Tangled Temptations

At 8 PM, Harvey drove Eloise home.

The golden Bentley glided to a halt in front of the Laurent family mansion, and with a click, he locked the car doors.

Eloise turned to him, her eyes wide with a mix of emotions. "Harvey, this is moving too fast."

Dealing with 20-year-old Eloise required little effort on Harvey's part. With a half- smirk, he teased, "I haven't even done anything yet. How can it be too fast?"

Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. Innocent as she was, she understood the insinuations of a man's flippant comment.

Harvey enjoyed her embarrassment for a moment, but his fondness for her prevailed, and he didn't want to push her too far. He unfastened her seatbelt and brushed away a strand of hair from her face.

The temperature inside the car was climbing.

Eloise felt tense as it was her first time this close to a man, and Harvey's gaze was filled with unfamiliar desire.

As her heart pounded like thunder, Harvey leaned in closer. His voice was more seductive than the night itself. "I want to kiss you."

At that moment, Eloise looked like a frightened little fawn. Moved by her vulnerability, Harvey gently scooped her into his embrace.

Eloise was at a loss, unsure of what to do.

"Wrap your arms around my neck," he instructed with a husky voice. His proud nose brushed against hers as his dark eyes locked onto her delicate face.

At first, she hesitated, but slowly, she reached up to his shoulders. She even looked down, avoiding his gaze, her young body trembling.

It was just a kiss, and she was this afraid.

Harvey wrapped an arm around her waist and gently lifted her chin, lowering his head to kiss her. The kiss deepened and became more insistent, but when he tried to go further, Eloise refused.

Leaning on his shoulder, her slender fingers pressed firmly against his. "You can't touch me like that."

She felt a strong connection to him, yet she was still clear-headed. They had just met and had just begun dating. A kiss was already too much, let alone anything

more.

Her voice was tender, almost tearful. Harvey regained a shred of sanity. It was he who had lost control. In his mind, Eloise was his wife, and nothing could be too excessive, but to the 20-year-old Eloise, Harvey was still a stranger.

Glancing at the girl in his arms, her dress half-peeled off and hanging off her delicate arms, he felt a pang of tenderness. He gently pulled her dress back up, fastening each button. Harvey kissed her flushed cheek, soothing and doting, "No tears. I won't touch you."

Eloise wanted to get off him, but he wouldn't let her. Harvey held her with one arm while reaching into the glove compartment with the other, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. He drew one out, lit it with a flick, and took a long drag.

Eloise, quite the prima donna, couldn't stand secondhand smoke and complained, "I don't want to breathe in your smoke."

She was bold, plucking the cigarette from his lips, but then held it uncertainly, adorably clueless about what to do next.

Harvey leaned in and reclaimed the cigarette. He kissed her again. "Just half, then I'll let you go home."

Eloise fell silent. She nestled into his embrace, feeling his warmth through his shirt and the faint scent of tobacco.

Harvey cracked the window halfway. He smoked slowly, his hand gently stroking her hair. He cherished her, differently than he did the real Eloise. After all, Eloise was only 20 at that moment.

True to his word, Harvey smoked only half the cigarette before snuffing it out. He looked down at her. "Do you like me?"

Eloise wouldn't say. How could she voice such an embarrassing sentiment?

Harvey didn't press her. He held her close, kissed her again and again. And finally, with a gentle pat on her bottom, he said softly, "Go on back inside. Angus must be worried."

Eloise nodded.

Harvey straightened her dress and whispered hoarsely, "Don't hide our relationship."

She didn't agree and just blushed harder. She darted from the car and ran into the elevator.

Harvey sat in the car, watching her lively figure disappear, feeling a restless stir within. He had been coming to this dream for days, and had courted Eloise with the swiftest of passions. But his mission wasn't to fall in love; it was to suffer for Eloise and then bring her home. Yet the opportunity had not presented itself.

Harvey was anxious. He leaned back and lit another cigarette, contemplating. He smoked it down and was about to drive off when a quarreling couple approached from the distance.

It was Max and Ravenna. They had evidently witnessed the scene earlier and had been there for quite some time.

Ravenna clutched Max's clothes, weeping, "Max, you saw it. She left with someone else, from that fancy car. Why are you still here? What are you waiting for?"

Max shrugged her off.

Ravenna crumbled to the ground, crying hysterically, "Max... I love you. Now that Eloise is gone, won't you love me?"

Max ignored her. His gaze was intense as he glanced in Harvey's direction before vanishing into the night.

Ravenna continued to cry.

Suddenly, a revelation struck Harvey like lightning-

Max. Ravenna. Jeffrey.

How had he not seen it before? The key was Ravenna. Could it be that in reality,

the chandelier had fallen because of Ravenna's doing?

Seated in the dark car, Harvey's eyes were icy as he watched the weeping woman below, wishing he could just run her over. But he couldn't. Master Lee had said he was to suffer for Eloise.

No...

Harvey realized then. He was here in this dream to atone for his own past.

The golden Bentley slowly drove away. The city's neon lights cast an eerie glow on Harvey's face as he gripped the steering wheel with one hand and dialed Denise. "Arrange two bodyguards to protect Eloise discreetly."

Denise was taken aback by the call but was professional enough to carry out the order immediately.

Harvey hung up. The luxury car disappeared into the depths of the neon-lit city.

...

Harvey searched for clues while continuing his romance with Eloise. Harvey often took Eloise out on dates, spending most of their time in his apartment. He had thought she might find it suffocating, but to his surprise, Eloise loved it.

She enjoyed playing the piano and loved whipping up hearty meals in the kitchen. She also loved snuggling into him as he shared tidbits about legal matters. These were experiences Harvey never had with Eloise before. He wasn't sure if it was fate's way of granting them a second chance at love, but he treasured every moment with care.

It was nine on a Saturday night when Eloise felt it was time to head back home. Outside, a torrential downpour had begun. Eloise, standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, muttered softly, "It's autumn. Why is there a storm now?"

No sooner had she spoken than lightning tore across the night sky. She jumped into Harvey's arms, scared.

Fresh from a shower, he smelled crisp and masculine. Only then did Eloise realize he was wearing just a bathrobe. Her cheeks pressed against his warm skin. She could feel his heartbeat, and she blushed at the intimacy.

Harvey wrapped his arm around her slender waist, his voice raspy with emotion. "Maybe because I don't want you to leave," he whispered.

Eloise, only 20, was not ready to spend the night with a man. She insisted on waiting for the rain to stop.

Harvey simply held her, sitting on the balcony with the city lights below, and chuckled in her ear, "Don't you trust me?"

Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of red. Harvey was unexpectedly tender; he had his desires but couldn't bear to upset her. He knew he'd have to leave eventually. Even if it was all a dream, he didn't want to break the young girl's heart.

He held her close, dialing Angus on his phone, and soon there was an answer. Harvey's dark eyes locked on Eloise as he spoke, "Angus, it's me. The rain's too heavy, Eloise won't be going back tonight. Yeah, I'll take good care of her."noveldrama

After hanging up, Eloise stared at him with wide eyes.

Tossing the phone aside, Harvey gently pressed her onto the plush white wool carpet, touching her nose affectionately. "What are you thinking? Do you believe spending the night always leads to that?"

His frankness left Eloise speechless.

Outside, the storm raged, but inside the apartment, it was warm and cozy - their home. Harvey cradled her in his arms, and they kissed.

Eloise had never been this close to him before. She whimpered softly, "Harvey, you said you wouldn't touch me."

He whispered back, barely audible over the sound of the rain, "I promise I won't. Okay?"

Eloise was so inexperienced, and she couldn't resist him.

In front of the vast window, Harvey undressed her, indulging in the moment. Eventually, she began to cry. Harvey kissed her tears away until she smiled. Deep into the night, Eloise lay in his black dress shirt on the soft bed beside him. Harvey's body relaxed, but his mind was heavy with thoughts.

Eloise had no idea of his worries. She felt cheated and wanted to make sense of it all, tentatively probing him.

Her vulnerability was endearing, and it lightened Harvey's mood a bit. "Eloise, let's have three kids."

Eloise's face flushed, instinctively retorting, "I don't to have kids with you."

Harvey playfully teased her, "I've even thought of the names."

This piqued Eloise's interest. She cuddled into him, wearing only his black shirt, her eyes sparkling.

Harvey gently held her hand, their fingers intertwining, his voice soft in the night. "Linda, Darrien, Stephanie... What do you think?"

Eloise mulled over the names. Then, she wrapped her arms around his waist, whispering, "I don't want three kids."

Harvey chuckled lightly. He pulled her closer, holding her gently in his arms. They had been through so much, yet moments of quiet embrace were rare.

As Eloise drifted between sleep and wakefulness, she heard Harvey whisper in her ear, perhaps saying, "I love you."

A week later, Harvey still hadn't seen any move from Ravenna. He was growing

anxious.

In his study, he sat smoking one cigarette after another. His eyes closed, sorting

through the events.

What had he overlooked?

Then, his phone rang. It was Riley calling.

He got along with Riley well, and they often hung out together. Today's call was no

different. "Harvey, I've organized a get-together tonight. Are you coming?"

Harvey was about to decline, but then a thought occurred to him.

Riley.

Right, Riley ended up with Veronica in the end.

At present, Gunner was keeping Veronica company while also supporting Ravenna. A person with support wouldn't take drastic measures. Harvey quickly made up his mind. To force Ravenna into a corner, Harvey needed to cut off her support. So, he readily agreed, exhaling smoke with a smirk. "Sure, and invite Gunner too. I've seen him around the Music College a few times." Riley wasn't thrilled about bringing up Gunner, but the thought of Veronica joining persuaded him. "Alright, I'll call him."

After the call, Harvey sat quietly for a moment before dialing another number.

"Copy Gunner's SIM card for me. I'll need it."

...

The following night at 8 PM.

In a posh club in Peterborough, a private room dripped with opulence and

decadence.

The crowd was lively, around a dozen or so. They were all part of a close-knit group that regularly partied together.

Harvey sat in the corner, the dim lights casting shadows on his black attire. He

kept a low profile.

Riley teased him from the side, "What's with the gloom? Afraid of letting a girl get

too close? Don't tell me you're in love?" Riley's words were probing. Harvey chuckled modestly, "We're just dating."

Riley slapped him heartily on the back. "Then bring her out. I'd love to greet her."

Harvey didn't want Eloise in such a smoky place, so he deflected smoothly, "She goes to bed early; she's probably already tucked in."

Riley clicked his tongue, half-joking, "Since when did you start going for young girls, Harvey?"

Harvey stood his ground, refusing to budge.

Just then, Gunner arrived with Veronica in tow. Gunner was part of the circle as

well, but he wasn't quite on Harvey's level and approached with a certain deference.

Harvey was unusually cordial to him, and called Gunner by his name. Gunner was pleasantly surprised, figuring it had to be because of Eloise that

Harvey was giving him the time of day. It struck him as odd. Sure, Eloise was easy on the eyes, but Gunner couldn't see her keeping a guy like Harvey on a short leash. According to Veronica, Harvey was hooked, line and sinker.

The Laurent family was living high on the hog thanks to Harvey's attentions.

Gunner was a man's man. He knew the way to a woman's heart was through grand gestures and deep pockets, not just window-shopping sprees. That was kid stuff. So he nudged Veronica to buddy up to Eloise. Everyone had their angles, but to 35-year-old Harvey, playing them was like shooting fish in a barrel. He schmoozed with a reserved smile, a master mingler.

The vibe in the private room was top-notch. The gents were getting a bit sloshed,

though Harvey stayed sharp as a tack.

At 10 PM.

The door to the private room swung open, and the waiter announced with

politeness, "Ms. Ravenna, right this way."

And in walked Ravenna.

She was rocking a little red number, a slinky dress that hugged all the right

curves.

Gunner was gobsmacked. What was Ravenna doing here?

As the air thickened with tension, Ravenna made her way to join the group, but

her eyes caught Veronica's. She glanced at Gunner, who shot her a look.

Ravenna caught on instantly. "Oops, my bad. Wrong room."