My Crush Is My Best Friend's Dad

Tough Exterior

Jeff's POV

I could see the joy on Belle's face when she saw I was the one standing in front of her and over this ins*ne man. I was mad at her though, I didn't plan on coming to the club today if not for my client who changed venue last minute. What would have become of her if I hadn't come? I was going to reprimand her but before I could say a word, the man staggered up and threw a blow at me. I expertly dodged it and retaliated, causing the man to fall to the ground again. He probably passed out this time because he wasn't moving and was soon snoring.

"Are you alright?" I asked as I hurried to her side and grabbed her hand. She didn't say a word and just threw herself in my arms and lay lifeless on my shoulder.

"Belle, are you alright? Did he do anything to you?" I asked gently while holding her.

When she still wouldn't reply, I carried her to the car and drove home. Getting home, I tucked her in bed but she didn't want to let go. She was hopeless and understood she wanted someone around her.

"Mom, Mom, don't go, don't leave me, Mom." She whimpered in her sleep while holding onto my shirt tightly.

Seeing her like this, I couldn't leave her all along so I stayed and held her through the night.

Very early the next morning, I gently crawled out of bed and left. I knew she would wake up with a terrible hangover and headache so I placed a wet towel on her forehead before leaving. That will lessen the pain by the time she wakes up.

I was in the living room working on my computer when she came downstairs. Her eyes were bulgy and red, making her look like she hadn't slept in weeks. She greeted me and I couldn't help but laugh at her husky voice.

"I'm so sorry for troubling you." She apologized while I kept on laughing.

"It's fine. You need to rest more, you don't look or sound okay." I finally replied.

"The scenes from last night are slowly coming back to me and it's embarrassing. I can't believe I was that reckless over a man I swore I had forgotten. And to think I had to disturb your night too." She apologized again while looking like a dog with its tail in between his legs.

"It's nothing. I'm glad I came in time." I said with a gentle smile.

I wasn't angry but she felt guilty and to make it up to me, she decided to make me breakfast. She started by getting me coffee after which she made eggs and pancakes.

We talked while eating and she explained what happened that got her so messed up to the point of drinking herself to stupor. I actually didn't see anything bad in what she did, and I just advised her to forget Matt and heal completely.

"Are you expecting someone?" I asked when the doorbell went off.

"No, I'm not." She replied promptly while I checked through the intercom and smiled.

"It's Luke, I think he's here to see you." I let out and then went to get the door.

"Oh my Belle…" Luke exclaimed as he came over and hugged her tightly. Apparently, he heard how she drank herself to stupor and decided to check on her.

Belle appreciated his kindness but I could tell she wasn't too happy with his presence. She was obviously enjoying our time together. I was too. Still, we all had a great morning, it was all talks and fun.

It's been a while since Luke visited and I was happy to have him around so I decided to prepare lunch. They both joined and helped too. While at it, the doorbell went off again and Luke offered to go check.

"I feel like I'm doing this wrong, am I?" Belle asked while struggling with the potatoes Luke was cutting before he left.

"Unfortunately, you are. Here, let me show you." I replied with a corner smile.

I covered the pot and a good behind her. She was shorter and I could feel her shiver when my chest grazed her back. I firmly placed my hands on hers holding the knife and gently started cutting the potato.

I could tell she wasn't paying the least attention to the cutting, I wasn't really either. The tension between us was so intense and as she turned slightly to look at me, she caught me staring too. Slowly, our faces drew closer and we leaned towards each other but before we got any chance at whatever was going on, we heard loud voices approaching and we quickly pulled away from each other.

"Belle!" Sonia appeared in the kitchen and exclaimed. Her tone was rather questioning like she probably suspected something.

"Hi, Ms Grant, good afternoon." Belle greeted politely. I may not want Sonia around but I can't stop Belle from respecting her since she's Jessica's mom too and not just my ex-wife.

"Ohh C'mon stop being so uptight," Sonia said and then hugged her.

"Hi Jeffrey, you look… hot in that shirt." She said but I didn't even look at her.

"Let's eat now, help me with this Luke," I said. I caught him and Belle sharing knowing glances as we quietly went to the table and I totally understand. Sonia joined us too and as always, brought all the awkwardness with her. Everything literally turned sour, as she kept trying to talk and engage me in her pointless talks. I tried as much to ignore her but she doesn't just know when to draw the line.

"Jeff, you're the one I'm talking to. You can't disrespect me like this in front of the children." Sonia let out. That was it for me, I couldn't take it anymore. I angrily pushed his plate forward and stood up.

"I've lost my appetite." I let out fiercely and stormed upstairs.

About thirty minutes later, I heard my door open, I turned to check and saw Sonia come in.

"What are you doing here?" I quickly questioned her.

"I came to talk to you, Jeff can we just put sentiments aside and talk," Sonia said gently but she can't fool me. She can be so cunning and the last thing I want right now is a scandal blown out of proportion by her.

"I'm not interested, please leave," I said firmly and stood up to show I was serious.

"I'm sorry for all the pain I caused you Jeff, but it's been a long time already. Let's just put it all in the past and start over. I promise not to ever hurt you again." She said all sweetly again. Before I could counter her, she moved to me and tried to kiss me. I quickly held her hand and stopped her from reaching me but Sonia wasn't going to take no for an answer. She moved in on me and kissed me before I pulled her away and stepped back.

"You're wasting your time, Sonia. You will never get what you're looking for. I'm no longer yours and will never be ever again." I finally voiced out after wiping off her lipstick from my lips.

"But Jeff, I said I'm sorry…"

"Get out!" I cruelly interrupted. Sonia still didn't get the gist, she tried to touch me again but I grabbed her immediately and dragged her towards the door. I was so angry that even the sound of her heels clapping against the stairs as she stormed off in anger, irritated me.

Behind my tough exterior, lies that gentle part that once loved Sonia, and as much as I try to deny it, I can never really hate her. That's why I avoid being around her, it always dredges up old memories that are now painful.

I was still sitting by the edge of the bed with my head bent over thinking when Belle quietly came in.

I didn't want her to see me in such a state but I couldn't help it, Sonia's headache was just too much to handle, and maybe a friendly face like Belle's would calm my nerves and cheer me up.