Chapter 81 LXXXI.

Chapter 81 LXXXI.
Isadora's POV.

Breakfast was an ordeal. Throughout the meal, my Daddy, kept shooting us bizarre looks. He’d glance from Trisha to me, his eyes narrowed in intense suspicion.
I had no idea what was going on in his head, but I was thoroughly fed up with his games. Finally, I snapped. "What is it, Daddy? Why do you keep staring at us like that?"
He grinned, his green eyes sparkling with mischief. He absolutely loved pushing my buttons.
He pointed his fork directly between Trisha and me. "I was only half-curious before, but I’m full-on suspicious now."
I glared at him, knowing nothing good was about to come out of his mouth.
He grinned wider. "Are you two dating?"
I slapped my palm against my forehead in exasperation while Trisha lowered her head, blushing furiously. Trust my Daddy to tease and embarrass me at the absolute worst possible moment.
"Daddy, you asked this exact same question yesterday before we left for the party, and I told you no. Trisha has been my best friend for ages; why on earth would you think we'd suddenly start dating?"
He shrugged dismissively. "Well, I'm just curious. You two are inseparable, and neither of you ever seems to date anyone else. It makes a person wonder about your relationship."
Trisha cleared her throat and offered a polite smile. "There really isn't anything to be curious about, Mr. Ricci. Izzy and I are just best friends, and we have our own reasons for being single right now."
Daddy tilted his head, looking amused. "Or is it that the feelings are one-sided?"
My eyes widened at his audacity. What the hell did he mean by that? Did he seriously think I was in love with Trisha?
Trisha looked like a deer in headlights at his question. "Um... well... I..."
"Don't you dare answer that, Trisha!" I snapped, glaring at my Daddy, who was clearly enjoying every second of this. "Dad, please control your husband. He’s making both me and my friend incredibly uncomfortable."
Dad looked up from his paper and shot Daddy a look. "Sandro, can you just eat your meal and let the kids be? Stop being so nosy."
He shrugged again. "I meant no harm. I was just curious."
I rolled my eyes but remained silent. Why did he always have to embarrass me? This was already a painfully sensitive topic because of the accidental kiss last night. With him planting these ideas, Trisha might start thinking I actually had feelings for her, which was the last thing I wanted.
After breakfast, the maids helped bring our luggage out. I stood beside Trisha as my parents loaded the trunks into the back of the van.
Trisha sighed heavily. "I can't believe you're leaving for two weeks. School isn't going to be the same without you."
I grinned and pinched her cute, round cheek. She looked adorable when she pouted. "It's not like I'm moving to Mars, Trish. It's just fourteen days."
"Two weeks is a long time for me without my best friend. I'm going to be so lonely," she complained with a childlike whine that made me laugh. Trisha was rarely this clingy, but I couldn't deny that I found it endearing.
"You won't be lonely. At least you have George now. I used to be jealous and afraid he’d steal you away, but I actually think it's good he's there for you. At least I won't have to worry about my crazy friends bothering you while I'm gone."
I expected Trisha to smile and agree, but the smile instantly vanished from her face at the mention of George. Before I could ask what was wrong, she spoke again.
"I guess you're right. Just make sure you call me when you get there. Scratch that, call me every single day!"
I smiled and patted her head affectionately. "Don't worry, Trish. I'll call you every day, no matter what time it is or how tired I am."
She offered a small, grateful smile. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her blue eyes fixed on me with an unreadable expression. It was a look that made me feel strange and slightly awkward.
"I'm just... really going to miss you, Izzy," Trisha said, her voice trembling slightly. It made something in my chest flutter.
"Don't worry, Trisha. It's just two weeks. I'll be back before you know it. This isn't the first time we've done this. You'll survive."
"Time to go, princess. Say goodbye to your girlfriend already," my Daddy called out from the van.
I glared over my shoulder at him. He just smirked, gave me a sarcastic salute, and climbed inside.
Trisha hugged me tightly. "Take care of yourself, okay?"
I patted her back gently. "Don't worry, Trish, I will. Just make sure you take care of yourself, too."
I pulled away, and she nodded. I suddenly remembered something important.
"I have a favor to ask you, Trish."
Her eyes lit up instantly. She always got this way when I asked for something, like she was ready to leap into action just because I asked.
"Anything, Izzy."
"My sister, Isabella, is returning home from Paris tomorrow. You know how absolutely wild Isabella can be. Can you check in on her here every once in a while so she doesn't do anything catastrophic? I don't trust her on her own."
Especially after she told me she intended to "solve" my problems with Ethan and George for me. She hadn't even told our dads she was coming home and had asked me to keep it a secret, which made me trust her even less. Chaos always followed her around, and I was in no mood for her sick games while on this trip.
Trisha hesitated for a second, and I understood why. I’d told her plenty of stories about Isabella—enough for her to know Isabella was essentially a wilder, more reckless version of me. Trisha generally avoided that type of personality at all costs, so this favor was a big ask.
But as I knew she would, she couldn't say no to me. She gave a resigned sigh and nodded. "Alright, I'll keep an eye on her when she arrives. But I can't promise I can stop her if she decides to do something crazy."
"You don't have to stop her, Trish. Just keep me updated on her every move."
Trisha nodded in understanding. "I can handle that."
I grinned widely and pulled her into one last hug. "You're a lifesaver, Trisha. I owe you big time."
I released her and walked toward the van. "Take care of yourself while I'm gone, okay?"
She smiled and waved. "I will, Izzy. Bye!"
I climbed into the van and waved back, fervently hoping Isabella's arrival wouldn't ignite total chaos in my life. Trouble always seemed to find me in the end, no matter where I hid.
From the driver's seat, my Daddy turned around with a smirk. "Was it so hard to separate from your 'best friend'?" He practically spat the last two words, dripping with sarcasm.
I rolled my eyes. "Just shut up and drive, Daddy!"
At least, after last night's brutal rejection, I wouldn't have to face Ethan for two whole weeks.