At one point Claire attempted to leave but she was quickly persuaded to stay.
"I have a few meetings this afternoon." She tried to explain.
"Oh no, Claire. You can't just abandon us like that."
"I'm sorry, Jacob." She stood up but Jacob grabbed her hand and insisted.
"Well, we haven't signed the contract yet. However, I'll sign it as soon as we get some good drinks."
"I…" Claire stuttered.
"A drink isn't gonna hurt especially if you get a good contract out of it?"
"I'm not sure if it's a good idea…" Claire said cautiously. She really didn't want to drink today.
"Come on, Claire." Daniel urged her now too.
Mr Moore watched the scene in silence. He wondered if he should step in as he could tell that Claire was uncomfortable, but she did name-call him barely a few hours ago and he still was angry about that.
Claire did give in eventually, sitting back down, soon being given a glass with some alcohol. Her nose wrinkled as she drank the burning liquid. And as she finished it, she hoped she'd be let off but the men found excuses to keep drinking, and they pushed Claire to join them reminding her that it was bad luck if she doesn't join the toast. At least, they've signed the contract.
Claire quickly excused herself, feeling really badly affected by the drinks. She made her way to the bathroom where she was sick. She washed her face in the hope to sober up a bit, but the world kept spinning. She also just now realised that it was already evening. With wobbly legs she made her way outside, bumping right into Mr Moore. He turned around with a scowl.
"I'm sorry," Claire mumbled. His smell of cigarettes hit her harder than usual, making her nauseous again. She ran into the bathroom, being sick again.
As she left the bathroom, Mr Moore was at the end of the corridor talking on the phone.
She walked slowly, supporting herself on the wall. As she was about to pass by Mr Moore he looked up at her with such anger that she wanted to fall onto the floor and curl up. With the last of her strength, she tried to stand up straight.
"Miss Thompson." Mr Moore said as he hung up his phone whilst not breaking his eye contact with her.
"Mr Moore…"
"The Chi group representatives have now left."
"Did they sign all of the necessary papers?" She asked weakly, feeling nauseous again.
"They did." He nodded.
"That's good." She nodded trying to continue walking.
"The table has been cleared. Pattison has your belongings."
"Oh." She looked back at him. "Where is he now?"
"Outside."
"I see, thank you." She took another step but it was too much, she rushed back into the toilets. A few minutes later as she left the bathroom she found Mr Moore still in the same spot, leaning against the windowsill.
"Are you feeling any better yet?" He asked coldly in such a condescending tone that Claire wanted to growl at him.
"Yeah." She uttered, making her way out towards the hall. But she wobbled again. Mr Moore walked up to her and stood above her with his hand out.
Claire looked at him with surprise and hesitated. One of her biggest flaws was her stubbornness so she ignored it and tried to walk again, but her knees gave in. She slid against the wall, almost landing on the floor. Mr Moore caught her though.
"You're too drunk for this stubborn stance." He said as he pulled her up and placed his arm around her upper back to support her.
"I'll just get my things from Pattison and I'll be out of your way."
"Okay." He nodded.
"Oh, Daniel…" she uttered.
"He went along with the Chi Group reps. I guess they were happy for their reunion."
"That's good." Claire nodded
"Good? He left you stranded."
"At least he isn't talking my ear off." She murmured.
"How are you going to get home?"
"I might try calling Zoe. She owes me a favour anyways." Claire said, feeling her eyelids getting heavier and her legs even weaker.
The fresh air outside helped but only marginally.
Pattison stood beside the car waiting for Mr Moore and Claire. "Thank you." She said to both, Mr Moore and Pattison, as she picked up her handbag and tried to find her phone. She tried dialling Zoe's phone number but she didn't pick up. Pattison was sent away as Mr Moore waited beside Claire.
"And?"
"She isn't answering. It's alright. I'll just get a taxi." She mumbled.
"Where do you live?"
"Why would I tell you?" Claire laughed. "I don't want my cockroach nest to be squashed."
Mr Moore scowled at her.
"Where do you live?"
She shrugged.
"Thank you for your assistance, Mr Moore. I do apologise for my state. I don't think I ever got this drunk, so I apologise for this. I hope that you have a good evening." She wobbled away.
Mr Moore sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose feeling the upcoming headache.
"Miss Thompson." She hasn't reacted to him. "Claire!" She stopped in her tracks and turned around in surprise to be called by her first name.
"Yes, Mr Moore."
"Please, get in the car. You're in no state to walk on your own. And before you imply that I might cause you harm, I am not."
Claire hesitated. Mr Moore walked towards her. "There's no fun in beating up someone who is already down. Besides, you did the best you could to ensure the contract with the Chi Group." He helped her in the car.
Claire shifted across to the other side of the car and Mr Moore sat beside her. She carefully put the seatbelt on and rested her head against the window, feeling even more nauseous and dizzy.
"Claire, where do you live?" Mr Moore asked again.
"I can be dropped off near The Red Bridge."
"No, Claire. You're getting dropped off at home. I am not risking leaving you near the bridge."
"Alexandria Estate, Flat 5, 13 Augustine Avenue." She said quietly. It was an estate known to be the cheapest within the city. The estate for poor people. She lived in a shabby studio with a leaking ceiling. Her shower ran only cold water for the past few weeks. And the mice had a wonderful time in all the cupboards. "I'm sorry. I never got that drunk with so few drinks." She mumbled again.
"They've poured you more alcohol than the rest. I'm surprised that you were still standing."
"Just." Claire smiled. The dizziness was bothering her more and more. At last, she fell asleep at the smooth rocking of the car. Mr Moore watched her, studying her complexion carefully. She had dark blonde hair that was tied in a bun besides a few streaks that escaped. Her cheeks were flushed into crimson red. She had long dark eyelashes and plump dark pink lips. Even in her current state, she was beautiful. Mr Moore's anger vanished as he watched Claire in her most vulnerable state. His protective instincts kicked in.
They slowly pulled over next to the building. Few drunkards were sitting at the bottom of the stairs. Mr Moore looked around in shock but said nothing. He had not attempted to wake up Claire, instead, he got out of the car and walked towards her side. He carefully opened the door and caught her head, trying to be as gentle as possible, he undid the seatbelt and picked her up. His driver got out and helped him with Claire's handbag.
"Is that Claire?" One of the drunkest men asked him.
"None of your business!" Mr Moore barked.
"What are you doing to our Claire?" He asked worriedly. "It's so late, she should be home already."
Mr Moore scowled at him as he walked past. His driver dug out Claire's keys from her bag and helped to open the doors. Mr Moore was getting more appalled as he walked through. There was a smell of vomit, urine, and smoke in the corridor. The first floor had a dirty stack of muslins in the basket filling the air with the stench of faeces. Obviously, there was no elevator. Mr Moore had to climb up to the third floor to find Claire's flat. The driver unlocked it for him and as they walked in he placed the keys and Claire's handbag on the side and hurried away, leaving Mr Moore with Claire.
Mr Moore didn't need to look far to find Claire's bed which was in the middle of the room, on the other side was the kitchen with a small door leading to the tiny bathroom. The entire furniture consisted of a tiny wardrobe next to her bed, an ironing board beside it, and a small plastic table and chair.
He laid Claire down as gently as he could. Moving her hair out of her face. He then removed her shoes and placed them at the end of the bed. He covered her with a duvet and quietly left. He locked the flat on the way out, pushing the key through the gap under the door.
As he got in the car he made a call.
"Pattison, I'd like you to check something for me." He took a deep breath. "What are the current earnings of Miss Thompson? And where is her money going?"
"Would you like me to check all her credit history and bank transfers?"
"Yes."
Mr Moore couldn't stop thinking about what he saw, and he started to feel some heartache for Claire.
Soon he received an email from Pattison with the details he requested.
Claire's pay wasn't bad. It was about the market average. But her spendings were absolutely minimal. Most of her money went towards her rent, some other estate, and savings.
Mr Moore was curious about it. He was curious as to why Claire rented two flats, and why she spend so little on herself. And what was she saving for? What did she need the money for?
"Pattison, can you find out which flat is rented out by Miss Thompson at the Poger Estate?" He made another call a few moments later. And within minutes he was looking at the contract for Thompson.