One Night with the Boss… Turns Out He’s Her Ex’s FATHER! 💋😱👴

Good Girl Gone Bad

Clairessa’s POV

The night couldn’t have been better. I had just graduated at the top of my class in software engineering and landed my dream job at Storm Innovations—the company owned by my boyfriend Adrian’s father. Everything in my life was finally coming together. I stood outside Adrian’s apartment, holding a bottle of champagne, excited to tell him the good news and celebrate.

I had planned every detail of the night in my head. We would toast to our future, laugh about the struggles of the past few years, and maybe even talk about taking the next big step in our relationship. I had been dreaming of this moment for weeks, and now that it was finally here, I felt like nothing could ruin it.

But as I reached for the door, my excitement shifted. The door was unlocked.

Adrian was always so careful about security. He’d warned me so many times about locking up and double-checking the door whenever I left. It was one of the things I teased him about, calling him “paranoid.” So why was the door wide open now?

“Adrian?” I called out, stepping inside.

Silence.

Something felt wrong. The living room was tidy, as usual, but the air felt heavy, like the calm before a storm. My heart began to beat faster, but I told myself I was overreacting. Maybe he’d just forgotten to lock up in his rush to get ready for our celebration.

Still holding the champagne, I made my way down the hallway toward his bedroom. My heels clicked softly against the hardwood floor, the only sound in the quiet apartment. That’s when I heard it.

A woman’s soft moans.

At first, I thought I was imagining things, but then Adrian’s voice followed. It was low and rough, almost unrecognizable.

“Do you like that, baby?”

I froze, my entire body going cold.

This couldn’t be happening.

For a moment, I just stood there, my mind racing to make sense of what I was hearing. Maybe it wasn’t what it sounded like. Maybe I was jumping to conclusions. I wanted to believe that more than anything.

But I had to know.

With shaky hands, I pushed the door open.

What I saw knocked the breath out of me.

Adrian was on top of a woman, his body moving against hers in a way that left no doubt about what they were doing. Her bright red nails dug into his back as she moaned his name, her fiery red hair spread across the pillow. I couldn’t see her face, but it didn’t matter. The truth was right in front of me.

The bottle of champagne slipped from my hands, crashing to the floor. The sound was deafening in the silence that followed.

Adrian’s head snapped up. “Clairessa!”

He scrambled off the bed, grabbing for something to cover himself, but I couldn’t bear to look at him. My chest felt like it was caving in, and my legs felt weak.

I couldn’t stay there. I couldn’t face him or the woman he was with. Without saying a word, I turned and ran.

“Claire, wait!” Adrian’s voice was desperate, but I didn’t stop.

Tears blurred my vision as I stumbled down the stairs, my heart pounding so hard it hurt. I didn’t know where I was going. I just knew I had to get out.

When I finally stopped running, I found myself standing at Jessica’s door. My hands were shaking as I knocked, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

The door opened, and Jessica’s face immediately filled with concern. “Claire? What’s wrong?”

I couldn’t hold it in anymore. The tears I had been holding back came flooding out as I stepped inside and threw my arms around her.

“Adrian…” My voice cracked. “I caught him with someone else.”

Jessica stiffened, her arms tightening around me. “What? That bastard!”

“He was in bed with another woman,” I sobbed. “I saw him... with her.”

Jessica guided me to the couch and sat me down, holding me close as I cried. “I’m so sorry, Claire,” she said softly, her voice full of anger and sadness. “You didn’t deserve this.”

“I thought he loved me,” I whispered. “I thought we were happy.”

Jessica pulled back to look at me, her expression fierce. “Listen to me. This isn’t your fault. Adrian is an idiot who doesn’t know what he’s losing. You’ve always been too good for him.”

“But I don’t know what to do now,” I said, my voice breaking again.

Jessica wiped a tear from my cheek. “What you’re not going to do is sit here crying over him. He doesn’t deserve your tears.”

“I can’t help it,” I said. “I loved him. I built my whole world around him.”

“And now it’s time to build a new world—one without him,” Jessica said firmly. “You’ve spent too much time putting him first, Claire. It’s time to put yourself first.”

Her words stirred something inside me. I didn’t want to feel this way—weak, broken, powerless. I wanted to feel strong again.

Jessica stood up and grabbed my hands, pulling me to my feet. “We’re going out tonight. No rules, no regrets. Just you and me, having fun and forgetting about him.”

“I don’t know if I can,” I admitted.

“You can,” she said with a determined look. “And you will. Trust me, Claire. This is what you need.”

I hesitated but then nodded. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

Jessica’s face lit up with a grin. “That’s my girl. And I know just the place—the private billionaire’s club I’ve been telling you about. It’s perfect.”

“Are you sure?” I asked. “That doesn’t really sound like my kind of place.”

“It’s not,” she said, laughing. “But maybe that’s exactly why you need to go. Step out of your comfort zone, Claire. Show the world—and Adrian—that you’re not the kind of woman who stays down.”

I didn’t have the energy to argue. Within minutes, Jessica had transformed me into someone I barely recognized.

The dress she picked was tight and black, with red velvet laces on the sides that clung to my body. It was shorter than anything I’d ever worn, stopping just above my thighs. My makeup was bold, with smoky eyes and bright red lips, and my hair hung in soft waves around my face.

When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized the woman staring back at me. She looked confident, daring, and fearless—everything I didn’t feel but wanted to be.

The old me was gone. And for the first time, I wasn’t sure I wanted her back.

Making Him Mine By The End Of The Night

Clairessa’s POV

The club was everything Jessica had described and more—a hidden world of luxury, desire, and danger. The dark, dreamy atmosphere pulsed with music and whispered conversations. It radiated exclusivity, the kind of place where rules didn’t apply.

The moment we walked in, I felt dozens of eyes on me. Instead of shying away, I embraced it. Tonight, I wanted to be seen. I needed to feel alive.

At the bar, I downed a few shots of something strong. The alcohol burned as it slid down my throat, giving me the confidence I desperately needed.

I glanced around, absorbing the chaos and passion in the room. Men and women kissed without shame, their bodies pressed together as they moved in hypnotic rhythms. It was intoxicating to watch.

The women looked so confident, so free, as though they held all the power in the world. I couldn’t look away. Deep down, I craved that kind of confidence—the kind that drew people in without a word.

As my gaze swept over the crowd, I wondered what—or who—could make me feel that way. Then I saw him.

Upstairs, in the VIP section, he leaned casually against the railing. He looked like he belonged to another world entirely. His dark curls framed a sharp, chiseled face, and his navy-blue suit fit him perfectly, like it had been tailored just for him. He didn’t move much, but his presence filled the room.

He was watching the crowd, but he wasn’t like the other men here. He wasn’t chasing anyone or trying to impress. He didn’t need to. The way he stood, the way he carried himself—it was like he owned the place. Like he could own me if he wanted to.

My pulse quickened as my eyes locked onto him. He looked older, but I didn’t care. He was incredibly handsome, radiating power and control in a way I couldn’t resist.

“That’s Gabriel,” Jessica whispered in my ear, her voice barely cutting through the music. “Don’t even think about it. He’s completely off-limits. No one gets near him unless he allows it.”

Gabriel. The name alone sent a shiver down my spine.

I barely heard Jessica’s warning. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him. His dark gaze swept over the crowd like a predator searching for prey, and for a fleeting moment, it landed on me.

My breath caught.

He held my gaze longer than necessary, as though he was assessing me, deciding if I was worth his time. Then, just as quickly, he looked away, dismissing me like everyone else.

But that single glance lit a fire in me. I felt it in my chest, my stomach—everywhere.

I wanted him to look at me again, to really see me this time.

“He’s not for you, Clairessa,” Jessica said firmly, leaning closer. But her words didn’t matter. I couldn’t look away. I wanted him to notice me again.

Grabbing another shot, I tossed it back and set the glass down, giving Jess a mischievous smile.

“You’re not seriously thinking about going up there, are you?” she asked, wide-eyed.

“He’ll be mine before the night is over,” I replied with a playful wink.

Jessica shook her head, but I didn’t wait for her response. My heart beat faster with every step I took as I walked away.

As I made my way through the crowd toward the VIP section, fear tried to creep in, but I shoved it aside. The alcohol in my veins gave me courage, and tonight wasn’t about playing it safe. If I was going to live on the edge, I couldn’t back down now.

I had never done anything like this before, but everything was about to change. Tonight was about revenge.

The VIP section was guarded by two men who looked like they could crush me with one hand without breaking a sweat. I didn’t let that stop me. I lifted my chin and kept walking until one of them stepped in front of me.

“Gabriel sent for me,” I lied, keeping my voice steady despite the nerves swirling inside me.

One of the guards raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. He turned toward Gabriel, who glanced back at him. Gabriel’s dark eyes locked onto mine. His stare was intense, almost sinister, and it sparked something deep inside me.

With a single nod from him, the guards stepped aside. I flashed a soft smile and stepped past them.

The VIP area was quieter, the music a muffled pulse in the background. My heels clicked softly against the sleek floor as I made my way toward him.

A group of men standing nearby let their eyes roam over my body, their interest obvious, but I didn’t care. My focus was entirely on Gabriel.

He stood by the railing, relaxed yet commanding, surrounded by women vying for his attention. He didn’t seem to notice them—or didn’t care.

I let my hips sway seductively, just like Jess had taught me, every step intentional to capture his attention.

As I got closer, I pretended to trip and spilled my drink on his crisp white shirt.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry!” I gasped, my voice soft and breathless.

He looked down at the stain, then up at me, his dark eyes locking onto mine. The intensity of his gaze made my knees weak.

“It’s fine,” he said, his deep voice smooth and controlled.

I reached for his shirt, dabbing at the stain with shaky hands. “I didn’t mean to—”

Before I could finish, his hand gently caught my wrist, stopping me. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver through me.

“But I—” I started, but his slight shake of the head stopped me.

“I’ll handle it,” he added, letting go of my wrist.

I stepped back, feeling lightheaded. My heart raced as his dark eyes stayed on mine, as though he was trying to figure me out.

A man who looked much younger than Gabriel approached me, asking for a dance.

I gave him a polite smile. “I’ll pass,” I said, brushing him off without a second thought.

Gabriel tilted his head slightly, studying me like I was something unexpected.

“Do you always spill drinks on strangers?” he asked, his tone light but his eyes sharp.

“Only when I’m nervous,” I admitted, surprising myself with honesty.

“And what made you nervous?”

I hesitated. How could I explain the way he made me feel? How his presence pulled me in and made me forget everything else?

“Maybe it’s your reputation,” I said finally.

His lips twitched, almost forming a smile. “And what do you know about my reputation?”

“That you don’t let anyone close,” I replied, echoing Jessica’s warning.

He tilted his head, studying me as if trying to decide if I was worth his time. Then, leaning forward slightly, his face was so close I could feel his breath on my skin. The heat from him was intoxicating. “Most people aren’t worth letting close,” he whispered in my ear, his breath hot and heavy on my skin, sending little sparks of electricity through me.

I swallowed hard and forced myself to meet his gaze. “And how did you decide that? Did someone ever hurt you?”

His face changed, his smile fading. It was like I’d said something I wasn’t supposed to.

“I don’t talk about my personal life with strangers,” he said firmly. Without another word, he turned and walked away.

I stood there, stunned, watching him disappear into the crowd. Women surrounded him as he passed, trying to get his attention, but he didn’t even glance at them. Jessica had been right—he wasn’t impressed by anyone and that only made me want him more.

Tonight was supposed to be about forgetting Adrian, proving to myself that I wasn’t the weak, broken girl he left behind. I was going to do something tonight that I had never done before—I was going to go after what I wanted without hesitation. By the end of the night, Gabriel would be mine.

Make Me Forget Him

Clairessa’s POV

I saw Gabriel heading toward a dimly lit hallway, one that I guessed led to the restrooms. My heart thudded as I realized this might be my only chance. Without overthinking, I followed him.

The hallway was quiet, the music from the main room faint in the background. Halfway down, Gabriel must have sensed me behind him because he suddenly stopped and turned around. I froze as his intense gaze locked onto mine.

Before I could take another step, he moved swiftly, closing the distance between us and pinned me against the wall. His muscular body pressed hard against mine, his hands trapping my wrists above my head. My breathing quickened, trapped between him and the cold wall, his face just inches from mine.

"You again," he said, his voice low and laced with amusement. His eyes locked onto mine, searching. "What are you doing here? Following me?"

For a moment, I couldn’t speak. The way his eyes held me made my head spin, and it wasn't just from the drinks I'd had earlier. Instead of answering I leaned closer, brushing my lips against his as I whispered. "I came for you."

A sly smirk spread across his face as his eyes travelled over me, slow and knowing. I felt exposed, but I didn’t care. His look sent a shiver through me, making my body tremble under his hold.

“What’s your name?” he asked, his voice calm, but there was a certain force in it.

“Clairessa,” I replied, my voice a little shaky.

“How old are you?” he asked next, his eyes still on mine.

“Twenty-two,” I replied quickly, then realized my mistake. “Oh no... twenty-three.” The alcohol made my thoughts foggy, and I could tell he wasn’t convinced.

He looked at me like he was seeing right through me. “You’ve been drinking,” he said plainly. “I don’t mess with little girls who can’t think straight.”

I straightened my back, summoning whatever courage I had left. “I’m thinking clearly enough to know what I want,” I shot back.

“And what’s that?” His eyes narrowed slightly, waiting.

“You,” I answered without hesitation.

For a moment the air between us felt electric. Then he leaned closer, his face inched closer to mine, his breath warm and tantalizing. “You don’t know what you’re asking for,” he said, his tone low, a warning laced in every word.

"Maybe I do," I countered, tilting my chin up. "I know what I see-a man who wants me just as much as I want him."

His lips twitched into a brief smile. "You're bold, I'll give you that. But I'm not the kind of man you chase after. I'm too old and dangerous for you.

"That’s exactly what I want—the danger," I murmured, almost breathless now. His hard body pressed so closely against mine was driving me mad with need. I had to feel more of him.

His eyes darkened as his grip tightened on my wrist. "I'm giving you a chance to walk away, or I won't be able to stop myself." His lips curved into a wicked smile.

For a second doubt crossed my mind. This man was right, I hardly knew him, yet here I was ready to offer myself to him, even when everything about him screamed danger. But the ache in my chest and the fire in my veins refused to let me back down.

"I'm not leaving," I said softly, despite the rush of emotions coursing through me.

His hands released my wrists, but instead of moving back, his fingers grazed along the neckline of my dress. The light touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, my skin burning where his fingertips lingered.

“You should,” he murmured, his lips brushing against the curve of my jaw. “Run while you still can.”

“I’m not afraid,” I declared, my voice trembling, not with fear, but with the overwhelming desire coursing through me. I knew he was giving me another chance to run, but I couldn’t.

My limbs felt numb under him, but my body was wide awake with a need no one had ever aroused in me. This was beyond the alcohol—it was all him. I stared at him, unashamed, before whispering, "I want you... right here... right now."

His lips hovered over mine, his breath mingling with my own as he spoke. "Once I start, there's no turning back."

I nodded, my body trembling under his touch. My eyes dropped to his lips, full and tempting. I watched, craving more, as his tongue slowly swept across his bottom lip. "How could I possibly want you to stop when my body is aching for your touch." The words slipped before I could stop them.

For a second, I thought he would push me away again, but then something in him snapped. His lips inched closer to mine, and his fingers lightly stroked my cleavage. The touch made my breasts push higher against my dress, my nipples tightening, my chest heaving as my heartbeat raced.

It was all getting too intense, and I was tempted to run and pretend this never happened. But the ache between my legs was too strong to ignore. I wasn’t about to let this moment slip away. “Kiss me," I whispered, pressing my body closer to him in a slow, seductive tease. “Make me forget him....”

His lips crashed into mine, kissing me hard and deep. There was no softness, only raw desire burning between us............ 

—-----------

"Clairessa! Wake up!" Jessica’s voice cut through the dream I was having, along with the constant shaking of my shoulder. I groaned, burying my face deeper into the pillow, trying to hold onto the last bit of the dream that was quickly fading.

"Come on, you’re late for your first day!" Jess’s voice grew more urgent, and the words finally hit me—my first day at Storm Innovations.

That was all I needed to jump out of bed. The sudden movement made my head spin, and a wave of dizziness and nausea hit me. "Oh no," I muttered, pressing my hand to my pounding forehead. "What time is it?"

"It’s already 7:30 am. You’re supposed to be there in half an hour," Jessica said, looking worried. “I tried waking you earlier, but you were out cold.”

“Damn it,” I cursed under my breath. I had never been late for anything in my life, and now, on the most important day of my career, I was messing up.

As I stood there, trying to shake off the grogginess, flashes of last night came back—hazy and disjointed, enough to make me cringe. "So, it wasn’t a dream," I muttered, the images replaying in my mind.

The club, the drinks, the dangerously attractive man, his intense eyes, his touch, the kiss. My heart raced as I remembered it all—a mix of regret and excitement. I had kissed a man I didn’t even know. And I had let him touch me... What was I thinking?

Finding Out I kissed My Ex's Dad

Clairessa’s POV

I grabbed my phone from the nightstand, squinting at the bright screen. Several missed calls from Adrian stared back at me, twisting the knife already lodged in my chest. I had thought he was the love of my life, the one I would marry and finally give myself to on our wedding night. But all those dreams shattered when I found him in bed with another woman.

My fingers hovered over the call log, but I couldn’t bring myself to listen to his voicemail. I tossed the phone onto the bed, the pain of his betrayal still fresh. Last night, I had tried to forget what I’d seen, but it was still there, hiding beneath the surface, ready to pull me down again.

Jess sat beside me, watching my expression. “Are you okay?” she asked softly.

“I don’t know,” I said, my voice low. “I feel... confused. I just saw Adrian’s missed calls and voicemails, and now I feel like I cheated on him. Damn it... I feel just like him."

Jess shook her head. "No, you’re nothing like that jerk."

"I am," I muttered, clutching my head as more memories of Gabriel’s hands and lips came flooding back.

"Claire..." Jess grabbed my shoulders, shaking me a little. "You’re not like Adrian. What happened with Gabriel was a reaction to what Adrian did. You’re not at fault."

"But I am." I groaned. "You warned me to stay away from the dangerous man at the club, but I didn’t. I followed him into a dark hallway, and we... we..." My voice faltered as I tried to piece together what happened. "We had sex, I think... I’m not sure. Everything’s a blur. I regret it all now... My first time, with a stranger, in a hallway."

"Are you talking about Gabriel?" Jess asked, unsure.

"Yes... Gabriel... that’s what you said his name was."

Jess gave me a small, knowing smile. "Don’t worry. I don’t think you guys went that far. His men came to find me at the club. They told me you passed out in his arms."

"Are you sure?" I asked, panic rising. The blurry images in my head didn’t add up.

"I don’t know everything, but I don’t think it went as far as you fear," Jess reassured me. "But right now, you need to get ready. Don’t let last night mess up your first day at your dream job."

"My dream job is at Adrian’s father’s company. And now, after everything, I don’t know if I can do it," I admitted, feeling torn.

Jess gave me a sympathetic look but clapped her hands together, snapping me out of my thoughts. “You worked hard to get this job. You went through all those interviews and screenings, and now your app—that assistant thing—is going to change the business world.”

"You mean my Hart app," I corrected her, knowing Jess didn’t really get what it was about. "It’s an app designed to help businesses organize data in one place."

"Yeah, yeah," Jess waved her hand. "This is your chance to work your way up and pitch it to the CEO for funding. Don’t let some jerk ruin what you’ve been working on since college. Enough wallowing, Claire. Show them who’s boss."

"You’re right! Forget Adrian!" I said, feeling a surge of energy. "I earned this. No one there knows we were dating. I’m going to show them I belong at Storm Innovations." The determination I needed rushed back as I jumped out of bed and hurried to the shower, ready to shake off the hangover and emotional baggage.

After my shower, I stood in front of my closet, unsure of what to wear. Today, I had to make a strong impression. The old Clairessa would’ve chosen something simple, but today, I grabbed the navy blue body fitted dress Jess had given me for my birthday. The dress screamed confidence and power. This was the new me—not the girl who had been cheated on and betrayed.

Dressed and ready, I met Jess in the living room. "How do I look?" I asked, smoothing down the front of my dress.

Jess grinned and gave me a thumbs-up. "You look like you’re ready to take over the world. Go get ‘em."

With a deep breath, I grabbed my bag and rushed out the door, determined to leave the past behind—at least for today.

---

When I arrived at Storm Innovations, I was greeted by Sandy, my manager. She was friendly, introducing me to the team with a warm smile. “We’re having a meeting with the CEO shortly,” she said as we walked through the sleek, modern office. My heart raced with excitement. Working at a top tech company has always been my dream. Adrian had once offered to set up a private meeting with his dad so I could pitch my app to him, but I turned him down. I wanted to earn my place, not get it because I was Adrian’s girlfriend. That’s why I applied for the job and entered their Storm Generation contest. The competition was open only to company engineers, and the interview process was tough, but I made it. It felt like a dream come true. My goal was to win the contest, pitch my app, and get it funded.

As we approached the boardroom, anxiety bubbled up inside me. I stepped in and found a seat as everyone settled in.

"Let’s all get settled. Mr. Storm will be joining us shortly," Sandy said with a smile as she took her seat.

Everyone went quiet, and my heart pounded. I was finally going to meet Adrian’s father. A knot formed in my stomach. I hoped he wasn’t like his lying, cheating son. But none of that mattered—all I needed was funding for my app.

My breath caught in my throat as the powerful man from last night walked in and sat at the head of the table. I closed my eyes for a second, wondering if I was dreaming or if my mind was playing tricks on me. When I opened them again, our eyes locked for a second, both of us clearly shocked. But then, just as quickly, he switched to a calm, professional look, acting like he didn’t know me at all.

"This can't be real..." My thoughts raced. It was him. I couldn’t stop staring. He was just as handsome as I remembered. How could I forget those dark eyes that seemed to look right through me? Those hands that brought me so much pleasure... My gaze dropped to his hands resting on the table.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Gabriel Storm, CEO of Storm Innovations. Welcome to our first meeting for the Storm Next Generation contest."

My head was spinning. His name was Gabriel Storm… Adrian Storm. That meant he was Adrian’s father.

Oh, my God, The man who I kissed last night at the club is my boyfriend's father. My stomach dropped..

Confrontation

Clairessa’s POV

When he first walked in, I thought he was just another senior executive. I didn’t realize he was the Gabriel Storm. The man who gave me my first orgasm was my boyfriend’s father. This was way too much to handle. I swallowed hard, avoiding his gaze as he kept talking.

"I'm sure you're all familiar with the rules for submitting your apps. If selected, you'll work closely with me to launch the next-generation software that could change the business industry. The project will be fully funded by Storm Innovations."

Everyone clapped, smiling with excitement. It was clear everyone in the room had big dreams riding on this. Gabriel rested his hands on the table, giving a quick smile.

"Sandy will work closely with your team and keep me updated on your progress. If your app doesn’t get selected, don’t be discouraged—there’s always room to improve. But remember, only one app will win. Good luck, everyone." Gabriel gave a brief smile, then stood and walked out of the room.

-----------

My legs were shaking as I hurried down the hallway, desperately trying to find the nearest restroom. My mind was spinning, and my thoughts were all over the place. This couldn’t be happening. Gabriel Storm—the man I practically begged to take me last night—was Adrian’s father. It felt like the floor was falling out from under me, and I needed to get control of myself before I completely lost it.

I pushed open the restroom door with shaky hands, accidentally bumping into a woman as she walked out.

“Oh my God, I’m sorry…” I muttered, trying to slip past her. But she didn’t move. Instead, she stopped and looked at me like she recognized me.

“Hey,” she said, her eyes scanning me from head to toe.

“Hi…” I replied, feeling awkward and unsure why she was staring at me.

“You look familiar... Have we met before?” she asked, tilting her head as if trying to figure it out.

I searched my memory but couldn’t place her. “I don’t think so,” I said, inching toward the restroom, desperate to be alone and call Jess.

But just as I turned to leave, her voice stopped me cold. “Oh, I remember you now,” she said with a sly smile. “You’re the girl who walked in on Adrian and me having sex last night.”

A wave of anger crashed over me. Last night, I hadn’t been able to see the woman Adrian was with clearly, but now, looking at her, it all clicked. The red hair, the red nail polish… the nails that had clawed his back. My stomach churned as the realization hit me hard.

“I’m sorry about that,” she continued, sounding way too casual. “Adrian told me he was single, so I thought, why not give him a chance? I’m Nicole, by the way.” She extended her hand with a fake smile.

Was she serious? This woman had the nerve to introduce herself to me after sleeping with my boyfriend. But I kept calm, forcing a smile as I shook her hand. Her name tag caught my eye—she worked here too. The last thing I needed was to make enemies on my first day.

“Clairessa,” I said, swallowing down the disgust building up inside me.

She smirked, clearly enjoying herself. “I wouldn’t want any bad blood between us since we’ll be working together. Adrian was just a quick hookup for me. Nothing serious. I was horny, and he was available... as always.”

I stared at her in disbelief, barely holding back my anger. “Have a nice day, Nicole,” I managed to say, rolling my eyes as I walked away. That bitch. I never used that word, but it fit perfectly. The nerve of her, casually mentioning how Adrian said he was single and always available. I was sure she said it just to spite me. Or maybe it was true. Adrian was such a liar.

I paced around the restroom, trying to calm the rage fueling inside me. How long had Adrian been cheating on me? With how many women? The questions kept coming, making me feel sick. I had fallen for a cheating scumbag.

My hands shook as I pulled out my phone and dialed Jess’s number, desperate to talk to her, to make sense of the mess my life had become..

Jess answered on the second ring. "Claire? What’s going on? Aren’t you supposed to be working?" she asked, concerned.

“I should be,” I replied, my voice shaky. “But Jess… you won’t believe this. Gabriel, the man I kissed at the club last night, is Adrian’s father.”

There was a pause on the other end before Jess spoke again, her voice shocked. “Are you sure? You’ve never met Adrian’s dad, right?”

“I’m sure. Gabriel from the club is Gabriel Storm, the CEO of Storm Innovations. I confirmed it. I’ve never met him before because I never really cared to. I figured I’d meet him when the time was right, you know? But now... this is crazy.”

“Oh my God, Claire, this is insane,” Jess exclaimed, just as stunned as I was. “What are you going to do now?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice low as I leaned over the sink, shame washing over me. “I basically threw myself at him, Jess. What if he thinks I’m some desperate, cheap girl who tried to seduce him to get ahead?”

“Claire, stop it. You are not a cheap girl. Do you hear me?” Jess’s voice was firm, trying to snap me out of the self-blame.

But I couldn’t stop the memories from flooding back. The way Gabriel kissed me, how his hands moved over my body. “God, I’m so screwed,” I muttered, feeling panic building inside me.

“No, you’re not,” Jess insisted. “Just act like nothing happened. Keep it cool.”

“How can I? What if Adrian finds out I kissed his dad? He’ll hate me.”

“Who cares about what that jerk thinks of you? He cheated first, remember?” Jess reminded me, her voice full of anger on my behalf. She was right. Adrian’s betrayal was the real problem here, not what had happened between Gabriel and me.

As I thought about Nicole and how smug she had been, I felt a new wave of anger rise. Jess was right—I shouldn’t care about what Adrian thought of me anymore.

Suddenly, Jess started laughing, and I frowned. “What’s so funny?” I asked, not understanding her reaction.

“This is the perfect revenge!” she chuckled. “He cheated on you, and you kissed his dad! That’s gold, Claire. And I have to know—who’s the better kisser?”

“Jess!” I gasped, feeling both shocked and amused. But as I thought about it, she wasn’t completely wrong. Adrian had cheated with Nicole and who knows how many others.

“If I were you, I’d totally start something with his dad,” Jess suggested, her tone serious again. “That would be the best revenge.”

“Have you lost your mind?” I asked, though the idea had already started forming in my head.

“No, I haven’t. Men get away with breaking hearts all the time. It’s time for payback. But Claire, you’re not me… Maybe just keep it cool and we’ll talk when you get home, okay? I’ve got to run—a client just walked in.”

As the call ended, I stared at my phone, my thoughts racing. Jess’s words echoed in my mind. The more I thought about Adrian and the way Nicole had flaunted her affair with him, the angrier I got. I wanted revenge. I wanted to hurt Adrian as much as he’d hurt me.

And Gabriel Storm... he was my way to do just that. But how could I face him again without dying of embarrassment? What if he rejected me? I needed a plan. The pain and anger burned inside me, and the more I thought about it, the more determined I became. I was going to make Gabriel mine, and I was going to hit Adrian where it hurt the most.