Babel Novel
10
In the living room, soft music played in the background, creating an ambiance filled with laughter and conversation. Everyone was getting along quite well, and Elena was happy. This indeed was the start of something new in her life. She didn’t know how it was going to go or end yet, but she was here for it.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.
Amidst the group conversations they all engaged in, Chandler found himself engrossed in an animated conversation with Charlotte. Her laughter was infectious, her sparkling eyes capturing his attention momentarily as she leaned in closer, her fingers lightly grazing his arm.
“You are a very handsome man, Chandler Kendrick,” she complimented, making sure no one else could hear her, her voice carrying a hint of flirtation.
Chandler, ever the polite and courteous gentleman, acknowledged her compliment with a gracious nod. “Thank you. It’s very nice that you think that,” he replied, “You are a lovely woman yourself, Charlotte,”
Charlotte smiled at his compliment and Chandler hoped she didn’t take his polite words as interest. He wasn’t stupid. He knew what Charlotte wanted from him as she’d never failed to make her intentions clear to him with her body language and flirtatious comments whenever he was around her. She was a vivacious and confident young woman, and had had her eyes set on catching his attention since the day they met. Despite Charlotte’s hints and persistent attempts to charm him, he’d always remained polite but distant, but Charlotte’s infatuation for him only seemed to grow stronger, and her attempts to capture his attention had only transitioned from subtle gestures to bolder moves, driven by an unwavering desire to make him notice her.
Across the room, Elena stood gracefully, a delicate glass in hand, her eyes fixed on him. She observed the interaction between him and Charlotte, a faint smile playing on her lips. The music wove its spell around them, but her gaze remained fixed solely on him for a few seconds before she looked away.
Charlotte’s laughter tinkled through the air, drawing Chandler’s attention back to her. She leaned in closer, her words accompanied by an inviting smile. “We should hang out sometime, Chandler. Just the two of us. It’s been ages since I’ve had this much fun talking to someone!”
Chandler chuckled, his gaze momentarily lingering on Charlotte before wandering across the room, where Elena stood. He shook his head and returned his attention to Charlotte, “That sounds nice, but I’m a very busy man, Charlotte.”
Charlotte chuckled. With a flick of her hair and a winsome smile, she leaned even closer, “I know you are, Silly. But surely, you can make out sometime for yourself…. Just to have some fun, wouldn’t you?”
Chandler looked in Elena’s direction again. Their eyes met across the room, sparking a connection that neither could deny. He felt an inexplicable pull toward her, and the silent exchange spoke volumes. Their connection was magnetic, and although he was respectful and appreciative of Charlotte’s admiration, he wanted to focus his attention on nurturing whatever he felt between himself and Elena, whose presence had ignited a profound spark in his heart. Too bad he had a feeling Elena was going to try to fight it.
“I’m sorry, Charlotte,” he said, “I don’t think it would be possible,”
“Oh, alright then” she said, then reclined in her seat.
Elena watched the exchange between Charlotte and Chandler with interest. She told herself repeatedly that it didn’t matter what they were talking about as it was none of her business, but yet she couldn’t stop herself from stealing glances in their direction, wondering what they were talking about. She knew that Charlotte was flirting with Chandler. The woman had no intention of hiding and at one point when she saw Charlotte lean over and place her hand on Chandler’s arm, Elena found herself wanting to rip that hand off. The party finally came to an end as it was getting late, and one by one everyone stood to say goodbye.
Elena went out with them to see them off and hugged everyone before they got in their cars. Evan and Beth went first, followed by Elijah and Lexi. They couldn’t seem to keep their hands off each other and hurriedly said goodnight before driving off. Charlotte went next and Chandler on the other hand didn’t wait for a hug or any parting words like the others, he said goodnight pretty quickly and was in his car before Elena could figure out something to say.
Hiding her discomfort about Chandler’s actions, Elena hugged her sister and Daniel, thanking them for their help. Emily cupped her cheeks so she’d look at her, “Are you alright?” she asked, as if sensing her sister’s mood, “Because if you’re not, you can come home with us,”
Elena chuckled, “I feel like you’re trying so hard to get me to come back to your place,” she said,
“That’s because she is,” Daniel chipped in, and Emily shot him a look. He grinned at his wife, but he backed off so she’d talk to her sister.
“I’m fine, Emily,” said Elena, “You don’t have to worry about me, and if I’m not alright or something happens, be sure that you’re the first person I’ll run to,”
Emily seemed to be a bit satisfied with that, so she finally let Elena go and got into the car with Daniel. With her guests gone, Elena went back into the house that had recently become her home. Thankfully, her visitors had been kind enough not to mess up the place. All she had to do was clear up the disposable cups and do some dishes…then some sweeping and wiping and the house would be clean again. But first, she had to change into something a bit more comfortable.
In the bedroom, she stepped out of her clothes as she thought about Chandler and Charlotte. Was he interested in Charlotte? If he was, then why flirt with her. Granted, he hadn’t asked her out, but he sure as hell had been sending her signals. Signals that she ought to ignore for her own good, she told herself. Men like Chandler Kendrick could not be trusted. When she remembered the way he left, she got a bit angry and yanked open the top dresser drawer with more force than necessary. The nerve of the man to crash her party, give her a nice thoughtful gift, give all his attention to another woman, then leave without saying goodbye properly.