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

Gabriel's POV

"Tems, let her in."

I spoke into the intercom, then cut the line.

Seconds later, my office door creaked open-and there she was.

Nicole strutted in like she was performing on a runway, hips swaying with exaggerated confidence. It was almost laughable. I half expected her knees to buckle under the weight of her own theatrics.

She halted at the edge of my desk, leaning forward just enough to shove her cleavage into view. Her lips curled into that smug little smirk she always wore― like she thought she had leverage, like she believed she still mattered.

"Mr. Storm," she purred. "You sent for me. I was surprised... but pleasantly so. Especially after how our last little encounter ended.” Her smile stretched wider. She twirled a strand of hair around her finger, eyes glittering with suggestion. "Then again, you know how useful I can be, sir. So I'm glad you've come around."

God, she was exhausting.

The sound of her voice grated-like nails dragging against glass. She always spoke too much, and somehow always managed to say the wrong thing.

She kept going, licking her lips before each sentence like she was still starring in some performance the world cared to watch. If anything, it only deepened my disgust.

I lifted a hand, palm out. "That's enough."

A slight crease formed between her brows-maybe disbelief. Whatever it was, I liked it. She'd expected warmth, maybe even a smile. What she got was ice. Exactly what she deserved.

"Get off your high horse, Nicole. This isn't the time for theatrics—or whatever fantasy you've cooked up in that conniving little head of yours."

She frowned and folded her arms, clearly annoyed that her fake charm had failed.

"I asked to see you," I continued, “because of that last meeting—and because there have been some changes at the company."

Her brow lifted, curiosity flashing in her eyes.

"What kind of changes?"

I leaned back in my chair, fingers clasped tightly. "You'll see soon enough. Adrian is now working at the company."

She burst out laughing-loud and mocking, like she'd just overheard a joke in a boardroom.

"Adrian? Working here?" she scoffed. "That's rich. He hates this place. I mean, he literally-"

"Nicole," I cut in, flat. "I don't tell jokes. And if I did, you'd be the last person I'd tell one to."

That wiped the amusement from her face.

I stood slowly and walked around the desk, my eyes locked on hers, reading every flicker of reaction.

"Now, let's get to why I called you."

She stiffened.

"You're going to forget those pictures you showed me. In fact, you'll forget our last meeting ever happened. You'll forget there was ever a moment when you thought

it was smart to show up in my office and try to manipulate me."

She squared her shoulders, challenging me. "And if I don't?"

I stepped in closer, towering over her now. My chest squared, my height filling the space between us, pressing in with quiet force. Her pupils shrank, her eyes darting around-like she was searching for someone to save her.

But the office was silent. Empty. Just the two of us. And in that stillness, she realized-whatever power she thought she wielded crumbled beneath the weight

of mine.

"I will break you. That's a promise."

Her lips parted, voice trembling. "You... can't do... that."

"Can't I?" My voice dropped-biting, cold. "If a word-so much as a syllable— about Clairessa or me reaches my son, if you so much as whisper your assumptions anywhere in this building, you won't just be fired. You'll be blacklisted. I'll make sure you never work again—not in this city, not in this country."

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, her body trembling now. "Mr. Storm, this is insane. You can't threaten me like this-"

"I just did."

I scanned her from head to toe. Her legs were starting to shake-fear creeping in where arrogance used to be. Good. She was folding. And one thing about me—l don't make empty threats.

"So, what's it going to be, Nicole?" I tilted my head slightly. "Now's a good time to show how smart you really are."

Her lips trembled before she finally spoke. "You've left me with no choice."

I gave a short nod, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. "Good. You know where you stand."

I walked back to my seat and eased into it, then reached behind the desk for a folder. Sliding it across to her, I kept my voice even.

"This is a non-disclosure agreement. It states you're not allowed to talk about me, Clairessa, my son—or anything, real or imagined, related to our personal lives. Not to anyone. Not to any party."

She hesitated, then flipped open the folder. Her eyes skimmed the pages quickly, scanning—until she found the clause about the penalty if she defaults.

Her eyes widened. "Two hundred thousand dollars if I break it? That's... that's ridiculous."

I leaned back. "No, it's not. All you have to do is keep your mouth shut and do the job you're paid to do. Do you want to keep your job or not? Do you want to stay relevant at all? If the answer's yes, I suggest you sign it."

She contemplated for a moment, then rolled her eyes and muttered, "Whatever," under her breath.

Her hand curled tightly around the pen, fingers clenching as she took it and signed the contract. I watched her closely until the final stroke was made.

Without sparing her a glance, I took the contract back and slid it into the folder. "Good. Now that we've cleared that up," I said calmly, "I'm placing you on the Randolph project."

Her eyes widened. "Isn't that the project your girlf-" She caught herself, lips twitching."—that Clairessa was handling?"

She forced a tight smile. "I didn't expect you'd want me anywhere near it."

"There's been a change in timeline," I replied coolly. "We're pitching to Randolph himself earlier than planned. Clairessa and her team are already on track, but they need more capable hands to tighten every loose end and make sure the project is finished perfectly—and on time.

So I'm assigning you to join them.

And I expect you to use your brain for something that actually benefits this company... instead of spinning stories."

She narrowed her eyes, clearly insulted. I didn't care.

"Let me be absolutely clear. You are not there to challenge Clairessa. You will not

speak against her. You will not interfere."

She scowled, frown lines etched across her forehead, teeth sinking lightly into her bottom lip as if holding herself back. She looked like she wanted to argue-but thought

4.13

better of it.

A wise decision on her part.

"You will follow her instructions like the obedient little employee you're supposed to be." My voice was stone now. "And you'll do it without attitude."

She looked away for a second, shoulders rigid, then gave a stiff nod.

"One last thing." I leaned forward, making sure my tone left no room for argument. "If I hear a single complaint from Clairessa-if I get

even a whiff of trouble from your direction-I will make things very, very difficult for you. Understood?"

Her mouth pulled tight, like she was biting back resentment. "Understood."

"Good. Now get to work."

She forced a faint smile, the kind that barely reached her eyes-defeated, empty then turned away.

This time, her steps were slower than when she entered. No sway. No smirk.

Just... humbled.

And for some reason, that felt satisfying.

But the second she left, her presence faded-like she and her drama no longer mattered.

My mind immediately shifted back to Clairessa. And the deal I'd just made with

her-

the one that wasn't in the contract.

If Adrian handled the pitch and succeeded, the agreement would be over.

Which was exactly what I needed.

That's why I assigned Nicole to the team-even though Clairessa didn't want her

there.

The project had to stay on track. It had to finish strong.

Because the thought of failure-of Adrian slipping, of the agreement dragging on

-filled me with dread.

I needed it to end. For everyone's sake.

And Clairessa... she wouldn't have to stay close to him any longer.

God, the thought-I couldn't take it anymore. Watching them day after day, pretending I didn't see what was right in front of me.

These past few weeks, I'd been on the outside looking in-especially this past

weekend.

They'd been inseparable.

Working side by side on that damn presentation.

Her voice guiding him, soft but steady. Encouraging him. Believing in him.

He'd spend hours in her room. Then she'd be in his.

Then they'd be on the couch, laughing over coffee, over notes, over God knows

what else.

Always together.

And the longer it went on, the more I wondered what else was happening behind

those doors.

What else they were sharing.

Adrian already told me he still had feelings for her.

Said he wanted her back.

So I knew exactly what he was doing-using the closeness, the trust, the comfort

-working his way back into her heart.

And what if she let him in?

I couldn't blame her.

Not after everything I did. Pushing her away.

Choosing my son over us. Standing there like a goddamn coward when I

should've fought for her.

What if she gave him a second chance?

Even just to spite me?

I couldn't stomach it-not under any circumstance.

I'd been fooling myself, thinking I could live with the idea of them being together

for Adrian's sake.

But now I see it for what it really is.noveldrama

I can't do it.

I won't.

Because that would mean I've lost her.

For good.

And God help me-

I'm not ready for that.

Not when there's still a part of me that believes there's something left to fight for.

Not yet.