Not her Biological Father

Jessica Harts grew up in a house where love arrived before money ever did.

Her childhood home sat on a quiet coastal street, modest but warm, always smelling faintly of antiseptic and laundry detergent-evidence of her mother's profession. Elaine Harts was a senior nurse in a public hospital, a woman who worked double shifts and came home with tired eyes but steady hands. She raised her daughters on discipline, prayer, and the belief that education was the only inheritance that could never be stolen.

Jess learned resilience early. Not because life was cruel, but because it demanded effort. She watched her mother leave before sunrise and return long after dusk.

Her older sister, Cassie, became her first role model-protective, outspoken, and fiercely independent. Together, they learned how to navigate life without shortcuts.

Jess was the kind of girl teachers noticed for all the right reasons. Intelligent, observant, and quietly ambitious. She wasn't loud, but she was present. Not reckless, but curious. She dreamed of building a life that blended purpose with comfort-a future where she could give back without losing herself.

University was not just a milestone-it was proof that the sacrifices had meant something. Proof that she could build a future wide enough to carry everyone who believed in her.

That morning, as she stood at the gates of the University of Gold Coast campus with a suitcase at her feet and her heart racing with anticipation, Jess told herself this was where everything would begin.

She didn't know yet that trust could feel safe before it felt dangerous.

She didn't know yet how thin some lines were.

.......

I stared at the beautiful image of this damsel standing before me, her hips swaying from side to side as she catwalked toward me. I got lost staring at her cleavage peeking from the V-neck crop top she wore. They weren't too big or too small..just the right, perky kind that jiggled slightly as she walked by.

"Hey, Dad. Dad!!" she called, snapping me back to reality.

Jessica had just been admitted to the university, while I had been here for the past three years. This was currently my fourth and final year. I'm a Civil Engineering student-and Jessica's school father. My name is Andre.

Jess, as I call her, is not only intelligent but also undeniably beautiful. A perfectly carved figure-eight body. A face that makes heads turn.. pointed nose, almond eyes, naturally pink lower lips, and soft eyebrows that complete her angelic look.

I was the first person she approached on her first day when she got lost on her way to a lecture hall. I remember the day like it happened yesterday. She stopped me, looking slightly embarrassed.

She had stopped me near the Science Block, looking lost and a little flustered. "Hi... sorry. Do you know where the Science Department is? I think I'm lost "

Her voice was soft, uncertain.

I recognized her immediately. Jessica Harts. We had gone to the same elementary school years ago, though she didn't seem to recognize me.

"Yes, actually," It's just by the side of the students' cafeteria, close to the VC's office."

She looked a bit confused, so I added, "You know what, I'll take you there-if that's okay with you?"

"Okay, sure. Thank you so much," she replied, visibly relieved.

That one offer became everything.

Since that day, we'd been close. Texting, studying, eating together. I helped her register for courses, talked her through assignments, and answered her late-night calls when she got anxious before class. It felt good at first, protective. Purposeful.

But over time, my feelings warped into something else. Something I couldn't explain. Or control.

She didn't make it easier, either not intentionally. She called me "Dad" like it was a joke, always laughing, always wrapping her arms around me like I was the safest place in the world.

She had no idea.

"Dad, are you okay?" Jessica's voice pulled me back to the present.

Shit. I had been staring again.

"Uh, yes, dear. I'm fine," I quickly replied.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked, placing her hand softly on my shoulder. "Is it your final exams?"

"No, dear."

"Don't worry, I know you don't want to talk about it. But I'm sure you'll pass."

"That's sweet of you. But no-it's not that. I'm just exhausted."

She smiled. "You're still looking handsome, even when exhausted."

I chuckled, "And you're beautiful today, Jess."

"Where are you heading?" I asked.

"I received a package from home, so I'm going to get it," she replied, adjusting the strap of her shoulder bag.

"Hope it's a big bag of goodies?" I teased.

We both laughed.

"I don't know yet, but if it is... I might not tell you," she said, raising a brow. "So you don't hover around my house and finish them for me."

"Wow. The betrayal," I said, pretending to clutch my chest. "After all we've been through."

Jess giggled and rolled her eyes. "I'll let you know if it's worth sharing. Maybe."

"Or maybe I'll just show up uninvited," I shot back.

She looked at me, a playful smirk lingering. "Try it, and I'll call the campus police."

"Then I'll say I was checking up on my child," I said, a grin tugging at my lips.

"Some father you are."

We stood there in that small moment, laughter slowly fading, a silence settling between us like fog.

She looked up at me with those warm brown eyes, the kind that saw people, not just through them.

"I'll see you later, Dad," she said softly, starting to walk away.

My smile faltered for a second.

"Yeah... later, Jess."

I watched her go-shoulders slightly bouncing with her stride, her curls catching the sunlight like fire.

I should've turned around and headed the other way.

But I didn't.

I stood there too long, hands buried in my pockets, staring at a girl I had no business seeing the way I did. My thoughts spun in all the directions they weren't supposed to go.

She was seventeen.

I was supposed to protect her. Guide her. Keep her safe. I was supposed to protect her. Guide her. Keep her safe. Not the other way around.

I rubbed the back of my neck, frustrated with myself.

"You need to get a grip," I muttered under my breath.

But deep down, I already knew the truth:

I wanted more than friendship.

And no matter how hard I tried to hide it... It was only getting harder to control

Andre Blake was born into wealth, but not peace.

The Blake name carried quiet power in Australia's corporate and political circles. His father, Marcus, built Blake Group Holdings from nothing - an empire of infrastructure, logistics, and private investments. His mother, Eleanor, rose with him, a very sharp and strategic woman.

To the world, they were a success story.

But to Andre, they were overwhelming.

He grew up in a house where conversations stopped when he entered the room. Mistakes weren't discussed - they were never an option. Love came with conditions: image, discipline, and never showing weakness.

On campus, the Blake name opened doors before questions were even asked. Professors trusted him. Students respected him. Andre had learned early how not to fail.

Until Jess came along and made him feel safe, like he never had to wear his mask (family name) around her

.........

The day had gone by quickly. Jess and I had run into each other near the cafeteria later in the day, she had come back from picking up her delivery and she insisted I walk her back to her hostel.

Her roommate wasn't around, so she invited me in for a quick meal. "Let me cook for you," she said casually, like she hadn't done it a hundred times.

"Sure, so long as you don't burn down the hostel," I said. We both laughed

I didn't hesitate to use her bathroom while she chopped vegetables and hummed to herself in the kitchen.

By the time I stepped out, the scent of spicy pasta filled the room. She was plating our food, the way her hair spilled over her shoulders, the soft arch of her back...

I turned away. I needed to pull myself together.

We ate in front of her laptop, some romantic comedy playing in the background, though neither of us was watching. We laughed between bites, trading stories about childhood and teachers we hated. It felt... normal. Easy.

But the longer we sat, the more aware I became of how close we were. Our knees are brushing. Her lips were stained with sauce. The way she licked them clean. The little details that drove me crazy when I was alone in bed at night.

She had no idea the effect she had on me. Or maybe she did, but trusted me enough not to cross that line.

She shouldn't have.

Later, she walked me out to her hostel gate. The sky was bruised with sunset. We paused under the mango tree near her block, and she turned to hug me.

"Thanks for coming," she whispered.

Thank you for the meal and your company", I hugged her, and left.

Back at my apartment, I couldn't shake off the feeling.. the image of her laughing, her body, the accidental brushes of our hands. I lay on my bed, restless. I stood up to get a shower, maybe that'll cool me off I thought.

I was on my towel when my phone rang. It was Rose, my coursemate.

She was at my lodge, needing help with her math assignment. I wasn't thrilled but maybe it might be urgent, who knows, so I took off my towel and put on a light singlet and sweat shorts and headed for the door, I opened it and truly she was there.

"Andre please I need your help with my math assignment, I don't understand the first two chapters," she said

I ushered her in without saying a word at first, then I asked "Why didn't you tell me this earlier? I was about to rest"

"I'm sorry, I thought maybe you needed some time alone with the way you left class today, so I decided to come later" she replied

"Ok then, can I see the assignment you're talking about " I mumbled and she handed over her book to me.

I told her to have a seat then we proceeded with the assignment and I noticed she honestly had a difficult time trying to understand the equations, after a few minutes of explanations I saw that she looked overwhelmed and no longer interested, she just sat there looking at me, like an exhausted chick that was chased by a falcon.

"What's wrong?" I asked breaking the awkward silence

"Nothing it's just that I need to cool off my head"

"Ok, what can I get you?" I asked

"Maybe a few kisses"

"Pardon?" I asked looking rather confused

Rose was putting on a short straight skirt that showed off most of her thighs and a sleeveless corset crop top that revealed her cleavage.

"Hmm" I cleared my throat

"Nvm, I'm not thirsty right now," she said

She moved forward and grabbed her book and we continued the equation till she asked to relax a bit because she was tired, so I agreed then she rested on my lap, and I was surprised but I didn't say anything. We started talking about random things, school, and how the lecturer almost fell in our last class. But I noticed Rose didn't keep her hands in place while we talked and I tried to make sure she didn't touch my dick by accident, I moved her hands away whenever they came closer but she didn't seem to get the message, she eventually stopped though but after a while, she started caressing the hairs on my lap.

"I like your hair, it's soft" she whispered, then she moved her hands lower underneath my boxers

I was trying to resist then she slowly held my hands and rubbed them over her boobs.

But I resisted. I wasn't interested in her, I asked her angrily if she came here for an assignment or if she came to have fun.

"Look I'm not really in the mood for this nonsense, if you aren't here to study, I guess you shouldn't be here at all.

She stood up and looked at me like I was the problem and left sheepishly with her bag and books. No good-bye, no thank you.

After she left, I let out a breath of relief.

But my thoughts returned to Jess... again.

Till I slept off.

"Ring, Ring!"

The alarm jolted me awake. Morning had come too soon.

I dressed, grabbed my bag, and headed for campus. The lectures dragged on. I barely paid attention. My mind was... elsewhere.

After class, I got a call from Jess.

"Hey Dad, I didn't go to lectures today. I'm bored. Can you come over?"

Without thinking, I agreed.

When I arrived, she had popcorn and a movie ready. We watched, played board games, and laughed like old times. It felt normal again. Warm.

I helped her tidy up her room since we run out of what to do. Jeez cleaning wasn't easy I exclaimed.. " I guess I've finally found your weakness "she replied" and we both laughed and continued our cleaning by the time we were done it was already past 6pm.

But as I got up to leave, something inside me snapped.

"Thanks for today," I said, standing close to her.

"You're welcome," she smiled.

I brushed a strand of hair from her face. My fingers lingered.

Then... I pecked her lightly on the lips.

She froze..eyes wide, lips still. Stunned.

I saw the fear. The confusion.

Guilt flashed across my chest. I slowly removed my hand from her cheek.

But then, something reckless took over.

I leaned in and kissed her again, more deeply this time. Brief, but intense. Then I pulled back, not saying a word. Picked up my bag and left her standing there, staring into nothing.

I didn't know what came over me.

Later that night, I went to a bar.

I sat there, drinking. Trying to forget the look on her face.

My phone buzzed.

"What's wrong with you? Are you becoming a pervert now? If you've started sexualizing me, I'll avoid you. I'm scared of you, Andre. I hate you."

I didn't respond. I just kept drinking.

"Bro. You still there? I'm coming back with something wild 😏"

Then again a minute later

I got a text from Geoffrey .

"Just landed. I've got gist. And a surprise. Where are you??"

I stared at the texts, debating if I should respond. Geoffrey had traveled to Brisbane earlier in the week for a family thing. Said he'd only be gone for three days.

I'd forgotten he was coming back today.

My fingers hovered over the screen.

Me:

"Still around. At that bar across from The Galleria."

His reply came fast.

"Say less. On my way. Be there at 15."

Great.

I wasn't in the mood for company, but Geoffrey didn't care about things like "moods." He was a carefree soul. Loud, shameless, always full of gist. And somehow, still one of the few people I tolerated.

I leaned back, finishing the rest of my drink slowly. My head was getting heavy, and I could already feel the dull ache of an oncoming hangover crawling behind my eyes.

Fifteen minutes later, I saw him enter the bar, spotting me almost instantly.

"There you are!" Geoffrey grinned, dragging a chair beside me like we were meeting for brunch. "I thought you ghosted me, you idiot."

I offered a weak smile. "Didn't realize you were back today."

"Yeah, yeah. The flight got delayed, and then my sister wouldn't stop talking about her wedding plans like I'm not the broke sibling. Anyway," He sat down, dropping his phone and wallet on the table. "You look like hell. What happened to you?"

"Long week."

He squinted at me. "Long week like assignment long or long week like heartbreak long?"

I shrugged. "Something like that."

He eyed me suspiciously, then leaned in. "Is this about that girl?"

I tensed slightly. "What girl?"

"Jessica or whatever her name is. The one you've been lowkey obsessed with since the semester started. I've seen the way you look at her. Don't play me."

I looked away, jaw tightening.

He raised a brow. "Damn. That bad, huh?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

Geoffrey held up his hands. "Alright. No therapy session tonight. Just vibes. And speaking of vibes..." He leaned in with a sly grin. "You're coming out with me tonight."

"Not in the mood."

"That's exactly why you're coming. You need a distraction. A drink. A girl who won't make you question your sanity."

I gave him a look. "I already drank."

"Then keep going."

He pulled out his phone and showed me a screenshot of an event flyer.

"A new club just opened in Southport. Velvet Room. Members-only, but I know a guy who knows the bouncer. Clean aesthetics, fine girls, crazy music. You're coming alright. End of story."

I wanted to say no. I wanted to go home, take a hot shower, and maybe sleep until I stopped feeling like a human trash fire.

But instead, I nodded.

Maybe Geoffrey was right.

Maybe I needed to feel something else. Anything else.

"Fine," I muttered. "Let's go."

Geoffrey clapped his hands once and stood. "My man. Let's get you out of this emotional coma."

I stood too, tossing a few bills onto the table without really counting and calling the waiter's attention to them. My head was spinning, not from the alcohol, but from everything else.

The guilt. Jess's message. The way her words were still echoing in my head.

As we walked toward the exit, something in me hesitated. My steps slowed.

By the time we reached the door, I had stopped completely.

Geoffrey noticed. "What?"

I ran a hand through my hair and shook my head. "I can't tonight."

He blinked. "What do you mean? We just"

"I'm exhausted, man. Mentally. Physically. All of it," I muttered. "Let's do it tomorrow. Saturday night. I'll be more alive by then."

Geoffrey raised a brow, studying my face like he didn't recognize me. "You sure?"

"Yeah. I just need rest."

He exhaled dramatically but nodded. "Alright. I'll let you off the hook for tonight."

I managed a faint smile. "Text me the time and location."

"Done. And bro, whatever this is you're going through? Sleep it off. You're not even acting like yourself." I'll come pick you up tomorrow.

I didn't respond. Because I wasn't sure who I was acting like anymore.

We split up at the lot. Geoffrey headed off to catch a ride. I walked home alone, hands in my pockets, the chill evening breeze doing nothing to cool the fire in my chest.

As I pushed open the door to my room and collapsed on the bed, my phone vibrated one more time.

Jess.

"You scared me, Andre."

I locked the screen without opening it.

Tomorrow, I told myself. Tomorrow I'll feel better.