Tangled Temptations

Harvey finished speaking, and Orlena pouted. Her skepticism was clear as day. "What's in it for me?"

With a playful smack to her head, Harvey smirked.

The perks?

"The perks are you get to date Brett, tie the knot, and then there's little Daniel." he thought.

Orlena let out a dramatic sigh. "Don't think I'm clueless, Harvey. You're just using me to lure this girl here, then you'll send me packing once she arrives, right?"

Spot on.

Harvey didn't bother denying it. His slender, graceful hands adjusted his tie. He was the picture of refinement.

With a mischievous grin, Orlena dialed the number, muttering under her breath, "So, Harvey has met his match, huh?"

She'd heard all about it. Harvey was smitten with a girl named Eloise, aprodigy at the Peterborough Music College, a piano virtuoso.

Orlena had sneakily looked at her picture - quite a looker, definitely Harvey's type.

The phone connected, and Eloise's voice came through, rejecting the offer flatly, "Attorney Horigan, as I've said before, I'm not interested in accepting the invitation."

Orlena glanced at her brother. Harvey gently patted her head.

Orlena immediately shifted gears, putting on her sweetest voice. "I'm Orlena... uh- huh, Attorney Horigan's sister. Just call me Orlena. It was actually me who invited you. I adore the piano, just like you. Please, come over. If you don't mind, I can drive over and pick you up."

Eloise was taken aback. Orlena? Wasn't she being a bit too forward?

But Orlena's charm worked its magic, and after a few more sweet nothings, Eloise gave in, even revealing when her classes ended.

...

After hanging up, Orlena hugged her phone triumphantly. "How are you gonna thank me, Harvey?"

Harvey pulled out his checkbook and scribbled a number.

Ten million.

He tore it off and handed it to her, then printed out a picture and slipped it to her. "This guy, Brett, is also for you. Stick his photo by your bed and aim high.”

Orlena pouted. "I want to meet Eloise."

Harvey really didn't want to bring his sister along, but after a moment's thought, he relented. It turned out Eloise had a soft spot for Orlena's antics.

Peterborough Music College.

At four in the afternoon, Eloise's classes were done, and she was ready to head home, books in hand.

At the school gates, a gleaming golden Bentley was hard to miss. Its luxury made it stand out.

Eloise didn't give it much notice and

headed straight across the street. However, the car pulled up beside her, and the window rolled down, revealing Orlena's delicate, radiant face. It was quite warm and inviting. "Eloise, get in."

The invitation was abrupt, and Eloise was overwhelmed.

Just then, Harvey stepped out from the driver's seat and opened the rear door for

her. "Hop in, we can't stay parked here."

Left with little choice, Eloise got in.

No sooner had she settled in than Orlena started chattering away, her voice a

constant stream of excitement.

The atmosphere was inevitably

awkward for Eloise, who was meeting Orlena for the first time. Harvey could feel the tension. As the

car stopped at a red light, he gently caressed the steering wheel and glanced in the rearview mirror,

catching Eloise's eyes.

Her gaze was so clear, unlike anything he'd ever seen. Harvey was captivated

and let out a soft, gentle smile.

His good looks and that smile turned Eloise's cheeks a crimson hue.

Orlena caught sight of it, too. She couldn't be prouder. Her brother was something else.noveldrama

...

Half an hour later, they arrived at Harvey's apartment. While he parked the car, Orlena had already whisked Eloise upstairs.

The door opened to reveal a cerulean vase on the entryway table with a few stems of white roses.

Further in was Baroque decor and a Louis II piano. Something about it made Eloise's heart skip a beat. It felt so familiar.

The scene was like something out of a past life, as if she had lived here before.

These were all things she loved. It was the home she had imagined.

Forgetting her surroundings, Eloise couldn't help but caress the vase.

"Do you like it?" came a man's voice from behind.

Eloise jumped, startled. She turned to see Harvey, his handsome features enigmatic.

His dark eyes fixed on her, and Eloise felt her knees weaken. Never one to lie, she confessed in a soft voice, "I adore this style of decor. It feels familiar, like a dream I once had."

There was a hint of confusion on her face.

Harvey longed to embrace her, but it wasn't the right moment. He smiled softly, a touch of warmth in his voice. "I'm glad you like it."

Eloise could barely meet his gaze. She turned to Orlena. "Didn't you say you wanted to see the piano?"

Orlena pulled her along, chattering

as they ran Harvey's place used to

be like a showroom, all black and

white, stark and lifeless... But a few

days ago, he suddenly wanted to change it all. I bet he did it fona girl he likes."

Her candidness was refreshing. The atmosphere between the other two was

subtly charged.

Eloise, almost involuntarily, looked over at Harvey.