My Dad's Bestfriend novel Chapter 146

Evelyn

I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, clad in a pristine white gown that hugged my figure, accentuated by matching high heels. With meticulous care, I let my hair cascade in loose curls, using the curling iron after ages. A spritz of perfume and I grabbed my purse before exiting the room. It had been ages since I wore white—I had grown accustomed to Jacob's favorite—black. Everything black. But never in my life, even for once had I thought he'd leave me in black just like that that. He tainted everything with that colour and snatched the rest of the colours away from my palette.

Descending the staircase, I treaded cautiously to avoid any mishaps. Yet, just as I thought I had navigated the last fucking step, I collided with an obstacle so solid it felt like slamming into a brick wall. A groan escaped me as pain radiated through my forehead, but before I could fully register the impact, a familiar scent enveloped me, dispelling the notion of a wall. It was him. My heartbreaker. My Ruin.

Rubbing my forehead, I opened my eyes to find him standing before me.

"Are you alright, Evelyn?" His voice, warm and concerned, drew closer as he approached, clad in a simple black t-shirt and grey trousers, exuding effortless charm that only added to his allure. Despite Cameron's undeniable appeal, my mind involuntarily compared him to Jacob, finding the latter infinitely more captivating in every aspect. More tempting. More sinful. More of everything.

That was the crux of it—Jacob Adriano still held sway over me, the power to fucking ruin me completely. I would sooner allow anyone else to break me than permit him to do so again.

"Not exactly fine after colliding with a solid mass," I retorted, feigning indifference as I attempted to mask the tumult of emotions swirling within me. "Perhaps watch your step next time.

I attempted to sidestep him swiftly, eager to put distance between us, but his firm grasp on my wrist halted my escape. His touch ignited a blaze along my skin, the sensation akin to fiery bands encircling my wrist, accompanied by the soft crackle of embers and the warmth of his breath against my neck. We stood too close, a proximity that I hadn't fully comprehended until that moment.

Fuck. Let me have my shit together—please god!

"Where are you off to, looking like that?" His question hung in the air, a subtle challenge beneath his words, just as my phone began to ring.

Silently I withdrew my hand from his grip, though the lingering sensation of his touch lingered, an unwelcome reminder of his presence. I answered the call without checking the caller ID.

"I'm right outside your place, beautiful," Cameron's voice filtered through the line.

Jacob's gaze narrowed as I spoke into the phone, making arrangements without acknowledging his presence, "Okay. I will be right there."

Despite his silent scrutiny, I tucked my phone away, only to be met with his voice once more, this time laced with an authoritative edge, as if he still wielded some claim over me, a claim he had long since forfeited.

“Where are you going?”

For a fleeting moment, I almost entertained the notion of disregarding him entirely, of walking out of the house and leaving him behind—an unequivocal statement that he could indeed "fuck off." But that wasn't what I wanted. No, I desired something more from him. The satisfaction of seeing him unsettled, perhaps even jealous, at the prospect of my date with Cameron was far more enticing. And so, I did just that.