Chapter 8

• ARLAN'S POV:
• I walked in with a ready smile for the camera and my plus one, Matilda, by my side. I sighted my good old friend, Alex, already making his way towards me.
• "Arlan! Hey man." We embraced like two long-lost brothers meeting after a very long time.
• "Matilda," Alex took her hand and kissed the back of her hand, "it's a pleasure meeting you again. I'm glad you've come to came to my party."
• Matilda smiled at him. "My pleasure."
• "Matilda!" A lady called out in shock. "Is that you?" She asked and pulled her into a warm hug. "Never thought I would see you here."
• "Oh my goodness, Tessy. It's been such a long time," Matilda replied all smiles. "Pardon me, gentlemen." She apologized after they broke off the hug, still holding each other hands. "Meet Tessy, my friend from college."
• "Hi!" Tessy waved at me.
• "Nice to meet you Tessy!" I took her hand and kisses it.
• "If you don't mind, gentlemen. I think I have a lot of catching up to do with my friend." Matilda said as she gently clapped her hands before leaving with Tessy.
• "So, what, a welcoming party for a daughter? Almost two decades together and you never told me you had a secret child, am I your best friend or a potato?" I asked and teased, keeping my voice at a level only Alex could hear me. One can't trust these journalists nowadays.
• Alex rubbed his forehead with his fingers, a sense of guilt washed over his face. "Long story short, I only found out about her five years ago and all that mattered ever since, all I could think about, was to make up for all the years of my absence. I'm glad she doesn't blame me." Alex let out a light chuckle while I snickered.
• "Well, I can't wait to meet her. The daughter of my best friend is family to me, secret child or not."
• "Oh, you have no idea how grateful I am that you could make it here today. And for the record pal, you're most definitely a potato."
• "Oh really old man?"
• "Don't call me old, I'm only three years older than you are. I'm just as young as you are." We both took a glass of wine each from a waiter's tray at the same time and took a sip to parch our throats as though we rehearsed it.
• "Yeah, too bad your organs say otherwise." I smirked at him and continued, "it keeps declining the offer to look as good as me." I threw a jab at him.
• Alex let out a good laugh. "Nice one there. At least I've got a family to comfort me, what have you got Mr. Young, hearty and charming?" He teased, nudging me in the chest with his elbow.
• I smiled and thought of my little butterfly, Saraya, and then quickly blinked out of the fantasy upon the realization that I had just blushed in public.
• "Jeez me, was that a blush Arlan?!" Alex opened his mouth in shock.
• I looked away to avoid Alex's question but he wouldn't let me be without getting an answer from me.
• "Is there a new woman, or perhaps a former girlfriend that you're actually going to settle down with this time?" Alex asked, still surprised.
• "Pffft, what?! I am not ready to be tied down by the confines of marriage and faked commitment." I lied. There's no way I'll admit to being swooned by a woman.
• "But what if, hypothetically speaking, you find that woman that gives you peace when she's near and troubles your heart when she isn't, would you settle?'' He pressed.
• "Why are you suddenly acting like my mother? Has she possessed you?" I tried to wave it off with a joke.
• "I'm serious, Arlan. You're not getting any younger, remember."
• "Maybe, I don't know yet. " I quickly put the glass of wine between my lips pretending to drink some more to avoid saying more than I already had.
• If the woman I so much sought after desires me as much as I do, then just maybe settling down won't be too difficult.
• But she had left me hanging that night, playing hard to get I believe. I have sworn to make that butterfly come to my garden. I'd make her fall for me in a way she'd never imagined.
• Alex smiled, patted me on the shoulders. "I have to go now, it's almost time." He walked away.
• The crowd suddenly erupted in awes and clapping, Matilda came back to me and locked her arm around mine.
• ‘She must be here’ I turned, and my gaze landed on her.
• The last person I expected to see here was standing next to my best friend, her arms locked in his as they walked up the stage.
• “Everyone, thank you for coming here today to celebrate with me. Please welcome my daughter, Saraya!” Alex announced.
• The crowd erupted in another round of clapping.
• ‘Alex's daughter?’ My mind reeled. ‘No. It couldn't possibly be.’
• Her eyes met mine, and for an instant, I felt like I'd been punched in the gut.
• She smiled at me. Did she not know about my relationship with her father?.
• ‘Damn it!’ My mind wrestled with the wave of guilt washing over me. But it wasn't my fault. How could I have known? She'd lied to me, fooled me into doing something forbidden.
• Soon, Alex walks around reintroducing her to some of our most trusted business partners and other of his trusted acquaintances.
• I desperately tried to avoid looking their way hoping Alex would forget about me and I'd dodge this bullet.
• "Arlan," Alex called out. I turned around wishing the ground would just open up and swallow me. Only that wouldn't be happening unless an earthquake happens.
• I managed to feign a smile as the daughter and father made their way to me.
• I couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked and the cleavage bouncing in obedience to her strides —ah Arlan! Get a grip of yourself you're almost drooling!.
• "Personally meet my lovely daughter, Saraya, whom I told you about." He turned to his daughter. "Saraya, meet Arlan Reef, my most trusted ally and also my best friend. He is here with his friend, Matilda Hawthorne."
• I swallowed hard, still unable to absorb the shock of my entire life. "Why did she have to be his daughter?" I couldn't help but ask myself.
• "I am honoured to meet your acquaintance, Mr. Reef." She stretched out her hand to me.
• What exactly does she think she's doing? Why doesn't she look perplexed at all on finding out the guy she's been naughty with is her father's best friend?
• "The pleasure is all mine Miss." I shook her hand.
• She stroked the back of my hand lightly with her thumb. I shot her a ‘wrong timing’ look and let go of her hand but she only smiled. "Little temptress! What is she trying to do?"
• "Excuse me you two, I would have loved to stay and chat, but my wife is beckoning to have my attention. Arlan, she's in your hands now." Alex planted a kiss on her head and shot me a warning look.
• ‘Great’ I rolled my eyes. Just what I didn't need.