Lahat ng Kabanata ng Ruined: My best friend's father is my new obsession : Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

I woke up with the sun already high and the memory of Dominic’s hands still burning on my skin.For a second I just lay there in the guest-house bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to decide if last night had been real. The ache between my legs said yes. The faint bruise on my collarbone said yes. The way my heart kicked every time I thought of his voice saying my name said yes.I got up, pulled on a simple tank top and shorts, and went to the small kitchen to make coffee. My hands shook a little when I poured the water.A soft knock came at the door.I froze.“Naomi? You up?” Chloe’s bright voice carried through the wood.I opened the door. She stood there in a pale pink sundress, blonde hair in a messy bun, holding two iced coffees.“Morning, sleepyhead,” she said, stepping inside without waiting. “You look wrecked. Bad night?”I took one of the coffees so I wouldn’t have to look at her straight on. “Couldn’t sleep. Heat, I guess.”She dropped onto the couch and tucked her legs unde

Julian showed up two days later without warning.I was in the kitchen with Chloe when the front door opened and a male voice called out, “Anyone home, or did this place finally die of boredom?”Chloe’s face lit up. “Uncle Julian!”She ran into the foyer. I followed more slowly.Julian Ashford stood in the middle of the marble floor with a leather overnight bag at his feet. He was younger than Dominic by several years, handsome in a sharper, less controlled way. Dark hair, easy smile, eyes that moved too fast.He hugged Chloe hard, then looked past her and saw me.“Well,” he said. “Naomi. Still hanging around.”“Hi, Julian.”He walked over and kissed my cheek like we were old friends. His hand stayed on my shoulder a second longer than it needed to.“You look good,” he said. “College agreed with you.”Chloe rolled her eyes. “Stop flirting with my best friend. Come say hi to Dad.”Dominic appeared in the hallway as if the sound of his brother’s voice had pulled him there. The two men lo

The planners arrived at eight in the morning. I was already in the main kitchen making coffee when the front door opened and three women walked in carrying bags, binders, and a rolling rack of fabric samples. Chloe met them in the foyer with a bright smile and too much energy for that hour. “Naomi, come meet everyone,” she called. I dried my hands and walked out. Chloe introduced the lead planner, a tall woman named Rebecca who spoke in short, efficient sentences. The other two were assistants. They all looked at me like I was part of the staff. “Maid of honor,” Chloe said, linking her arm through mine. “She’s going to help with everything.” Rebecca nodded once. “Good. We have seven days. No time to waste.” Dominic came down the stairs halfway through the introductions. He wore a dark shirt and looked like he hadn’t slept. His eyes found mine for a second before he turned to Rebecca. “Whatever she needs,” he said, nodding toward Chloe. “Just keep the disruption to a minimum.”

I found Dominic in the study just after nine that night.The door was half open. He sat at his desk with a glass of something dark in front of him. When he saw me, he stood.“What is it?”I closed the door. “Julian wants to meet me tomorrow morning. Alone. In the guest house.”Dominic’s face went still. “No.”“He said if I don’t, he’ll talk to Chloe.”“He’s bluffing.”“I don’t think he is.” I wrapped my arms around myself. “He timed how long we were in the pool house. He knows something happened.”Dominic dragged a hand down his face and walked to the window. For a moment, he just stared out at the dark grounds.“I’ll talk to him,” he said.“And say what? That he’s wrong? He won’t believe you.”“Then I’ll make him drop it.”“How?”He turned around. “I don’t know yet. But you’re not meeting him alone.”“If I don’t show up, he goes to Chloe. Right before her wedding. I can’t let that happen.”Dominic’s voice rose a little. “And I can’t let him have that kind of power over you.”We stare

Sophia came back the next afternoon.Chloe had invited her for a late lunch so they could “sort out a few last details” before the wedding week fully began. I was in the kitchen helping set the table when the doorbell rang.Chloe almost ran to open it.“Sophia! You look lovely. Come in.”Sophia stepped inside wearing a soft cream dress. She smiled politely and thanked Chloe. A few seconds later, Dominic came down the stairs. He greeted her with a brief kiss on the cheek and a quiet “Good to see you.” It was controlled and polite. It still landed hard in my chest.We sat out on the terrace. The sun was warm, and the table looked perfect. Chloe did most of the talking, about the ceremony, the flowers, how happy she was that Sophia could attend. Sophia listened carefully and asked the right questions. She was kind. Easy to like. That made everything harder.Julian joined us halfway through the meal. He took the seat across from me and smiled like he was enjoying the entire scene.“Sophia