Claire slowly calmed herself down. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she had a runny nose.
Two weeks was all she had. She didn't stop looking for an apartment and for a way to move her mum but the cut in time really put a strain on her. She didn't secure either yet.
Gina entered the office a few moments later.
"Are you okay, boss?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Do you know anything of those affordable apartments that we spoke about the other week?"
"There were some permit issues but they should be ready soon. I'll keep you updated, though."
"Thank you, Gina. Do you need anything?"
"Mr Jones is here to see you."
"Junior or senior?"
"Junior." Gina smiled. "Zoe is currently bombarding him with questions."
"Don't make me feel sorry for him." Claire smiled blowing her nose into a tissue.
"He seems very interested in you. Wasn't he here yesterday?"
"Yes." Claire sighed. "I think he enjoys the fact that I listen to him without interruption. But one more story about a chalet that didn't have 10 bedrooms but 9 bedrooms and a loft room and I'm going to lose my patience."
"He does seem a little self-absorbed but he seems to be very interested in you. Maybe you should give it a chance?"
"What chance?"
"Start dating and see where it goes?"
"Dating wasn't spoken of at all. It's just a friendship." Claire looked confused.
"Oh, Claire, you innocent soul." Gina smiled at her in a pitying way. "What were you crying about?"
"Mr Moore went back on the extension and instead of 12 weeks more, we have 2 weeks."
"What an a*shole!"
"I know. I've told him that."
"Hang on, what?"
"I was angry. I should've bit my tongue. I know I should've…" Claire blew her nose again.
"Did he… did he do anything to you?"
"Aside from telling me that I and my parents are worthless to him? No, he did not."
"I'll walk you home from now on so that you don't get mugged again." Gina walked around the desk and hugged Claire. "It'll be alright, boss. You went through so much. This is nothing for you. I will help you with the search for an apartment." This reassurance opened another flood of tears.
"Thank you, Gina. I'm not sure whether I can afford it right now. I wonder whether I shouldn't look for work elsewhere, at least to see whether I can get a better offer. The new apartment will bite into my savings and it'll take longer to get the money for the transplant but at least for now my parents will be comfortable without the eviction hovering over their heads."
"That's a good idea. You don't need to bend over for Mr Moore. He doesn't appreciate how much you're doing for his company. We'll help you find somewhere better, and if we can, we will join you. And I'm not even talking about me and Zoe. Derek, Mary, and Susan will be keen to follow you too. And I suspect few others too."
"Thank you, Gina. I'll start looking this afternoon. I really can't stay here much longer."
"You're worth more than the market average, boss. You secured better contracts than anyone before you, even Gary, and he was really at the peak in the industry." Gina patted Claire on her back. "Also, is it okay if I pass it on to Zoe? She'll be keen to help with the search too."
"Yes, that's fine." Claire nodded.
"Now, go wash your face, put lipstick on, and go see Mr Jones." Gina pushed her.
"Will do."
Claire soon walked out of the office, finding Daniel with Zoe. To her surprise, Zoe was quiet as Daniel spoke about something vividly.
As soon as Zoe noticed her she said a short "I need to go now," to Daniel and walked away from him.
"I'm so sorry, girl." She whispered to Claire on the way out and left them alone.
"Daniel, I was told that you were looking for me."
"Yes, Claire. I wondered if you'd like to go for lunch with me today. I have a reservation at the Horton Club."
Claire noticed Gina giving her thumbs up and gesturing for her to agree from behind Daniel.
"Yes, that'll be nice." Claire agreed.
She grabbed her purse and soon was on the way with Daniel. Once again she was amazed by the architecture of the building and the classical paintings gracing the ceiling most elegantly. Throughout the day it was a haven for influential businessmen in their suits, and in the evening it transformed into the most elitist restaurant and club with many wonderfully dressed men and women.
"Good afternoon, Miss Thompson," Pattison said with a smile as he spotted her. A few meters behind him was Mr Moore who was engrossed in a conversation with a few of the potential investors.
"Good afternoon, Mr Pattison." Claire smiled at him as Daniel quickly went to check the reservation, avoiding Mr Moore and trying her hardest not to even look at him.
"Are you okay?" He asked worriedly.
"Yes, of course, Mr Pattison. I do apologise for this morning's commotion."
"It's alright." He smiled in such a warming way that Claire pitied him. He was of similar height to Claire, with a round face, and a beard. He wore stylish glasses. He had a navy suit with a colourful tie on. "I was more concerned for you."
"Well, I'll make sure to avoid any dark alleys for the weeks to come." Claire joked. "Who knows what might be lurking in the dark."
"I think dark alleys might be safer than being close to Mr Moore during the day."
"I am not too sure about this."
"Are you here for a business lunch?"
"No, it's just a lunch," Claire admitted.
"Enjoy your meal then, Miss Thompson." Pattison smiled, hurrying away towards Mr Moore. Mr Moore spotted him walking towards him and only then did he notice Claire. His gaze was fixated on her for a good few moments until Daniel came over and they walked away.
"Where have you been?" Mr Moore asked Pattison.
"I've spotted Miss Thompson just on my way over here and I've had a brief chat with her."
"Business lunch?"
"No, sir. Miss Thompson is here on a personal matter."
"Make sure that she doesn't get over her permitted lunch hours for this."
"Yes, sir." Pattison nodded.
"Claire, you seem a little absent-minded." Daniel pointed out as he realised that his joke fell on deaf ears.
"I'm so sorry, Daniel. It has been a long day already."
"Is there anything I can help with?"
"It depends, do you have cheap apartments to let?" Claire laughed.
"Actually, yes. We just opened up an apartment block on the south end of town."
"You're kidding?!" Claire's eyes widened.
"Is it for yourself?"
"No, for a relative." She admitted. "The building they lived in is being demolished soon and they need to find a new place to live. It's been on my mind a lot lately."
"You could've said straight away. Write me down your email and I'll send you the catalogue."
Claire quickly fished out her business card and gave it to Daniel.
"Thank you so much."
"They're not very luxurious. Most flats are one or two-bedroom. But they're new and well equipped. We found recently that the demand for cheaper flats has increased and hence we've invested in a few blocks. Besides, we do have an employee discount and I would be more than happy to apply it for a friend."
"Daniel, you're a lifesaver!" Claire couldn't stop smiling.
"Anything else?"
"Anyone looking for a design, contract and conceptualisation specialist?"
"Are you thinking of changing a job?"
"Truthfully, yes."
Few people stopped by their table.
"Daniel!" One man at the front exclaimed happily. Mr Moore stood at the back still engrossed in a conversation with some older man. "How are you doing? How is your dad?"
"I'm well and so is my dad," Daniel replied with a smile. "Claire, this is Jacob Gorsky. We used to work together a while back, straight out of university. Jacob, this is Claire. She's a design contract and conceptualisation specialist for the Diamond Corporate."
"We are just about to sign a preliminary contract with the Diamond Corporate. We're working along with the Contracts and Services Department."
"That's Claire's department," Daniel said proudly.
"Oh, are you working under Gary?"
"Gary retired, I'm afraid," Claire admitted.
"I didn't know! We have been mostly communicating with Zoe Green."
"Oh, are you from the Chi project?"
"Yes, indeed."
"I'm glad to see you go ahead with the contract. Zoe worked hard on the presentation the other week."
"So, you know Zoe."
"Yes. I did really like the oval roof concept."
"I haven't asked what your position is within the department."
"I'm the head."
"Surely not!" Jacob exclaimed. "Hang on, Matt, Joe, Zach, this is Claire. She's the head of the Contracts and Services Department at the Diamond Corporate." Jacob introduced her to the three men behind him. Mr Moore turned around and fixed his eyes on Claire. She stood up and shook hands with the men she was just introduced to. "Gabriel, why do you keep this gem hidden?" Jacob teased Mr Moore. "Now, would you like to join us?" He offered Claire and Daniel.
"We don't want to impose," Claire said carefully, glancing over at Daniel.
"No, not at all!" Jacob encouraged her.
"Claire?" Daniel looked at her with his brows raised.
"It's up to you." She said quickly, which resulted in Daniel standing up and joining the men, offering his hand to help Claire out of her seat.
Jacob requested a larger table and soon they were sat together, with Jacob on one side of Claire and Daniel on the other. Mr Moore was sitting across from her, with Matt and Joe around him. Zach managed to get right between Joe and Daniel.
Jacob was very keen to chat with Claire about the project for the duration of the meal whilst Daniel spoke with Zach about foreign affairs.
Mr Moore was more uninvolved as his companions started talking about some personal matters that he had no interest in.