Tangled Temptations

Their eyes locked, silence hanging between them. Orlena hadn't expected to run

into Brett at the hospital. The setting brought back memories of their first intimate encounter which also happened within these very walls. He was drunk then, pressing her onto the couch, claiming her wildly.

Clearly, Brett was remembering the past too. He was usually cautious, always contemplating the consequences of his actions. Yet, his affair with Orlena was a whirlwind, leaving him no time to consider the aftermath. He was seduced by a girl 16 years younger than him; it was probably the most reckless thing he'd ever done in his life.

And it wasn't because she was young and attractive. Brett had seen his fair share of beauties, many more alluring and more considerate than her. Unlike them, all Orlena did was wrap her arms around him, whispering his name like a kitten. And those cries of "Brett" were addicting.

...

After a long silence, Brett was the first to speak, "Are you here to see Linda?"

Orlena stared blankly, taking a while to snap back to reality, then nodded, "Yes, she's much better. She should be discharged tomorrow."

Just as Brett was about to say something, Donny came out of the elevator. Donny was a little surprised to see Orlena at first sight, but he was a seasoned professional, quickly regaining his composure. He greeted her with a light smile, "Ms. Horigan."

Orlena nodded, then told Brett, "I should go."

Brett grabbed her hand, "Wait."

Donny took a deep breath and turned his face away.

Orlena tried to pull away but Brett's grip was too strong.

"We need to talk," Brett said quietly.

Eventually, they ended up in a quiet café. Donny booked a private booth, dutifully standing guard outside.

Inside the booth.

Brett dismissed the waiter, personally making coffee.

Although he was usually served by others, he enjoyed the art of coffee-making in his private time.

After preparing the coffee, he placed a cup in front of Orlena. "Try it."

Orlena pursed her lips, "I don't like coffee."

A hint of indulgence appeared on Brett's face, his tone unexpectedly tender, "I forgot. You prefer smoothie and fried chicken."

Orlena watched him silently. The man in front of her was still as graceful and scholarly as she remembered. She had once been infatuated with him, but not anymore.

She spoke coldly, "Did you bring me here just to talk about this, Mr. Brett?"

Brett went to the mini-fridge and took out a drink for her. Orlena didn't take it, but he inserted a straw into the drink, then said softly, "Orlena, I've always wondered, how have you been these past two years?"

Orlena's heart skipped a beat. She looked up nonchalantly, "Pretty good, just experiencing life."

Her response was casual, but Brett knew it wasn't that simple. She had been pampered since childhood, not used to fending for herself.

He wanted to ask more, but Orlena laughed lightly, countering, "What do you want

to know, Mr. Brett? How desperate I was? Then confess to you why I didn't tell

you I was pregnant, or why I didn't abort the baby?"

Brett turned pale, but he still smiled, "Don't be childish."

Orlena lowered her eyes, "Childish? You've always thought of me as a child,

haven't you, Mr. Brett? How could you sleep with me then? Were you tired of your numerous female friends, so you wanted to try something new?"

She was controlling her emotions.

"Look at us, we're so different. You like coffee and chess, I like smoothie, fried chicken and clubbing. We're from two different worlds. You said we weren't suitable, and I didn't hold onto you. I forgot about our past like you asked. Now, what is this?"

Brett felt a sharp pain in his heart. He knew too well that underneath her words laid her resentment towards him. And she had every right to.

Back then, their relationship was sweet and passionate. Any woman, naïve or experienced, would assume the man would eventually marry her.

Brett, too, had thought about it. But he let her down.

Brett wanted to hold her hand, but she wouldn't let him. She held back her emotions, "I'm sorry, I lost my composure. If you want to see Daniel, have your secretary contact me, and I'll arrange it."

Brett asked softly, "Would it be okay if I visit the Horigan Mansion?"

Orlena paused noticeably. She wanted to refuse, but Noland family was related to her family by marriage, and she couldn't reject him.

Brett didn't push further. He just wanted to have a chat with her when he bumped into her today. It'd been a while since he had a simple conversation with someone, without any hidden agendas, just a man and a woman talking.

Orlena left in a hurry. As she was about to get into her car, her gaze froze.

Across the street, the window of Brett's car was lowered, and inside sat a mature, beautiful woman. Orlena knew her. That was Brett's subordinate, Stephanie. She was one of his close female friends.

The woman nodded at her.

Orlena scoffed. One moment he was being affectionate and reminiscing old times with her, the next he was out with his female subordinate.

What a player!

Brett, who was following behind, noticed the open car window too. He frowned, walking over to Orlena, "I brought her here for work."

Orlena calmly replied, "You don't need to explain, Mr. Brett. Besides, can you honestly say nothing ever happened between you two?"

Brett fell silent. That was all in the past, a moment of passion. Now, they were just colleagues.

Orlena didn't say anything else. She got into her car, fastened her seat belt, and stepped on the accelerator.

Her red sports car sped past him. As she drove by, Brett caught a glimpse of a tear trickling down her cheek. Was she crying?

Brett pressed his lips together, watching her car disappear into the distance. Stephanie got out of the car and walked up to him, offering considerately, "Mr. Brett, does that Ms. Horigan have some misunderstanding? Do you need me to explain?"

Brett felt a pang in his heart. He turned to look at her, and he instantly changed his expression. He chuckled, his demeanor relaxed as he joked, "What

misunderstanding? She's trying to defending her brother."

He carefully dodged any mention of his relationship with Orlena.

Stephanie responded with a nonchalant smile.

Donny rushed over, having witnessed the scene earlier. He wiped his forehead

and scolded the driver, "Why'd you drive the car here?"

The driver replied uncomfortably, "Mr. Stephanie requested it."

Donny turned to Brett, "Mr. Brett, what should we do now..."

Brett replied calmly, "You guys go back to the hotel first. I'm going to check on Linda."

Donny, knowing Brett's intentions, turned to Stephanie with a smile, "It seems Mr. Brett will be spending the night at Ms. Eloise's house. Perfect, we can unwind. Stephanie, how about I take you out for a drink tonight. The night life in Brockville can't compare to Peterborough."

...

After sending everyone away, Brett lingered in the parking lot, smoking several cigarettes. When Orlena cried, he knew she still loved him.

Brett's heart felt heavy with emotion. He wished he could shed these constraints and give her a home, so that she wouldn't have to cry alone anymore.

But could he do that now? He couldn't.

Brett, a tall and handsome man, crossed the street with a cigarette in his hand. Many women couldn't help but give him a second glance, unable to tell that he was already past 40 years old.

He arrived at the ward and knocked on the door.

Harvey, the one who opened the door, looked surprised to see Brett but was polite in his greeting.

Harvey, seemingly having forgotten their dispute in Brockville, spoke amicably and even poured Brett a glass of water. He casually discussed Linda's condition and finally mentioned, "If you had come half an hour earlier, you could have seen Orlena."

Brett, holding his glass of water, carefully replied, "I saw her. We had coffee together."

Harvey laughed, "Orlena drinking coffee? I can't understand how you two ever got together. You seem so different."

Brett was left speechless by Harvey's remarks. He set his glass down and replied with a smile, "Regardless, she and I share a son, Daniel. That's a bond that can't be broken. But I must admit, I envy you, Harvey. If you get back together with Eloise, you'll have been married twice. I can't compete with that."

Harvey flipped through some papers. He looked at Brett, who was still calmly sipping his water.

Harvey spoke flippantly, "No need to envy me. Our family is very open-minded. We would never use Daniel to tie you down, so you can continue to enjoy your carefree lifestyle. As for Orlena, my mother has already arranged a blind date for her, and she has agreed."

A blind date.noveldrama

Brett's hand, clutching his cup, turned pale. Harvey noticed and gave a small

smile, "Have some water."

Brett managed a weak smile.

Fortunately, Linda woke up at that moment. Brett, ever the loving uncle, walked

over to her bed, picked her up, and gave her a kiss. He then took out a talisman from his pocket and put it on Linda. This was a talisman he had specially obtained.

Harvey, perceptive as ever, understood the significance and softened his tone, "That's thoughtful of you."

Brett, holding Linda, asked Harvey about Joan's upcoming court case, which Harvey explained in detail.

Brett pondered for a moment, then murmured, "Just to be safe, I'll go make some arrangements."

He kissed Linda again. He couldn't let Eloise or Linda get hurt by that madwoman

again.