, acting all coy and stubborn. "I'm not that drunk. Can you please not move? I just want to hold you. I never got the chance before and I didn't dare to. Now, I can hold you as much as I want. Don't be mad, and don't blame me, okay?"

Damian babbled some words, then, almost absentmindedly, he leaned in and pecked her lips. Amidst the confusion, he muttered the name "Ally."

Alice's eyes widened, and she looked incredulous. "Damian, what are you doing?"

Alice couldn't believe it. Damian, who usually took such good care of her and who respected her, was actually doing this! A strong sense of humiliation surged from the depths of her heart.

Just as she was at a loss, a girl suddenly walked over from the side, giving her a hesitant and apologetic smile. "I'm really sorry. Damian was drinking with me just now and said he was going to pick up a girl. There seems to be a misunderstanding."

Alice, barely containing her inner turmoil, asked, "Are you Damian's friend? What's your name?"

"Oh, I'm Ellie. Ellie Lake."

The fact that this girl accurately mentioned Damian's name made it clear that she indeed knew Damian.

Ellie... so the name he mentioned earlier wasn't Ally, but Ellie...

Alice was nearly certain now that Damian had mistaken her for Ellie.

Her face turned pale all of a sudden.

"Ellie, what's your relationship with Damian?"

Ellie lowered her head, her cheeks slightly blushing. "I don't think I have much of a relationship with Damian. After all, I haven't said yes to him yet..."

Considering what just happened, Alice finally understood that she had been played.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She pushed the person in her arms to Ellie and said, "Since that's the case, can you take care of Damian for me? It's getting late, and I need to go home."

Ellie seemed a bit stunned but still reminded her to stay safe and then left with Damian, supporting him step by step.

Watching their receding figures, Alice fiercely rubbed her lips. She had no idea what was happening or why she felt so jealous and numb.

When she finally regained her composure, tears were already welling up in her eyes. They fell onto the ground with a dull thud, creating ripples but unable to stir up any emotions.

Damian's a bad guy. I'm never going to pay him any attention again.