apter 11 Blacked Him
Chapter 1 I Blocked Him
Everybody in their social circle knew Eleanor Donovan had it bad for Chris Langford. Like, hopelessly in love..
So when folks saw Chris walk into the VIP room all cozy with some new girl, someone muttered, “Dude, Eleanor is coming tonight. You really couldn’t tone it down a bit?”
Chris just shrugged like he couldn’t care less. “Why should I? If she can’t take it, she can just fuck off.”
“Do you even like her?”
Chris scoffed. “If she weren’t uncle Tyler’s little leverage, you think I’d be dating her? Agreeing to marry her was just a temporary move. That’s all she’ll get my last name. Anything else? She can keep dreaming.”
“Don’t talk like that, all right? What if she hears that and dumps you?”
“You think she has that kind of spine? Please.” Chris gave a lazy sneer. “She has been learning massage lately–her hands are not half bad. Maybe I should have her give your all a turn.”
“Come on, man.” One of them chuckled. “That’s crazy.”
Another guy laughed. “Nah, you are missing the point. If Chris even hints at breaking up, Eleanor folds like a lawn chair. I wish I had a girl that loyal.”
Someone else leaned in, smirking. “Bet you didn’t know this–Chris isn’t even into Eleanor. Word is, she threw one of her classic tantrums, and his actual girl had to leave town. You ask that girl for a massage, see if Chris doesn’t freak out.”
“Of course I would,” Chris jumped in. “If it weren’t for Eleanor messing things up, Serena would already be my wife.“Yeah sure, Eleanor has a thing for me, and wants to sacrifice everything for me–but that is her choice. Like I’d ever fall for some self- absorbed snake like her.”
Little did they know, Eleanor had been standing outside the door that whole time, hearing every last word. Her heart clenched, pain spreading through her body.
She thought to herself, ‘We grew up together. We have been side by side for years. How could he say something like that?”
In Chris‘ eyes, Eleanor could never compare to Serena Farrell. Serena was kind, thoughtful, and resilient. He once told Eleanor that Serena reminded him of a wildflower growing out of a cliff–delicate but strong. Eleanor, by contrast, was just some hothouse flower who could never survive without constant care.
Eleanor’s whole life had revolved around Chris. She had liked roses, but stopped keeping them around just because he once called them “tacky.” She had started studying traditional medicine, learned herbal cooking and massage therapy, all for the sake of his health. Eleanor had believed, deep down, that he would eventually fall for
Chapter 11 Blocked Him
her. But turns out, all of that was just a one–woman fantasy.
Inside, the room was full of laughter and good vibes. And then–bam–Eleanor shoved the door open and locked eyes with Chris, who had a girl curled up on his lap. The place went dead silent. Awkward as hell.
Someone tried to break the tension. “Eleanor, hey, you made it. Chris was just playing the game. You know how it is–around here, a guy without a couple girls hovering is kind of a loser.”
Chris didn’t even blink about whether Eleanor had overheard his earlier comments. Just some harmless fun. If that is such a problem, then maybe you’re not cut out to be my wife.”
“You’re right. I am not cut out to be your wife,” Eleanor said, holding back tears with a calm voice. “Chris, you do hate me, huh?”
Chris looked at her with pure disgust. He thought, ‘Here we go again. That pathetic, about–to–cry face. Who is she performing for this time? That fake innocence was exactly how she got Tyler on her side in the first place.
“Cut the act. You standing there like a kicked puppy isn’t cute. It is just gross,” Chris said coldly. “What are you waiting for? My guys and I are playing cards. Go peel an orange and put it next to me.”
Back in the day, whenever Chris wanted oranges, Eleanor would peel them, cut them into perfect bite–sized pieces, and serve them without a word. He had loved that.
But this time, Eleanor didn’t budge. She just said, “Maybe do it yourself.”
Chris was stunned. Eleanor had never used that tone with him before.
“Don’t be mad, Mr. Chris. I’ll do it.” Chris‘ new girl giggled. She peeled an orange segment, held half in her mouth, then leaned in. “Let me feed you.”
Chris threw a glance at Eleanor, smirked, and yanked the girl into his arms. He took the orange piece straight from her lips. Someone shoved the girl from behind, sending their lips crashing together.
“Get a room!” someone shouted. But a few people kept glancing at Eleanor, clearly uncomfortable.
Eleanor watched Chris swallow the orange and lock lips with the other woman. Her chest tightened. ‘There’s no way I can stay in this room one more second,’she thought. And just like that, she turned and walked out.
Someone noticed. “Chris, she’s actually pissed this time. Go after her, man.”
Chris barely looked at the door. “Give it 15 minutes. She’ll come crawling back.”
“True that.” Someone nodded. “Eleanor is head over heels for you. Lucky bastard.” “Let’s bet on it,” another guy said. “I give it 30 minutes.”
“I say an hour.” Another laughed.
Chapter 11 Blocked Him
Eleanor splashed cold water on her face in the restroom and stared at her reflection.” Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.” After all those years by Chris‘ side, this was what she got. She felt something shift in her chest. Something final.
Her phone buzzed. It was Vera Monroe, her best friend.
Vera said, “Hey, I just landed! Think you can come pick me up? Wait, did you say you had that event with Chris tonight? Never mind-
“I’m coming to get you. Stay where you are.” Eleanor cut her off.
utside the arrival gate, Vera waved when she saw Eleanor. “Look at you, showing up for your girl. I figured you had ditched me again for that trash boyfriend.”
“Not anymore,” Eleanor said quietly.
Vera’s smile faded. She studied Eleanor. “What happened? That jerk mess with you again?”
“Anyway, enough about him,” Eleanor said. “You hungry? Let’s grab something to eat.” They had just sat down in a diner when Chris‘ name lit up Eleanor’s screen. She declined. Then blocked him. No hesitation. A few minutes later, a WhatsApp message popped up. From Chris: [You done throwing a fit? Get back here already.]
Eleanor replied: [We’re done.] Then blocked him again.
“Let me guess. That jerk was calling you?” Vera asked. “You are being real chill about it. Usually one call from him and you would run over like he was some VIP royalty.”
Eleanor stirred her coffee slowly. “I blocked him.”
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