My Best Friend's Dad

The Industry

Tristan's POV

I was livid when I saw that creep touching Elona, he was about to put his f^cking hand into her skirt and I could see how much Elona was trembling. Cris was holding me back before I could go and rip that son of a b^tch to threads. All eyes were on me, and I was happy because that made Mr Luca stop what he was doing.

"Let go of me," I said through clenched teeth to Cris, and she removed her hand as Mr Luca started to walk out of the studio. We will have a nice chat about this.

"Just relax, Dad," Cris was trying to calm me, but I didn't give a sh^t. I stormed out after Mr Luca.

I loosened my tie as I entered his office. He was standing at the door and closed it behind me. When he turned around, I grabbed him by the collar and shoved him against the door. "You keep your filthy hands off her, do you understand?" I hissed in his face.

He laughed, "Relax, this is the industry, and it's not like she is anything from you, or is she?" he asked.

"Just do not touch her," and then I let him go. I ran my hand through my hair, trying to remain calm. He walked around his desk, pulling his suit jacket closed.

"I think she means more to you than you let on. Is she family?" he asked as he took a seat.

"Yes, she is family. No one does that to my family," I pointed my finger at him when I said that.

"Take a seat," he demanded, and then I did.

"I bought this building for the purpose of doing good. I didn't expect a pathetic jerk like you to end up being the boss in this company and treat women that way. That is not how you handle a woman, especially on their first day. She is young and who knows how many other women you have done this to," I glared at him.

"Mr Crane, I will not repeat myself, but men work with women in this industry too. They can be hair stylists, make-up artists, photographers, you name it. They will end up seeing her naked. She knew what she was signing up for. If you have a problem with that, maybe you should stay away and allow the young lady to do what she wants." he said, and I did not like that one bit. This was the reason why I didn't want her to be in this industry in the first place.

"That is no excuse to be acting like that. I can end you by removing you from this building. Better yet, replace you."

"Mr Crane, I am the boss. No one can replace me. There is no proof that I had done anything. Go ahead and ask everyone that has been working with me. I am waiting. In the meantime, allow the young woman to do what she wants. You are just the owner of this building. No sense in fashion or the industry. So, good luck with everything else and seem that she is your family, I will keep my hands away from her, but don't think that any other man will keep their hands to themselves, they will always be touching her in this industry whether you like it or not. She is attractive, sexy, and they will see her as such. Now, if that is all. I have work to do," he dismissed me as he looked down at the papers in front of him. My jaw clenched but he was right. I am the owner of this building and I have no clue in depth about this industry. I have to do something and I hope that Elona will change her mind about being in this industry.

"This won't be the last that you will see me," I warned him as I got up from my seat and I walked out of his office. I was eager to get to Elona.

When I got to the studio, she was not there. Spooky was sitting beside Cris as they were talking about something on her phone. I walked towards them. "Where is Elona?" I asked.

Cris looked up from her phone. "She went to the changing room down the hallway that you just came from," she said. "She...she is a bit shaken up-"

"I will deal with it," I reassured her, and then I walked back down the hallway.

I saw changing room on the door and I opened it. As I stepped inside, I heard a gasp as Elona turned around, hugging herself as if she tried to cover herself. She was in a schoolgirl lingerie that this agency provided her with.

"It's only me," I said, and she relaxed more before turning around, her back facing me. I closed the door behind me, and then I approached her. She was standing in front of the mirror with bright lights around it.

As I took in her appearance, she looked sexy, but I was not here for that. I stood behind her and placed my hands gently on her shoulders, but she sniffled as she wiped her tears away. "I thought that this would be easy," she said.

I gently turned her around, "I saw what he did to you and this is the reason why I have been warning you about this industry. They will always be in this industry, no matter what agency you take. You might be lucky with a few that doesn't have men like Mr Luca. But I don't think you should go through with this." tears escaped, and I cupped the sides of her face, and wiped the tears away with both of my thumbs.

"I will continue with this. I won't give up. It was my first day and this is my dream. I just didn't expect it to be this way. I can do this," she said.

"I think you shouldn't," I tried to steer her away from this.

She shook her head, no. "I stand by what I say. I will do this. I want to be part of The Velvet Secret and this is a start for me. So, I hope you can still support me as I will endure the treatment over here," she looked at me with determination and hope. F^ck, there is nothing I can do now to keep her away from her dream.

"I will be with you on every set, okay? That way no one dares to touch you the way that Mr Luca has, and he won't do that again because I will break his hands," I said, and she smiled. "There's that smile," I was still livid inside, but I had to be supportive of her too.

"Thank you. Please, stay over tonight with me," she said.

"How can I say no to that?" I smiled. "Now, get dressed," I demanded.

The door creaked open, and I turned to see who it was. It was Cris who was looking concerned and suspicious yet again. "Um..." she seemed awkward. F^ck, I stepped away from Elona as fast as I could, so that she wouldn't be more suspicious. I am failing miserably with Cris. But I am trying. Elona looked at her. "How are you feeling after that do*chebag did that?" she asked.

"I feel shaken up, but I will get through it and I will come out at the top," Elona forced a smile.

"I wish I could say that's the spirit, but I am concerned. I just don't want anything to happen to you."

"I will be accompanying her on each set. No one will have their hands on her. I promised Uncle David that I would keep an eye on her and protect her. That is exactly what I will be doing," I said.

"Well, as long as it's not the type of other, "keeping an eye on her" then by all means."

"I am not those men," I tried to argue about it.

"Hmmm," is all that she said before looking at Elona. "How about we go out to get some ice cream or something?" Cris asked.

"I would like to be at home, if you don't mind," Elona replied.

"Of course, I understand that." Cris smiled, concern still etched on her face.

"Can I get undressed, please?" Elona asked.

I shoved my hands in my pants pockets and walked towards the door, "We will be waiting for you outside the door," I said over my shoulder. Cris followed after me.

When we stepped out of the changing room, I closed the door. "Dad, please take good care of her. You saw how she was. I am worried. So, knowing that you will be there for her makes me happy. I don't want anything to happen to her because of that man. And... never mind," she shook her head, "I will see you around. Spooky and I will go and grab some ice cream," she said with a faint smile, but my brows furrowed at what she wanted to say.

She should know that she can come to me with anything. We were nearly caught in a compromising position, but at least my excuse would be that I was comforting Elona. On a different note, Spooky and Cris having ice cream together doesn't sound like a bad idea, in fact, it made me smile. Perhaps, I can cut that kid a little slack seem that he is interested in my daughter. I needed to have a talk with his father, whoever he is.