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.

affection on Dad and call me a drama queen, huh?

needs affection," I

how to play his cards, responded with a teasing threat, "Remember, little lady, that's definitely going to affect your

realising the slight difference this time. With a month full of functions and travels to various locations, I did not need an extra

seem to have forgotten that I don't need any money for this entire period,"

couldn't hold onto my laughter anymore and the same went for Clara, she

see about that," He rolled his eyes and focused his attention on cooking again but this time with a small frown that took its place between his

dad was indeed

Samuel," she giggled as she pinched Dad's cheek

in disbelief, rubbing the spot where she left a slight pink tint. "What

only seemed

Dad groaned, trying to maintain his faux sternness, though a hint of a smile tugged

one that I had grown accustomed to over the years. However, at

if they continued their playful banter for too long, I

today," I decided to speak up, "I'm starving, and if

asserting herself. "You heard that, Chef? Cook for

moment, but he soon shifted his attention back

refrigerator to grab some orange juice. As I raised

the guests

as a familiar yet foreign voice resonated from right behind

morning, everyone," the voice said, unmistakably the voice of the Italian man who

in my chest, and the room suddenly felt devoid of oxygen, despite the gentle breeze coming in through

presence looming behind me. I was too petrified to turn and

Jacob," Clara greeted him

a good sleep, mate?" Dad asked casually, not bothering to look up

He responded, I could feel his gaze on me as well as Clara's, who seemed surprised by my

broke through the tense silence, and my

me, I was just fifteen years old. These past five years had transformed me in ways I never could

Jacob. I, too, mustered the courage to look at Jacob Adriano, and... well, damn

him. The same devilishly handsome jawline, the full, tempting lips, and those bewitching green

I had imagined running my fingers through countless times, fell casually on his face. And that same maddeningly attractive face that had haunted my dreams, and I had

sculpted muscles and paired with trousers, he

so that the gasp didn't slip

made his lips part in what I could identify as

really?" He asked, looking heavily

but still capable enough to imagine your gorgeous face

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

the same as before." The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. I tried not to

Jacob's green eyes upon my words, and perhaps because of my gaze, but he quickly masked it with a