el

ere gifts he had purchased for his friends and relatives attending the event, and now, after sorting and packing ev

ords from the previous day c

red, placing the magazine I had been f

uscular he might have become," Dad chuckled, drawing closer and settl

embled that of a giant. In reality, his physicality was far more subtl

ed beneath his clothing, it wasn't hard

nce. I suppose either one of these will fit

aned, stretching his arms in an attempt to alleviate the stra

You haven't lifted a finger all day," Dad suggested, his gaze

while I wasn't sure if it was entirely true, I was

me properly instead of calling

known fact," Dad chuckled, caus

against me enjoying a little relaxation," I grumbl

ol her own laughter. "If she decides to ignore you in revenge

r, and I noticed him clearing his throa

sure I have another go at it," I remarked, crossing my arms over my chest. The t

gly contemplating whether he should c

e up his mind quic

eding defeat. "Now, please...would yo

refuse, to s

to the beautiful vi

n Fernandez certainly couldn't,

es, feigning annoyance on my face. The

ut of the room, passing through the long corrido

rty imaginations to stir awake. Well, the ideas they

our virgin a

f out of the daydreams before I finally kno

t, but still, there was no answer from the

as he

as not loc

er I should take a peek inside the room or not. It wasn't as if my intenti

on his door once more, but still

not in

ent of impulse, I decided to do the most logical thing that came to mind-yes, anyone

there was no sign o

I go

care less about what's appropriate or not. Besides, I had a plethora of e

e door open wider and cautiously stepped inside

acob, but there on the bed lay a pair

e in t

bathroom door creaked open, shattering the sil

ely

uard, and spun around

et my eyes made

lly across his face, adding an air of mystery. And the most intriguing part of this whole image of Jacob standing

know if I was going to faint or

magined that the face of a freshly s

his face, though I couldn't help but detect a subtle hint of

aturally, my brain decided to take a va

o focus on anything else with him stand

these shirts." I f

the bags in my hand, and recog

nds and family for tomorrow's party," I explained. "He wa

ts. Even on my birthdays, he always brough

e never quite managed to choose the right gifts for you. It was a

..you were the one be

d if you actually liked any of those gifts I chose for you, and if so, which one was your favourite..." I chuckled. But as our

checking if any of

again stirred feelings I

l from the top of the wardrobe and wiping

d fixed on me, a

bags from my hand and placing them on the

t expected him to try the

complain?

s. Despite all the exaggerations, my dad made about his size, his muscles were never truly gi

o was his body, but th

dad if he had been drunk when he picke

His manly chuckle caused g

gling to extract his hands from the sleeves. The slight dampness o

er his breath, attempti

er and took hold of the shirt's placket, pulling gently on the edges. Bu

close that I could feel the warmth of his

oving the shirt from his body, but my fingers inadve

own, E

ling the fabric away, avoiding a

hirt and handing it to him. I purposely avoided meet

e put it on, even without buttoning it up, it was

ing the courage to finally look at him.

ess,

h of relief almost escaping my lips as I made my way towa

lyn.

th for a moment. I turned around

oice a soft whisper in my ear. His cheek brushed against

to register that he was

gaze, all the air in my lungs seemed t

for me," he said, a faint smile playing on his lips. T

MY

ouch set my

with embarrassment. Without wasting another moment, I tur

heard his chuckle when I had t