ChapterTwo
1121 Words
The tequila was already kicking in, making Eleanor's tense muscles relax and feel a little better.
Across from her, Jack slipped on his whiskey, his sharp blue eyes filled with amusement as he watched her take another shot.
"You know, you might regret this tomorrow," he said with a smile.
Eleanor smirked, "I'll worry about that tomorrow."
Jack chuckled, admiring her resilience. He had seen a lot of people drinking their sorrows away in this very bar, but she was quite different.
She was not just drinking, she was battling her inner demons.
"So, what is your story, Eleanor?" Jack asked as he leaned in slightly, resting his elbow on the bar.
Eleanor sighed, her finger twirling on the top of her glass. "You make it sound like I'm some kind of mystery to be solved."
Jack shrugged. “Well, are you not?”
Eleanor chuckled softly, "There is no mystery. Just another corporate failure drowning her sorrows in shots of tequila."
Jack's eyebrows rose. "Corporate failure, huh? That is pretty harsh on yourself, don't you think?"
Eleanor sighed, rolling the glass between her hands. "Not when it's true. I lost my biggest client today. Which means, I could probably lose my job by the end of the week. And let's just say, I don't get so well with unemployment."
Jack scrutinized her, something unreadable in his eyes. "So you are here drinking away the what-ifs?"
She lifted her shot glass and downed another. “Something like that.”
Jack smirked, taking a sip of his whiskey. “Taking shots of tequila won't fix anything."
Eleanor shot him a dry look. “Coming from the guy sipping whiskey like it’s the answer to life problems.”
Jack chuckled. “Fair enough.”
For a while, they just sat, drank, and talked, making the night feel more carefree. The alcohol spread through Eleanor's body, warming and relaxing her tensed nerves.
Somewhere between the drinks and stolen glances, their conversation took a turn.
Jack leaned his back against the bar table, "So, Eleanor, what do you think about love?"
Eleanor scoffed, propping her elbow on the bar. "Love is just a nicely wrapped illusion."
Jack's lips twitched into a smile. "Strong words."
Eleanor shrugged her shoulders. "But it's true. People fall in love and get married, only for them to fall apart, and the divorce lawyers make a profit. While they are left with emotional scars."
Jack chuckled. “So you don’t believe in love?”
Eleanor turned to face Jack. "I believe in attraction and passion, but love? That is just another fantasy society sells to us."
Jack chuckled, shaking his head. "Sounds like you got some experience."
"More like I've been a witness to many experiences." Eleanor said, looking at him. "What about you? What's your take?"
Jack smirked, raising his glass. "To me, love is actually an illusion, while marriage is just a trap. And the worst part of it all is being stuck with the wrong person."
Eleanor laughed. "Wow, that was even more negative than I was."
Jack grinned, his eyes sparkling. "I like to think of it as reality."
Eleanor's eyes narrowed. "You are probably one of those guys who avoid relationships like the plague, right?"
Jack feigned a thoughtful look. "I won't say avoid. I just don't see the essence of signing up for a lifetime contract with no guarantee that it will work out."
Eleanor chuckled, "You make it sound like it's some kind of business deal."
Jack grinned. "But it is, isn't it? Two people come together, merge both their assets and expectations, hoping in the coming years they don't end up killing each other."
Eleanor laughed, “You actually make a good point.”
"And still," Jack leaned in slightly, his voice dropping low, "people keep on falling for it, despite everything they see happening around them."
Eleanor's eyes locked onto Jack's, the air between them filled with tension. Their conversation made them more attracted to each other.
Jack leaned in with curiosity in his eyes. "So what is the biggest mistake you ever made in a relationship? One you could hardly forget."
Eleanor let out a breath, tapping her fingers against the bar. “Trusting the wrong person.”
Jack raised a brow. “Care to elaborate?”
Eleanor raised her eyebrows with a smile, “None I'm willing to share.”
Jack chuckled and raised his glass. "Fair enough. To trusting the wrong people." Eleanor clinked her glass against his, and they both downed their shot.
The alcohol was finally taking effect and loosening their tongues, making their gazes intense.
"Now it's your turn. What is the worst thing you have done in a relationship?" Eleanor said, turning the tables.
Jack grinned with a hint of mischief. "I once stood up a lady on our wedding day."
Eleanor blinked. “Wait, what?”
Jack chuckled. “Relax, I’m kidding.”
Eleanor let out a breath, then her eyes narrowed to his. "Jack."
Jack's grin deepened. "Alright fine. The worst I've done, huh? Probably leading someone on when I knew it was definitely not going anywhere."
Eleanor nodded, a wry smile on her face. "Been there."
Jack's voice dropped to a whisper as he leaned in, "Your turn. Any dating secrets you're hiding?"
Eleanor's lips curled into a sly smile as she pretended to think. "Hmm... I once ghosted a guy after a three-month relationship."
Jack’s eyes widened. “Three months?”
Eleanor shrugged her shoulders. “Well he started talking about marriage and kids in two months. I panicked.”
Jack laughed, shaking his head. “Remind me never to propose.”
Eleanor's smirk grew, as she swirled her drink. "Don't worry, Jack. That is never going to happen."
They both laughed.
Then, the bartender's voice cut through the moment. "Last call."
Eleanor glanced around, surprised to see how much time had passed. The bar was nearly empty, leaving only a few people sipping their last drinks.
Jack's eyes met her gaze, a flickering glint in his blue eyes. "Looks like the night is almost over.
Eleanor became reluctant to end the night.
Eleanor licked her lips, hesitating. "I'm not really ready to go back to my hotel." She said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jack’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Really?”
Eleanor shook her head, "No."
Jack smirked. "Then what do you suggest, Eleanor?"
The air between them seemed to sparked like electricity.
Eleanor grinned, her voice dropping low as she leaned in closer to Jack. "I guess that depends... how much do you believe in bad decisions?"
Jack chuckled, his gaze locking onto hers. “Sweetheart… I thrive on them.”
And just like that, their night began.
- Writer
