FULL NOVELXO Chapter Dad By Oma 102
Chapter 102: Making Him Squirm
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Clairessa's POV My eyes locked onto my reflection in the mirror, forcing myself to stay strong. "You've got this..." I whispered to my image staring back at me. Then, with a deep breath, I grabbed my toothbrush, attempting to scrub away every taste of him in my mouth. I turned the shower on and stepped under the cold.spray, letting it wash over my body. I scrubbed with more force than necessary, desperate to rid myself of every lingering scent and trace of him. Squeezing my eyes shut, I let the water run over me, my hands pressing against the cool tile. But the soreness between my thighs was a constant reminder. The sting on my ass where he had spanked me over and over... By the time I was done, my skin was fresh, clean-and even though I was still sore, I felt like myself again. Or at least, I tried to. Just as I finished dressing, a knock sounded at the door. Brenda. Right on time. I let her in. She moved around the room, folding my clothes, putting my shoes away like she'd done it a hundred times before. “You don't have to do that,” I murmured, rubbing a towel through my damp hair. Brenda smiled warmly. “It's no trouble at all. Besides, Mr. Storm asked me to make sure you were taken care of." I stiffened. Even when he wasn't here, he was still controlling things. I turned away, picking up my body lotion from the bedside drawer. "Right." My voice was flat. "Of course, he did." That was when I saw it. A small, folded note had fallen between the bedside table and the bed. Slowly, I reached for it, my fingers holding back briefly before unfolding the paper. Gabriel. My anger flared just seeing his name and the familiar handwriting. My sweet, I'm sorry I had to leave. I had an emergency meeting. Brenda will help you with anything you need. I've arranged your flight back. See you in Miami. Gabriel Storm. I let out a cold, humorless laugh. What an ass. A fucking silly note. He didn't even have the decency to wake me. To talk to me. Like a real man. Like a decent human being. No, instead, he just left. And deep down, I knew why. There was no emergency meeting. He left because he didn't want to face me. Because that's what Gabriel Storm did.. Instead of talking about his feelings or whatever drama he had with Daniel, he buried it under control, under sex. He took what he wanted-then walked away when it got too real. Why was I even surprised? Gabriel always told me that sex was all he had to give. And I accepted that. So I had no right to feel bad when he kept his word. But damn it, I was still so upset. That he could leave so easily. That I meant nothing. I crushed the note in my fist, my nails digging into the paper, then threw it across the room. Brenda, who had been silently organizing my clothes, glanced at me warily, her hands pausing mid-fold. “Is everything alright?” she asked carefully. I forced a fake smile. “Good," I lied. Brenda didn't look convinced, but she didn't push. Instead, she zipped up my suitcase and straightened. "All set," she announced, smoothing her hands over the luggage. “Thanks,” I replied, running a hand through my damp hair. "Brenda, you've been really helpful." Her face softened. "Of course. It's my job." I truly felt grateful for Brenda's assistance. If anything, the extra help- "I think you've done enough. I wouldn't want to take up more of your time." "Oh, that's no bother," she cut in. "Mr. Storm's guest is my priority. Besides, I've received strict instructions to ensure you're helped until you board." At another time, I might have appreciated Gabriel's gesture, but given the circumstances, I was certain it was his guilt at play. "Do you help all the guests like this, or is it just because Gabriel ordered you to?" Brenda offered a small, knowing smile. "To be honest? No. We have assigned workers for this role. But Gabriel... he asked me personally." "Why?" I pressed. Brenda tilted her head. "Mr. Storm owns part of this resort. The last owner nearly ran it into the ground-bad investments, debts. He stepped in, bought half the shares, and kept it running. "Oh," I gasped, shocked yet not surprised. I had noticed how differently we were treated since we arrived, but now it made sense. She nodded. "Yes. He doesn't talk about it, but he's done a lot for this place. We're grateful. He saved hundreds of jobs and restored order when he bought half the shares." Of course, Gabriel Storm didn't just stay at a resort-he owned it. I didn't know whether to be impressed or furious. But in the end, it didn't matter. Nothing changed the fact that he left me. - Shortly after, I said my goodbyes to Sergio and Raquel. They were happy. Glowing. Enjoying their last week here. And for a moment, I envied the love they had. I would miss Raquel and the island. But it was time to leave. The flight was first-class, so the process was seamless. I hoped Gabriel didn't think first-class tickets would make up for abandoning me. The past week had been an experience... One I wouldn't forget in a hurry. But it was time to face reality, I refused to spend another moment wondering why Gabriel did what he did I no longer cared whether it was because of the kiss, his ex-wife, his inability to communicate his feelings with me, or simply discarding me once he had his fill. It was none of my business to figure Gabriel's shit out. I was done being a pawn to men. It was his mess to figure out. I had to take care of myself. The familiar scent of home welcomed me as soon as I stepped inside. Everything was just as I had left it. Untouched. Unchanged. It was clear, Jess hadn't used her spare key, and for once, I was relieved. I needed this. To come home to silence. To order. To a space I controlled-one that didn't remind me of him. I rolled my suitcase to the side and walked into my bedroom, barely having the strength to turn on the lights before collapsing onto my bed. The mattress molded around me, welcoming and comforting. Unlike the past week. Unlike him. I exhaled, pressing my hands over my face, willing myself to stop thinking. Then my phone buzzed. And just like that, reality pulled me back. I reached for it and saw multiple missed calls and messages, Jess. Of course. With the network issues on the island, I barely got the chance to talk to her. She must have been worried sick. I called her back, and she picked up right away. "Finally!" Jess's voice burst through the speaker. "I was about to book a damn flight to come find you!" A tired laugh slipped from my lips. "That would have been a sight." "Don't joke! I was freaking out, Clairessa. One minute you were telling me how amazing the yacht was, and then suddenly-nothing. No calls, no texts, just silence." "I know," I sighed. "The network was awful. I could barely stay connected." "Are you okay?” Her voice softened, full of concern. I swallowed. Lie or tell the truth? I settled for something in between. "I'm fine.” She paused. "And Gabriel?” My breath hitched. Gabriel. Just hearing his name sent an ache through my chest. I forced my voice to stay neutral. "He's... Gabriel." “Ah.” Jess didn't push, but I could hear the curiosity in her silence. I changed the subject. “When are you back? We need drinks. A lot of drinks." Jess chuckled. "Monday. And yes, a lot of drinks. I need all the details about how your three-day trip turned into a full week.” I smiled, but it didn't reach my eyes. “We'll see.” We talked for a few more minutes before saying our goodbyes. When the call ended, I let my phone fall onto the bed. I wanted to sleep. To forget. I forced myself to take a shower after the long flight, then climbed straight into bed. I needed rest, but even as I closed my eyes, his voice echoed in my head. I shut my eyes tighter, my thoughts spinning in every direction until exhaustion finally won, pulling me into sleep. I wasn't ready. Not for work. Not for reality. Not for him. But Monday came too fast, dragging me back into the world I wanted to avoid. It was over between Gabriel and me, but working for him made it impossible to forget. It meant I would have to see him-constantly. Especially since we worked closely on the projects he had assigned to me. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my phone. I had already sent my sick leave request over the weekend. It was approved. Gabriel was my boss. I would have to face him eventually. But not today. Today, I wasn't ready to face Gabriel Storm. Not when I still needed time to process everything and work through my feelings. I glanced at my screen. More missed calls. More messages. All from Gabriel. He had been calling and texting all through yesterday, but I hadn't replied. I couldn't. Now, another text had just come in. “Clairessa, I've been calling and texting. You haven't responded to a single one." I ignored it. Then another message popped up. “I just spoke to Sandy. She said you called in sick. Take my calls. I need to know you're okay." I stared at the message, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. Another message followed. "Take my calls. Now." And then- "Are you mad at me?" I scoffed at his audacity. Was I mad? How dare he ask me that? I was furious. He abandoned me. And now he had the nerve to act confused? I dropped my phone onto the bed and lay back, staring at the ceiling. I wasn't taking his calls. I wasn't responding to his messages. Let him wait. Let him wonder. Just like I did when I woke up alone. Seconds later, another text flashed across the screen. "Enough games. You will answer me.” Like hell I would. My fingers curled into a fist. He thought he could command me just like that? As if I was still at his mercy? As if I was still in his bed, moaning his name, letting him control every inch of me? No. Another vibration. Another message. "I'm done waiting. If you don't pick up, I'll come find you." A slow, bitter smirk tugged at my lips. Let him try. I wasn't picking up. I wasn't running to him like some obedient little thing. I was done playing by Gabriel Storm's rules. This time, he would be the one left squirming