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

Chapter 10: Ready To Play The Game

Clairessa's POV

"Claire, what's going on?" Jess's worried voice called from the other side of the door. "You've locked yourself in your room and haven't said a word since you got back from work.” Her knocking became more persistent, almost frantic.

I groaned, dragging myself off the bed. I knew Jess wouldn't stop until I opened the door. I had locked myself away, wanting nothing more than to drown in my misery and be alone with the storm of emotions swirling inside me. But there was no hiding from Jess's concern. I reached the door and hesitated, my hand hovering over the lock before finally turning it.

The door opened, and before I could say a word, Jess stepped in, her eyes locking onto my tear-streaked face. “Claire, what happened at work?" she asked, her voice soft, holding my face gently in her hands as if I might break.

“Adrian came to my office today,” I whispered, my voice cracking as the tears I had fought so hard to hold back came pouring out. My chest tightened painfully, each sob ripping through me.

“That bastard...” Jess muttered, pulling me into her arms. “He has some nerve showing up at your workplace."

"It's his father's company, I guess," I mumbled against her shoulder, feeling suffocated by my emotions. I wanted to be strong, to push the pain away, but it clung to me like a second skin.

"Still doesn't give him the right to just show up at your office," Jess insisted, pulling back to look at me. "So tell me, what did he say?"

“Jess... he admitted to cheating on me-more than once. God knows with how many Nicoles." The words tasted bitter on my tongue, and the tears fell harder, my chest heaving with the force of the pain I felt inside. Jess's expression darkened, her grip tightening around me. “Oh, Claire... I'm so sorry that the jerk hurt you like this.” She held me close, her voice soothing, but the comfort she offered couldn't numb the pain inside me. “You're going to get through this... okay?"

"I don't know how," I sobbed, feeling utterly defeated. "Every time I think it's getting better, I think of him, and it hurts all over again."

Jess lifted my tear-streaked face, forcing me to meet her gaze. “Listen to me. Soon enough, you're going to forget that bastard.”

I shook my head, the admission I'd been holding back finally spilling out. "Jess..... I think I still love him, and it makes me so angry with myself."

"It's only normal, Claire. You loved that man for over a year. You're not just going to stop... unless," she added, a mischievous glint in her eye, “we get you a rebound to help you in the meantime.”

I looked at her, hesitant. The idea of being with someone else, of giving myself to another man, felt impossible. “I'm not so sure..."

"Why not?" she pressed, her tone insistent.

“Because I don't think I'd be able to give myself to any other man,” I replied, the thought alone making my stomach churn.

Jess's eyes narrowed as she studied me. "Who said anything about giving yourself? I'm talking about wild sex. That's all. Living on the edge with no rules—a world where you're in control.”

Her words sent a shiver down my spine, tempting me with the promise of escape from the pain. But I shook my head, the reality of it crashing down on me. "As much as that sounds enticing, someone always gets hurt... you know this"

"Not if it's a one-time thing" she countered. "Simply intense sex with no strings attached."

“Jess... this all sounds too much for me, I argued, my voice trembling. “I can't just sleep with any man...

“But you were willing to sleep with Adrian's father,” she shot back, her words throwing me off.

My mouth opened in defense, but I closed it again, the truth too heavy to deny. "That's different," I murmured weakly,

“Exactly my point,” she said, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “Something different. So how about sleeping with Adrian's father? The ultimate payback."

“Jess, that's a sick ploy, and even if I wanted to... Gabriel Storm is a cold-hearted man, just like his son. saw him today, and I confronted him about pretending not to know me, and all he could do was warn me never to speak of that night again if I loved my job....... I've never felt so humiliated. He's so mean.....

Sympathy flashed across Jess's face, softening her expression. “I'm sorry he was mean to you. But were you able to secure the funding?"

"Not yet, but at least I've been shortlisted,” I replied with a half-smile.

"Then we should stop sulking; this is what you've always wanted."

Jess was right. My Hart app meant everything to me. I should be elated at being shortlisted by Gabriel and the possibility of my app getting funded, but all I felt was shame. “I know, but I can't stop thinking about the way Gabriel looked at me coldly. I was certain I was just another fling to him. An unforgettable one, and that hurts.” "Claire, you need to understand that men like that... love to be in control, not controlled. So I guess Gabriel pretending not to know you was his way of pushing back, reminding you of your place.”

My eyes widened, shock flooding my system. "How did you know the things he said?" I asked, the realization sinking in that Jess understood this world far better than I ever could.

"I meet a lot of them at the club,” she admitted, her voice tinged with a knowing edge. There's a way to handle men like him. You have to act as though they're in control, so they let their guards down, and then..... you strike."

I studied her face, the calm confidence in her words triggering something deep within me. Gabriel Storm wanted to play, and I would show him just how well I could play his game. A surge of determination replaced the fear and shame that had been eating at me.

“Let's go to the club then,” I said, the words spilling out before I could second-guess myself.

"The billionaire's club?" she asked, uncertainty clouding her features.

“The same one as the last...” I confirmed, feeling the fire inside me burn hotter.

“Claire... are you going to meet someone new, or do you want to see Gabriel Storm?" Jess's voice was cautious, her concern for me evident.

“Does it matter?” I replied, a daring edge creeping into my tone.

“Of course, it does," she insisted, her brow furrowing. "I don't want you to get hurt. Men like Gabriel are dangerous. One-time sex with them is fine, but they can't offer you more...

"Who said anything about more?" I shot back, feeling a surge of defiance coursing through me. "I'm looking to play his game.... and win." to do."

Jess's expression softened, her eyes searching mine. "Claire... I need you to be sure of what you're about

“Weren't you the one just encouraging me to screw Adrian's dad for revenge?” I challenged, raising an eyebrow.

“I was, but.....” Jess trailed off, raising a brow of her own, “I didn't think you would agree...

I straightened my shoulders. “I'm ready to play the game..... whatever the cost. Adrian broke me, and now he has to deal with the consequences of causing me pain."