Daddy's Best Friend

19

CHAPTER 19

Sophia's POV
I had just settled into my room, flipping through some notes for my next class, when my phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, I saw it was my father. With a mix of excitement and apprehension, I answered the call.

"Hey, Dad," I greeted with a warm smile, as if he could see it through the phone.

"Hey, sweetheart," his voice came through, sounding just as familiar and comforting as ever. "How's everything going over there?"

I leaned back against the pillows, my notes momentarily forgotten. "Good, good. School's keeping me busy, you know how it is."

He chuckled on the other end. "I remember those days. So, how are your classes? How's UCLA treating you?"

I launched into a detailed account of my classes, professors, and the various projects I was working on. It was always nice to catch up with my father, to hear his genuine interest and support. We discussed my creative writing program, my interactions with peers, and even the new friendships I was forming.

We also talked about life in California, the weather, the people, and the things I was experiencing for the first time. As much as I loved our conversations, I couldn't shake off the feeling that this particular call had a purpose beyond just checking in.

After a while, the conversation took a slight turn. "So, Sophia," my father began, his tone slightly hesitant. "I've been thinking... How would you feel if I came to visit you this weekend?"

I blinked, momentarily surprised by the suggestion. "Visit? This weekend?"

He chuckled again. "Yes, surprise visit. I have a couple of days off, and I thought it might be nice to spend some time with my favorite daughter."

I couldn't help but smile at his words, though my mind was racing. A visit from my father meant a disruption in my carefully crafted plans. Plans that involved Henry, late-night conversations, and maybe a hint of something more.

"I'd love to see you, Dad," I said, making sure my voice sounded genuinely enthusiastic. "But you know, with school and everything..."

He laughed softly. "Of course, of course. I don't want to disturb your studies. But it's been a while since I've seen you, and I thought it would be a nice break for both of us."

I hesitated, torn between wanting to spend time with my father and the secret allure of my growing connection with Henry. "No, no, it's not a problem. I'd love to have you over."

His delight was evident in his voice. "Great! It's settled then. I'll book my flight and let you know the details."

As I stared at my phone.

I was lost in my thoughts when Henry's voice cut through the silence of my room. "Hey, Sophia, what are you up to?" he asked casually, as if he hadn't just disrupted the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me.

I looked up from my book, trying to keep my composure. "Just reading," I replied, offering a small smile.

He leaned against the doorway, his eyes locking onto mine. "Cool. By the way, my friend is coming over for dinner tonight."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Friend? Like a date?"

He nodded, his lips curling into a playful grin. "Yeah, like a date."

I couldn't help but let a chuckle escape. "So that's why you smelled like a perfume counter earlier."

He chuckled too, shrugging nonchalantly. "Guilty as charged."

Curiosity got the better of me. "Did you sleep with her?"

His expression grew guarded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "That's none of your business, Sophia."

The sudden intensity of his response caught me off guard. My heart raced as I felt a pang of something I couldn't quite put my finger on. "Right," I muttered, my voice a mix of irritation and something else.

"What about you?" he asked, his tone shifting to a more assertive one. "Any plans for today?"

I shrugged, trying to downplay the situation. "Not really. Just hanging out."

He seemed to catch something in my tone, and he quirked an eyebrow. "Hanging out? With who?"

I couldn't resist a smirk. "Oh, just Jason. We're going to a club later."

His face tightened, and I could practically feel his disapproval. "A club? You're going to get drunk and—"

I cut him off, my own frustration bubbling up. "You can't tell me what to do, Henry. I'm not a child."

His jaw clenched, his gaze unwavering. "I can tell you what I think is best for you."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Right, because you always know what's best for everyone."

Our words hanging in the air like unspoken fear. He took a step closer, his voice a low growl. "You know what, Sophia? If you want to go to that club, go ahead. But don't expect me to bail you out if things go south."

My blood boiled at his condescending tone. "I don't need you to save me, Henry. I can take care of myself."

He leaned in, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, I'm sure you can."

I clenched my fists, fighting to keep my anger in check. "Get out of my room, Henry."

He straightened, his eyes blazing. "Gladly."

With that, he stormed out of my room, the door slamming shut behind him. I sank onto my bed, my heart racing.

I stared at the closed door, I felt a twinge of regret. Maybe I had pushed him too far this time, and I was left to wonder if our fiery exchanges were driving us further apart or somehow drawing us closer together.