Trapped by My Crush's Dad

Chapter 38: Showing Everett Up

Mila's pov

I only let Robert give me a peck on the cheek, but held him there long enough to whisper in his ear, "Everett's watching us." Robert was clever; he barely moved his eyes and then gave me a tiny nod.

"Let's put this into full swing," he whispered back. Taking my hand, he led, helping me up the stairs. Sure enough, Everett followed only a few feet away but that wasn't good enough for him.

Instead, when we stopped just inside the foyer, he did the same, standing a little close for my comfort. He flicked his eyes to Robert glaring at him with hostility. Nuzzling into my date’s chest, I introduced him.

“Everett, this is Robert, my boyfriend.”

"’Boyfriend’? When did you two meet?" Everett asked, narrowing his eyes, crossing his arms. He sounded skeptical.

"Recently,” I said but couldn’t elaborate on our fake story. I hadn’t thought one up yet.

Ada sidled over to me and without missing a beat she said, "That's right. We had dinner together just the other night. It was Tuesday, wasn’t it Robert?" she asked, meeting his eyes.

"Yes, that’s right," Robert said. "Excellent dinner of scallops and mashed potatoes. What were those veggies added to the green beans, Ada?”

Ada smiled and said, "Shallots, of course."

He kissed his fingertips then flung them out illustrating how delicious the meal was. Ada flashed him a half smile, impressed with his improvisation. Unmoved, Everett continued to shoot daggers at us.

"Does my father know about this?" Everett asked snidely. When we didn’t respond, he whipped his phone out and aggressively tapped the screen. I could hear it ringing when he held the phone to his ear.

"What are you doing, Everett?" I asked, my heart suddenly slamming against my chest. I hoped he wasn't calling Mr. Williams to confirm. Reaching toward him, I was about to grab the phone when Ada stopped me, holding my forearm and shaking her head.

I relented and waited to see what happened, praying he wouldn’t cause a scene. After a few seconds, he hung up the phone and dropped it back in his pocket.

“Did you find out the time and temperature, Everett?” Robert asked with a chuckle. “I assume you were dialing a random number.”

“That was my father’s number! ! He just didn’t answer.”

"Well, let me save you some time and answer for him. We don't need to ask for permission to date. So, in the meantime, why don’t you let the grown ups have a good time at the party and you can go back to your playpen?”

Impressed at him bucking Everett, I rested in my heels and spectated. My plan was working!

Everett pushed his bottom lip up in protest, puffing his chest out in a confrontational manner. But it was too late. He'd lost the argument, and everyone knew it. What made matters worse for him was how his friends gathered around to ridicule him.

"Your love interest was stolen by an employee of your father's company," Ralph said, crossing his arms with a smirk. “I guess he’s better than you.”

"Yeah, she did it right out from under your nose," Chase said in a snarky tone.

"Shut up!" Everett shouted. "My father will have your hides."

"Daddy's boy," Daniel chimed in, hitting Chase and Ralph’s chests. The three boys laughed wickedly.

Hearing them mention Mr. Williams again, I was very unhappy and pulled Robert away from them. It made me ashamed of the entire situation. My chest ached.

Robert noticed my sudden change in mood.

"I'm sorry, Mila," he said, "I thought that was what you wanted." He knitted his brow as he turned his lips down.

"It was. It is, Robert. You did fantastic. It's just unnerving every time I'm in his presence." It was a lie about why I was upset right now but it didn't make it any less true. Everett did rattle me; he had such a jealous side and would do anything to get me to pay attention to him. Like at any moment he would pull the rug out from under me.

Maybe it was a family trait.

"Would you like a drink?" Robert asked me with a tender touch to my back. He really cared about my well-being. I smiled up at him and nodded.

"That would be great," I said, "I like red wine. If they have chianti, I'll take that. But I'm not picky."

"I'll find that chianti for you." He nodded, raising his head confidently. For a moment, I felt like I was safe. Waiting alone, I scanned the room. Many people had attended, some dressed to the nines while others had a more casual look.

Robert returned with a glass of red wine. After I took a sip, I recognized the full, dry, heady taste of the wine.

"You did it!" I exclaimed in excitement. "I love chianti." Robert flashed his charming smile at me.

“All in a day’s work,” he said to me. I giggled.

"It looks like you ordered a special martini." I pointed to his glass.

He moved it under my nose, and I sniffed. The mixture of lemons and oranges invigorated me.

"That seems like a nice tropical drink," I remarked. “Citrus-y.” He chuckled.

"It is. My parents have a house overseas and we always get this drink. Reminds me of sunny beaches and warm breezes."

"Do you miss that place?" I asked but I wasn't able to get an answer before Ada wrapped her arm around both of our waists. I turned to her.

"You two are great actors," she remarked, then tittered, holding her hand over her mouth.

"So are you, Ada. I like the 'just saw you at dinner the other night' story. Thanks for saving me.”

"Oh, it’s no bother at all. Everett has been a real PITA lately,” she said, waving her hand.

We giggled then I noticed Robert turned my way.

"Care to dance?" he asked. Though we were supposed to have boundaries, I couldn't deny that he had an affectionate gleam in his eye. Before taking his hand, I felt a wave of anxiety hit me.

He wouldn't take this fake relationship seriously, would he?