Chapter 151: Held Hostage By My Own Fears

Gabriel's POV

The vibrating sound came first.

Then the soft thud of my phone against the desk as it lit up again.

Clairessa was calling for the tenth time this hour.

I tried to look away, tried to focus on the reports in front of me, but my traitorous

heart wouldn't cooperate. I reached for the phone, tempted to toss it into the

drawer and forget it existed.

But my fingers hovered, trembling slightly. No matter how hard I tried to ignore her

call, my chest clenched each time I saw her name.

It was already evening. The sun had set, and I still hadn't moved—same

position, surrounded by silence—except for her persistent calls.

I finally gave in and picked up the phone.

Thirty missed calls.

A dozen unread messages.

Messages lined my screen like daggers pressing against my chest.

I scrolled past each one, feeling my heart betray me.

Babe... have you landed?

Gabe, what's wrong?

I'm worried.

Talk to me.

I heard you're back. Went to see you but Tems didn't let me through.

Please talk to me. I'm losing my mind.

I love you!

Why are you avoiding me?

Did I do something?

We can talk about it.

What about our dinner plans?

Gabriel Storm I love you!

That last one gutted me.

"I love you."

How could she say that so sweetly, so easily, while stabbing me in the back?

It was hard to believe. My sweet, beautiful Clairessa... the woman who melted in

my arms, who looked at me like I was her entire world—could really be cheating

on me.

I should hate her.

I? That damn picture.

waist like he owned her. I should've

her out of my heart and moved on like

bastard I'd always been.

my fingers hovered over the screen,

down, I didn't trust Nicole. That viper could spin any lie,

it seem like the

doubt. I needed to hear it

phone. "My Sweet" it read, saved

I'd never done for anyone else. The words

now, but I couldn't

couldn't leave her

So, I replied.

Dinner, 8 PM. I'll send a

Open air.

came almost

Clairessa: So you're alive!

through even in the text, and though I wanted

mouth lifted

just happy you

Shit.

down my face. I

her. Look into her eyes and get the truth—whether it broke me

I didn't know if I could take it. If

true, it would shatter me beyond

I muttered under my

my seat,

from the shelf.

into a

liquid catching the

I tossed it back

did little to

in my chest.

Trey announced

I didn't move.

already gone by since I told Clairessa to

the rooftop restaurant. From my position in the back

perfect view of

windows came down, and

was seated by the

her to

toyed with her

and letting

face like

scene. Her black

her curves like

her body,

sultry, and completely her.

God, she looked breathtaking.

been two days, but it felt like a lifetime

throat tightened just seeing her. I wanted

pull her up into my

nothing else mattered.

the doubts and evidence and rumors vanished. Until

in her. Take her home and make love to her

rested on the door handle—and didn't move. I

by my

here was

A big one.

didn't trust myself. Not around her. Not

much

love made me stupid. Vulnerable. And I couldn't afford

hadn't

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