My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 128 I Am Staying

Evelyn

It turned out that the address Tyler had given me led to a hotel, though a different one from where I'd stumbled upon my boyfriend locking lips with his ex-a sight as sweet as a lemon wedge in an open wound. Very very sweet indeed.

Life seemed to have a knack for fucking with me from every angle, but hey, at least I was getting a firsthand tour of Rome's swanky hotels and a crash course in Italian social dynamics.

So far, the three Italians I'd encountered-Jacob Adriano, Tyler Ricci, and Chloe the bitch-had left me less than impressed. Not that I was painting all Italians with the same tainted brush, but were they all cut from the same dysfunctional cloth? Hard to say. And frankly, I wasn't sure I cared to find out.

My experiences with Italians thus far had been nothing short of nightmarish and weirdly fucked-up. So, forgive me if I wasn't exactly eager to cozy up to another Italian male, especially not the innocent, put- together types like Jacob, or the ones whose corruption oozed from their pores like Tyler. Rotten to the fucking core.

Approaching the receptionist, I plastered on my best fake smile. "Hi there, could you please tell me the room number for Mister Ricci?"

"Tyler, ma'am?" Her surprise was evident, and I could almost see the gears turning in her head. "Are you Evelyn?"

Ah, so that slimy bastard had even managed to rope the receptionist into his little game.

"Let me guess, this is his hotel?" I inquired dryly, and she nodded, her smile unwavering, as if thrilled to be the bearer of such invaluable information.

"Yes, ma'am. This is his hotel, and you are most welcome here," she chirped, handing over a keycard with practiced efficiency. "He left this for you. The suite's on the tenth floor. Enjoy your stay, ma'am." "Thank you," I muttered, snatching the keycard and making a beeline for the elevator. With each passing floor, my anxiety skyrocketed. People entered and exited, oblivious to the turmoil churning inside me. Meanwhile, I stood there alone, having watched my world crumble, piece by agonizing piece, in someone else's embrace.

Regrets flooded my mind like a torrential downpour.

a profound error, a catastrophic misjudgment that eclipsed all other blunders

I even

palms. I approached suite number 837 with a head swirling with conflicting thoughts. Swiping the keycard, I pushed open the door, summoning every iota of resolve as I stepped inside. There he was, seated at the

words slithered out without a glance backward. "Come, Bella

beside him, I chose to stand opposite, leaning against the bar, fixing him with an unyielding stare. His appearance was as immaculate as the first day I laid eyes on him-his shirt tailored to accentuate his muscles and lean form, his hair meticulously styled with a few rebellious strands framing his forehead, all contributing to the façade of a charming, attractive,

to wait knowing what I was getting after you are here...and now you are finally here," He appraised

danced through the air as he turned slightly, pouring another glass of whiskey before extending it to

chuckled, accepting the glass from his outstretched hand, sensing a

his sentence or touch me, I raised the glass and flung its

this is what they

of shit..." My words spat out, a torrent of pent-up rage and frustration unleashed. "Do you truly believe I'm here to bed you? Over

as the liquid struck him, his jaw clenching before he slowly rose to his feet, wiping away the whiskey with his hand. It was a sight to behold, witnessing his facade of gentility dissolve along with the whiskey, staining his pristine white shirt and

are

I seized his collar, pulling him closer, my gaze piercing into his. "What was your plan, huh? Did you think I'd witness Jacob and Chloe kissing, and then willingly fall into bed with you for some twisted revenge scheme? I'm not a child,

hand. "So you're justifying his actions. Remarkable. I didn't take you for such a naive woman, Evelyn. But you've proven me wrong-quite foolish, aren't

the one

and me apart, and won't be fooled. I won't believe you're some knight in shining armor, the savior I need from the messJacob created," I declared loudly. "Listen to

going to stay with a man

staying with the man I fucking. love. And I've already figured out why he ended up with Chloe and kissed