Chapter 11 Feel Like We’re Strangers
It was Eleanor’s first time stepping into the Langford Corporation building. The place. had twelve floors, and Tyler’s office was all the way at the top.
Chris had once told her not to bother him at work, so she had listened and never set
foot in here.
Thinking back on it now, maybe that was for the best. If she had got too familiar with the people in this building, things might’ve got a little awkward down the road.
Keith brought Eleanor to the executive–only elevator. He glanced over at her, noticing how tightly she was gripping that agreement. “Miss Donovan, no need to be nervous.
“Mr. Langford always says life’s your own to live, and worrying about what others think is just asking for extra stress. Thick skin is a skill.”
Eleanor raised an eyebrow. “Tyler actually said that?”
“He did.” Keith nodded. “You’ve seen how he works–sharp, decisive, always puts himself first. To him, there are only two kinds of things in this world: the ones he wants to do, and the ones he doesn’t.”
“Not everyone can pull that off,” Eleanor said quietly. “He’s on a whole different level. Most people never get there.”
“And that,” Keith said with a little smile, “is exactly why you shouldn’t be so worried.”
Eleanor got the hint. “You’re right. I won’t make things difficult for Tyler. He’s going to be satisfied with this agreement.”
But Keith’s smile faltered just a little. He thought, ‘Pretty sure Miss Donovan didn’t catch what I was really trying to say..
“Miss Donovan, Mr. Langford’s in a meeting next door. Go ahead and wait in his office. I’ll take care of the driver’s license stuff for you.” He opened the door for her, then paused like he just remembered something. “Oh-heads up.
“There’s a girl in Ops who’s had her eye on Mr. Langford for a while. She’s out on a business trip now, but if she comes back early and you two cross paths, don’t let it get between you and Mr. Langford.
“She can’t stand it when any other woman gets close to Mr. Langford. There was this one time a girl from Records brought him some documents.
“Mr. Langford asked a few questions, they talked for a couple minutes longer than usual, and the next day that poor girl quit after getting chewed out.”
“Got it,” Eleanor replied with a sm Successfully unlocked! ind of irresistible. But it’s fine. It’s not like he’d give her the time of Guy uyuy.
The office was spotless. Against one wall stood a glass display case filled with team. photos, company awards, and a bunch of personal trophies and plaques with Tyler’s
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Chapter 11 Feel Like We’re Strangers
name on them. Eleanor scanned through them–Innovation in Tech, Rising Star of the Year…
She remembered that one time Chris got drunk and started ranting, “Tyler? Please. He‘ s only got all that because he lucked out and landed the top seat at the Langford Corporation.
“You think he’s actually got talent? If I had his job, I’d be getting those awards too. And Eleanor–if you hadn’t saved him that day, that could’ve been me!”
At the time, Eleanor had written it off as drunken nonsense. But now? That honestly sounded a little too close to the truth…
Near the window, there was a potted pothos with bright green leaves trailing all the way down to the floor..
What caught Eleanor off guard, though, were the flowers next to it–one pot of yellow roses, and one pot of red ones. They were clearly well cared for, blooming like crazy.
Eleanor found herself staring at them, completely zoned out. That was when Tyler walked in. “Wait long?” he asked.
Snapping out of it, she turned to face him. “Not really. I–just got here.”
“Take a seat. Want something to drink?”
“Just water’s fine.” Eleanor sat down, then added, “Tyler, you like roses?
“Roses are beautiful and they smell good. What’s not to like?” Tyler said, his eyes. settling on her. “You think it’s weird that a guy like me would be into flowers?”
“Not at all,” she said. “But don’t you think everyone loves roses? So liking them kind of makes you… basic?”
Tyler let out a soft laugh. “Everyone eats, too. If one’s trying to be different, what–skip meals?”
Eleanor clapped her hands. “Okay, that was a good one.
Tyler looked casual as he said, “I seem to remember you used to like roses, too. But people change. If you’re not into them anymore, I’ll have someone take them away.”
“No, I still like them,” Eleanor said. “It’s just, someone I used to know wasn’t a fan, so I stopped for a while.”
“You mean Chris? Tyler said with a smirk. “He’s got… pretty unique taste. He liked. Nepenthes. Said they weren’t exactly pretty, but they could trap bugs, so they were practical. He even compared Serena to one. I guess that’s original.”
Eleanor went quiet for a second, then suddenly burst out laughing. She laughed so hard she almost cried, not even trying to hold back. “Nepenthes? Who uses that to describe the love of their life? That’s hilarious!”
Eventually, she calmed down and studied Tyler’s completely unreadable expression. ” Tyler,” she said sheepishly, “was I being too much just now?”
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Chapter 11 Feel Like We’re Strangers.
He shook his head. “If it’s funny, laugh. If it hurts, cry. No need to bottle it up.”
“Thanks, Tyler.” She pulled out the agreement and handed it to him. “Here, take a look. If everything looks good, we can sign.”
“What’s this?” Tyler frowned slightly as he stared at the word “prenup.”
“I spent the whole night writing it,” Eleanor explained. “I tried to cover everything I could think of. If there’s anything that doesn’t sit right with you, I can adjust it.”
But Tyler didn’t look too pleased. He pushed the papers back toward her. “There’s not need for this. Not between us.”
“There is.” Eleanor insisted. “I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
Tyler looked at her for a moment. “We’re getting married, and you still feel like we’re strangers?”
Eleanor let out a little sigh, thinking, ‘Now that he said it like that… yeah, it did sound a bit off. But without it, I’d feel uncomfortable too.”
“But before we finalize this, don’t tell me you forgot,” Tyler said. “The third request–your haven’t told me what it is yet.
