My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 2 The Arrival

Evelyn.

The morning sunlight infiltrated the room through the window, its warm rays rousing me from my slumber. I reluctantly pried my eyes open, only to have them promptly shut again in protest against the intrusive light.

Letting out a disgruntled sigh, I buried my face in the pillow, hoping to shield myself from the unwelcome morning.

Mornings. Ugh! I despised them with a passion.

Even more than my periods.

Groaning, I finally dragged myself out of bed, deliberately averting my gaze from the blinding sun, I stumbled my way to the bathroom. As usual, I brushed my teeth at a tortoise's pace, trying to delay the inevitable start of the day.

As usual, I brushed my teeth at a tortoise's pace and took a shower. I made sure to scrub away any remnants of sleep, unwilling to risk looking like a ghost amidst the uncertainty of potential guests.

While the gathering had mostly been arranged amongst family members, I vaguely recalled my dad mentioning a few of his friends being invited, too.

I included a few of my friends who would come a day before the wedding day.

I dried my hair and threw on a casual spaghetti-strap tank top and shorts before venturing out of the room. The mansion seemed eerily quiet, signalling that no guests had arrived yet. However, as I made my way towards the kitchen, I couldn't help but overhear fragments of conversation between Dad and Clara, their voices carrying through the stillness of the house.

"Good morning, lovebirds," I greeted with a smile as my eyes fell on Dad and Clara. They were preparing breakfast, with Clara seated at the counter and Dad taking charge as today's chef. "Good morning to you too, sweetheart," They responded in unison.

"So, what's on the menu, Mr. Chef?" I playfully inquired, walking closer to them and stealing a glance at the pan.

"Pasta, apparently it's the only thing I know how to cook well," Dad replied with a hint of self-deprecating humour in his voice. This remark elicited a small chuckle from both Clara and me.

"Well, that's not a problem at all. You're still the best," I giggled, hugging him from the side.

"Finally, you're admitting it, huh?" Dad chuckled, returning the embrace and planting a tender kiss on my forehead.

"I've never denied it, though," I giggled, "By the way, I'm sorry for joking about packing you in a suitcase the other day. I didn't mean it, really." I kissed his cheek, and he let out a gentle laugh before reciprocating with a smooch on my left cheek.

"I know," He ruffled my hair, "You are still too childish to commit a crime like that."

This made another laugh tear from my throat.

"All love for Dad, huh?" Clara's dramatically sad voice interrupted and my eyes shifted to her direction, "Nobody loves me."She melodramatically declared, averting her eyes from me, as if to express a hint of resentment. I could notice the small frown that'd appeared on her lips.

Unable to resist the opportunity to tease her, I walked over to Clara with a grin on my face. "Oh, come here, my drama queen," Laughing I wrapped my arms around her and planted a kiss on her cheek.

I watched as she tried to maintain an unruffled expression, but a smile inevitably made its way to her lips, and she hugged me back.

a drama queen, huh? That's

he needs affection," I mused

how to play his cards, responded with a teasing threat, "Remember, little lady,

full of functions and travels to various

childlike, Dad. You seem to have forgotten that I don't need any money for this entire period," I pointed out, reminding him of his own wedding experience with Clara. "Then I'll adjust it next month."

know you'll forget about it till then," I couldn't hold onto my laughter anymore and the same went for Clara,

and focused his attention on cooking again but this time

dad was indeed

she giggled as she pinched Dad's

looked at her in disbelief, rubbing the spot where

little bear," She tapped Dad's nose and this only seemed

my nerves, Clara," Dad groaned, trying to maintain his faux sternness, though a hint

do, huh?" her voice brimmed with mischief. It was a familiar dynamic between the two of them, one that I had grown accustomed

continued their playful banter for too long, I would be left hungry

of the family circus for today," I decided to speak up, "I'm starving, and if I don't get

asserting herself. "You heard

a moment, but he soon shifted his attention back to the task

the situation was under control, I made my way to the refrigerator to grab some orange juice. As I raised the bottle to my mouth, I took a

none of the guests have

voice trailed off as a familiar yet foreign voice resonated from right behind me, sending

of the Italian man who had invaded

heart racing in my chest, and the room suddenly felt devoid of

me. I was too petrified to turn and face him, my grip

greeted

mate?" Dad asked casually, not bothering to look up from

could feel his gaze on me as well as

through the tense silence, and my worst imagination

the last time he saw me, I was just fifteen years old. These past five years had transformed me in ways I

glancing at Jacob. I, too, mustered the courage

The same devilishly handsome jawline, the full, tempting lips, and those

strands of his luscious chestnut brown hair, which I had imagined running my fingers through countless times, fell casually on his face. And that same maddeningly attractive face that

simple t-shirt that accentuated his sculpted muscles and paired with trousers, he could easily outshine any supermodel with just a

so that the gasp didn't slip past my

his lips part in what I could identify as

He asked, looking heavily dumbfounded," She was so

to imagine your gorgeous

it?" Dad began," Evelyn, did you fail to recognize Jacob

slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them.

eyes upon my words, and perhaps because of my gaze, but he quickly