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

Clairessa's POV

Jess's whole posture shifted. She went still, lips pressing into a tight line. "What about him?"

I glanced up, helpless. "He said he misses me. That he wants me back."

Jess gasped like I'd just told her I was secretly royalty. "I'm sorry-what?!" She scooted closer, practically bouncing. "You are not about to drop that bomb and leave me hanging. Spill. Every. Detail."

So I did.

I told her everything.

About the conversation in his office.

The way he looked at me.

His apology.

His confession.

How his words made my heart stutter-even though I hated that they did.

How I walked out.

And now? I didn't even know what the hell I felt anymore.

Jess leaned back slowly, folding her arms. "Damn. That man never does anything halfway, does he?"

"Tell me about it."

She gently massaged my legs, eyes thoughtful. "So... what do you want to do?"

I swallowed hard. "I don't know. My emotions are spiraling. It's like I can't even tell what's real anymore. I want to say I'm over him—that I'm done. But it's not that simple."

Jess gave me a knowing look. "You're scared."

"I'm furious," I shot back. "He thinks he can just walk back into my life because he suddenly decided he feels something again? He pushed me away. Made me feel like I had to grovel for forgiveness over one lie-one stupid lie I told because I was terrified of losing him. He made me feel like I was nothing. So no, he doesn't just get to say 'I want you back' and expect a damn parade."

Jess held up her hands. "Okay, okay. I'm on your side. But... just to play devil's advocate-imagine finding out the woman you've been falling for, the one you're building a future with, turns out to be your son's ex. And you had no idea. That's a pretty insane place to be stuck in. And from what you've told me, Adrian's still in the picture—still chasing after you. That just makes it even messier. Maybe Gabriel panicked. Maybe he wasn't strong enough to fight his own son over you. Either way... he made his choice. And it wasn't you."

I turned toward her, narrowing my eyes.

"So... you're justifying his actions? Are you saying I'm the one in the wrong here?" "C'mon, Claire, I never said that."

She lifted her hands again, but I cut her off with a look.

"Then what exactly are you saying?"

"I'm saying maybe just maybe you could try seeing it from his side. When you were with him, you always said how much he cared. I saw it too. So maybe... we don't have to write him off completely over one mistake."

"Oh, Jess," I let out a fake, dramatic squeal, wiping imaginary tears.

"I came here because I needed you on my side-not defending Gabriel. I need

you to stand with me so we can officially board the Gabriel hate train with snacks and zero regrets."

Jess made a face, then smiled.

"You're right.

And yeah, we hate him."

I chuckled at how fast she switched sides, then came the insults.

"Gabriel's a bastard," she spat.

Her mouth formed a dramatic aha. "See? You're defending him. You can't even

stand to hear me hate him. I also didn't hear you defend Adrian."

I gave a playful shrug. "Defend him? Nah. I'm just trying to be... you know, a

decent human. Besides, Gabriel's nothing like Adrian."

She winked.

"I hear you, girl.

I mean, the man's built like a Greek god, billionaire status, and let's be honest-

he gives mind-blowing orgasms. They just don't make 'em like that anymore...

so."

I choked on a laugh as she continued, shameless as ever.

"If I were you? I'd let him eat me up... just once... and then curse him the next day."

"Jess... you are unsavable."

I smirked, but my mind drifted, uninvited, back to that moment-how we'd almost kissed earlier.

Fuck, how much I wanted him to.

Shit. Get it together, Claire.

I shook my head, trying to reset.

"Claire... you're an emotional wreck, and I think I know the solution to all this."

I groaned. "Don't say shots."

"Yas!" she squealed.

"Shots! We're going clubbing."

I blinked. "What?"

She was already on her feet. “So,

yesterday, this new

client-Marco-walked into the gallery and bought one of my pieces for some ridiculous, way-overpriced amount. Then he gave me his card, said he knows this insanely rich art investor who's looking to build a new collection. The investor's throwing a party at his loft, and Marco sent me a VIP invite-said he'd introduce me personally."

Jess grabbed her phone off the counter, already half-dialing. "He told me to call him when I got there so he could bring me over to meet the guy. I was debating whether to go, maybe pitch myself... but after everything you just told me? We're going. For you."

I let out a chuckle.

"For me, huh? Right. Totally for me. Not because you need a plus one to charm some wealthy art guy?"

Jess shrugged, all innocent. "Okay, fine, maybe a little bit for me. But mostly for you. You need a night out. I need an investor. It's called balance."

A reluctant smile tugged at my lips. "The last thing I need is another man."

She grinned, tossing me a throw pillow. "No, that's exactly what you need to get over Gabriel-get under another man. And this is a high-profile party, so who knows... you might just meet another billionaire."

I groaned, pushing myself up from the couch. "Fine. But I'm only saying yes because I don't have a choice. And if I end up crying in the club bathroom, it's on you."

"Deal." Jess winked and held out her hand.

I blinked. "What?"

"Your phone."

I raised a brow, then let out a sigh and reluctantly handed it over. Jess took it without a word, powered it down, and slipped it into her purse.

"No Adrian. No Gabriel," she flashed a grin. "Tonight, it's just you and me."

I smiled, the weight on my chest lifting-just a little.

The party was a high-profile gathering in a sleek, spacious loft.

The kind of place where brand execs and underground artists mingled over champagne instead of shots.

Maybe fifty guests, tops. The vibe was calm-almost too calm. Thank God for that, because I wasn't ready for pounding music or sweaty strangers grinding on me. Not tonight.

Jess and I definitely didn't blend in-we stood out. Heads turned as we walked in, and it wasn't just the men checking us out; even some of the women gave us a once-over. I felt a little self-conscious.

We were definitely overdressed.

Jess wore a silk cutout dress that hugged every curve, paired with a bold red lip

that demanded attention.

She'd done my makeup too-smoky

eyes, a soft rose lip-and after

raiding her closet, I ended up in one of her more "tame" options. It was still a little too revealing for my usual taste, but classy enough: a black glittery halter-neck dress with a plunging neckline, a silverchain draped across my bare back, and a hemline that stopped mid-thigh.

And honestly? It was a reminder that I was still hot, still desirable, and fully

capable of turning heads-my love life didn't have to revolve around Gabriel or Adrian.

A waiter drifted past with champagne flutes on a silver tray. Jess grabbed one; I took the other. "Thank you," we said in sync.

Jess glanced around the room, her eyes sweeping the crowd once, then twice,

before her mouth twisted. "I've gotta say it—this is not what I pictured. Kind of... boring, honestly."

I laughed into my glass. "Jess, you said it was some high-profile party hosted by a super rich investor. What, were you expecting topless dancers on the roof or something?"

She gave a dramatic sigh, lifting her glass. “A girl can dream."

We laughed and clinked our drinks together.

After a moment, I tilted my head. "So... what's up with this Marco guy? The one

who invited you tonight? I figured he'd be here by now-introducing you to that 'super rich investor' and all."

Jess's smile dimmed. "Yeah, I've been trying to call him, actually. Kind of feels like

he blew me off, which makes zero sense. He's the one who invited me in the first

place."

I frowned. “That's weird. Why invite you and then ghost you the night of the

party?"

Before she could answer, Jess's body suddenly went rigid. Her eyes had locked

on something—or someone-across the room.

"Don't look to the left. Don't. Don't," she muttered, eyes fixed straight ahead.

"What?" I asked, already ignoring her warning as I shifted my gaze.

That's when I saw him—a tall, slender guy with long blonde hair, heading straight

toward us.

Jess nudged my hand. "Claire, I said not to look."

"Why not? Do you know him?"noveldrama

"Yeah. Kind of." She turned slightly, trying to steer us away. "Let's just start

walking." “Jess,” I said, resisting the tug on my arm. “Wait—seriously? I tell you everything about my mess of a life and you're keeping secrets? That's not fair.”

"It's not that serious," she hissed. "It was in Italy. That art exhibition I went to? I

met him at a club. One night. The next day, he acted like I didn't exist. The whole thing was crazy-embarrassing. Can we not talk about it?"

I raised a brow, lips twitching. "Oh no, we're talking about this. You've been pushing me into wild situations while hiding your own drama? Either you spill or

I'm turning around and meeting him myself."

"Claire," she warned, "you wouldn't dare."

I spun us around.

And boom-bumped right into him.