My Best Friend's Dad

Tough Decisions

Tristan's POV

I couldn't stop thinking about Elona last night. I wanted to know if she was okay. Part of me was concerned. Hell, maybe the whole of me was concerned about her. I texted her and I didn't expect her responses to be the way that they were. It was unlike her, but I guess I deserved it. I was a bastard last night to her too. That is what happens when I am p^ssed off. Maybe this is a good thing that I am punishing Cris, so that not only does she not see Elona, but I also don't get to see her around and that will help me to stay away from her and move away from something that is risky...too forbidden.

"So, when are you going to see Maggie again?" Cris asked me. I looked up at her. She was sitting across from me at the dinner table, taking a sip of orange juice, her pancakes with syrup in front of her. My fences went up with the mention of Maggie because I don't want to see her again, but I know Cris, she will be persistent about it.

"Is this your way of trying to sneak away to see Elona?" I asked as I scowled at her. I reached for my mug of black coffee and I took a sip while I held a business document in my other hand. I placed the mug on the table.

"No, but that is not a bad idea," she said in thought.

"Do not even think about it," I warned her.

She giggled, "Relax, dad. I am kidding. I just want you to go out and have fun too. Live a little bit," she said, concern laced in her voice.

"I am living." She rolled her eyes at my response.

"At least I will be stuck with my school work and my journalism while Elona gets to have a fun photoshoot at the house, and I'm not there for it," she sighed as she inspected her piece of pancake before she placed it into her mouth.

"What photoshoot?" I asked, my brows furrowed.

"A-A photoshoot that she has to do for whatever-whatever she wants to pursue," she was trying to think about what to say, and I know that there is more to it. But the way I felt was like my heart was beating at a rapid pace, and I was about to explode if there was anything that was going to happen with a photoshoot. "I was supposed to be there at her house where the photoshoot will take place, but I'm stuck here," she let out a sigh.

I got up immediately and as I nearly walked to the front door, I had to stop myself because this would raise questions from Cris. I can't have that happen. I turned around and took the mug from the table and I went to the sink, pouring the rest of my coffee down the drain, leaving the mug in the sink thereafter. I wanted to be there and see what this was all about. "What kind of photoshoot is it?" I asked, trying to be calm, as if I was not that interested, but I was failing miserably. This is the effect that Elona has on me, and it is bad. I still can't help the way that I feel. It's like...no other woman can do it for me but her. No other woman is good for me but her.

"I'm not sure, why are you so stressed?" She asked me and I turned around, she was already looking at me.

"Work," I replied as I round the kitchen counter.

"No wonder you are dressed in your suit. Just take it easy, dad. Stress is not good, and you need a break. Ever since mom died, you have been working non-stop and I never saw you go on vacation or at least take a break on a weekend. I find you in the study room every weekend." she sighed.

"I am fine, I'm going to pop in by Uncle David... for work purposes." I lied about my reason for going to Elona's house. I wanted to see what was going on over there and if David was actually at the house while her photoshoot was happening. I stopped beside Cris and leaned down, placing a kiss on the top of her head.

"Great," she said as she let out a breath because she couldn't leave the house and then I left.

I was so eager to get to Elona's house, I walked as fast as I could down the street. David's car was in the driveway. I let out a breath of relief because he was at home. When I got to the front door, I knocked. I was here...at Elona's house once again. What the f^ck is wrong with me?

As I wanted to turn around and walk away, the front door opened. "Tristan? Is everything okay? Is there any more trouble regarding the girls?" David asked me. Elona was in trouble alright.

"Not at all. Cris is grounded for a month and I wanted to come over to just chill," I lied.

He scoffed, "Since when do you come over in the day to just chill? You work on the weekend too, since Estelle.... you know what I mean," he said.

"Can't I just have a break and chill with my friend?" I asked, eager to get inside the house as I burned my gaze into him.

"Okay, sorry for asking, its just...I'm not used to this. Come on in," he finally moved out of the way. I was supposed to go to my company, but that had changed, and it was scorching outside. I didn't care, I just took off my jacket and placed it neatly on the sofa. "Would you like a beer, scotch, water? " He offered as he walked into the kitchen.

"None, thanks," I said as I shoved my hands in my pants pockets after rolling up my white shirt sleeves.

I heard laughter coming from the backyard, the sliding door was open. I furrowed my brows, "Elona is doing a photoshoot. I have allowed her to do this. Spooky is a wonderful guy," he smiled, and my gaze landed on him.

"What is he doing here?" I asked. My brows furrowed.

"He is the photographer for Elona," I bit on my teeth as I wanted to tell him sh^t. I wanted to explode. "I trust him with Elona, and he is very down-to-earth. Hopefully, they can be more in the future. He is someone that I can see Elona being with. He is very respectful too," he said as he smiled, and I had to fight not to lash out at what he was saying about Spooky...what kind of nickname is that, by the way? Maybe this is really for the best that she has someone else to be with. But my feelings and my heart are saying something different from what my head is.

I followed after David towards the sliding door. I was eager to see what was going on. We stopped by the sliding door and my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. I clenched my jaw as I watched Elona, who was dressed in a leopard print bikini, standing on the step inside the pool. Her hair was wet as she smiled at Spooky who was talking to her and looking down at his camera in his hands. It was just the two of them and I wanted to separate them as far apart as possible.

"Hey," I snapped out of it as David lightly hit my shoulder to get my attention. "You are staring at them as if they shouldn't be together, and I understand what this looks like, but who cares, if they date then I give my permission. I would rather have him take her photos than a hungry man that look at my daughter like a piece of meat." he turned his attention back at them. I swallowed. I have to tread carefully. "I know that I won't always be around to protect her, but there are men out there, and I will kill anyone that lays a finger on her that shouldn't be." he said, and then he walked back to the kitchen.

I was not sure what he had meant by that. I hope that he is not suspecting anything about me or the way that I look at her. I was torn by him and my daughter and my feelings for Elona. This will be a dangerous situation, but I can't get her out of my head no matter how much I try, but I do not want spooky around her either, that is something I can't prevent. What the f^ck do I do?