#oakes1

Before Eleanor could even conclude her heated rant against Carter, Giuliana emerged from the hallway and delivered a resounding slap across Eleanor's face, committed to defending Carter. The shock was palpable; despite their years of friendship and Giuliana's knack for meddling in her relationships, their conflicts had never escalated to physical blows. Nevertheless, Eleanor's outrage was uncontainable. Without a second thought, she retaliated with a swift punch aimed at Giuliana. The confrontation swiftly devolved into a hair-pulling frenzy, the air filled with a barrage of shouted invectives amidst their struggles.

Before her logical reasoning could wrestle control from her furious emotions, Eleanor's hand instinctively snatched up the nearest object and hurled it in Carter's direction. The makeshift projectile, an aging notebook, was promptly dodged by Carter. What followed was a torrent of her impassioned screams and a finger thrust accusingly in his direction. In that tense moment, regardless of any pending decisions about their relationship's fate, she grappled with an overwhelming sense of betrayal from the two people she held closest.

Upon awakening the next morning, Eleanor found herself once more facing an undressed Silas beside her in bed, sparking a renewed wave of embarrassment. She grappled with a sense of culpability, fearing she might be using him to distract herself not only from Carter but also from the betrayal by Giuliana. Silas, with his characteristic tenderness, offered her reassurance, urging her to release her worries. He seemed to relish the dynamic between them, enjoying the connection they shared with no emotional strings attached. This sparked a conversation between them about the idea of becoming friends with benefits. As the discussion unfolded, their dialogue took on a progressively flirtatious tone, igniting a familiar rush of butterflies in Eleanor's stomach, culminating in a replay of the previous night's passionate encounter.

Following a long stretch of hours spent in a variety of positions around her house, Eleanor finally mustered the courage to send a message to Silas. Throughout the day, she had attempted multiple times to reach out to her mother, pleading for her to come and offer support in her time of need, but the absence of a single response left her feeling abandoned. Left with limited options, she decided to revisit Silas' offer to meet at the local bar. The notion grew more appealing with each passing thought. A blend of alcohol, the allure of a charming country boy, and the possibility of spending another night in his company had its undeniable appeal. Admittedly, the entire concept could also be categorized as a string of questionable decisions, yet at this point, Eleanor was desperate for a temporary escape from her turmoil. To her delight, Silas responded promptly, causing a flutter of butterflies to take flight in Eleanor's stomach. His message carried an invitation to meet in less than an hour, and she realized she had quite the list of preparations ahead of her. Showering, shaving, applying makeup, and selecting an outfit suddenly loomed large on her to-do list.