Tangled Temptations

Eloise abruptly pulled back. She whispered in his ear, "I'm sleeping with Linda! Goodnight, Mr. Horigan!"

She prepared to leave, giving his handsface a playful pat, "Taste this feeling, Mr. Horigan!"

Harvey didn't stop her. He leaned against the headboard, watching her tidy herself up and leave the room. A

small smile played on his lips, "I didn't expect you to have such self-control!"

Eloise gave him a middle finger.

Harvey chuckled. He was attractive and skilled at teasing her, to the point where Eloise could hardly look at him.

She took a shower in the guest room and went to bed. Her phone beeped. It was a message from Harvey on

Facebook. 'Missing you!" it read.

A small smile graced Eloise's lips as she stared at the two words. She didn't reply. Another message cin.

[Csleep with me! | won't do anything... | just want to hold you as we sleep. Tomorrow morning, I'll go for a

run and bring you back a rose to wake you up with.]

Eloise had been entangled with Harvey for many years. She knew what he wanted. He didn't force anything on

her, because he just wanted to start over with her, to date her.

She closed her eyes. Over the years, whether it was love or hate, it was always Harvey.

Everything was Harvey.

She didn't respond to him, but she knew he wouldn't mind. He was enjoying the process of wooing her. They

lived together, but if they rushed into a lifelong commitment just because of Linda, it would be a tragedy. In their

future relationship, Eloise didn't want to be cheap and easy to get again. If Harvey wanted her, he would have to

pursue her, to try his best to win her.

Whether she'd give in, or how much she'd give, Eloise wanted to be the controller.

The next morning when Eloise woke up, there was a fresh rose on the bedside table. She rolled over, gently

touching the petals. It reminded her of when they were together, of how he often gave her roses. But she

couldn't tell if he felt the snow as he did then.

Eloise didn't want to appear too affected.

She went downstairs after freshening up to find Linda already up, breakfasting with her dad.

Harvey, the picture of a doting father, was leisurely sipping his coffee, reading the morning paper.

Eloise joined them. Linda immediately cleaned her mouth, becoming much more well-behaved as she continued

to eat.

Eloise gave her a quick kiss.

Harvey put down his newspaper, smiling, "She listens to you well!"

Harvey's words were music to her ears. But then he added, "I listen to you too. I'll

do whatever you tellto, even if it's... not doing something."

Eloise bit her lip, whispering to him softly, "Don't teach Linda any bad habits!" Linda continued eating.

Harvey becserious now. He looked at her with care. "Did you sleep well last night?"

Eloise ignored his question; he knew the answer.

Last night was too intimate. She felt too embarrassed to take Linda to school with him, so she stayed at hto

tidy up. Since she'd moved in, she took over these chores.

At ten, she called Orlena and suggested they go shopping.

The annual Everest Technologies celebration was coming up, and Eloise hadn't picked out a dress yet. Plus, she

thought it would be good for Orlena to attend and take her mind off things.

They arrived at Moonlight Studio. Pauline was a special guest here, so when Eloise and Orlena showed up, the

shop was promptly cleared for them.

As Eloise browsed the selections, she chatted with Orlena. They inevitably discussed Brett.

Eloise didn't try to speak sgood words for her uncle. Instead, she shared her parenting experiences with

Orlena. Despite only being a mom for two months, it seemed Eloise had more insights - probably because she

was raising Linda with such meticulous care.

Orlena began to relax.

Eloise picked out a dress for Orlena to try on, while Eloise rested on a couch, sipping a floral tea as she waited.

The shop manager approached, looking a bit uneasy. "Mrs. Horigan, we have a Mr. Velona here who is also one of

our... | am hoping to discuss it with you. Could you possibly make a bit of space?"

Eloise was easy-going and agreed. But when the man cin, she saw it was Max, accompanied by a quite

attractive girlfriend.

Max was equally surprised. He looked at Eloise, and after a long pause, finally said, "Back home?"

Eloise nodded, smiling at them. "Make yourselves at home."

Max wanted to chat with her for a bit, so he left his companion to browse the gowns. The woman, a second-rate

celebrity, gracefully excused herself, leaving them alone.

Max took a seat across from Eloise. He had planned to smoke, but soon put down the lighter and pack of

cigarettes. He laughed lightly, "Long tno see. | heard your child with Harvey is now four."

Eloise flipped through a magazine, nonchalantly acknowledging his statement.

Max looked at her serene face, feeling somewhat lost. For a long time, he had been infatuated with her, wanting

to claim her as his own. But years had passed, and it seemed everyone was moving forward while he remained

in the sspot. He couldn't even distinguish whether he was still in love with Eloise or just missing the

innocence of Orlena.

Just as he was lost in thought, Orlena emerged. She didn't notice Max and was preoccupied with adjusting her

strapless gown, quietly complaining, "Eloise, isn't this a bit too revealing? Should | change into something else?"

Eloise didn't respond.

When Orlena looked up and spotted Max, she was stunned. Back when he was caught cheating and supporting

another woman, the Horigan family had forcefully called off the engagement. Max's business had taken a hit, but

over the years, he had recovered and was now the charming Mr. Velona once again.

Orlena gave a casual smile, and nodded at him.

Compared to her calmness, Max was much more astonished. He had heard rumors about her and Mr. Brett, but

initially didn't believe them. However, seeing Orlena now, he found those gossips credible.

The once vibrant face was now dulled by the trials of love. It lost much of its color, but, it also gained a certain

feminine charm.

He had once thought that Orlena would never grow up. But she changed into a woman he hadn't imagined, and

it was... for another man.