Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 71 Running Before I lose Control

Chapter 71: Running Before I lose Control

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Clairessa’s POV Gabriel strode into the restaurant, tall and commanding as always. But this time, he wasn’t alone. A stunning blonde in a red dress clung to his arm. She was tall, confident, and effortlessly beautiful. Our eyes met briefly, and my heart sank. For a moment, I thought he might storm over to our table like he usually did when he saw me with Daniel. But he didn’t. Instead, he broke eye contact and guided the woman to a table across the room. I hated how my eyes followed him across the room, hated the ache in my chest at the sight of him with someone else. “Clairessa?” Daniel’s voice gently pulled me back to reality. I blinked, realizing I’d been staring. “I… um… sorry. I just got caught off guard,” I stammered, quickly looking away from Gabriel. The last thing I wanted was for Daniel to find out there was something going on between Gabriel and me, especially when I had denied it multiple times in the past. Daniel tilted his head slightly, his expression knowing. “I didn’t expect to see Gabriel here. And this time, surprisingly, he’s with a woman.” “I don’t care,” I replied quickly. The words came out meaner than I intended. But even as I spoke, I didn’t believe my own words. “It doesn’t matter to me.” Daniel’s brow furrowed slightly, but he didn’t push further, for which I was grateful. I tried to focus on Daniel, but my mind kept going back to Gabriel, and I desperately fought the urge to glance over at his table once more, but I forced myself to keep my eyes on Daniel. Was this the “replacement” he’d mentioned last night? The bitterness swelled in my chest, even though I knew I had no right to feel this way. Daniel leaned in slightly, his voice soft but firm. “I think now would be a good time to leave. I don’t want Gabriel to cause a scene.” I let out a bitter laugh. “I doubt he would, seeing as he has a woman of his own now.” The resentment in my voice was impossible to hide. Daniel nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. “You’re probably right. Still, I don’t want to take any risks.” Unable to hold back anymore, I stole another glance at Gabriel. My anger rose again as I saw the little miss perfect blonde laughing and throwing her head back in laughter as her fingers grazed against his. They looked so good together. She was beautiful and elegant. She -was also mature–just his type. The more I examined them, the more jealous I became. “Clairessa…” Daniel’s gentle touch on my hand brought my attention back to him. “Yes… yes. Let’s leave,” I muttered, forcing a soft smile to hide the storm brewing inside me. As we stood in the hotel lobby, Daniel’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his expression shifting to one of urgency. After a brief exchange, he turned to me with an apologetic look. “There’s an emergency. I have to go.” Before I could respond, he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss on my cheek, his eyes searching mine. “Will you be okay?” I nodded, forcing a small smile. “T’ll be fine.” He gave me one last lingering look, before giving me a small reassuring squeeze on the arm, and then hurried off, leaving me standing alone. I exhaled deeply, trying to gather my scattered emotions. I wasn’t sure if I was relieved or disappointed that Daniel left. The evening had been overwhelming–from Daniel’s confession to seeing Gabriel with another woman, and now being left with nothing but my swirling thoughts. I made my way to the elevator, stepping in just as the doors began to slide shut. I welcomed the solitude, but before they could close completely, they reopened. Gabriel stepped inside, his dark, piercing eyes locking onto mine. “Clairessa,” his voice was low, almost tender, as he moved toward me.. “Mr. Storm,” I replied curtly, rolling my eyes and turning away, fixing my gaze on the floor. The confined space seemed to shrink as he moved closer, closing the small gap between us so that we stood side by side. I stared at the numbers above the door, silently begging the ride to end. Being so close to him was causing my heart to beat even faster with each passing second. Gabriel’s intense gaze stayed fixed on me, burning into my skin. “You’re angry,” he murmured, stepping even closer, forcing me to back further into the elevator walls. “And I can understand why. My behavior last night was inexcusable” I glared at him, my heart racing as his familiar musky, woodsy scent wrapped around me, clouding my thoughts. “You think last night is the reason why I’m angry?” My voice trembled, a mix of the heat his nearness stirred in me. He backed me into the wall fully now. Towering over me, his fingers gently brushed a loose curl from my face. The light touch lingered just long enough to make my skin tingle. “Then tell me why,” he whispered as his warm breath brushed over my cheek. I scoffed, upset at how Gabriel could act so

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