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

Chapter 140: Close To Revealing The Truth

Clairessa POV "Mrs. Hartwood, you have some deliveries," my assistant announced, stepping inside with a large bouquet of roses and two elegantly wrapped boxes. She set them down on my desk with a bright smile. "Looks like someone's being spoiled." Warmth spread through my chest as I took in the gifts. There was only one person who would do this. Gabriel. He always had a way of making me feel special, reminding me I was his. We had dinner plans tonight, and this was just the kind of thing he did-grand gestures that left me feeling adored. My fingers trembled slightly as I reached for the largest box, my heart already picturing the dress inside. I pulled the ribbon, the silky material slipping through my fingers as I revealed a breathtaking blue dress. It was stunning-elegant, sleek, something that would hug my curves just right. A chuckle slipped past my lips. Gabriel really does know how to spoil a woman. My fingers traced the fabric before I reached for the bouquet, inhaling the fresh scent. The sweetness filled the air as I pulled the small card nestled between the petals. I smiled, already expecting something flirtatious-maybe a line about how he couldn't wait to take the dress off me later. But as my eyes scanned the message, irritation burned deep in my chest. "Come to dinner with me. A." A. Not G. My entire body tensed as I reread the card, hoping-praying-I had somehow misread it. But no. There it was, clear as day. Adrian. The warmth in my chest turned to ice. For a moment, I couldn't breathe. The dress. The flowers. The same gifts I had thought-no, I had wanted-to be from Gabriel. Adrian had sent them. He had finally lost it. Unwanted gifts? Delivered to my office? A fresh wave of anger surged through me. I wanted to scream. I wanted to call him and tell him exactly where he could shove his gifts. But I knew better. That was exactly what he wanted-an excuse to talk to me. And I refused to give him that satisfaction. Instead, another idea formed. I grabbed the flowers, fully intending to dump them in the trash and send him a picture of it. Let him see exactly what I thought of his so-called romantic gestures. Just as I stood, ready to throw them away, the door to my office swung open. I froze. Gabriel. He took a slow step forward, his piercing eyes locking onto mine before shifting to the flowers in my hands. Panic shot through me, and before I could think, I stumbled back slightly, gripping them tighter behind me as if I'd been caught doing something I wasn't supposed to. "Mr. Storm... what are you doing here?" My voice came out unsteady, my attempt at composure slipping. Gabriel's lips curled. "Mr. Storm, is it?" His voice was low, amused. He strode closer, his presence effortlessly commanding. I cleared my throat. "Well... since we happen to be in the office, and it's official hours... I guess so." I forced a tight smile, hoping he wouldn't question me further. His lips quirked slightly, but he didn't press. Instead, his gaze swept over me, assessing. "You look beautiful as always," he murmured, then his eyes narrowed slightly. "But you also look tense. So that begs the question-Clairessa, are you alright?" He reached up, his thumb brushing softly against my cheek. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down my spine, but I quickly masked it. "I-"I steadied my voice. "I'm great. Never been better. Especially now that I've seen you." His eyes gleamed playfully. "Look who's trying to be inappropriate now." He leaned in, his intent clear, his mouth hovering just over mine. For a split second, I wanted him to close the distance-to kiss me, to let me lose myself in the way he made me feel. But I couldn't. Not when Adrian's damn flowers were still in my hand. At the last second, I turned away, slipping out from beneath him and moving toward my chair. The bouquet remained hidden behind my back, but I felt Gabriel's gaze tracking my every move. "What's that behind you?" His voice was casual-too casual. I stalled for a beat before finally lifting the flowers into view. "It's... um... flowers." Gabriel hummed, his gaze drifting to the open box on my desk. "And this?" He gestured toward the dress. "A gift?" I let out a light laugh, scrambling for an excuse. "Yes! Actually... it's for Jess." The lie slipped out before I could stop it. "Her birthday's coming up, and I'm planning a little surprise." Gabriel nodded slowly, though his expression held a trace of doubt. "No wonder you seemed tense." I forced another smile. "Right! Just a lot of planning." Gabriel shook his head, his voice gentle. “Clairessa, baby... if this was too much, you should've told me. We could've hired someone to help. I know how much Jess means to you, and I love that you want to make her birthday special-but not if it's wearing you down." My chest ached. God, he was so good. So thoughtful.

ZOZZ PO, 11 Apr @noveldrama

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Chapter 140 Close To Revealing The Truth

Here he was, trying to make my life easier while I stood there, still keeping the truth from him. I pushed down the guilt and mustered a small smile. "That's really sweet of you, Gabriel. But I've got it under control. I'm a strong woman, remember?" His expression softened. "I don't want you to have to be strong with me. Just be you. Let me take care of you." I bit my lip, forcing back the emotions rising in my throat. If only he knew the truth. A shaky breath slipped past my lips. "I'll ask for help next time." The words felt like a cover-up because we both knew none of this had anything to do with needing help. Gabriel's eyes stayed on me, intense and perceptive. He wasn't just looking—he was seeing me. My anxiety spiked under his scrutiny. "I thought we were supposed to meet this evening?" I asked, steering the conversation away. Gabriel tilted his head slightly, still studying me. "Dinner... for the talk you wanted to have, right?" I nodded. "Yes, I wanted us to talk." My throat felt unbearably dry, and I forced myself to clear it. He leaned against my desk, folding his arms. "Then let's talk." "Not here," I blurted, my fingers tightening around the desk's edge. "It's something we need to sit down and take our time with." A crease formed between his brows, concern settling into his features. "Why not? Clairessa, are you in some sort of trouble?" "Trouble?" I forced out a nervous laugh. "No, of course not." Gabriel's jaw tensed, his hands dropping to his sides, fingers twitching like he was resisting the urge to reach for me. "Then what is it? You've been tense since I walked in. And last night, on the phone..." His gaze locked onto mine. "You just told me about Jess's birthday, and I thought maybe that was it, but I can see there's more." He paused, waiting. When I didn't answer, he pressed on. "Is it money? Work? Is someone bothering you?" His voice dropped an octave. "Whatever it is, I'll have it sorted by tomorrow. You don't have to worry your pretty head about anything." My chest squeezed at the concern in his face, the way he didn't even hesitate before offering to fix whatever was troubling me. He was ready to take on anything for me-no questions asked. Dragging this on felt pointless. There was no better time than now. I shut my eyes briefly, willing myself to find the courage that felt impossibly out of reach. My heart pounded so fast I thought he would hear it. “Gabriel... no, it's none of that." My voice wavered. "The truth is... this past month, I've been hid-" His phone rang, cutting through my words. "Hold that thought," he murmured, reaching for it. His gaze shifted to the screen, then back to me. I could see the battle-the urge to let me finish clashing with the pull of whatever was waiting on the other end. For a second, I thought he might ignore it. But then he answered. "I'll be there shortly." His voice shifted in an instant -cool, authoritative. I swallowed back the words that had been seconds from spilling out. He was leaving. When he hung up, he stepped closer. "My love..." His voice softened as he pocketed his phone. "We're going to finish this conversation later. You need to tell me what's going on." I nodded, my heart sinking. "For now, I have a flight to catch." My thoughts spiraled. If Gabriel left even for a day, what more could Adrian do? "You're traveling?" My voice came out quieter than I intended. "I am." He sighed. "That's why I came here myself-to apologize for canceling our dinner plans instead of just calling. I wanted to explain." He took another step closer, bridging the distance between us. "I have an important meeting in Seattle. I'll be gone for two days." "Two days..." Forty-eight hours where I wouldn't sleep. My fingers curled into my palm. If Adrian had already started pulling stunts like this, what else could he do in that time? "Yes, my love." Gabriel must have seen something in my expression because he cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against my skin. "Before you know it, I'll be back. And I'm all yours." I inhaled deeply, pressing my hands against his chest. “I'll miss you.” His lips curved into a soft smile. "And I'll think of you every second I'm away." Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, he leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to my forehead. I closed my eyes, sinking into his warmth. Because deep down, I knew- these next two days weren't going to be easy.