The Best Man novel Chapter 24

Tristan's POV

Lately, it's been really busy at the restaurant, and I was giving out order after order. I was catering for a graduation party later on today, and it was all hands on deck. Having to prepare the dishes and juggle teaching the new apprentices the basics techniques in the kitchen was a challenge, but I was already getting the hang of it.

"Yo Boss", Peter, the junior staff member called to my attention. "Your girl is asking for you at the front"

I exhaled tirelessly, closing my eyes for a second before opening my mouth to speak

"Tell here I'll be there in a second", I said, and he gave a quick nod before disappearing from sight

When I finished with what I was doing, I walked to where Mellisa was waiting for me, taping her foot on the floor continuously as she scrolled on her phone

"What's up?", I pocked my hands when I reached her and her eyebrow quirked up

"We have a cake tasting appointment in 30 minutes", she placed one hand on her hip when she saw me shrug, showing no emotion on my face

"Don't tell me forgot"

"I'm really busy Mellisa and cake tasting is literally the last I need to worry about. I sent you a text telling you that I won't be able to make it"

"Well I didn't see it", she folded her arms in a protest. "Do you know how hard it was to get this appointment?"

"Just because I can't go doesn't mean you can't. It's just cake tasting for fucks sake, there's absolutely no reason to make this a big deal. It's not like you need me there anyways"

"You know what your problem is here, Tristan?"

"No I don't, but I'm sure you're going to tell me"

"You don't appreciate the efforts and the endless sacrifices I make for this wedding to happen", she scoffed bitterly, getting worked up

"I'm really sorry for putting you in such awful circumstances Mellisa but in case you hadn't noticed, I'm working really hard to be able to pay for this fairy tale wedding you want. If you don't see that I'm doing something, then I really don't know", I snapped, her throwing a tantrum was the last thing I needed because I already have a lot on my plate, I was exhausted.

"I also have a demanding job of my own, Tristan, but I try by all means to accommodate the planning of this wedding as much as I can, you don't even try"

"I stopped trying when I realized that you have everything under control and that all I need to do on the wedding day is just show up"

The night I was dreading to arrive was finally here. The thought of faking being sick so that we wouldn't come here passed my mind but that would have been digging a hole and burying myself alive. I knew my mother would have insisted on coming over to check up on me, take one look and immediately know there was nothing wrong with me. That trick didn't even work at all when I was a teenager because her being a nurse didn't work in my favour sometimes.

"Why are you so nervous?", Nathan chuckled walking besides me towards the door of my parents house, already feeling my insides turning in agony. I was really freaking out to be honest.

"You don't know my parents", I drew a breath. "They are very good at getting the truth out of people just by a simple look, especially my Dad"

"You and I are just friends", he emphasized on the last two words. "I think I got it"

"You think?", I whisper shouted, stopping mid-action on pressing the doorbell

"Relax Bella. We got this", he laughed before pressing the doorbell himself as in seconds later, the door was pulled open and my mother seemed pleased to see us and give us both a welcoming hug. Nathan gave her the flowers he bought her and the smile on her face brightened, she was definitely impressed.

"You're so sweet Nathaniel, you honestly shouldn't have"

"It's a token of appreciation for welcoming me into your lovely home, Mrs Davis"