My Dad's Bestfriend novel Chapter 132

Evelyn

My hands trembled as I dialed his number, the early morning light casting a dim glow through the curtains. Jacob lay asleep, unknown of the turmoil raging inside me, cocooned beneath the duvet. I had tucked him in just moments ago, my heart heavy with the weight of what I was about to do.

I didn't know what the fuck I was doing. All I knew was that it had to be done, and it had to be done right.

The phone rang for what felt like an eternity before he finally answered, his voice thick with sleep. "Hello?"

So, the bastard was indeed sleeping. Probably in some other woman's bed, given his notorious reputation. I was sure he had different women depending on the days.

"Hello, this is Evelyn," I forced out, trying to keep my voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside me.

"Evelyn?" There was a note of surprise in his groggy voice.

"Yes, it's me. Though it's a wonder you don't recognize my voice, considering your apparent obsession with the idea of sleeping with me."

"Well, it's not that I don't recognize your voice, Bella Donna. It's just that I didn't expect you to call me at this ungodly hour, especially before I've had the chance to send the bigger bombs your way," he chuckled, his cockiness oozing through the phone line, making my skin crawl. "But, pray tell, what has prompted this early morning call?"

"I don't have time to answer your questions right now. Just give me your address," I demanded, my grip on the railing tightening until my knuckles turned white. I couldn't believe I was actually going through with this. The mere thought of it made me sick to my stomach.

"Anything for you, my love," he replied smoothly. "Take note: Via del Corso, 123, 00186 Roma."

"I'll be there this evening."

"I'll be waiting," he said, his voice dripping with anticipation, a sickening smirk evident even over the phone.

***

Donning the scarlet elegance of Jacob's chosen dress, I found myself in a paradoxical situation, wearing something intended for moments far removed from this one. Yet, necessity demanded it, pushing me into the arms of a man I abhorred from the depths of my being. I still couldn't believe that I was doing this.

Why was I doing this? Well, I guess it was no secret—I needed to save Jacob from more pain.

With each swipe of crimson lipstick and the soft click of pearls settling around my neck, I grappled with the weight of my actions. Betraying Jacob's trust gnawed at my conscience, a bitter pill swallowed in the face of an unforgiving reality.

Jacob wasn't at home. He had gone out, presumably for a meeting with his business associates, likely in search of the last remaining pieces of evidence that could help him navigate out of this perilous situation. However, I doubted Tyler Ricci would let that happen. From what I had gathered about him, he wasn't the type to yield easily. At any cost, if he desired something, he would go to great lengths to attain it even if it meant destroying someone's whole world—that's what he did to us—he destroyed us. With just a snap of his fingers.

And then, his voice shattered the silence, causing my eyes to snap up and meet his gaze.

"Well, I've been waiting for you. So, tell me, what's the reason for the honor of having the lady herself come to my apartment?" He asked, a strange familiar glint in his eyes as he eyed me up and down, noticing everything as he raised his glass to his mouth taking a sip of the whiskey-the same one Jacob always had.

"You asked for one night, right?"I cut straight to the point, "If I spend the night with you, will you return everything you have unfairly taken from him through your false reports in the media?"

"Yes, Bella Dona," he replied, rising from his seat with a sly grin, coming closer to me. So close that I could feel his breath on my skin, "I'll return everything to him," his cold rings grazed my skin as he traced my shoulder down to my finger, where he noticed my ring with Jacob's initials.

"However, there's one thing I can't return to him," he fixed his gaze on my face. "You."

"It's just for one night, Tyler. I'll never be yours."

He leaned closer to my ear, I felt his lips curve into a smirk, “Fine, then let’s just get started.”