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.

Dad and call me a drama queen, huh? That's not fair, Evie," Clara playfully protested, shaking her

needs affection," I mused and she burst

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

a month full of functions and travels to various

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

then," I couldn't hold onto my laughter anymore and the same went for

that," He rolled his eyes and focused his attention on cooking again but this

was indeed

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

in disbelief, rubbing the spot where she

only seemed to increase Dad's irritation, evident by the small

maintain his faux sternness, though a hint of a smile

familiar dynamic between the two of them, one that I had grown accustomed to over the years. However, at this moment, with

if they continued their playful banter for too

decided to speak up, "I'm starving, and if I don't get food now,

over her chest, asserting herself. "You heard that,

he soon shifted his attention back to the task at

made my way to the refrigerator to grab some orange juice. As

none of the

for..." Clara's voice trailed off as a familiar yet

voice of the Italian

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

was too petrified to turn and face him, my grip tightening around the

Clara greeted him

a good sleep, mate?" Dad asked casually, not bothering to look up from his cooking, unaware of the turmoil brewing

responded, I could feel his gaze on me as

silence, and my worst imagination became

couldn't entirely blame him; the last time he saw me, I was just fifteen years old. These past five years had transformed me in ways I never could have

can't recognize her?" Dad chuckled, finally glancing at Jacob. I, too, mustered the courage to look

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

muscles and paired with trousers, he could

that the

lips part in what

asked, looking heavily

still capable enough to

Evelyn, did you fail to recognize Jacob too?" He looked at me

hasn't changed even a little bit. He looks the same as before." The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. I tried not to let my gaze linger on Jacob for too long, but

Jacob's green eyes upon my words, and perhaps because of my gaze, but he