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.

God! Loving Jacob had been a profound error, a catastrophic misjudgment that eclipsed all other blunders of my existence.

Why did I even fucking love him?

As the lift doors parted, I drew in a steadying breath, feeling the clammy sheen on my 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 bar, pouring himself a glass of whiskey.

"So you're finally here..." His words slithered out without a glance backward. "Come, Bella Donna, have a seat."

I complied with his request, but instead of perching on the stool 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, and well- mannered man. Yet, it wasn't his outward perfection that seized my attention; it was the reality lurking beneath a grotesque visage, concealed beneath layers of deception. This was the true Tyler Ricci- rotten to the core.

"You know I've been waiting for you," he finally acknowledged, raising the glass to his lips, his gaze unwavering. "And it was damn difficult to wait knowing what I was getting after you are here...and now you are finally here," He appraised me with a lecherous gleam, his tongue darting out to moisten his lips.

"I can't believe this day has finally arrived..." His chuckle danced through the air as he turned slightly, pouring another glass of whiskey before extending it to me. "Have a drink, Evelyn. It'll help you forget about your so-called cheating boyfriend when I'm inside you."

"Sure thing. Thanks-I think I could use one," I chuckled, accepting the glass from his outstretched hand, sensing a smirk curling on his lips.

"I'm always here to-" His hand lifted, perhaps to make contact, but before he could finish his sentence or touch me, I raised the glass and flung its contents directly into his face.

Oh, so this is what they call peace?

"You fucking piece 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 my dead body, Tyler! You repulsive bastard!"

His body tensed 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 disheveling his meticulously styled hair.

"So, you are one who fucking

orchestrated sending that woman to manipulate Jacob's desperation and stage a spectacle for me to witness," 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, Tyler. And this little game you've started only proves that you're nothing but a coward a pathetic, desperate, vile excuse for a human being who deserves to rot in hell. I'm not leaving Jacob, no matter what you do! Do you fucking understand me?!"

He emitted a bitter chuckle at my words, scoffing disdainfully as he wiped the content from his face with his 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 you? Your boyfriend sneaks behind your back to kiss his ex, yet you're finding ways to shift the blame onto me?"

"Because you're the one to fucking blame! I fucking know you and Chloe are scheming to tear Jacob 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 mess Jacob created," I declared loudly. "Listen to me, Tyler. I'm not leaving Jacob until my last breath-I'll stand by him until he sorts everything out and gets back on his feet. So quit these games, stop wasting our energy, because it's not going to work."

"So you're going to stay with a man who cheated on you?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, he made a mistake and if I am forgiving him or not, that's upto me. But one thing, you should fucking know is that even if I am staying,I am staying with the man I fucking. love. And I've already figured out why he ended up with Chloe and kissed her I don't need your version. More so, I don't need you."

"It doesn't matter what I did, Bella Donna. If he wanted to, he could have chosen not to kiss her."

"Things don't always go as planned,

Tyler. I won't judge him because if I

et

were in his shoes, perhaps in desperation to piece his life back together and provide for his loved ones, I might have done the same thing, spat. "I love that man, Tyler. Do you fucking hear me? I fucking love him. And I'd die to keep him safe. So remember, if I can die, I won't hesitate to kill you if you dare to play such games again. You've done enough already, enough to bring him down. Congratulations! Now get the fuck out of our lives." This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

"I'll be there every step of the way, Evelyn. Until you're mine!"

"Then you'll always lose your way, Tyler, because the only destination I know is Jacob. I don't need a thousand reasons to stay with him, I just need one, and I found it the day his lips met mine. I'll hold onto that reason until the end. A thousand Tylers like you could come our way, but I'll be there, holding his hand. You can't break us apart."

He remained silent for a moment before speaking, his voice chilling, his eyes darkening. "Your decision, Bella Donna... it's going to make Jacob lose everything. And believe me, you'll end up in my bed, one way or another. I'll make sure of it."

"Your games won't work for long, Tyler," I chuckled bitterly. "The tables always turn. And I see your downfall coming sooner than you think."

With that, I turned and walked away.