Claire calmed herself down and found her way home, unfortunately running too late to visit her parents.
However, she spent most of Saturday and Sunday seeing her mum. She was keen to cook and help her dad clean. Then she watched tv with her mum who still was too tired to do much else, ending the Sunday evening with her reading a book to her mum who held her hand whilst falling asleep.
She left her parents' apartment at 9 pm, quickly popping to the corner shop to stock up on instant noodles.
She left the shop and hurried through the dark to get back to her apartment as soon as she could.
"Hey, miss!" Someone yelled behind her. Claire looked around to find two men following her.
"Can I help you?" She asked, continuing to walk, with the corner of her eye noticing another man in front of her.
"What does a sweetie like you do here all alone at this time? Are you going to the party?"
"Excuse me." Claire tried to walk past the third man but she was pushed back, losing her balance and falling onto the concrete. She tried to get up but another man pushed her. Panic run through her knowing full well that she wasn't going to be able to escape as two more men showed up.
The next thing she remembered was waking up in the hospital. She was sore everywhere. She tried to recollect what exactly happened, but beyond the first kick to her head, there was nothing.
"Sir, the first meeting this morning is cancelled." Pattison walked into the office on Monday morning.
"Isn't that the Marble Project meeting?"
"It is. Miss Thompson called in sick this morning."
Mr Moore snickered.
"Is that a sign that she's backing down?"
"I don't think so. Miss Thompson was mugged yesterday and was admitted to the hospital." Pattison said carefully. "I did double-check the information, and it is true. She was mugged near the High Street."
"What?" Mr Moore furrowed his brows.
"She was walking home at night and she was mugged by five culprits. Police are investigating it. She's currently in the hospital as she was quite brutally beaten up. But she should be discharged later today if her state is stable. She did call herself to rely on this information, and she said that she is still reachable through phone and email. She send all the reports with the revised action plans and she spoke to a few of the contractors who did agree to adhere to the new timeline. She should be back in person by the end of the week."
"What did the police say?"
"The CCTV footage wasn't clear enough to recognise the culprits so they're searching for witnesses."
"Do our investigation and ensure that all five culprits are brought to justice." Mr Moore barked. "No one has a right to do that to my employees. Now, I'll be losing money due to their stupidness."
"Yes, sir." Pattison hurried away, still perplexed by Mr Moore's behaviour.
"Pattison, isn't it our policy to send some gift to the ill personnel?" Mr Moore asked as Pattison came back into his office sometime later.
"It is."
"Did you send something to Miss Thompson?"
"Under our policy, she would have to be in hospital for at least 48 hours or have some terminal illness diagnosis."
"I see." Mr Moore was lost in thought for a moment. "Send something from my personal budget allocation."
"Is there anything, in particular, you'd like me to send?"
"Something decent. Her reports were still spot on and frankly, I'm somewhat content with the new action plan. Considering the events of last night, I think this deserves a slight recognition."
"Will flowers and chocolate suffice, sir?"
"Surely." Mr Moore nodded. He was guilt-ridden knowing that his last interaction with Claire involved him pinning her to the elevator wall and threatening her. "Sign it from the corporate."
"Of course, sir." Pattison walked away and arranged for the delivery. Mr Moore didn't bring it up again so he avoided enquiring on that matter further.
"Claire!" Gina stormed into the hospital room. "Oh my goodness! You poor sod!"
"Hey, girl. How are you?" Zoe followed Gina into the room.
"I'm great." Claire smiled.
"Are they pumping you with that much stuff?" Zoe furrowed her brows.
"I'm a little sore, that's all."
"We came as soon as we could. I've brought you some soup I've picked on the way." Gina quickly passed Claire a warm container with food. "And chocolates…" she looked into the bag. "It was probably a bad idea to carry them in the same bag." She sighed as she realised the chocolate has melted from the heat of the soup.
"Who are these from?" Zoe walked around the desk to the huge bouquet of flowers on the side table. She was quick to find the note. "Diamond Corporate? Well, look at you." She chuckled. "Is it nice to be that important?"
"Some poor Secretary was probably forced to waste her time on this. I just feel sorry for them."
"Those aren't some cheap chocolates and flowers. Didn't realise they have that much in the budget."
"If you're so jealous, Zoe, get yourself beaten up in the dark alley," Gina said with a bite at which Zoe scowled. "Any update on the discharge?"
"I should be let go in an hour or two," Claire said excitedly.
"Go on then, eat that soup." Gina urged her.
"We'll wait for your discharge then and we'll get you home. Who knew you need bodyguards?"
"Who knew." Claire nodded. "Are you sure? I can take a taxi home."
"Aren't you concussed?"
"Just a little bit."
"Well, it's not up for discussion. Besides, we have some gossip."
"Gossip?"
"Indeed. Mr Moore approved the new action plan and a 12-week extension is going ahead." Gina said excitedly.
"Oh my goodness!" Claire started crying.
"On another note, soon there's going to be a new apartment block ready for renting. I think it might be close to your budget. I spoke to the investors and they might get you an employee discount for rent."
"Gina! That's so fantastic!"
"You shouldn't get her too excited." Zoe poked Gina.
They chatted cheerfully for a while before the doctor brought discharge papers in.