My Dad's Bestfriend (Evelyn and Jacob) novel Chapter 242

Sienna

Dad's eyes landed on me, flicking briefly between Alexander and me before drifting to the file in my hands. His lips parted. "You brought it, Princess," he exclaimed. "Evie reminded you, didn't she?"

As soon as I saw my dad, I swallowed the curses threatening to spill. My anger hadn't lessened, but I knew better than to let it loose here. "Yeah, Mom forced me to come instead of coming herself. She's busy with some new book," I muttered, rolling my eyes and handing him the file. "Here. I'll leave now."

I turned to go, but Dad's voice stopped me in my tracks. "Wait, Princess. Have you met Alex?"

God. Dad and his insufferable habit of introducing me to his business partners.

"Well, Mr. Adriano," Alexander said smoothly, "we already know each other. We went to the same school—Riverstone High."

I clenched my fists at my sides, suppressing the urge to lash out. Everything about Alexander Grayson infuriated me—his voice, his smug expression, even the way he breathed.

"What? Really?" Dad's eyes widened with surprise. "That's unexpected. Even if you already know him, I'd still like to formally introduce you. This is Alex, my new business partner. We're working on a project together."

He smiled, "Project Sienna."

My head snapped up. What in the damn hell?

Out of all the names in the world, my dad chose to name a project after me. And of all the people he could partner with, he picked Alexander-fucking-Grayson?

"What?" I asked, my voice betraying my disbelief. My eyes darted to Alex, whose lips curved into that infuriating smirk. He was enjoying this. Of course he was.

"We were struggling to come up with a name," Dad explained, walking around his desk to sit down. "So I suggested yours. Simple and elegant!"

"That was... really stupid, Dad," I stammered. "Why would you name it after me?"

"Why? What's wrong with that, Sienna?" Alex interjected, his tone dripping with mock innocence.

My jaw tightened, and I shot him a glare sharp enough to cut steel.

"Listen, Sienna," Dad said, chuckling. "Your mom and I chose that name for you, so we have every right to use it. Don't complain."

"But Dad—"

"No buts," he interrupted, already flipping through the file. "By the way, have you sent in your paintings yet? Don't tell me you're late again. You sent the last exhibit late, too."

"I'll send them soon. Don't worry."

"Good. By the way, Alex, I don't know if you know this, but Sienna's a painter. Her work has been featured in galleries worldwide. Some of her pieces have sold for over a million at auctions. Her art is absolutely—"

"Amazing," Alex finished, cutting him off effortlessly. His gaze, however, never left mine.

Dad blinked, clearly surprised. "You've seen her work?"

"Yes," Alex said, his tone casual, though his eyes held something deeper. "I've always been drawn to art exhibits."

He paused, his smirk softening as he began naming my paintings. "Phantom's Solace... Maiden's Heart... Angel Without Wings..." His voice dropped a notch as he added, "Fallen Grace."

The room felt smaller, the air heavier, as he finished. "And Darkness of the Heart."

"Yeah, that one! Darkness of the Heart," Dad chimed in, his voice brimming with pride. "It sold for three million at the last auction."

"By far her best piece ever," Alex added smoothly, his gaze never wavering from me. There was something in the way his blue eyes darkened—a quiet intensity that stirred an unease deep within me.

My chest tightened. My breathing quickened, and my heart pounded so loudly it felt like the entire room could hear it.

I couldn't take it anymore. "Anyway, Dad, I have work to do. I'll leave now," I said, my voice sharp, betraying my agitation. I nodded curtly toward Alex, my tone clipped. "See you, Grayson."

Without waiting for Dad to respond or acknowledging Alex's lingering gaze, I turned on my heel and walked out of the office.

Every step felt heavier as I made my way down the hall, my heart thundering against my ribcage. The air felt too thick, suffocating, and I couldn't seem to shake the weight of Alex's eyes off me.

****

"How do you think this looks?" I asked, holding up a sleek, red dress against myself, glancing at Ryatt for a reaction.

He didn't even lift his eyes from his phone. "It's nice," he muttered dismissively.

My smile faltered. A tired sigh escaped me as I set the dress back on the rack. "Can you pay attention to me at least once in this lifetime, Ryatt?"

The text was seen instantly but for the first few moments no reply came untill I got another text from the person, "You sure he has gone for something he forgot or is he here to buy his other girl something?"

Discomfort gripped me and I yet again I found myself looking around to see someone untill I spotted a Rolls Phantom standing a few away. The pitch black window made it impossible to see anyone inside but looking at the car, I had a strange hunch.

Could this be from—

For a few moments, there was no reply, just an eerie silence that made my heart thud faster. Then, another text buzzed through.

"You sure he's gone for something he forgot, or is he here to buy his other girl something?"

Discomfort gripped me, sinking its claws deep into my chest. My eyes darted around the parking lot again, scanning every shadow, every car, every face.

Then I saw it.

A Rolls-Royce Phantom parked a few spaces away, sleek and black, the windows tinted so dark it was impossible to see inside.

Could this be...?

"Hey, baby," Ryatt's voice cut through my thoughts like a blade, pulling me back to reality. I snapped my gaze to him, startled.

Clearing my throat, I shoved my phone back into my bag. "All done?" I asked, trying to sound casual, though my voice wavered just slightly.

"Yeah," he said, his usual grin in place as he opened the car door for me. "Let's go."

Sliding into the passenger seat, I tried to steady my breathing. Ryatt shut the door behind me and walked around to the driver's side, but my eyes couldn't help flicking to the Rolls-Royce again.

As if on cue, the window of the Phantom began to roll down, agonizingly slow. My pulse quickened, and I leaned slightly forward, trying to catch a glimpse of the person inside.

But before I could see anything—before my suspicions could be confirmed or dismissed—Ryatt started the car and pulled out of the lot, the Phantom fading into the distance behind us.

In the side mirror, I watched as the window slid all the way down. Whoever was inside remained just out of reach, cloaked in mystery.

And yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that I already knew exactly who it was.