Tangled Temptations

Max brooded, his features cast in a stormy gloom.

With a soft sigh, Michelle guessed the reason and let the visitor in.

Just then, Eloise emerged from her bedroom and caught sight of Max, momentarily taken aback. Their families were close, and she had always been fond of Max, but they had never been particularly close themselves.

Eloise stood frozen for a moment before asking in a hushed voice, "Are you here to see my dad?"

Max's gaze was fixed on Eloise. It was an intense scrutiny, as though he were seeing her for the first time, taking in every inch of her from head to toe.

At home, Eloise was dressed in a short nightgown. Her arms were slender, her legs slim and long, and her thick chestnut hair was cascading over her shoulders, framing her coffee-colored round glasses that accentuated her youthful tenderness.

She was undeniably attractive, but Max had only ever assessed her for her beneficial value. Now, with a suitor on her heels and the Velona Corporation's troubles sorted, it seemed he was finally ready to see Eloise for who she was- the girl who had always been by his side.

In the past, he found her too plain, too uninteresting, but now, someone else was about to enjoy this tender morsel of cake, and Max found himself reluctant to let go. Perhaps this was the inherent flaw of men.noveldrama

"Let's talk," Max said softly, still staring into Eloise's face.

Eloise was bewildered.

At that moment, Angus sensed the tension and stepped in with a gentle tone. "Max, the company stuff has nothing to do with Lou."

Max's eyes were still on Eloise. "I want to discuss a personal matter with her," he said, each word deliberate.

Angus was at a loss for words, unsure of how to proceed.

Eloise returned with a cardigan draped over her shoulders and whispered, "Alright, let's talk downstairs."

...

No sooner had they reached the bottom of the stairs than Max took hold of her arm. "Do you like him?"

Confronted with Max's interrogation, Eloise was somewhat dazed. She had known Max for a long time, and her affection for him was no secret, yet he had never reciprocated. She had never confessed her feelings.

In theory, who she was with should be of no concern to him, especially since she harbored no such intentions now. Eloise tried to pull away, but she couldn't break free from Max's surprisingly strong grip.

"Harvey is willing to invest a billion into the Velona Corporation, but only if Angus takes a job at Horigan Inc. Is that the deal you struck with him?" he demanded. Eloise froze.

Max's pride was wounded, and he growled, "Answer me!"

Eloise's arm throbbed with pain. She blinked gently. So that was it. His male ego was bruised, and that's why he had sought her out. But what were they to each other? What right did Max have to treat her this way?

Eloise decided to lay it all out. "What about you, Max? What do you think? You know I like you, but you've been stringing me along."

...

Their eyes met, and the air between the two young adults crackled with intensity. After a long silence, Eloise's voice was hoarse as she asked, "Before you questioned me, you had already decided to accept, hadn't you?"

Max was taken aback. He felt exposed and awkward. His original plan had been to date Eloise, to gain Angus' complete trust, and eventually saddle him with the multimillion-dollar deficit that would plague the Velona Corporation in the coming years.

However, everything was in disarray now. The crisis at the Velona Corporation had been averted. He should have been elated, should have been able to congratulate Eloise warmly, but he couldn't

stomach the manner in which it had happened.

Before coming here, he hadn't even known what he wanted. Eloise had awakened him to the truth.

Under the dim streetlights, Max stood rigidly, and after a long moment, he said hoarsely, "Go back inside."

Eloise lowered her gaze. She wrapped her cardigan tighter around herself and slowly walked back to the house.

The night breeze was chilly, turning her nose red and heating her eyes. She cried. Her unconfessed crush had ended before it had even properly begun. She knew all too well what Max would choose.

Beneath the dense trees, Max's figure stretched long and lonely. He watched Eloise's retreating back. For a moment, he wanted to call out to her, to tell her he didn't need the billion-dollar investment. What he wanted was her.

But in the end, he remained silent, just watching Eloise walk away.

...

Back at the house, Eloise couldn't shake her melancholy.

Angus patted her back. "I'm sorry, pumpkin. I didn't consider your feelings."

Eloise shook her head. She hugged Angus, resting her head on his shoulder, and whispered, "I know you love me the most, Dad. You did what you did because Max doesn't like me."

Angus stroked her hair. "Who wouldn't love my little treasure?"

Michelle came out with dinner, feigning annoyance at their affection. "Angus, you

spoil her too much. Eloise is 20. She can handle her own matters."

Angus chuckled in response. "And who is it that tucks her in every night?"

Their banter warmed the room.

Eloise's mood lifted, and she helped herself to seconds. When bedtime came, she tossed and turned, deciding it was time to forget Max. Just as she was about to drift off, her phone pinged.

A Facebook message.

Upon opening it, Eloise nearly choked with shock. It was a provocative half-nude male selfie, droplets of water poised to roll off taut skin into the towel's fold, accentuating the defined abs...

The subject of the photo was Harvey.