Having broken up with Chad, Cordelia was back to her usual solo routine. It wasn't much as she spent a large portion of her time in some sort of relationship, but she wanted some space to consider the situation with Chad. The situation was a strange one after all. She'd lost interest and left precisely because he stopped his attempts at manipulation. If he'd just been kind to her up front, would she have stayed?

Once she was done with work for the day she decided to go for a walk in the park. It was the sort of activity that helped with processing. The closest park usually wasn't too crowded and had a little lake she enjoyed walking around. However, she hadn't gotten far before she heard a familiar voice. She slowed down and searched for the source of the sound.

Turned out that she had been right. It was Chad, slumped on a park bench. He was talking to some blonde guy who sat right next to him. Who was he? At least it wasn’t a woman, although he’d move on sooner or later. That much was just natural. Even so, she found herself slowly moving closer. They weren't looking her way and if she played her cards right she might be able to eavesdrop without being visible to them nor appearing suspicious to anyone else in the park.

There, she'd done it. She was in position, ridiculous as the whole endeavor was. There was nothing to be gained from this so why was she doing it? Then again, the same could be said for big chunks of her life.

"…this is a joke," the man said. "You're not actually sulking about a girl."

Chad mumbled something and the guy raised his voice. "You? Actually in love? There’s no way that happened."

"Believe what you want, Leonard," Chad snapped at him. "I’ll remind you that you still have outstanding debts and things would quickly become were unpleasant were I to demand their repayment now."

So they knew each other from before and Chad had given the guy a loan? The fact surprised Cordelia. Judging by the casual way they were talking to each other they likely had for a while too. She hadn't taken Chad for the type to maintain serious long-term relationships.

"Yeah right. I know you’re just trying to change the topic," Leonard scoffed. "I know how you treated your women in the past. None of them ever mattered to you, so why would this one? Did you hit your head or something?”

"You think I'm not aware?" Chad frowned. "And who are you to say shit about my relationships? Your marriage is held together with duct tape."

"Shut it!” Leonard shouted. "It doesn’t change who you are. The Chad I know would never allow some silly emotion like love to dictate his actions.”

Now this was a strange turn of events. She was the first person Chad had actually fallen for? Cordelia decided to listen in for a little while longer.

"I know," Chad said angrily. "It doesn’t make sense but that’s what’s going on. You don't have to rub salt in the wound." He huffed and crossed his arms.

"She really messed you up, didn't she?" Leonard sighed and shook his head. “Whatever, this better blow over soon…”

Leonard and Chad bickered for a while longer before they parted ways. When the conversation ended Cordelia decided to move out of the way before either of them could spot her. It seemed that she'd accomplished the opposite of what she came here for. Now there were even more things to consider…

Several days passed, during which Cordelia found herself pondering her relationship with Chad in the small moments. Whether it was walking to her car in the morning, packing groceries into the fridge, or having a quiet moment at work seemed to be irrelevant. The topic seemed to pop into her mind sooner or later. She had just gotten back home from work and made herself comfortable on the couch, so of course she found herself thinking about it yet again.

Not that there was any point to it. She had already ended the relationship. Would she attempt to look for someone with similar traits next time? Cordelia stretched and looked up at the white wood ceiling. Not that she intended to make it a habit or get in too deep. It was just an interesting opportunity for closer study of a manipulator. Sure, she ran into the occasional patient with such tendencies, but the dynamics differed from those of two lovers. She sighed. In the end, would it have been better if she hadn't met Chad?

She startled when the doorbell rang. Who would it be at this time? Friends weren't really her thing, nor had she gone out and found herself a new date yet. She rolled onto her side and pushed herself off the couch. Better not let whoever was at the door wait for too long. Perhaps it was a delivery worker with a package for her neighbor? It wouldn't be the first time one of them came to the wrong door.

When she opened the door and saw who it was, Cordelia found herself struggling to produce words. It was only after a moment of stunned silence that she managed to at least say his name.

"Chad?!"

To boot, he was offering her several gifts.

"I can't bear to be without you. I promise I'll treat you better," Chad pleaded. "One more chance is all I ask for."

Cordelia blinked several times, eventually taking the gifts off his hands and ushering him in. Not necessarily accepting them, but it wouldn't do to have an extended conversation while he struggled not to drop anything. She figured that she at least owed him a chance to talk about what had happened. It took a lot for his type to beg this openly.

Whether it would lead anywhere else than that… she supposed she'd see soon enough.