Seduced By My Ex-Best-Friend’s Father

Birthday celebration

Aria

I smoothly stepped out of the sleek black limousine, my heels clicking against the smooth marble of the new Hayes mansion. Murmurs rippled through the crowd of reporters who were hanging around, and cameras flashed incessantly as I climbed the wide staircase, clutching my black purse and a neatly wrapped gift bag.

A few shouted questions, both polite and malicious ones, but I ignored them. I could only let out a sigh of relief when I was finally inside the living room where the birthday was being held.

I might have had a week to gather myself together and prepare for tonight but I still felt like I made a mistake coming here, especially after hearing the questions those reporters outside threw at me. Tessa baited me and I had foolishly fallen for it. And for what? To prove that I was not miserable as everyone thought.

Thankfully, the guests at Daniel Hayes’ birthday belonged to the top one percent of the social ladder. While they were ostensibly here to celebrate him, the truth was different. Daniel’s birthday was really about forming new connections so I knew that nobody would bother me with questions about Ethan, my ex-husband, or my marital status. That was the only reason I was bold enough to attend.

The birthday celebration was already in full swing because I purposely came late. I had planned to show my face, mingle a little, give Daniel his gift and then escape. I would also make sure to avoid Ethan.

“Aria!” a boisterous voice called, and I turned to see Mr. James approaching, his wife clinging to his arm, her bright red gown as vibrant as ever. I knew red was Mrs. James’ favorite color; she always enjoyed wearing it.

“James!” I smiled brightly, glad to see a familiar face. I only ever meet them here every year at Daniel’s birthday. My family was not rich enough to be in rooms as this couple. I knew I was only privileged to be here because I somehow became friends with Aria after a scholarship to study in the same university and helping Tessa with her homework.

I embraced the couple, stepping back with a polite laugh.

“It’s so good to see you again,” James said, a note of concern in his voice. “How have you been holding up?”

Sally pinched him sharply on the arm. “I told you not to ask!” she snapped.

James chuckled, rubbing his arm apologetically. “I had to. I’m worried about her,” he said, glancing at me.

I couldn’t help but laugh softly at their antics. “Don’t worry. I’m fine,” I said, my eyes scanning the room for Ethan. If I wanted to avoid him tonight, I had to know exactly where he was at all times. And he was yet to arrive.

Before I could get a response from either of them, the music stopped, signaling the next part of the celebration. Guests were called to another enormous room, where they could personally hand Daniel his gift or leave it with a servant for later. Usually, I avoided handing over my gift personally to avoid the spotlight but tonight would be different.

A slow melody played as Daniel appeared at the top of the grand staircase, Tessa clinging to his side as always. He looked every inch the powerful man he was, his tailored dark suit hugging his frame like a second skin. Tessa glowed in a blue gown that perfectly highlighted the sapphire eyes she had inherited from her father.

Everybody kept their silence as father and daughter descended and when they stepped off the last stairs, there was a round of applause before Daniel gave a little welcoming speech and then started talking to his friends and receiving gifts.

Tessa stood beside her father, smiling at guests while still glancing around as if she was looking for somebody. The minute Tessa lit up, I knew that she had found who she was looking for and after following her eyes, my suspicion was confirmed. Ethan had just stepped in. Seems their relationship was still blooming after all, that’s why Ethan had not the time to sign the divorce papers the same way he was too busy to touch me in months because he was preoccupied with touching Tessa.

A flood of anger consumed me and my hold on the gift box tightened until I was almost wrinkling the fancy paper. The last guest stepped aside, and suddenly I found myself standing before Daniel and my ex-best-friend.

Tessa’s face immediately twisted into surprise, then anger as her eyes locked onto me. She clearly hadn’t anticipated me showing up tonight.

I tore my eyes away from Tessa and looked at Daniel, forcing a warm, sincere smile.

“Mr. Hayes, happy forty-first birthday. I wish you many more years.” I thrust out the gift box.

“Aria. Thank you for the well wishes, and thanks for coming.” Daniel smiled at me as he accepted my gift and began to unbox it.

I was grateful he did not berate me for calling him Mr. Hayes as he always did. He always asked me to call him Daniel since I was his daughter’s best friend. Such a statement after what happened between me and Tessa would have been an insult.

Daniel’s face brightened up when he brought out the Parker Duofold fountain pen and a limited edition of Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue album. I watched in satisfaction as Tessa’s eyes widened before narrowing into a furious glare.

Tessa had told me multiple times that her father loved fine pens and he also loved to listen to Miles Davis’ album on Sundays when she was a kid. Tessa hated it passionately.

“Oh, Aria. This is a wonderful gift, thank you.” Daniel stretched out his hand and I awkwardly allowed myself to be pulled into a half hug. This was not the first time he had hugged me but it was the first time I found it strange.

The sweet masculine scent of his cologne and his warmth wrapped around me. I did not have the time to inhale as much as I would have liked before he pulled back and handed the gift over to the servant waiting by his side.

I turned to leave after one last glance at Tessa who looked about ready to explode. And then… I bumped into Ethan.