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.

drama queen, huh? That's not fair, Evie," Clara playfully

he needs affection,"

with a teasing threat,

a month full of functions and travels

forgotten that I don't need any money for this entire

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

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

dad was

Samuel," she giggled

spot where she

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

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

the two of them, one that I had grown accustomed to over the years. However, at this moment, with the hungry rats in my

banter for too long, I would

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

her arms over her chest, asserting herself. "You

for a moment, but he soon shifted his attention back to

grab some orange juice. As I raised the bottle

the guests have

Clara's voice trailed off as a familiar yet foreign voice resonated from right behind me, sending chills down my

of the Italian man

in my chest, and the room suddenly felt devoid of oxygen, despite the

his presence looming behind me. I was too petrified to

Clara greeted him with

not bothering to look up from his cooking, unaware of the turmoil brewing

gaze on me as well as Clara's, who seemed surprised

tense silence, and my worst imagination became a reality he didn't

fifteen years old. These past five

Dad chuckled, finally glancing at Jacob. I, too, mustered the courage to look at Jacob Adriano, and... well, damn

the full, tempting lips, and those bewitching green eyes that had ensnared me for as long as I could

countless times, fell casually on his face. And that same maddeningly attractive face that had

paired with trousers, he could easily outshine any supermodel with just

breath so that the gasp didn't

my daughter, Evelyn." Dad's voice made his lips part in what

He asked, looking heavily dumbfounded," She was so little

but still capable enough to imagine your gorgeous face while

you fail to recognize

and shook my head. "No, I recognized him. Unlike me, he 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

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