➼ Chap. 03

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L U C I A N O

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L U C I A N O

I've been staring at my hand for ten minutes straight—the same hand Paris touched three days ago. Even now, I can still feel her touch, as if it's burned on my skin, leaving a mark that won't go the fuck away no matter how hard I try.

It's only been three days since I moved into Richard's house, and I'm already regretting it. When he asked me to keep an eye on Paris while he's out of town, I hesitated. I tried to back out with excuses about work and other things, but Richard, being my best friend, pulled on my heartstrings. He said he trusted me more than anyone else and needed someone who will care for Paris like family.

I couldn't say no after that, but I should have.

I know Paris has an obsession with me. I couldn't ignore it after what I found in her room years ago. I went in to fix something, and accidentally discovered an album full of pictures of me, taken when I wasn't looking or even aware she was watching. There were also letters—so many of them—filled with words that were anything but innocent.

Finding out about Paris's obsession was a shock. The little girl I'd watched grow up was fixated on me in a way that was deeply unsettling. I still remember the chills I felt that day. I didn't tell Richard about it, though. I think it was partly because I was in shock and partly because I wanted to protect him. He'd already been through so much—work, raising Paris alone and Mia's death, and I didn't want to add to his problems.

Honestly, finding out that my best friend's daughter is obsessed with me isn't the worst part. The worst part is that I have feelings for her too—feelings I know are wrong. I don't know how it started, but it did.

It started small. I found myself watching her more often, noticing how she laughed and smiled, and admiring how she had grown into a confident, fascinating woman. At first, I thought it was just me being protective or overly attentive because of my close bond with Richard. But things changed one day when Paris was feeling vulnerable.

She came to me, upset about something at school. As she opened up, I felt a strong urge to protect her, but not just as a friend or a father. The way she trusted me and looked at me made me feel things I didn't expect. I started seeing her as more than just my best friend's daughter.

Realizing how I felt was really disturbing. I tried to deny it, to push these feelings away, but every glance and smile from Paris made it harder. I knew it was wrong and that I should stay away, but I couldn't stop wanting to be close to her.

After that, I knew I had to stay away from Paris. I didn't want my feelings to get any worse. She's my best friend's daughter, and thinking of her in any other way is just wrong. Richard is fiercely protective of her—if he found out I was interested in her, even in my dreams, he'd probably beat me to death with a shovel.

Richard trusts me, and I can't betray that. It would destroy him if I did this. I thought staying away would make our feelings fade, but I was totally wrong.

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