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

Adrian's POV

Tina crossed her arms and gave me a glare cold enough to freeze July. "Yeah, it has."

There was a pause. Then she tossed her hair over her shoulder and added, "Just got back from Madrid, actually. A much-needed escape. Sun, sangria, and absolutely no drama."

I chuckled lightly, brushing off the jab. "Sounds perfect."

"Mm," she hummed flatly. "It was."

Hoping to soften the mood, I said, "You look great. I didn't expect to see you in the corporate world."

She arched an unimpressed brow. "Right back at you. Never took you for the office type."

I gave a casual shrug. "Yeah, well. Family business. I'm working here now."

"I heard," she replied coolly, her eyes narrowing just enough to add weight to her words.

My gaze drifted to Clairessa. She was suddenly engrossed in her laptop, fingers tapping aimlessly-clearly pretending to be busy after I'd caught her mid- conversation.

I refocused on her. "I was hoping to steal you for lunch. Just fifteen minutes." Clairessa blinked, then shook her head with a faint sigh. "Adrian, I don't know... it's your first day. You should be settling in, not sneaking off with me."

"I'm not sneaking," I grinned. "Just taking a well-earned break after an exhausting first day. You should too."

She gave me a pointed look. "It's barely past two. Shouldn't the well-earned break come at the end of the day?"

A slow, smug smile tugged at my lips. "Well, considering my dad owns the place, I figure I get to decide when break time is. Perks of being an only child."

She groaned, clearly irritated. "God. You're insufferable. Do you have to sound so proud of it?"

"Can't help it." I shrugged nonchalantly. "Especially if it gets me a few minutes with you."

Before she could answer, I reached for her laptop-not to close it, just to slide it aside so I could see her better. That's when something caught my eye.

A folder sat on the desk, half-hidden beneath another file. I hadn't meant to look, but the names printed in fine lettering drew my attention:

Gabriel Storm

Clairessa Hartwood

Something about the way it was formatted stirred my curiosity. I leaned slightly, trying to catch more-just a bit closer-

But Jess reached over, casually but intentionally, and slid the folder beneath a stack of papers as if it were nothing.

There was a strange feeling about it, but before I could dwell on it—noveldrama

"Actually, I'm hungry too. Let's all go," she said smoothly.

Clairessa shot her a brief glare, but Jess just smiled as she tucked the folder into the desk drawer-one of my dad's, I figured-effectively burying whatever suspicions had started to form in my mind.

Jess grabbed her bag and what I assumed was Clairessa's phone. The two of them exchanged a quick, suspicious, wordless signal—before their eyes met mine.

"Let's just go," Clairessa muttered.

And that was all I needed to hear. I shoved the lingering questions aside for now —and for the first time, I was actually grateful Jess was around.

The restaurant was exotic-big, sleek, and definitely upscale. It was just a short walk from the office, but felt like a whole other world.

Claire turned to me, arching a brow. "Adrian... isn't this a little too fancy for a casual lunch?"

I grinned. "You know me-it's either the best or nothing less."

Now that I was officially working at the company, money wasn't a problem anymore. I knew my dad would restore all my previous benefits and cards-it was only a matter of time.

A hostess with soft brunette curls and a sleek red dress approached us, her smile warm and practiced.

"Hello. Welcome, Mr. Storm. We're excited to have you here."

"Just Adrian," I corrected smoothly. "Likewise."

Her gaze shifted to Clairessa and Jess. "And welcome to you both as well. Shall I seat you and your friends at your father's reserved table?" she asked with a subtle smile.

I nodded, a little too eagerly.

It felt good, honestly-to have a dad with the kind of pull that came with a

reserved table at a place like this.

She led us across the room, and we took our seats.

We ordered.

We ate.

We made small talk—or rather, I did most of the talking. Clairessa barely answered, offering only brief smiles in response.

She was still closed off, guarded, not letting me in.

But I was determined to change that... determined to make her mine again.

She avoided my eyes, keeping her attention mostly on Jess, whispering back and forth like I wasn't even there.

By the time we finished eating, the waiters came by to clear the table.

Jess didn't waste a second. She turned to me, her expression suddenly all business-like she'd come here with an agenda.

She set her wine glass down and met my gaze head-on. "So, Adrian. What exactly do you want from my friend?"

I swallowed a sip of water, unbothered. "I want her forgiveness. Because I love her."

Clairessa shifted beside me, clearly uneasy with where the conversation was going.

Jess scoffed. "Love? After cheating on her with... what's-her-face?"

"Jess, that's in the past," I tried, keeping my voice even, though it was obvious neither of them was buying it.

She fixed me with a hard stare. "And how are we supposed to believe you won't break her all over again?"

"You don't have to believe me," I said quietly. "She just has to feel it. And I'll do whatever it takes to earn my way back into her heart."

Jess leaned back with a smirk.

"Well... it's going to be a long road

Especially now that my beautiful

Claire finally realizes she's got options-and that she can do better than you."

"Jess..." I cut in, trying to stay calm even as irritation surged through me. She was clearly overplaying her role as the protective best friend, and only making things harder.

"This is respectfully between Clairessa and me, so—”

"Oh, no it's not," Jess snapped, cutting me off. "Because I was the one there when you shattered her. I was the one who picked up the pieces. So don't you—"

"Enough," Clairessa's voice rang out, firm and unshaken, slicing through both Jess's words and whatever I was about to say.

She exhaled, looking exhausted. "Guys... seriously. You're talking like I'm not even here."

Jess didn't miss a beat. "Oh, we know you're here. But I'm your best friend. Your shield. And if this guy hurts you again, I swear I'll break every fucking bone in his body."

"Jess!” Clairessa shot her a look-half exasperated, half amused.

Jess just shrugged unapologetically. "I'm not joking."

I leaned forward, my tone sincere. "Listen, Jess... You're right not to trust me. Not yet. But I promise you-and Claire-" I reached out toward her, but she pulled back before I could touch her.

I swallowed the sting and kept going. "I've learned my lesson. I've grown. Losing her... that was the worst pain I've ever known. And do whatever it takes to prove I've

changed. To show her I deserve a second chance."

Jess narrowed her eyes. "Can we get that in writing? That if you hurt her again, I

have full permission to do whatever I want to you?"

I gave a small laugh, trying to ease the tension. "Sure. We can make it official.”

No one laughed with me. They just stared-dead serious.

Like I was standing trial. And the jury was already leaning toward a guilty verdict.

Clairessa's voice broke through the silence. "I never said I was giving him a

second chance. Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

That one hit me. Deep. Right in the chest.

Still, I reached out, gently trying to brush her cheek.

She pulled away as though my touch repulsed her.

"Adrian," she said softly. "This is too much. I don't know if I'm ready for this."

She stood, reaching for her phone. "Can we just go?"

Jess rose beside her, protective as ever, but her eyes locked on me-measured.

I could feel it.

This wasn't over.

Not even close.