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

Chapter 120: Closure Or Temptation

• Clairessa's POV My phone vibrated on my desk. Daniel. A wave of quilt washed over me I had meant to call him back, to check in, but with everything that had happened with Gabriel, I never got around to it. And now here he was, reaching out. Again. I contemplated before answering Avoiding him would only make me feel worse. With a deep breath, I picked up the call. "Daniel, hey "Clairessa His voice was warm, but there was a subtle note of disappointment. "I was starting to think you'd forgotten me I closed my eyes, exhaling 7m sorry. Things have been... hectic." A pause. "I get it,' he finally said. "But we should meet up Talk He wasn't wrong. I had been putting this off. "You're right. We should. When?" "I'm in the city, actually, not far from your office. His tone lifted slightly, hope slipping through. "How about lunch today?" "Today I glanced at my watch It was almost my break. Better to meet him now and get it over with. I owed him that much. "Where? Im at The Chatton. Fifteen minutes from your office. And since it's your lunch break soon, there are no excuses now"! chuckled. "I see you've got it all figured out." "I sure do," he teased. "Alright. Twenty minutes?" "Sounds perfect, he responded. "I'll be waiting." As I ended the call, a thought crossed my mind-should I tell Gabriel? But it was just a harmless lunch. Just a talk. Gabriel didn't have to know, especially when I knew he'd try to stop me. - hurried into the restaurant, smoothing down my shirt as I checked the time. Five minutes late. Not terrible, but still... I scanned the room, unsurprised by Daniel's choice of venue. The Chatton was upscale, elegant, with soft piano music playing in the background. A hostess approached with a polite smile. "You're here to see Mr. Daniel?" I nodded. "Right this way." She led me to a more intimate section of the restaurant, where Daniel sat near the window, fingers wrapped around a coffee cup. He looked up as I approached, a small smile forming "Clairessa," he greeted, standing as he gestured toward the chair he had pulled out for me. "It's good to see you." "You too." I slid into the seat, returning his smile. "Sorry I'm a bit late. I had a report to turn in." He waved it off. "It's okay. You're here now." Before I could respond, a waiter approached with a polite nod. "You must be hungry." Daniel slid the menu in front of me. "Order whatever you'd like. My treat." I gave him a grateful smile, quickly skimming the menu before settling on something light. "I'll have the grilled chicken salad and a lemon iced tea." "Sounds good." He nodded before turning to the waiter. "She'll have the grilled chicken salad, and I'll take the steak with roasted vegetables and a glass of wine." He handed the menus back. The moment we were alone again, Daniel leaned back in his chair, studying me. "You look beautiful." "Thanks." Tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, I glanced at him. "How have you been?" He leaned back slightly, his expression thoughtful. "Good. Work's been keeping me busy." He cleared his throat, his tone more serious now. "Just.... disappointed you never called." I lowered my gaze. "I know. I should have. I'm truly sorry, Daniel. Things have just been complicated. His jaw tensed slightly, and he leaned forward, elbows resting on the table. "Because of Gabriel, I'm guessing?" "Partly," I admitted, not wanting to reveal too much. He let out a slow breath, as if he had already expected that answer. "I figured. I can only imagine what he's told you about me, especially after that fight." His fingers twitched slightly against the table before he reached across, gently taking my hand. "I apologize for that night. I regret how things escalated. I should have handled my emotions better." I didn't pull away, but I didn't hold on either. "You don't owe me an apology. What happened... it wasn't about me, Daniel. The one who deserves that apology is Gabriel." Daniel's expression darkened as he rubbed his temple. "I suppose he's told you about the affair. Angelique." My throat tightened. "He did." A wry smile tugged at his lips. "So, you must think I'm the villain in this story." I shook my head. "It's not my place to form an opinion on something so personal that happened years ago." An expression of relief crossed his face. "That night at dinner, I wanted to tell you everything. But then Gabriel walked in." He ran a hand through his hair. "He was the friend who caught me in bed with his wife." I stayed silent, letting him talk. Daniel let out a strained chuckle. "I regret that night more than anything. I pursued a married woman for my own selfish reasons, and it destroyed my friendship with Gabriel. If I could go back and do things differently, I would." His voice grew softer, almost pleading. "I need you to believe that." I saw the sincerity in his eyes, the regret lining his face. "I believe you, Daniel. But... this isn'tnoveldrama

for me to judge or forgive. That's something you need to say to Gabriel. His hands curled into fists before he forced them to relax. "I've tried for years. He won't even give me the chance to speak with him or explain." "That's because he's still hurting." My voice held more emotion than I intended. "He lost the two people he trusted most. That kind of betrayal doesn't just fade." Daniel nodded, looking away for a moment. "I know...it's all just so complicated. And it's my fault. The self-loathing in his voice made me feel a little pity for him. "You regret it. You've acknowledged it. Maybe it's time to forgive yourself too. Give Gabriel space-maybe one day he'll be ready to hear you out." His shoulders sagged slightly, as if carrying the weight of that guilt had finally exhausted him. "You're right." His eyes softened as they roamed my face, something vulnerable flashing behind them. "You're kind, Clairessa. Different. Pure." His voice was barely above a whisper now. "I wish... I wish you were mine." His hand lifted, fingers brushing toward my cheek, but I subtly shifted back, putting space between us. His lips pressed into a thin line. "You're with Gabriel now." "We are..." I replied simply, not wanting to reveal too much. His head tilted slightly, as if assessing the depth of my answer. "You don't have to explain," he murmured. "It's obvious. The way he fought for you that night? He deeply cares for you. And I can see you feel the same way." He let out a slow breath, forcing a small smile. "So, I'll respect that this time." Relief washed over me. "Thank you, Daniel. And for what it's worth... I think you're a good man." He gave me a sad smile. "Let me know if Gabriel screws up, and I'll be right there." I laughed, shaking my head. "I'll keep that in mind." His chuckle was softer this time, more genuine. Just then, the waiter returned, placing my salad and iced tea in front of me. At the same moment, my phone buzzed on the table. I looked at the screen. The caller ID read Gabriel.