Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel)

Walking down the hallway, I clutched my phone tightly in my hand. I had called

Gabriel a dozen times, left messages that went unanswered, and sent texts that

remained on "read."

I felt uneasy, unable to shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Just as I neared the elevator, movement from the corner of my eye caught my

attention. Nicole. She strutted toward me with an exaggerated sway of her hips,

tossing her hair back like she owned the place. I bit back a groan—of all people,

she was the last one I wanted to deal with right now.

I quickened my pace, determined to get into the elevator before she could reach

me, but she sped up, closing the distance in an instant. Just as I reached the

doors, she stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

She fixed her gaze on me, wearing that infuriating, condescending smirk that

made my teeth grind.

I fought the urge to shove her aside. "Move, Nicole."

Her smile widened, making it clear she was deliberately trying to get under my

skin. "In a hurry? You should really watch where you're going—you might trip and

fall."

"I'm not in the mood for your games," I snapped. "Step aside."

She stared me up and down with a smug look in her eyes before folding her arms,

refusing to budge. "Oh, but I thought you'd like to know—I just left Gabriel's

office."

Shock hit me, but I quickly covered it, refusing to give her the satisfaction of

seeing my confusion. "And?"

Her lips curved into a sly grin. "He invited me in. Needed to discuss some

important personal matters—just the two of us..."

My heart pounded harder, but I forced a calm, indifferent expression. That's

impossible. Gabriel's out of town, and he's surely not back yet. I knew Nicole was

just spinning these cheap lies to rattle me.

She let out a soft, mocking laugh. "Poor thing... didn't you know? He's back. I

guess he didn't think you were important enough to inform... and if you doubt me,

you could go to his office and find him there."

The words hit me hard. Nicole didn't look like she was lying, as I had hoped... She

was serious. So Gabriel was truly back. And he hadn't bothered to tell me? Hadn't

returned any of my calls or messages? My heart sank, but I knew Nicole was

watching me closely, and I refused to show any weakness in front of her.

I squared my shoulders, plastering on a fake smile. "Mr. Storm can come and go

as he pleases. It's none of your concern."

Nicole gave me a pitying look, as if she were speaking to a clueless child. "Oh,

sweetie... There's no one else here but us. You don't have to pretend. We both

know you're screwing Mr. Storm—and Adrian too. I'll give you credit, you're quite

the actress balancing both."

Taking a step closer, I lowered my voice to a warning whisper. "Shut your mouth,noveldrama

Nicole. You don't know a damn thing."

She let out a snort of laughter, rolling her eyes. "Please. You think I don't see what

you're doing? Trying to keep them both wrapped around your little finger—one for

power, one for fun. Adrian might be too stupid to notice, but Gabriel isn't.

Eventually, he's going to see right through your little act, and when he does..."

She trailed off, clicking her tongue. "Well, I'll be right there to pick up the pieces."

My hands balled into fists, and it took every ounce of self-control not to slap her

across the face. "It's clear to me now that you're saying all this because you're

jealous I was the one selected to take the lead on the Gemia Project and handle

the pitch in Vegas..."

Nicole's face hardened. "Jealous? Please. I don't need to be jealous of a woman

who's nothing but a toy. Gabriel only picked you because he was fucking you for

fun, and soon he'll toss you aside when he's bored."

I couldn't help the small, bitter laugh that escaped me. "We both know that wasn't

why he chose me... and I'm well aware that you thought he'd ever choose you?

Keep dreaming."

"Too bad I don't have to dream for much longer," Nicole sneered, her voice

dripping with disdain. "Because he's already figured you out, hasn't he? That's

why he didn't bother telling you he was back. You're nothing to him now. Just a

mistake he regrets."

I could feel the anger rising in my chest the longer I stood exchanging words with

Nicole. It was clearly a waste of my time. She was doing exactly what she wanted

—trying to trigger me—and I didn't know how much longer I could hold back.

"Move... now," I demanded.

Nicole planted her feet more firmly, blocking me with her stance. Her eyes glinted

with defiance. "And if I refuse?"

I took a slow, threatening step forward, closing the space between us. Nicole was

forced to back up until her shoulders pressed against the elevator door. I leaned

in close, my voice barely above a whisper. "If you don't get out of my way, I'll

make you."

Nicole's eyes widened for a split second, the hint of fear flashing before she

quickly masked it. "Oh, you wouldn't dare," she scoffed, though I could hear the

uncertainty in her voice.

I didn't budge, didn't blink, just kept pressing into her space. She had no choice

but to flatten herself against the door, her breathing shallow. A sinister smirk

curled at my lips. "Don't try me."

"Let me go! You're harassing me..." she whimpered, fake tears welling up in her

eyes as she looked around the empty hallway, desperate for attention. But no one

was there to witness her performance. I could see right through it.

I cocked my head, laughing lightly at her pathetic display. "You think anyone

would fall for your fake tears?" I leaned in closer, my tone mocking. "Look

around... we're all alone. And remember, you said it yourself—I have both men

wrapped around my finger. Who do you think they'll believe? You or me?"

The confidence drained from her face, and I could practically see the realization

hit her—she had no power here. Nicole hesitated, then reluctantly stepped aside,

her face pale and lips pressed into a tight line.

"Good girl," I taunted, pressing the button. As the elevator doors slid open, I

glanced back at her, letting a satisfied smirk curve my lips.

Nicole straightened, trying to regain some of her dignity. "Fine. Go running after

him like a lost puppy. But don't be too shocked when he tells you to leave."

She added, just as the doors were about to shut, "Also, if I were you, I wouldn't be

so sure about that power you claim to have...!"

I huffed in irritation, shaking my

head to wave off all the negative

energy Nicole and her cruel words

had stirred up. My mind was fixed

on one thing: getting to Gabriel's

office and finding out if he was really

back for myself.

The elevator dinged, and the doors

slid open, revealing Gabriel's floor. I

strode out, bent on getting answers.

Whatever Nicole thought she knew,

it wouldn't shake me. I wasn't going

to give her the satisfaction.

Tems, Gabriel's assistant, sat at the reception desk, her attention buried in her

laptop. She barely noticed me until I drew near.

"Hi, Tems," I said, offering a soft smile—my best attempt to push back the quiet

panic steadily rising in my chest.

Her head snapped up, eyes widening slightly. "Oh—hey, Clairessa," she replied,

her tone uncertain.

"I'm here to see Mr. Storm," I announced, already moving toward his office without

waiting for permission.

Tems sprang to her feet, quickly stepping into my path. "I'm sorry, Clairessa, but...

you can't go in."

I stopped short, frowning. "Why not?"

For months now, Gabriel had given clear instructions: I was allowed into his office

anytime—no questions, no delays. Not even Tems had ever stood in my way. Until

now.

She looked nervous, chewing her lip as if scrambling for an excuse. "He's... in a

meeting."

"A meeting?" I repeated, narrowing my eyes. "Because Nicole just left. She said

he wasn't busy."

Tems flinched, her eyes darting to the floor. "W-well, yes, he was free after she

left, but now he's... on a conference call.

A very important one. He can't be disturbed."

A conference call?

Her words didn't match her body language—shifting from foot to foot, avoiding

eye contact. She was lying.

"Tems," I murmured, stepping in

closer. "Please—I really need to see

Gabe... I caught myself, quickly

correcting my slip. "Mr. Storm. So

either you let me in, or you tell me

what's really going on."

She swallowed hard, clearly torn. "Mr. Storm said he didn't want to be disturbed

by anyone. And when I brought up your name... he was clear—not even you."

I was stunned. "He said that?"

She winced. "I'm not supposed to tell you, but you've always been kind to me, and

I thought you deserved to know."

"Thank you, Tems," I murmured, as a wave of sadness washed over me.

She nodded, relieved I wasn't pressing further. But as I turned away, my thoughts

spiraled.

My fingers trembled as I pulled out my phone, staring at Gabriel's name. The

unanswered messages, the missed calls—it all mocked me.

He was back. He hadn't told me. Hadn't reached out. Was he avoiding me?

And then Nicole's voice echoed in my mind.

I wouldn't be so sure about that power you claim to have.

What the hell did she mean?

Was she hinting at something?

Had she told Gabriel about Adrian and me?