A Second Chance at Forever ( Eleanor Shultz )

Chapter 13

“Alright guys, time to draw lots. If you get the same number, switch seats but make sure you’re not sitting next to each other, okay?” 

Norene put the crumpled papers on the table, and people drew lots. Whoever got the same number would form a team automatically. 

There were four people playing for the first time, and the others lined up to draw lots. Those who got numbers 1 and 2 would play first. 

Eleanor, unfortunately, drew number 2. 

She looked up and noticed Bernard had drawn number 1, making them opponents. 

Norene, who also got number 1, winked at Eleanor, signaling her intention to teach her a lesson. 

“Who’s got the other number 2?”

Cedric hesitated for a moment before opening the paper in his hand. 

He smiled at Eleanor, “I’m not very good at card games, so I’ll be relying on you.” 

Eleanor gave him a forced smile in response. 

The truth was that Eleanor was always an obedient person. She had grown up in an orphanage, obeying the headmaster. In school, she followed her teachers‘ orders. In the workplace, she listened to her boss. And when she dated men, she did as they said. As a result, she had never played card games before. 

Norene explained the rules too fast for her to even remember how to play. But Cedric, a guy who loved games, also didn’t know how to play. Eleanor couldn’t help but wonder if Norene had cheated during the drawing of lots. 

She took the cards and felt even more desperate when she saw that they had no connection at all. 

After flipping through her cards a few times, Norene handed her the last card. “Ms. Shultz, game on.” 

This enchanting voice made Eleanor extremely uneasy. 

Wearing only a dress, she was afraid she’d have to strip down completely if she lost, leaving her exposed for everyone to see. It was Norene’s way of getting back at her for Josef’s comment about her “no experience.” 

Eleanor knew Norene’s intentions, but her cards were terrible. Coupled with Cedric’s careless attitude, she panicked, and Bernard showed no signs of budging. 

In the end, Josef grabbed Eleanor to sit on his lap to reassure her. “Don’t worry, I’ll teach you.” 

So focused on the cards at hand, Eleanor didn’t even notice that she was sitting on Josef’s lap. In her urgency, she asked him, “How do I form a sequence with these cards?”

He took her cards and quickly formed a sequence, slapping them down on the table. 

Norene frowned, “Mr. Caporal, that’s cheating!” 

Josef merely raised an eyebrow. 

Norene huffed, picked up the cards, and leaned back on the couch. 

Eleanor knew that it meant she had no way to fight back, so she finally relaxed. 

Feeling a sense of relief, she glanced back at Josef with gratitude. 

Witnessing her smile, Josef couldn’t resist kissing her. 

His cold touch snapped Eleanor back to reality, and she realized she was seated on Josef’s lap. 

She struggled to free herself, but he refused to let go. “If you keep resisting, I’ll make love with you right here.” 

This threat left Eleanor paralyzed with fear. Her face turned pale as she once again locked eyes with Bernard. 

This time, she detected a tint of anger and coldness in his gaze, causing her heart to race. Could it be that Bernard…? 

As she contemplated whether he had genuine concern for her, he abruptly played a sequence of cards, rejecting her advances and leaving her with no chance to retaliate. 

Observing Bernard exhaust all his options, Eleanor felt utterly defeated. 

With excitement, Norene said, “I just need one more sequence number to win.” 

As she threw down her cards, she winked at Cedric and Eleanor. 

“You’ve both lost, so according to the rules, each of you must remove an article of clothing.” 

Cedric laughed helplessly, put down his remaining cards, and took off his jacket. 

Finally, Norene turned her attention to Eleanor. “Ms. Shultz, Cedric has already removed his clothes. Now it’s your turn.”