Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 293

Clairessa’s POV

Andrew gave a single nod. “Yes. Mr. Storm informed me.”

“Great,” I said brightly, layering my tone with feigned relief. “Since it’s close by, I don’t think there’s much use for you following me. I can manage walking a few blocks without supervision.”

Andrew’s face didn’t even shift. “Mr. Storm’s instructions were clear. I’m not to leave your side once we step outside this apartment. I’m not supposed to let you out of my sight for any reason.”

I groaned under my breath and rolled my eyes toward the ceiling. “So what, you’ll follow me everywhere? Even the ladies’ room?”

The corner of his mouth twitched like he almost smiled. “Think of me as your shadow. Except I’m big, obvious, and not going anywhere.”

“Wonderful,” I muttered.

Without another word, he gestured toward the door, all gentleman-bodyguard hybrid, and I walked ahead of him, as there was no use arguing with a mountain.

He trailed silently at my back. If I wanted to slip away, I’d need more than words. I’d need a decoy.

By the time we made it into the car, my plan was half-formed. Andrew opened the door like the perfect gentleman-slash-jailer, and I slid in. He settled into the driver’s seat, eyes glued to the road with military focus.

I studied him out of the corner of my eye until my phone buzzed in my hand. I glanced down, Adrian’s name flashed again.

Adrian: I’m at the Wave restaurant. Two streets from your house. Waiting… If you love my father you would show up.

A ripple of dread twisted through me. My thumbs typed fast: I’m on my way.

I stared at the message after sending it, guilt threading through me. Andrew would report everything back to Gabriel, of course he would. And Gabriel would be furious if he knew where I was going. But I needed to see Adrian first. I had to. If there was even the slightest chance I could reason with him, calm him, maybe even steer him toward peace with Gabriel… then it had to come from me.

It was time to put my first plan in motion.

When the car slowed in front of a boutique, I leaned forward. “Andrew,” I said sweetly, “if you don’t mind, before we get to the restaurant, I’d like to do some shopping first.”

His head snapped toward me. “Shopping?” His frown was pure disbelief. “I thought you were heading to lunch with a friend.”

I widened my eyes innocently. “Oh, most certainly. But I need to stop here first, to get her a gift. She’s my best friend, and I haven’t seen her in a while. I can’t show up empty-handed. That would be awful, wouldn’t it?”

He looked unconvinced, but after a moment’s pause, he nodded. The car pulled over.

His jaw worked, clearly fighting the urge to argue, before he finally nodded. “Fine.”

He parked and I slipped out first, calling over my shoulder, “Don’t worry, it’s just a quick stop. I’ll be in and out.”

By the time Andrew caught up, a sales associate had already greeted me warmly. “Welcome, Miss. How may I assist you today?”

I flashed a bright smile, even as I muttered under my breath, “Of course. He has to be overzealous. He works for Gabriel, after all.” I’d hoped he’d take the bait and wait in the car, but no, my oversized shadow followed me inside, looming just far enough behind to be noticeable.

“I’d like to get a nice gift for my friend.” I pasted on my most charming expression, leaning a little toward the salesgirl.

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