My Dad's Bestfriend novel Chapter 6

Evelyn

As I scanned the bustling dance floor, my eyes followed the spirited movements of everyone, each finding their groove with partners and friends. But it was my dad and Clara who truly caught my attention, twirling and swaying at the heart of the floor. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

They looked absolutely adorable, and more importantly, my dad looked genuinely happy.

Since my mom left, my dad had endured countless hardships, yet he never wavered in his role as the perfect father. He was the epitome of what it meant to be a dedicated parent. I yearned for his happiness, and it was evident that Clara would be the one to ensure that infectious smile never faded from his face.

"Hey, Evelyn."

A deep, melodious voice shattered my trance, pulling me back to reality. I turned towards Jacob, who walked over and perched on the neighbouring stool, his eyes locking with mine, momentarily suspending time in its enchanting grasp.

Oh... hi!"

It took me a second to notice his attire, momentarily captivated by the way his red shirt accentuated his features. As always a few strategically undone buttons revealed a glimpse of the tattoo on his chest, and this sexy tattoo of his drew not only my attention but also the admiring gazes of numerous ladies.

Curving his lips into a small smile, Jacob inquired, "May I know what's bringing such joy to your face?"

I shifted my gaze to my dad and Clara, the smile on my face remained unyielding, "Nothing much. It's just that my dad has finally found someone who brings out the best in him. It makes me happy to see him genuinely joyful and loved."

"You love your dad a lot." It was not a question, instead, it was a remark that showed more admiration than anything else.

"He's all I have," I began, "But now, thankfully, I'm gaining Clara as a family too. And that means the world to me."

Curiosity tinged Jacob's voice as he probed, "You never talk about your mom. Why is that?"

The mention of my mother veered my mood in a different direction, causing the smile on my face to fade away.

Beneath the surface, the old grudges and anger stirred, threatening to break free. Yet, as always, I suppressed them, bearing the weight of those emotions within me.

"She's not my mother," I retorted, my words laced with bitterness. "Sure, she gave birth to me, but she was never there for me. My dad, on the other hand, has been the one taking care of me since I was five. If there is anyone who's always been by my side, that's my dad and I know he always will be." The sharpness in my tone conveyed that my harsh words were not directed at Jacob, who was well aware of it.

"I prefer not to dwell on those who left me long ago," I continued, my voice betraying a slight tremor. "Sometimes, it's better to cut certain people out of your life."

A heavy silence hung between us for a few moments, as I absentmindedly stared at the dance floor, at the shadows of the people dancing the evening away.

However, Jacob decided to break the silence soon.

"Red wine," he offered, extending a glass toward me. "Your favourite."

I blinked in surprise, my gaze shifting to the wine glass he presented.

"How did you know?" I asked, stunned by his keen observation.

A barely noticeable smirk played at the corners of his beautiful lips.

"Just like how you knew Negroni is my favourite," he replied, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes.

Memories of the time I rescued him from the clutches of the insidious Gloria flooded back.

"So, you used to stalk me too?" The words slipped from my mouth impulsively, regret instantly washing over me.

His captivating dark green eyes met mine, a flicker passing through them.

Damn! It was too late to retract my words.

Stupid Evelyn! Why couldn't you keep your mouth shut, for God's sake?

"Not really," Jacob dismissed it with a chuckle, opting to brush it off. "But I have caught you sneaking away with bottles of wine late at night, more than a couple of times."

The mention of my late-night wine escapades coloured my cheeks with a rosy hue.

After our picnics, there were nights when I would stay awake, stealing away to the cabinets, indulging in stolen sips of wine.

And sometimes, in those hazy moments, my mind would wander to fantasies involving Jacob Adriano, though I desperately hoped he hadn't heard any of the embarrassing sounds I made...

Before I could dwell further on my wandering thoughts, an annoying voice shattered the tranquillity.

"Hey, handsome."

I turned my attention to the approaching figure—a woman encased in pink plastic rather than a dress, none other than Gloria, the nastiest bitch of all time. She stood far too close to Jacob, invading his personal space.

Discomfort etched across Jacob's face and in his body language as he instinctively moved away from her intrusion.

"Hi, Miss Gloria," he awkwardly replied.

"I must say, you look extremely... delicious today," she purred, trailing one of her overly long nails along the side of Jacob's face, a gesture that made my skin crawl. The nail continued its unwelcome journey, descending down to his neck.

This fucking bitch!

Agitation wrote itself across Jacob's face, mirroring my own rising anger as I witnessed this woman shamelessly pursuing him, seemingly determined to get into his pants.

"You're a fucking married woman, Gloria," I seethed, my teeth grinding together in frustration.

She had the audacity to speak back, "Well... can my husband be seen anywhere near?"