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

Clairessa's POV

It had been one hell of an emotionally draining week.

And I was more than glad it was finally over. After everything-the fire, the chaos, the unexpected stay in Gabriel's house-I'd taken a few days off just to breathe. Now, it felt like the right time to return. Not because I was ready, but because I didn't have a choice.

Gabriel said I didn't need to submit my resignation after all. But of course, that came with conditions-conditions I wasn't even sure I could fulfill.

Still, with rent in Miami climbing and my apartment-along with everything I owned-reduced to ashes, I couldn't afford to walk away. Not from the Storm men. Not from the company.

I needed every cent I could get.

And Storm Innovations wasn't just a job. I was building a career I actually loved, and there was hope that the Hart app might get funded-putting me on the business map. Setting me up for life. I told myself that was why I was going back, despite everything that had happened.

But underneath it all, there was another truth-I felt completely alone.

I'd tried calling Jess multiple times. Her number didn't ring, didn't go to voicemail just dead silence. She hadn't called or texted either, which wasn't like her at all. Jess was my best friend. My only friend. And right now, I needed her more than ever. I was starting to worry,

but I couldn't even focus on that—not with everything else crashing down around

me.

And I wasn't about to go crawling back to my parents' house. That wasn't an option either.

So as much as I wanted to tell Gabriel to go to hell, the truth was painfully clear— right now, he and Adrian were all I had.

I'd started scanning listings and contacting agents, hoping to find a new place not too far from the office. But before that, I had to replace every piece of ID and documentation I'd lost in the fire-which would take weeks. My life had become a cycle of paperwork and pretending I wasn't falling apart.

At least work could offer some structure... maybe even a sense of control.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

No fancy outfits anymore. I was dressed in a flowery shirt from the mall and a pair of black pants that hung a little too loosely on my hips. My hair was tied back in a messy bun, strands falling where they pleased. Just a bit of gloss on my lips. That was all I could manage.

I didn't look like the woman who used to walk into meetings with confidence and heels. I looked like someone trying to hold it together with borrowed strength and broken sleep.

Still, I looked at her-the woman in the mirror-one last time and forced myself to stand.

Time to face it.

As I made my way downstairs, a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Claire, finally! You're down."

Adrian stood at the bottom of the stairs with a bright smile, looking surprisingly put together in a navy-blue suit. I looked him over from head to toe. I couldn't even remember the last time I'd seen him looking so... corporate. His hair was slicked back, neat and polished—almost like Gabriel's. And the resemblance was... unsettling.

Adrian was leaner, but he still had a solid build. Same defined jawline. The only real difference was his blond hair-yet somehow, he carried that same damn air of confidence now.

All I could think about was Gabriel.

Snap out of it, the voice of reason in my head warned.

My brow furrowed as I continued making my way down to the last step.

"I thought you'd have left by now."

He shrugged. "I was waiting for you."

I blinked. "Isn't this your first day? Don't you want to be on time?"

He grinned, completely unfazed. "If showing up late means I get to walk in holding your hand, I don't mind being a little late."

I opened my mouth, ready to shut that down, but paused. Then, with a sigh, I softened my tone. "I don't think your dad would be too happy about that. I don't want him thinking you're late because of me. I really don't want any more issues."

"Claire." He took my hand gently and led me toward the dining area. "There's not going to be any issues. We're in this together, okay?"

Before I could respond, the housekeeper walked in with a tray. "Breakfast?"

I shook my head. "Thanks, Jane, but I'm not hungry. Let's just get to work."

Adrian didn't push. He downed a cup of juice and followed me out.

The drive was quiet at first. But as we neared the city, he looked out the window and said, "I can't believe I'm finally going to work at my dad's company. He tried so hard to get me here. I think he gave up after a while. The restaurant wasn't doing so well, so... maybe this is it."

I glanced over at him. "Since it's finally happening, I think you should treat it like a fresh start. Learn what you

can. Give it a shot. Who knows? Maybe it'll all work out in the end."

He reached for my hand, holding it gently for a moment. "Thank you. Really."

By the time we pulled into the sleek lot of the Storm Innovations building, the nerves were starting to kick in.

We walked inside together. Just as we reached the elevators, Adrian's phone buzzed. He glanced at it and muttered, "That's my dad checking to see if we've arrived."

He let out a small laugh. "Never met a man who loves control like he does. Sometimes it drives me insane."

I almost replied, Tell me about it, but I hummed instead.

Then he turned to me, concerned. "How are you feeling?"

"Good," I forced a tight smile, even though inside I was exhausted-but I

let that show. Not to him.

anyone. I had to put on a brave face and get my life together.

"Are you sure you're ready to be back at work? I could talk to my dad. Maybe he'd

give you more time off."

"I'm ready," I replied, my voice firm as I met his eyes.

Just then, the elevator doors slid open, and we stepped inside.

As they closed behind us, silence settled for a moment. I turned to him. "Do you

think you're ready for all this?"

I gestured around the elevator.

Adrian shifted beside me. "I guess we'll find out," he murmured, tapping his foot lightly-clearly anxious.

I stood still, trying to center myself.

Then, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out instinctively and glanced at the screen.

A message from Gabriel.

Clairessa-

Meet me in my office. Now.noveldrama

Gabriel

I rolled my eyes, the urge to curse at him rising in my throat-but Adrian was right

beside me.

I swallowed the words and tilted the phone toward my chest, turning off the screen before he could get a look.

"Meeting already, huh?" he asked, catching my expression with a half-grin.

I nodded faintly, lifting the corners of my lips. "Yeah. I'll see you around."

The elevator dinged. I stepped out just as he called after me, warm and eager,

"Definitely coming by to check on you later."

I gave him a small wave without turning back. The second I entered the hallway, I unlocked my phone again.

Gabriel: Meet me in my office. Now.

I exhaled slowly, trying to calm the irritation rising in my chest.

His tone was always commanding even through a screen.

Who the hell did he think he was, ordering me around like that?

We weren't together anymore.

He's the owner of the company you work for, a tiny voice in my head whispered.

"Shit..." I muttered under my breath, jaw tightening.

Right. That part.

Now I had no choice but to go... and hear whatever the hell he had to say.