Tangled Temptations

Eloise was always the obedient one. She and Veronica had left earlier.

Harvey, with his worldly wisdom, pulled Riley aside and said in a brotherly tone, "If you've got a thing for Veronica, wait till everything settles down, man. Don't let her reputation get tarnished by your mess. And tidy up your own backyard while you're at it."

Riley didn't utter a word.

After delivering his advice, Harvey glanced at Gunner without saying anything. The scent of sex lingering in the air spoke volumes. No wonder Veronica couldn't stand it.

And this was exactly the outcome Harvey had anticipated. He knew Gunner well; in a fit of wounded pride, he wouldn't cling to Ravenna.

Harvey wouldn't feel guilty. He simply expedited the inevitable. Without much ado, Harvey and Riley left.

...

Only Gunner and Ravenna were left at the scene.

Gunner leaned against a wall. A bruise marred his face, and he smoked a cigarette with a defeated air.

Ravenna moved closer, her voice soft as silk. "Veronica may not want you, but I'll always be here for you."

Gunner gently pushed her away. While smoking, he looked down at her with a mix of disdain and amusement. She was nothing but a plaything to him.

He scoffed, "Ravenna, you don't actually think I have feelings for you, do you? You're convenient, that's all. You're willing to do things Veronica wouldn't."

Ravenna cursed him out, but Gunner only let out another cold laugh. "Take the 500 grand and get lost."

Even if Veronica didn't forgive him, he wouldn't stoop so low as to be with a whore like Ravenna.

Gunner walked away.

Ravenna stood there, seething with rage. She descended the stairs only to find that Gunner was gonE, but she caught sight of Eloise and Veronica.

They sat in a car, a golden Bentley worth a fortune, while Eloise naturally occupied the passenger seat beside Harvey, looking every bit the official girlfriend. Ravenna couldn't believe that someone like Attorney Horigan would take a shine to Eloise. Yet now, Eloise had ascended to the ranks of the Horigan family.

Compared to Veronica, whom she didn't despise as much since she wasn't keen on Gunner, it was Eloise she envied. If there were even the slightest chance with Max, Ravenna would never have hook up with Gunner.

She hated Eloise.

In the shroud of night, Ravenna stood in the shadows, intermittently lit by passing lights, her red dress giving her the appearance of a spectral figure.

Harvey, half his window rolled down, finished his cigarette in silence. He had seen Ravenna and the hatred in her eyes. He gently accelerated, taking Eloise away from the club entrance.

Inside the car, Veronica sat quietly. Eloise wanted to climb back and comfort her, but Harvey insisted she stay by his side.

"Where to?" Eloise whispered.

Harvey held her hand, his voice soft. "To my place."

Eloise felt it wasn't right, but in Harvey's eyes, she was his wife, and his home

was hers. Having a friend over occasionally was no big deal.

The luxurious car cut through the night like a shooting star.

Arriving at the apartment, Harvey thoughtfully opened the guest room for Veronica, complete with a full bathroom. He then softly told Eloise, "The master bedroom has plenty of your clothes. Get some for Veronica."

When had Eloise's clothes ended up here?

Veronica was nosy, and even in her heartache, she could smell the affair. She sniffed suspiciously and asked Eloise, "So you two are living together now?"

Eloise couldn't quite explain.

Entering the master bedroom, Eloise flung open the walk-in closet with a huff, "When did I ever leave clothes here? You're spreading rumors and sullying my reputation."

However, the closet was filled with her favorite brands, tags still attached. She noticed additional dresses, more feminine than her usual style. She was flustered but also secretly pleased to be so thoughtfully considered. Her protest was weak as she tugged at a price tag. "I never said I'd move in."

Harvey wrapped his arms around her from behind, kissing her delicate neck. With

a husky voice, he said, "Didn't you spend the night here once already?"

Eloise, desperate to clarify, stammered, "We didn't do anything..."

"Do you want to?" he teased.

Her face turned crimson. Harvey was incorrigible.

Watching her blush, he chuckled softly. His hand gently traced her waist,

whispering, "Eloise, no man wouldn't want to. But you're too young. Let's wait a bit longer."

Burning with curiosity amidst her embarrassment, Eloise finally asked, "At what age... is 'not too young?""

Harvey turned her to face him, lifting her onto the cabinet. He leaned in for a kiss, remembering the time they had dressed up for a gala, and he ended up fucking her good in this very changing room.noveldrama

After a long, tender kiss, he murmured against her lips, "Let's say 24."

Eloise wrapped her arms around him, everything feeling so surreal, yet right. She liked being here, liked Harvey, and even enjoyed his kisses and caresses.

After a moment of affection, Harvey gently patted her, assuring her, "Get some clothes for Veronica. Don't worry about her. Riley's quite fond of her. They'll probably end up together."

Eloise blinked, amazed at his insight, her admiration growing. She took the clothes to leave, but Harvey pulled her back, whispering in her ear, "Come back and sleep with me."

Eloise's cheeks burned with shyness.

Later that night, Harvey, fresh from a shower and dressed in a black robe, lounged on his bed, a cigarette in hand, pondering his next move. Ravenna, rejected by Gunner, would likely take her anger out on Eloise. He figured it was time to assign more bodyguards to ensure Eloise's safety.

The bedroom door creaked open, and a small head peeked in. Harvey eyed her, patting the bed beside him, inviting her to sleep.

Eloise was quite embarrassed. For such a young lady, it was unsettling to be so close to a man.

Eloise tiptoed to the bed, her delicate skin contrasting against the dark sheets. Her beauty struck even in the dim light. Trembling with fear, her voice barely above a whisper, she pleaded, "Harvey, you said you'd wait until I was 24."

She was so young, her innocence palpable. Harvey, strong-willed as he was, couldn't help but indulge in the tender intimacies shared between lovers. Besides, he longed to see her lost in pleasure.

Harvey intertwined his fingers with hers, kissing the corners of her lips, comforting her to let go of her fears.

But how could she not be afraid?

Throughout the night, Eloise wept softly, naivety crumbling under the weight of new emotions, leaving her a disheveled mess of vulnerability.

Patiently, Harvey cradled her, soothing her with gentle pats on the back as she lay, sweating and spent, in his arms. Her shame mingled with a strange sense of wonder at his restraint. "Aren't men supposed to be more impulsive?" she mused silently.

Harvey whispered in her ear, "Are you yearning for me?"

Eloise refused to answer.

As the night deepened, so did Harvey's thoughts. His hand tenderly caressed her cheek as he instructed, "Don't wander off these next few days, alright?"

Obediently, she nodded.

Kissing her forehead, Harvey felt a twinge of affection. If only things were different, if he had met her at 20, he would have given her the world.

She slept soundly, her mind untroubled. But Harvey was haunted by the reality of his wife, even as he held a younger version of her in his arms.

Dawn was just breaking when the door burst open. Veronica stood there, defiant

in her resolve. "I've figured it out. So what if I've had my heart broken? After one night, I'm still standing strong."

Harvey, still entwined with Eloise, was livid. He dialed Riley immediately. "Come and take Veronica away."

"Why him?" Veronica stammered, flustered.

Harvey, shirtless and marked with adorable bite marks on his abdomen, left Veronica speechless.

He had slept with Eloise. And damn, his body was impressive.

A nosebleed betrayed Veronica's shock, further annoying Harvey, who quickly got dressed and escorted her to the guest bathroom.

Amidst her protests and nose rinsing, Veronica accused, "You jerk, Harvey. Eloise

hadn't even held hands with a man before you took advantage of her."

Harvey just scoffed. If only she knew-they already had three kids.

Riley arrived shortly after, grateful to Harvey for the opportunity to pursue Veronica, whom he adored.

Slumped over the dining table, Veronica managed to say, "Listen, Riley. You're coming with me to the school reunion next week. And just to be clear, I haven't agreed to be your girlfriend. This is just to even the score."

The school reunion?

Harvey's eyes narrowed as he considered the upcoming event.

Once Riley escorted Veronica away, Harvey retreated to his study and searched online for Peterborough Music College. Within a minute, his expression turned solemn.

The 2012 Music College reunion would be held at the Peterborough Theatre, exactly where Eloise's tragedy had struck.

The same place, the same people, even the familiar chandelier. Harvey knew his time to return to reality was near.