My Best Friend's Dad

Southampton

Tristan’s POV

It pained me to see Elona and not get much from her when I was at her apartment, but what did I expect? I wanted to hold her so badly, to feel her, but that wouldn’t happen. I sat on the edge of the hotel bed, my head hanging with my shoulders sagged as if I was defeated. She defeated me. Was the text even a bad idea?

I let out a heavy breath as I stood up from the bed and walked out of the hotel room. I needed some air. At this point, I thought being in Southampton would change my feelings or change my outlook on life, but the hurt just doesn’t go away. I don’t know how to deal with this. I have barely dealt with the loss and pain from losing Estelle and our unborn baby, and now this...this was a punch to my gut.

I walked down the street. It was a busy day, and I found myself walking to the familiar spots that Estelle and I loved. Memories from our marriage, how in love we were and how an ass I still was, but she handled me the best she always could. She kept me in check and pointed out when I was being an ass and that is what I miss too. Cris definitely got her mother’s personality and, to top that off, she will be a brilliant journalist just like her mother was.

I walked towards the little restaurant that also had tables and chairs outside. “Tristan!” Moreen sat at her usual spot, and I went to her. I smiled for the first time since I got here. She stood up from her seat and gave me a hug.

“It’s good to see you, Moreen. How have you been?” I asked as I pulled away from her and helped her to sit back down.

“I’m doing great. What about you? Where’s the young lady that was with you the last time?” she asked as I took a seat across from her.

I sucked in a breath, “Well, we broke up.... I broke her heart.”

She shook her head in disappointment. “Why would you do that to a lovely young woman like her?” she asked with curiosity.

“A woman showed up on my doorstep claiming to be pregnant with my baby, and I had to find a way to keep Elona away from me, and I was nasty to her with my words. I was willing to be with that woman for the sake of the baby. I didn’t want the child to grow up and live in a home where they didn’t have both parents. But the woman lied to me, and I found out about it. I lost the one woman that I probably would’ve had a second chance with when it came to love and happiness, but I screwed up. I tried to win her heart again, but she simply won’t take me bac,k and I don’t blame her. I don’t know whether I should wait for her or just move on and work on myself and my company. I’ve buried myself in Crane Industries since Estelle died in a way to push my grief away, but as soon as Elona and I started a relationship, I wasn’t thinking so much about my company. She made me happy and came to life again, but I still have my flaws.”

“Tristan, I think Elona is really afraid of getting hurt again. She doesn’t want her heart to get broken again and by the man who broke it before. They usually say that the father is the first man to break his daughter’s heart when issues arise between father and daughter, and that goes for a distant father, too. You are probably wondering where I’m going with this, so here it is... you, as a father, are distant from your daughter, or the relationship isn’t great between you both. You are breaking her heart, and then comes a man whom she falls in love with, and he breaks her heart. She wouldn’t really want to trust a man again. I hope you’re seeing what I’m painting to you?” she asked.

I nodded slowly, in thought. “Elona’s basically afraid to take me back because I might break her heart again.”

“Correct. Now, as a father to your daughter, you wouldn’t want that man to break her heart either. You cherish your relationship with your daughter and make her feel loved, and tell her that she’s special. She will always feel that love and always cherish those moments. You are there to pick up the pieces that are broken. She will always be your little girl. Now, with what’s going on between you and Elona, I believe that you two can make it work, and all you need to do is talk to each other and talk about everything. I know that healing takes time, but I know she loves you because I could see that look of love in her eye,s the way she looked at you. She is a keeper, Tristan, and continue to fight for her with everything you have and do not let her slip through your fingers like a shark,” she warned me.

I smiled with what she said, “Trust me, Moreen. I won’t ever let her go, and I hope your advice works and those are precious words coming from you,” I said. Moreen gave me hope to continue to win Elona back.

She rolled her eyes. “Well, this old lady has been through it all,” she took a sip of her tea. “I suggest you leave this place and go to Elona....Talk to her,” she said before taking another sip of tea.

“I guess you’re right. I will leave right now,” I was about to stand up, but she put her hand up, stopping me.

“Not too fast; at least get something to eat before you leave.”

I didn’t say no to that. I ordered a light meal and a coffee. Moreen and I continued our conversation. I will be talking to Elona whether or not she wants to hear me or not. I have to fight for her.