Falling for my Friend's Father

CHAPTER 2: AN UNWELCOME PAST

As the sky slowly lightened, Serena is curled up on her bed with her legs on the nearby bedside

table with a worn-out novel on her lap. Her small apartment is cozy and comfy. The shelves

were packed with books and papers to edit. The room smelled amazing – freshly brewed coffee

and a hint of vanilla from last night's candle. But instead of working, Serena's mind wandered

back to memories she'd rather forget.

Going to the party last night had been a mistake. The moment Dominic's eyes locked onto hers

on the balcony, Serena knew she was in trouble. His gaze was intense, his voice low and it all

screamed two things: Dangerous and Reckless.

She had wanted to stay.

A sharp loud knock at the door jolted Serena back to reality.

"Serena, open up! I know you're awake."

Serena sighed, setting the novel aside before making way to the door.

Isla burst in like a tornado, as she opened it. Her energetic presence fills the room.

She has on yoga pants and a fitted sweatshirt, her red hair is in a messy ponytail and she's

sweating. One would know she just finished exercising.

"You know, locking your door is pointless, I'll just keep banging till you open up, don't know why

you bother to lock it still," Isla said as she collapsed on the nearby couch.

Serena arched a brow. "Because most people wait for an invitation before barging into

someone's apartment."

"Please." Isla snorted. "You love my presence."

A warm smile spread across Serena's face as she shake her head, watching her friend. Isla's

energy was impossible to resist as it is infectious.

"So?" Isla wiggled her brows. "What did you think of Julian's friend? He couldn't stop staring at

you."

Serena sank into a chair with a dismissive shrug "I don't even remember his name"

"Let's be real, you weren't paying attention, you were totally preoccupied. I caught you sneaking

glances at my dad"

Serena's breath caught.

For a second, panic seized her, but then Isla rolled her eyes and laughed. "Don't worry, I know

that look. You were just intimidated, right? My dad has that effect on people. He is so impossible

to read, and it doesn't help that he walks around like he's preparing for war"

Serena forced a chuckle, her fingers tightening around the edges of her book. "Something like

that."

Isla groaned. "God, he needs to loosen up. Ever since Mom died, he's been nothing but work,

work, work. It wouldn't kill him to actually date."

Serena nearly choked on her own breath. "You want your father to date?"

"Of course! My dad still got it going on and let's be real, he's smoking hot. If I were older, I'd

probably—"

"Isla!" Serena cut her off, horrified.

"What? I'm just telling the truth." Isla smirked. "But honestly, I do hope he finds someone. Maybe

then he'd stop treating life like a business deal.

Serena didn't respond. Instead, she glanced toward the window, watching as the city slowly

woke up. If only Isla knew how much weight her words carried.

She needed to change the subject.

"How's Julian?" she asked.

That did the trick. Isla groaned dramatically. "Ugh, he's being insufferable. He wants to finalize

the wedding venue this weekend, but I keep telling him we have time."

"You've already postponed it twice."

"Exactly! He should know by now that I hate rushing things." Isla rolled onto her side. "But

enough about me. How's work? Any new projects?"

Serena hesitated before nodding. "Actually, yes. My publishing house just signed a deal with an

investigative journalist. Apparently, she's working on something big."

"Ooh, scandalous. What's it about?"

"I don't know the details yet, but she's been digging into some old New York cases." Serena

leaned back. "Her name's Celeste Monroe."

Isla frowned. "That name sounds familiar."

"She's been in the news before. She's known for exposing political scandals."

"Well, tell her to investigate my dad's ridiculous work ethic." Isla yawned. "Maybe she'll find out

why he refuses to take a vacation."

Serena forced a smile, but something in her gut twisted uncomfortably. She had already read

bits and pieces of Celeste's work. And if the rumours were true, Celeste wasn't just investigating

any case—she was digging into Margaret Blackwood's death.

Serena didn't want to think about that.

So she didn't.

But the distraction didn't last long.

Later that evening, she ran into the last person she wanted to see. She would have rather run

into the devil and sign some deal.

Noah Whitmore.

There he was standing amidst the shelves of books. She had come out to get a few books, who

knew she would come across him as she stepped into her favourite bookstore.

Unfortunately, he was also the most persistent man she had ever met.

"Serena, fancy seeing you here" his voice was smooth like he had been practising that line.

"Noah," Serena said with a flat voice.

He put on a smile as he stepped closer "It's been a while".

"Not long enough" Serena muttered.

He chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement "Still as feisty as ever, I miss that"

Serena didn't bother to respond hoping he would get the hint, a hint for him to leave her alone.

He didn't

Let me buy you a coffee."

"No, thank you."

"Come on" He leaned against the shelf, his eyeballs darting to the book she was holding. "Are

you still editing for that publishing house?"

"Yes."

"I don't understand why you waste your talent on other people's words when you could write

your own novel."

She sighed. "Not this again."

"You know I'm right. You were always the smartest person in the room, Serena. You just never

believed in yourself the way I did."

She finally met his eyes, her patience waning off. "Save the lecture, I don't want your advice

neither do I need it. And spare me the pity. What I want is for you to leave me the heck alone.

You've wasted enough of my time."

He clenched his teeth but kept his expression smooth. "That's not what I am saying."

What is it that you are after, then?"

"A second chance."

Her stomach twisted. "Noah…"

"Just hear me out." He exhaled. "I know I messed up. I should have fought harder for us. I was

selfish, and I let work consume me, but I've changed. I want to make amends Serena."

"Thank you for the apology but we've crossed the bridge of no return. It's too late to be crying

over spilled milk"

Serena said calmly but she was boiling inside.

"It's never too late"

At this point, she really wanted to slap some sense into him. "I've moved on, whatsoever

chapter you have in my life has ended"

His expression falters for a second. Then he smiled but she was not a fool.

"Have you?"

The challenge in his tone made something cold settle in her chest.

Noah was no fool. He could sense when something was off. And right now, he was sensing that

she was hiding something.

She needed to leave.

"Well, bye. I would have said nice meeting you but it's quite the opposite" She stepped past him,

but his voice stopped her in her tracks.

"I don't believe you," he murmured. "And I don't think you believe it either."

She refused to turn around. Instead, she walked out of the store, her heart pounding.

She had spent years burying the past.

But if she wasn't careful, it was all about to come crashing back.