Marrying My Father&# Chapter 8: Jealousy

Chapter 8: Jealousy

Chapter 8: Jealousy

As the day ca to an end, Eira and William walked out of the university together, chatting about their first day.

The sun was setting over the campus as students filed out, so heading to the tro, others eting friends outside.

"So, you taking the tro again?" William asked, adjusting his backpack.

"Yeah, I think so," Eira replied, glancing toward the station entrance. "It's not too crowded now."

Just as they were about to head that way, Eira spotted a familiar person leaning against a small, plain-looking car parked nearby.

Her steps slowed, and her heart skipped a beat.

"Callian?" she murmured as her eyes narrowed slightly in surprise.

Callian, dressed casually but still looking sharp, was leaning against the car with his arms crossed, waiting patiently.

When he saw Eira, his face lit up, and he pushed off the car, walking toward her. Without a word, he wrapped his arms around her in a hug, his eyes going to William briefly.

William, feeling the tension, was about to introduce himself, but before he could say a word, Callian extended his hand, giving him a firm handshake.

"Callian," he said, then imdiately turned his attention back to Eira. "Let's go, you're coming with ."

Eira blinked, a bit caught off guard. "Uh, okay," she said before glancing at William. "See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, see you," William replied, giving her a small wave.

Eira waved back and turned toward the car, raising an eyebrow as she eyed the old, slightly beaten-up vehicle. "What's with the car?" she asked, almost teasing him. "This doesn't exactly scream 'Callian.'"

Callian smirked as he opened the passenger door for her. "Well, soone didn't want to bring attention to the fact that she's rich. So here we are."

Eira let out a long sigh, shaking her head as she got inside. "Correction, you're rich. I'm not."

Callian slid into the driver's seat and started the car. "Details don't matter," he shrugged. "It's all the sa now."

Eira buckled her seatbelt, giving him a weird look. "Why are you here, anyway? I thought I'd take the tro."

Callian grinned, glancing at her from the corner of his eye as he pulled away from the curb. "I'm taking you to my family's party. But first, we need to do so shopping."

Eira raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with my clothes?"

Callian's smile widened. "Nothing's wrong with them. But it's a family birthday party, so..."

Eira sighed and nodded. She knew where this was going. "Right. Fancy clothes then."

"Exactly," Callian said in a lighter tone. He reached over and patted her hand. "You'll fit in just fine."

Eira didn't say anything after that, her mind wandering as they drove through the city streets.

The thought of eting more of Callian's family didn't sit comfortably with her, but she didn't protest.

She knew this was part of her new life now, whether she liked it or not.

They pulled up to a boutique in the heart of the city. The shop was lined with elegant and rich-looking dresses displayed in the windows, shining under soft lighting.

Eira glanced at it, already feeling a bit out of place.

"Here we are," Callian said, stepping out and opening her door. "Ti to pick sothing out for the party."

Eira sighed but smiled slightly. "Alright, but I'm not trying on fifty dresses."

Callian laughed. "Deal. Maybe just twenty?"

She rolled her eyes as they walked into the store. The mont they entered, an attendant approached them, greeting Callian like she knew him.

He didn't even need to say a word before the assistant started pulling dresses off the racks.

"Any particular style you'd like?" the attendant asked, her eyes moving between Eira and Callian.

Eira shrugged. "Sothing simple."

Callian raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. "She's modest, but we'll see what looks good," he said.

Within minutes, Eira was ushered into a dressing room with a pile of dresses. She tried on a few, stepping out each ti for Callian's approval. He sat back on a cushioned chair, arms crossed, watching her carefully.

"That one's nice," Callian said when she stepped out in a sleek black dress. "But I think you can do better."

Eira smirked. "Better, huh? Thought you liked

for my personality."

Callian's jaw tightened. "I do. But let's not waste an opportunity to show off both."

Eventually, after a few more dresses, they settled on a soft erald green gown. It fit perfectly, flowing down to her ankles, simple yet elegant.

"This one," Callian said decisively. "You look stunning."

Eira glanced at herself in the mirror and nodded. "Yeah, this one's good."

After paying for the dress, they left the boutique, and Callian led her down the street to a nearby ice cream shop.

"A little treat before the party," he said as they walked in, the sweet sll of waffle cones and chocolate filling the air.

They both ordered. Eira chose strawberry, Callian got vanilla.

They sat outside, watching the people walk by as they ate their ice cream. Eira leaned back in her chair, feeling more relaxed.

Callian glanced at her with his usual expression, but there was sothing in his eyes.

"So," he began, swirling his ice cream with his spoon. "Who was that guy earlier?"

Eira looked up, caught off guard. "Who? Oh, you an William?"

Callian nodded, taking a slow bite of his ice cream. "Yeah, William. Seems like you two were pretty friendly."

Eira shrugged, licking her spoon. "He's just a classmate. We t on the tro this morning."

Callian's smile was easy, but his eyes held sothing else. "t him today, and you're already walking out together?"

Eira laughed lightly. "It's not a big deal, Callian. We have the sa classes, that's all..."

"I see..."

"Vanesa is in my class too..."

"Really? What can she know about business?"

"William stood up for

when she tried to embarrass

with a comnt."

Callian raised an eyebrow. "Seems like he was pretty quick to stand up for you when Vanesa made that comnt. Not sothing guys usually do for just classmates."

Eira caught the shift in his voice but decided to keep it light. "He was just being nice. I didn't ask him to do that."

"Still," Callian said, leaning back in his chair and watching her closely. "I'd be careful. Guys like that... well, they might want more than just friendship."

Eira narrowed her eyes slightly, sensing the jealousy in his words. "You don't have to worry about that, Callian. He's just a classmate."

Callian forced a smile, but it didn't fully reach his eyes. "I'm not worried. Just making sure you're aware. So guys aren't always so innocent."

Eira smiled softly, dipping her spoon into her ice cream again. "And you think I can't handle it?"

He leaned forward. "Oh, I know you can handle it. I just don't like the idea of soone trying to get too close to what's mine."

Eira raised an eyebrow, her heart skipping a beat. "Yours?"

Callian's smile softened, but his brow lifted. "You know what I an."

She didn't reply, simply taking another bite of her ice cream. There was sothing possessive in his tone, but she couldn't deny that part of her didn't mind it.

They finished their ice cream in comfortable silence. Eira glanced at Callian as he tossed his napkin into the trash.

"Ready to et my crazy family?"

"How crazy?" Eira asked.

"Well, let's just say... crazy enough for them to hate

and love you."