My Best Friend's Dad

Elona. With my heart racing, I approached the familiar house with its elegant architecture and well-kept garden. I raised my hand to knock on the door, butterflies dancing in my stomach. Cris and I hadn’t seen each other over the school break because she had gone with her father on a business trip. While she got to enjoy her break, I was stuck at home, bored. I was excited to see her. Part of the reason I was so excited was that I’d had a crush on Uncle Tristan, her father, since I was sixteen. Whenever I saw him, butterflies fluttered in my stomach, and I would get nervous around him. He was attractive, and his stare could be intimidating. The door swung open to reveal Cris, her auburn hair falling in waves around her shoulders. Her bright green eyes held a hint of mischief as she grinned at me. “Elona, you’re right on time. Come on in!” We settled down in the kitchen. I sat on a barstool at the kitchen counter while Cris poured us some grape juice. We were in our final year of high school, yet to embark on a new chapter of our lives next year. “My dad left to attend some meetings, so I was bored,” I said as she placed the grape juice in front of me. My dad was into real estate, but I was always grateful for the time he still took to be with me. We had a great father-daughter relationship that I didn’t want to ever lose. “I was going through some research on colleges to attend,” she said, placing the juice back in the fridge before turning to face me. “It’s really difficult to choose which college to apply to. Journalism is my dream, but I don’t want to leave my father here. I worry about him.” I felt sorry for her; we were both really close to our fathers, so I understood how she was feeling. When I moved here, I had the privilege of meeting her mom, Estelle. Cris resembled her mother, but she had her father’s forest-green eyes. Her mother had passed away three years ago, and it had been difficult for both of them. My mother passed away when I was five years old, and at that moment, I didn’t want to think about it because I was supposed to be cheering up my best friend. “I’m sure he would want you to live your life and have fun,” I said, smiling weakly at her. “You’ve seen how he buries himself in work. I’d suggest that he starts dating again, but I highly doubt he would,” she said, letting out a heavy breath. “It’s his choice, after all,” I replied, taking a sip of my juice. I had to admit that I had a tiny crush on Tristan, but not enough to actually want to pursue him. “I guess you’re right,” she conceded. “I’ve been thinking about something I might pursue as a career,” I said, keeping my hand on the glass. “Please, spill it!” She was always so eager to know. I smiled nervously. “Well, I’ve been thinking a lot about my future lately. I want to pursue a career in modeling.” Cris’ eyes widened, a mix of surprise and excitement. “Wow!” she exclaimed. “You’ve got the looks and the confidence for it, no doubt. But you’re still a bit shy.” I couldn’t help but blush at her words. “Thanks. It’s just that I’ve been researching agencies and talking to people, and I really believe I can make it. I’ll never know if I don’t try, and maybe that shyness will fade over time. I’m still thinking about it, but for now, please don’t tell anyone until I’ve made up my mind and talked to my father about it.” Cris’ grin widened. “I promise, I won’t tell anyone. I have no doubt that you’ll be great, Elona. And you’ll have me cheering you on every step of the way.” “That means a lot, and you know I’ll do the same for you,” I said with a smile. “Of course. Now, I just need to get my dad back into the dating scene,” she joked. We heard the front door open and close, and I knew who it was. My heart beat wildly in my chest at the sudden feeling of nerves and excitement. I tensed when I heard Tristan’s voice behind me. “Good afternoon, girls,” he said, and Cris smiled at him over my shoulder. “Hi, Dad. You’re home quite early,” she said. Tristan appeared beside me, and I caught a glimpse of him. He was undeniably attractive, with sharp features and a charisma that seemed to radiate effortlessly. It was as if he was accustomed to the spotlight, even within the walls of his own home. “How are you, Elona?” he asked, looking at me with those forest-green eyes that haunted me in my dreams at times. I cleared my throat. “I’m well, Uncle Tristan,” I replied with a smile, glancing down at my juice as warmth spread across my cheeks. This sensation was unfamiliar to me, a depth of feeling I hadn’t experienced before. “That’s wonderful to hear,” he responded. “Have you been researching which college you want to apply to?” he asked Cris as he reached into the cupboard for a glass. I couldn’t help but notice his lean muscles through his black Armani three-piece suit. That didn’t help me, either. “Yes, I’ve been looking into it, but we have some homework too. We have an essay to write. Is it okay if Elona stays over for dinner? Her father’s out at meetings, and it’s a Friday night. I can order pizza for us,” she said. When my eyes found Tristan again, he was sipping water from his glass, watching me intently until he stopped. “That’s fine with me. In the meantime, I have some work to catch up on in the study,” he said as he placed the empty glass in the sink and walked away. My heart raced, and for the first time, I truly saw him, not just as Cris’ dad, but as a man. And as his eyes met mine for a fleeting moment, I realized with a jolt that my tiny crush on him was way more than just that. The sensation was overwhelming, and I couldn’t deny the attraction I felt towards Tristan. The way he carried himself, the depth in his voice, and those mesmerizing green eyes made it hard for me to focus on anything else. I couldn’t believe I was sitting in his home, about to have dinner with my best friend and her incredibly charming father. My emotions were in turmoil as I contemplated this newfound, and slightly forbidden, crush. I couldn’t help but replay every moment, every word, and every glance we had shared. It was as if a switch had been flipped, and I found myself irresistibly drawn to him, far beyond what I could have ever imagined. I wondered if he could ever see me as more than just Cris’ friend. Would he ever notice the way my heart raced when he was near or the way my cheeks flushed when he spoke to me? My infatuation felt like a secret I carried around, hidden deep within my heart, only occasionally surfacing in stolen glances and bated breaths. But I knew, deep down, that this crush was an unattainable dream. The age gap, the family dynamics, and the respect I had for Cris’ father all formed an insurmountable barrier. It was a painful realization, one that often left me in a state of inner turmoil. I tried to redirect my focus toward other aspects of my life, like my modeling aspirations and our upcoming graduation, but Tristan’s presence remained a constant distraction. It was as if he occupied a significant space in my heart, one that was not easily vacated.