My Dad's Bestfriend

Chapter 104 You Belong With Me

Evelyn

As Jacob stormed into the lift, his fury seemed to drag me along, his hand slamming the button for the penthouse. The veins on his neck bulged, his jaw clenched, and his uneven breaths filled the confined space, radiating palpable anger. I was at a loss for words-Jacob was usually composed, and witnessing him lose control was unsettling. I wasn't afraid of him, but I feared what he might do next. Part of me dreaded that he'd follow Tyler and unleash his pent-up rage—his expression revealed an overwhelming urge to forget everything and cut that man into pieces—I knew that's exactly how he felt.

Not that I felt any different, but we couldn't just act on our anger.

"Are you alright, Jacob?" I asked cautiously as the lift ascended.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

I was so bad at this. I was clueless about how to help him calm down, especially when he was visibly fuming.

God! What should I do?

"You should've let me beat him, Evelyn," he exhaled tightly, raking his hand through his usually impeccable hair, tousling it in frustration. "That bastard walked away unscathed despite what he said it doesn't sit right with me."

Clara would always hug dad when he'd be mad, so this should fucking help!

Okay! A hug would help.

"Jacob..." I sighed, turning to him and enveloping him in an embrace, wrapping my arms tightly around him and feeling the rapid thudding of his heart. "Just try to calm down."

"I can't fucking calm down," he said, attempting to pull away, but I held onto him tighter, pouring all the reassurance I could muster into the embrace. "Then let me help you," I whispered, burying my face against his chest, my grip firm and comforting. "He's not worth our time or energy. We shouldn't even think about him let alone talk about him. Let's just forget it and move past it?"

"Evelyn, I need a moment alone. Leave me," Jacob's voice sounded strained, masking the underlying irritation.

I could sense it was a facade-a total lie. He didn't need a moment alone because that'd never ever work out for him; he needed someone to help ease his turmoil.

And I would never let anyone else be that 'someone' except for myself.

"No, you don't," I shook my head, gently cradling his face in my hands, locking eyes with him.

"Evelyn, please try to—"

1

"Taking time alone won't alleviate your stress. only make it worse but I know all you'd think about is what happened in your office," I whispered, leaning in to place a tender kiss on his lips, feeling his body tense momentarily. "Let me help you, alright?" I offered a small smile, and this time, as I hugged him, he didn't resist.

Thank god!

His arms encircled me, drawing me close, and he slowly rested his head against my neck, inhaling deeply.

I trailed my fingers along the nape of his neck, comforting him with a gentle rub on his back. "It's okay. Whatever he said, it doesn't matter because that's never going to happen."

"I'll fucking kill him if he even tries to get near you," his voice was low, as if he meant every word he'd said.

Well, he did. He did mean every word.

"He won't come close to me. I'm

always by your side, aren't I?" | murmured, pressing a kiss to his temple as I cradled his face once more, mythumbs caressing his cheeks, his ragged breathing now steadying. "I love you too much to let anyone lay a finger on me, he won't even get near my shadow, not even my pinky finger, not even a single strand of my hair, so why stress over it?" I asked softly.

"Because I know that twisted bastard. You don't know him, baby. He's far worse than he lets on-plays dirty games. Loves to ruin others' lives-it's like his hobby. Last time, he tarnished my reputation in the media, and it took ages to clear my name. But this time... I can't fathom his intentions. Chloe isn't the sole reason; a man like him doesn't care about the women he uses," Jacob drew me closer, his hand gently tucking my hair behind my ear, "I won't let him anywhere near you. You're mine. Only mine," and he

sealed his words with a kiss.

I reciprocated his kiss, our tongues entwining. His embrace conveyed possessiveness, as if he was staking a claim that no one else could touch me but him.

Truthfully, a selfish part of me liked his possessiveness despite the circumstances. I found allure in this side of him, a facet unseen until this moment. I pondered what other shades lay beneath the composed exterior of a man I thought I knew so well.

Italy had unveiled hues in him that America hadn't. We had confined ourselves within the four walls of a room before, but now, it felt like stepping into the real world.

And none of us knew what awaited us.

As we parted from the kiss, he rested his forehead against mine, both of us panting heavily.

"No one is allowed to even glance at you in that way, Evie," he murmured, his fingertips tracing the curves of my neck before settling on my lower back, "You belong to me."

A soft smile graced my lips as I pecked his, "Yes," I breathed, "I belong to you. Only you."