Ellinor didnât exactly get along with Patricia, and she really couldnât care less about what she had to say.
But it seemed like Patricia was itching to spill some beans.
Might as well hear her out. It was better than her scheming behind her back.
Drawing her arm back, Ellinor dusted off her sleeve, nodded at Patricia, and said, âAlright, letâs shoot the breeze then.â
Patricia froze for a second, thrown off by Ellinorâs clear rejection of her touch. She put on an innocent and pitiful face, as if she had no clue what she had done wrong.
They settled down in a little gazebo in the villa courtyard, and Patricia broke the silence first, âEllinor, Iâve noticed that Theo is really into you. He treats you well, doesnât he?â
Before coming over, Ellinor, fearing a dull conversation, brought along a couple of skewers of barbecued meat. While munching on it, she nonchalantly replied, âOh, really?â
Patricia mustered up a wry smile, Yeah. Theo is so good to you, you must be on cloud nine, huh?â
After some thought, Ellinor answered bluntly. âItâs alright.â
Patricia forced another bitter smile and sighed, âIt was the same when Theo and I were together. Every day felt like a dream. But alas, men are fickle. Once a new flame comes along, they forget the old oneâ¦â
Ellinor, busy enjoying her barbecue, paused and turned to look at Patricia with her brow furrowed, âWhen were you two together?â
Patricia quickly covered her mouth, feigning shock as if she just realized she had spilled a secret. âOh my, didnât Theo tell you? Ellinor, Iâm sorry; 1 shouldnât have said that. Just forget I said anything; donât let it bother you, okay?â
Ellinor smiled and nodded, âSure.â
Then she went back to her barbecue, not saying another word.
This left Patricia surprised. She didnât expect Ellinor to brush it off so easily, as if she couldnât care less.
A normal girl would be curious upon hearing about her boyfriendâs ex, right?
âEllinor, arenât you curious about what happened when Theo and I were together?â
âCurious!â Ellinor responded naturally, still as straightforward and nonchalant as ever, âBut if Iâm curious, Iâll ask him myself. Thereâs no need for you to go out of your way to tell me!â
Patricia was taken aback. She then looked at Ellinor with a somewhat sympathetic gaze, âEllinor, are you really so naive? Donât you think that if Theo hasnât told you about us after all this time, he wonât tell you the truth if you ask him now?â
âHe will.â Ellinor answered without hesitation, with not a hint of doubt on her face.
Patricia was stunned and puzzled by Ellinorâs unwavering trust in Theo.
âEllinor, it seems you donât really get how guys are. Most guys are always chasing after the next big thing; they wonât admit to having had good times with their exesâ
Ellinor raised an eyebrow in disdain, âMiss Patricia, youâre saying your beloved Mr. Blanchet is as fickle as some lowlife? Then why are you still head over heels for him?â
Ellinorâs words left Patricia speechless. She quickly tried to clear things up, âEllinor, since youâre being honest, Iâll be too. I donât just like Theo; I love him! No matter what kind of person he is, I will always love him! And honestly, most men are like this. Do you really believe there are men who are always faithful?â
Ellinor squinted, âMs. Howard, by saying that, youâre not only doubting Mr. Blanchet but also your father and brothers. Arenât they men too? Are you saying they are all fickle as well?â
Patricia was prepared for Ellinorâs rebuttal this time. She sighed in resignation, âIâm not doubting them;
Iâve just seen too many fickle men. Including my father and brothers, none of them are ever constant.
My father had an exâwife, and even my selfârespecting brother switches women every now and then.
Ellinor, you need to face the reality that most men are like this. Once the novelty wears off, they lose interest, no matter how beautiful or accomplished the womanis.â
Ellinor finally got it, âSo youâre saying, if Mr. Blanchet loses interest in me, he will ditch me, and I should be prepared for that, or maybe even leave him first to cut my losses?