Chapter 105: Despicable Him
** Eli **
Eli wasn’t sure exactly what kind of reaction he expected from Harper upon hearing the story, but it wasn’t the one he got, which was her reaching up and wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight hug.
"My God, I’m so sorry." Her voice was soft as a whisper. "I didn’t know ... I could never imagine. Why would anyone do such a thing ... to the people who are closest to them?"
Of course. Kind and sweet like she was, this girl would never fathom how some people could manage to sail through life so easily without batting an eye at the feelings of others they hurt. But that was precisely what she didn’t know about him, wasn’t it? That was precisely why all the truths came crashing down at the worst time, in the worst circumstances.
"I’m not telling you this so you can feel sorry for me, Harper." Eli patted her gently on the shoulder. "I’m telling you this so it’s not too late for you to know what kind of person I might turn out to be. As much as I despise it, I’ve always been like my father in every way that matters. What Vanessa said—"
"What are you talking about?" Harper pulled back, staring into his eyes with utter confusion. "Eli, I’ve only met your father briefly, and I don’t know him well enough, but I know you. Whatever he might’ve done says nothing about you, not in that way."
Eli only let out a humorless laugh. "Are you so sure? Did you really not wonder at all why Vanessa thought she was on a date with me? You might remember the evening when we went to Le Jardin for dinner ... That reservation was the one originally made for me to see her, until I changed it so I could use the place to impress you instead. She should’ve been my official date at the time, until I tried to manipulate the situation and take advantage of it. And I never even told you a word about the whole thing ... Probably never would, if not for what happened today."
He felt ashamed to finally admit the truth, and he looked away. But Harper didn’t let him go. She searched his eyes, as if looking for something she had just confirmed from the confession. "Was that ... the deal you told me that you made with your father for the venture project?"