Gabriel’s POVThe bass thumped through the walls of the VIP lounge, loud and chaotic—like the thoughts swirling in my head. I sat on the leather couch, whiskey glass in hand, surrounded by bodies moving to the heavy pulse of the music.Girls were grinding against the poles—shaking their hips, each one doing her best to earn my attention. The owner had apparently heard I was in the building and sent in his best—his “favorites,” as he called them. The ones who knew how to put on a show.They were barely clothed—skimpy shorts clinging too tightly to their asses, leaving nothing to the imagination. Long legs, smooth thighs, fully on display.Sweat glistened on their skin under the flashing lights as they wiggled and moved, casting flirtatious glances my way, hoping to be the one that got picked.One of the girls approached my table, her eyes fixed on me, attempting to seduce me with a gaze that clearly drank in my body. She stopped in front of me, then bent over, hands grazing the floor,
Gabriel’s POV Tina moved like she’d been here a hundred times. And honestly? She had—a few times in the past, during nights I didn’t care to remember. “Come on, sit,” she urged, easing me down onto the edge of the bed. I slumped back with a groan, the world tilting slightly. Tina was right—I was drunk. No, fuck, I was wasted. My pride didn’t want to admit it, but my blurry vision, spinning head, and the way my limbs felt too heavy to move? Yeah, I was gone. Moments later, she returned. Music played low from the speakers—sultry, slow, seductive. The lights dimmed. Tina stood in front of me now, one hand resting on her hip. And for the first time tonight, I actually looked at her. She wore a nude-colored gown, so close to her skin tone that for a split second, it looked like she wore nothing at all. “I remember you liked a striptease,” she purred, swaying her hips to the rhythm. “Let’s see if you still do.” I watched her move—confident, sure of herself. She let the dress slip
Clairessa’s POVStanding in front of Gabriel’s apartment at 6 a.m. was crazy—completely unhinged, really. I knew that. I knew it the moment I stepped out of the cab and walked up the steps. Who just shows up at someone’s home without calling first?But when the man you love—who doesn’t just claim to love you but proves it daily—suddenly ghosts you, ignores your texts, doesn’t take your calls for two whole days, and then invites you to another dinner he doesn’t show up to... that breaks all the rules.Moreover, rules didn’t matter anymore.Not when my chest was tight with fear, anger, and disappointment. Not when I had this gut feeling that something was wrong—that she had something to do with this. Nicole. It had to be her.I was here to confirm it. I deserved to know the truth.Before I could listen to the little voice in my head urging me to turn back, I quickly typed in the code. Of course I knew it.Gabriel’s home was quiet—just as I imagined. Though he was an early riser, he pref
Clairessa’s POV Gabriel’s jaw tightened, and his eyes flashed with an emotion I couldn’t quite name. He turned to Tina, who had slipped on a robe, and gave her a look that sent a chill through me. “Wait for me outside.” Of course, she obeyed like a loyal little pet, slamming the door behind her and locking us both in. He had the nerve—the audacity—to ask her to wait. Like I was the one interrupting something special. Like I was the problem. He turned back to me slowly, his expression darkening into something harder, more detached. “Clairessa, you’ve taken it too fucking far,” he warned, then took a slow breath, his chest rising and falling as he tried to regulate himself. He tried to play it calm, but it was too late for that. “If you can’t be reasonable, maybe we should—” “So now you're kicking me out?” I exploded, my chest heaving. “Because I caught you with your ex? The one you swore you were done with?” My throat tightened, and the tears I’d been holding back finally spi
Gabriel’s POVAs Clairessa walked out, I stood frozen—caught between chasing after her or letting her go.And I let her go.Even though it felt like someone had reached into my chest and torn my heart out without mercy.The last look on her face—God, I’d never forget it. That raw, agonizing pain in her eyes as tears streamed down her cheeks.I did that.All because I let my emotions override every ounce of reason I had.Because of a fucking photo. One I didn’t even trust. I reacted without thinking. Without proof. Without giving her the benefit of the doubt.I let it poison everything. Let suspicion consume me. Let anger drive me—and now? God, now I might’ve destroyed the one good thing I had.I may have just destroyed the only real chance at love I’ve ever had. At happiness. At peace.“Fuck...” I muttered, dragging both hands through my hair, fingers tangling in the strands like I could burn the frustration out through my scalp.But nothing made sense anymore.Flashes from the night
Clairessa’s POVThe 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
Clairessa’s POVThe 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
Clairessa’s POVI saw Gabriel heading toward a dimly lit hallway, one that I guessed led to the restrooms. My heart pounded 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 me in place. Before I could take another step, he moved—fast—closing the distance between us and pressing me against the wall. His muscular frame caged me in, his hands trapping my wrists above my head. My breath hitched as the cold wall chilled my back while his heat surrounded me."You again," he murmured, his voice laced with amusement. His eyes roamed over me, slow and assessing. "Following me now?”For a moment, I couldn’t speak. The way his eyes burned in mine, dark and scary made my head spin, and it wasn't just from the drinks I'd had earlier. Instead of answerin
Gabriel’s POVAs Clairessa walked out, I stood frozen—caught between chasing after her or letting her go.And I let her go.Even though it felt like someone had reached into my chest and torn my heart out without mercy.The last look on her face—God, I’d never forget it. That raw, agonizing pain in her eyes as tears streamed down her cheeks.I did that.All because I let my emotions override every ounce of reason I had.Because of a fucking photo. One I didn’t even trust. I reacted without thinking. Without proof. Without giving her the benefit of the doubt.I let it poison everything. Let suspicion consume me. Let anger drive me—and now? God, now I might’ve destroyed the one good thing I had.I may have just destroyed the only real chance at love I’ve ever had. At happiness. At peace.“Fuck...” I muttered, dragging both hands through my hair, fingers tangling in the strands like I could burn the frustration out through my scalp.But nothing made sense anymore.Flashes from the night
Clairessa’s POV Gabriel’s jaw tightened, and his eyes flashed with an emotion I couldn’t quite name. He turned to Tina, who had slipped on a robe, and gave her a look that sent a chill through me. “Wait for me outside.” Of course, she obeyed like a loyal little pet, slamming the door behind her and locking us both in. He had the nerve—the audacity—to ask her to wait. Like I was the one interrupting something special. Like I was the problem. He turned back to me slowly, his expression darkening into something harder, more detached. “Clairessa, you’ve taken it too fucking far,” he warned, then took a slow breath, his chest rising and falling as he tried to regulate himself. He tried to play it calm, but it was too late for that. “If you can’t be reasonable, maybe we should—” “So now you're kicking me out?” I exploded, my chest heaving. “Because I caught you with your ex? The one you swore you were done with?” My throat tightened, and the tears I’d been holding back finally spi
Clairessa’s POVStanding in front of Gabriel’s apartment at 6 a.m. was crazy—completely unhinged, really. I knew that. I knew it the moment I stepped out of the cab and walked up the steps. Who just shows up at someone’s home without calling first?But when the man you love—who doesn’t just claim to love you but proves it daily—suddenly ghosts you, ignores your texts, doesn’t take your calls for two whole days, and then invites you to another dinner he doesn’t show up to... that breaks all the rules.Moreover, rules didn’t matter anymore.Not when my chest was tight with fear, anger, and disappointment. Not when I had this gut feeling that something was wrong—that she had something to do with this. Nicole. It had to be her.I was here to confirm it. I deserved to know the truth.Before I could listen to the little voice in my head urging me to turn back, I quickly typed in the code. Of course I knew it.Gabriel’s home was quiet—just as I imagined. Though he was an early riser, he pref
Gabriel’s POV Tina moved like she’d been here a hundred times. And honestly? She had—a few times in the past, during nights I didn’t care to remember. “Come on, sit,” she urged, easing me down onto the edge of the bed. I slumped back with a groan, the world tilting slightly. Tina was right—I was drunk. No, fuck, I was wasted. My pride didn’t want to admit it, but my blurry vision, spinning head, and the way my limbs felt too heavy to move? Yeah, I was gone. Moments later, she returned. Music played low from the speakers—sultry, slow, seductive. The lights dimmed. Tina stood in front of me now, one hand resting on her hip. And for the first time tonight, I actually looked at her. She wore a nude-colored gown, so close to her skin tone that for a split second, it looked like she wore nothing at all. “I remember you liked a striptease,” she purred, swaying her hips to the rhythm. “Let’s see if you still do.” I watched her move—confident, sure of herself. She let the dress slip
Gabriel’s POVThe bass thumped through the walls of the VIP lounge, loud and chaotic—like the thoughts swirling in my head. I sat on the leather couch, whiskey glass in hand, surrounded by bodies moving to the heavy pulse of the music.Girls were grinding against the poles—shaking their hips, each one doing her best to earn my attention. The owner had apparently heard I was in the building and sent in his best—his “favorites,” as he called them. The ones who knew how to put on a show.They were barely clothed—skimpy shorts clinging too tightly to their asses, leaving nothing to the imagination. Long legs, smooth thighs, fully on display.Sweat glistened on their skin under the flashing lights as they wiggled and moved, casting flirtatious glances my way, hoping to be the one that got picked.One of the girls approached my table, her eyes fixed on me, attempting to seduce me with a gaze that clearly drank in my body. She stopped in front of me, then bent over, hands grazing the floor,
Gabriel’s POVThe 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 damn 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
Clairessa’s POVWalking down the hallway, I clutched my phone tightly in my hand. I had called Gabriel a dozen times, left messages that went unanswered, and sent texts that remained on “read.”I felt uneasy, unable to shake the feeling that something was wrong.Just as I neared the elevator, movement from the corner of my eye caught my attention. Nicole. She strutted toward me with an exaggerated sway of her hips, tossing her hair back like she owned the place. I bit back a groan—of all people, she was the last one I wanted to deal with right now.I quickened my pace, determined to get into the elevator before she could reach me, but she sped up, closing the distance in an instant. Just as I reached the doors, she stepped in front of me, blocking my path.She fixed her gaze on me, wearing that infuriating, condescending smirk that made my teeth grind.I fought the urge to shove her aside. “Move, Nicole.”Her smile widened, making it clear she was deliberately trying to get under my s
Gabriel’s POVNicole startled, pulling away slowly, her eyes widening in confusion. "I’m only trying to protect you. You know I have your best interests at heart. I’d hate to see you waste your time on someone so… unworthy.""I don’t care for your advice. Now get out."She hesitated, then reached out again, brushing her fingers against my hand, her touch light, suggestive. "Oh, Gabriel, you're mad at the wrong person. I'm only here to help you see that Clairessa is conniving, vindictive. And she’s playing you."I recoiled instantly, rage tightening my chest. I gripped her wrist tightly, my fingers biting into hers—intentional, meant to frighten her."Don’t you ever touch me without permission again.""Mr... Storm, please let me—" she gasped, her eyes wide with panic as she tried to break my hold, but I didn’t budge, tightening my grip."Nicole, stay away from me. Stay away from Clairessa. And if you value your job, you will walk out of this office right now and never speak of this to
Gabriel’s POV I glared at Nicole, reluctant to entertain whatever nonsense she had concocted. But curiosity got the better of me. I opened my laptop, pulled up my inbox, and clicked on the new message from her. The image loaded. My heart stopped. The photo showed Clairessa—my Clairessa—lips locked with another man in her office. The impact hit me like a blow to the gut. The world around me blurred as the betrayal burned into my mind. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. I stared at the image, trying to make out the man’s face, but the angle was wrong. The only thing clear was Clairessa—the way her body leaned into him, the way her hand pressed against his chest. The same hands that had touched me. The same lips that had whispered my name. Betrayal stung so deeply, threatening to break through, but I forced myself to stay composed, to keep my expression blank, even as my insides burned. Nicole’s voice snapped me back to reality. “Mr. Storm, in case you're doub