Chapter 2

‘Carl?’

My eyes dilated at the sight of him, he was here, he was within reach, I tried to fight back the tears in my eyes, but they rolled down my cheek, but I tried hard not to sob out loud.

It’s been five years since I last saw him, the last thing I watched was his back turned at me as he drove off without much of a goodbye. I had only woken up to find him leaving. I had felt the worst hurt that day, even if I was only thirteen.

He was my father’s best friend and had relocated to California to set up another branch of his IT company during summer, and I hadn’t seen him ever since then, I couldn’t tell anyone, but my heart broke every single day he didn’t show up at our front door.

I had made up my mind to relocate to California for college once I graduated high school, just to be close to him again, and the mere sight of him right now melted my heart.

It was odd to crush on my father’s best friend, he was much older than I am, but I have loved him ever since I was thirteen. The first day he came to visit he stood out, and no one, absolute no one has ever matched his handsome image.

I had stared at him every day he shows up, he always treated me like a kid, buys me candy whenever he comes over, but I would stare at his handsome face in admiration hoping to tell him one day about my feelings, but the day I had made up my mind to tell him, he relocated and was out of reach.

It’s been five years, but the distance never changed the way I felt about him, I was working it out, to search the whole California if I have to in search of him, it was hopeless, but I didn’t mind, that was how much my love for him is,

I swallowed hard and wiped off my tears quickly, leaning close to the door, I needed to get a better peek at him.

He wore blue jean, and paired it with a grey shirt that was enough to show his broad shoulders, his dark brown hair was styled neatly, the left part fell towards the corner of his face, perfectly giving beauty to his well defined-jaw line.

“Did he age backwards?” I gasped, my breath catching in my throat.

It was hard to look away from him, my heart drummed in my ear. I feel it was worse now, at this point I could have a heart attack.

His lips curled up into a smile showing his deep dimples, his always knew how to keep his beards neatly trimmed.

Damn! How could anyone compare to the perfect Carl?

“Riley, what are you doing?”

I heard behind me, startled, I turned around to meet my mother’s gaze, and I froze.

“Mom...” I mumbled.

Blinking, my gaze darted from the door to her. What should I tell her? How long has she been standing there? Has she caught me admiring Carl? Have I been caught?

“Stop standing there like a lost sheep, go in and greet your father.” She frowned at me. “Whereas, your father’s friend is here as well, he got back from California so come in and pay your respect.”

She walked past me, pushing the door wide open to go in without letting me prepare myself, my back was still turned at the door.

I drew a sharp breath to calm my startled heart. At least I haven’t been caught.

How can I go in? How can I face Carl with this guilty pleasure?

My cheek still felt hot. Perhaps they were flushed, and he could see it. They could all catch on my feelings for him.

“Riley, aren’t you coming in?” My mother called out again, and I squeezed my eyes shut.

I can’t face Carl now, not like this.

“Umm… Mom, Eve is waiting for me, I have to…”

“Is that Riley?” I heard Carl’s voice, and I flinched, pressing my lips together quickly.

“There you are, Riley.” My father exclaimed, his voice warm, and I knew this time I couldn’t run away, I have been seen by all of them.

‘We got this Riley, whereas, you don’t look so bad, good thing you are dressed beautifully.’ My inner goddess smiled at me.

Drawing a sharp breath, I turned around with a smile, meeting my father’s gaze, I didn’t want to look at Carl yet, I might lose it.

“Good afternoon dad, I didn’t expect to see you at home.” I approached him, while my mom set their refreshment on the table.

“Yeah, I had some business to discuss with Carl,” His eyes darted towards Carl. “You remember him right?” He turned, gesturing towards Carl.

I was holding my breath when I turned my gaze to meet his golden amber eyes, he met mine, and for a brief moment, time stood still.

A smile spread through his lips, that smile that was enough to make anyone fall head over heels for him.

“Yes…” I nodded.

Damn it, I could feel my cheek so hot. I felt hot all over, this was the Carl’s effect, and it’s worse now. How did he not age one bit?

“Last time I saw you, you were so little…” He demonstrated with his hand as if measuring my height. “Now you’ve turned into a grown up…” His smile replaced with a cocky grin.

My knees felt weak, but all I could see was just the same friendly smile he flashed to me when I was thirteen.

How do I get to look at him this way, yet he looks at me differently, like I was some kid.

Geez, this was bad, I didn’t want him to look at me like a child, I didn’t know, but I wanted him to see me and also crush on me like I did with him.

“Five years wasn’t five days, Carl.” My mother said, and they all chuckled, but I was staring at him, like some fan girl who couldn’t tear her gaze away from her crush.

“Yeah, I have been away for that long and missed a lot of the important stuff, good thing I am back to stay now.” He said, and I blinked.

“What? You’ve moved back?” I blurted out before I could stop the words, and he turned his gaze to me, everyone seem surprise at my outburst.

“Yes, Riley, I am done with my work at California. I am back to stay,” He responded, lifting the glass of brandy to his mouth, the smile on his lips didn’t flatter, but unknown to everyone in the room, my heart stirred up a strong desire at the news.

He was here to stay, and I will never let him out of my sight again!