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

Chapter 142: Rejecting Himnoveldrama

Clairessa POV Just when I thought my day couldn't get any worse, my office door swung open-without a knock. And, of course, the last person I wanted to see waltzed in like he owned the damn place. Adrian. A smug, cocky grin stretched across his face, his usual entitlement so suffocating it was almost unbearable. Anger surged through me. My fingers gripped the edge of my desk tightly as I shot up from my chair, eyes blazing. "What the hell are you doing in my office?" I demanded, as he approached my desk. Adrian lifted a hand, attempting to calm me, completely unfazed. "Claire, relax. As much as I'd love to say I'm here just to see your pretty face-" His grin faltered for a second before he shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'm actually here because of my dad and his never-ending need to control my life." My brows furrowed. "Your dad?" A jolt of worry shot through me-had he talked to Gabriel? Did he know about me? But I refused to let him see even a hint of it, so I quickly added, "And what does that have to do with me?" "Everything." He exhaled dramatically. "Just dropped him off at the airport, and now, out of nowhere, he's decided I need to start working here at Storm Innovations." He let out a humorless chuckle. "Imagine that-me, in tech." I blinked, my mind scrambling to catch up. "Wait... what?" "Though I felt slightly relieved that Adrian hadn't told Gabriel about me, the feeling was short-lived. Adrian working here was a disaster waiting to happen. "That's not possible. You can't work here!" Adrian shrugged. “I don't want to. But my dad's forcing me. Says he'll cut me off if I don't, and right now, I'm a little low on cash. I need money to float the restaurant, so I'm weighing my options." I froze. "Wait... float the restaurant? Are you telling me the business is sinking?" The question left my mouth before I could stop it. A slow smile spread across his lips. "See? I knew you still cared. About our baby... well, the restaurant." I clenched my fists, hating that I had reacted. "The restaurant took a big hit," he continued. "We were defrauded- lost a ton of money. We need cash flow to keep the doors open, pay staff- otherwise, we close up shop." For a fleeting moment, guilt hit me. I had poured my heart into building that place and supporting him for two years. But reality crashed in-this wasn't my problem anymore. I straightened my spine, my expression hardening. “Well, I'm sorry to hear that," I said flatly. "But that's none of my business. Now, get out of my office." Adrian leaned lazily against my desk. "Have you forgotten? This very office will be mine one day." Pride flashed in his eyes. “Perks of being the only child of a billionaire-one I'm certain has no hidden children lurking around." I narrowed my eyes. "I don't give a damn if you're the only son or not," I fumed. "Until there's a legal document declaring you the new CEO, this remains my office-my space. So get out." Adrian raised his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. I'll leave." He took a step back, then smirked-that arrogant grin that made me want to reach out and slap it right off his face. "But before I go, tell me... did you like my gifts?" I rolled my eyes. "You mean those?" I gestured to the roses sitting in the trash at the far end of the room. "I hated them." His smirk disappeared, replaced by a brief flicker of disappointment. "Claire... you didn't have to-" "Of course I did," I cut him off. "How else am I supposed to make it clear that I'm not interested? That I will never be again?" Adrian's lips pressed into a tight line, but he quickly hid it behind his usual smug grin. "Well... if you hated the roses, how about the dress?" His gaze dropped to the dress still inside the box on my desk. "I still remember your size, and I know it'll fit perfectly." Then his eyes dragged over my body taking me in, blatantly ignoring everything I had just said. I scoffed, moving fully away from my desk. "I despise it just as much. Why don't you take it back? I'm sure one of the many women you cheat with would appreciate it." Before he could respond, I grabbed the box with the dress and shoved it into his chest. I expected him to back off, to finally leave. But instead, he threw the box right back onto the table and grabbed my wrist, yanking me against him. "Adrian, let go of me," I ordered, my voice firm. My hands balled into fists as I tried to push him away, but his arm tightened around my waist, pulling me deeper against him. I shoved at his chest with all my strength. But he only held me tighter. "I will never let you go," he murmured. His breath was warm against my ear. "You used to want me to hold you just like this. Remember? And now you act like I disgust you. But I know it's all a farce." His voice dropped, rough and insistent. "Tell me you don't feel this.... between us." He was wrong. Once, I longed for his touch, even begged for

23:22 Fri, 11 Apr

Chapter 142: Rejecting Him

1. it. My body had fooled me into thinking I needed him. But now, as he pressed against me, all I felt was revulsion. No spark, no passion-just pure disgust. When he saw that I didn't respond, that my chest only heaved with fury, he pressed on, leaning in closer. "You've made your point clear," he murmured. His fingers flexed against my waist, demanding some kind of response. "I hurt you, and you want to hurt me back. But - don't let your anger destroy what's left of us." I tilted my head back, putting space between us. "I'll say this

slowly for you, since it seems your brain is too slow to process information-or my rejection." I glared up at him, making sure he saw the truth etched into every line of my face. "There is no us. There will never be an-" My words were cut off as his lips crashed onto mine, his tongue demanding entrance into my mouth. Rage and disgust exploded inside me. I pushed against him, struggling, my fists pounding against his chest. "Get off me!" I hissed, twisting in his grip. Then I heard it. A slow, mocking chuckle that sent ice crawling down my spine. My eyes shot open, and past Adrian's shoulder, toward the doorway. I locked gazes with Nicole. She stood there, arms crossed, her phone in hand, eyes alight with triumph. The kind that only came from uncovering something scandalous-like she had just found something she could use. Her gaze darted between me and Adrian, and I could practically see the wheels turning in her mind. Rage surged through me. I shoved Adrian with all the force I had, tearing myself free. But the fury that coursed through me now burned hotter than before-hotter than when he walked in, hotter than when he touched me, hotter than when he dared to kiss me. Without thinking, I swung my hand, months of suppressed frustration and months of inbuilt rage crashing down with the strike. My palm cracked against his face, the sound echoing through the room. How long had she been standing there? How much had she seen?

Clairessa's POV