"Claire, are you okay?" Gina came in worriedly as soon as Mr Moore left.
"I don't know," Claire admitted. "I've said some really dumb stuff to Mr Moore this morning." Claire rubbed her eyes.
"It cannot be that bad. He seemed fairly okay when I came in."
"I told him to get someone to suck his d*ck, Gina."
"What?!"
"It's a long story." Claire started laughing. "I've lost my marbles. I've completely lost my marbles."
"How so?"
"Gina, I'm so tired that I don't care if someone beats me up to death."
"One way of living your life on the edge, isn't it?" Gina laughed.
"I'm losing it."
"He is hot though."
"Gina!"
"Tell me that you don't think so. I dare you."
"Okay, get out now!" Claire ordered Gina with some irritation. Gina left whilst laughing out loud, knowing well that her friend wasn't truly angry at her.
"Where's Miss Thompson?" Mr Moore, or rather Gabriel, asked Gina the following afternoon.
"She's in the meeting room, sir."
Gabriel walked in that direction and he watched through the window as Claire laughed along with three other employees.
He knocked on the door interrupting the laughter.
"So, yeah, Derek. That was an amazing example of a failed negotiation tactic." Claire praised the tall man in the shirt and jeans. Three people in the room, besides Claire, went quiet. "I highly recommend double-checking the name of the customer before the meeting."
"What research should be done on the customer?" A young girl asked at the back.
"So, I start by researching what they advertise. Those tend to be the most current products and services. But not necessarily the only ones. Any more questions?"
"No, thank you, Miss Thompson." Two of the younger women left.
"Hey, Claire, thanks for the help. Give me a shout if you need anything." Derek said with a smile.
"Thanks, Derek." Claire waved him off.
"I thought that you were free?" Gabriel asked.
"Derek asked for help in going over our business negotiation strategy with two new interns."
"You seemed to enjoy yourself."
"Derek told a story of how he accidentally spoke to the wrong person and tried to negotiate the contract and then the actual person showed up. He did it as an intern and now he uses it as a good story of what not to do."
"What about you? Do you have stories of what not to do?"
"My entire life can be used as a story of what not to do."
"Really? I always thought that your resume was outstanding."
"My resume?"
"Didn't you finish all your education on top of your class?"
"Yes, I did." Claire hung her head in embarrassment.
"And you moved up within the department faster than anyone else."
"It's nothing."
"It's a classic imposter syndrome, Claire."
Claire looked at him in surprise.
"That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."
"I've said many nice things to you but you didn't listen."
"I enjoyed being called a cockroach," Claire said sarcastically.
"You've called me an a*shole."
"Not a single regret." Claire shook her head.
"Do you think that seeing how much you can offend me before I snap is some sort of a game?"
"Yes, of course."
"God, Claire." Gabriel clicked his tongue. They've walked across the office beside together.
"May I offer you coffee? Gina makes quite a good one if you rather that."
"Yes. With vanilla."
Claire gave him a curious look but she went into the kitchen. Once again, he followed her into the kitchen and stood on the side and watched as she made coffee.
Claire was quite efficient and soon they walked into the office with her carrying a tray with two mugs. She placed it on the desk and sat down in front of her computer.
"Now, all the conceptualised pictures are rendered." Claire showed him the printouts. "I wasn't sure what your preferences are, but I assumed the company standard will be a good starting point."
"I have a pricing list if you want to annotate it accordingly. Can you send it to our marketing team?"
"Of course, Mr Moore." Claire nodded as she was handed a printed sheet of values. "I'll get that done today and have it forwarded to you and the client." She glanced at it and furrowed her brows. "Are those numbers correct? They seem to be significantly lower than the market value."
"Didn't realise that you have awareness of the rental market." Gabriel rubbed his chin which was covered in stubble. "But as I've said, the client wants to attract people into the area. Short-term financial loss but long-term benefits."
"I see." Claire looked at the numbers carefully, still unsure of the prices that were almost half of what she saw while searching for a new place for her parents. "Anything else?"
"Do you have any plans tomorrow night?"
"Always." Claire smiled. "But they can be rearranged for good enough reason."
"I have a reservation at the restaurant for dinner and I wondered if we can discuss new products together."
"I see. I'm not sure whether all of this newly gained attention will do me any good." She laughed. "Truly, a mastermind in his torture."
"Is that a no?"
"It's my job, isn't it?"
"It's outside typical working hours, hence it's up to you."
"Send me the details across. Or get Mark to send me them. I'll try my best." Claire nodded. "Is there anything you'd like me to prepare?"
"I'll bring the current ideas from our focus group and we can discuss them. No need for any other prep."
"Alright." Claire nodded. Gabriel left the office and didn't bother her again until the next evening.
Claire was in shock when she realised that the restaurant that Gabriel chose was the most upscale one in town. She was quick to make a call to Zoe and ask for another favour in form of clothing. Zoe, as always was keen to help. She loved being able to style Claire.
Zoe lend her a simple black dress that fitted into the business setting and the style of the restaurant.
Claire was led to the table. She put her glasses on to take some notes as Gabriel still hasn't arrived. After a whole day of work, her eyes were strained and she never was able to wear contacts lenses.
She wrote the notes for her current project, with some little sketches.
"Miss, would you like to order anything to drink while you wait?"
"Please. Any mocktail will be fine."
"Of course, ma'am." The waiter disappeared only to come back with a coconut mocktail.
"Thank you." Claire smiled at him.
Gabriel came in and watched her from a distance as she wrote something in her book, with her glasses on, while sipping her drink. She occasionally looked out of the window and watched the lights of moving traffic down below. He felt the flutter in his chest over the beautiful simplicity of this picture. He subconsciously smiled.
"Mr Moore, I believe your guest is already waiting." The waiter walked up to him. "Would you like me to show you to the table?"
Gabriel hesitated but he followed the waiter.
"Good evening, Claire." Gabriel smiled at her.
Claire stood up to welcome Gabriel, quickly taking her glasses off.
"Good evening, Mr Moore."
"I am sorry for running late. I've sent you a message but I'm not sure whether you've received it. I was stuck in traffic."
"It's completely fine, Mr Moore." Claire tried to tidy away her glasses.
"Seeing as you already waited for me, shall we order something to eat straight away? And then get to work?"
"That's fine." Claire nodded.
"What did you have to drink?"
"Coconut mocktail."
"Was it any good?"
"Actually, yes." Claire nodded.
"Would you like some wine?"
"I rather not." Claire shook her head.
"Champagne?"
"I rather stick to non-alcoholic drinks if we are to work." Claire explained quickly, omitting the fact that she didn't want the repeat of the day when she blacked out after drinking after lunch with Chi Group.
"As you wish." Gabriel looked at the menu and contemplated his choice. "Aren't you going to have a look at the menu?"
"I already decided, sir."
"Claire, Gabriel will suffice." Gabriel reminded her but Claire looked at him uncomfortably. "Or maybe not." He shrugged.
Claire smiled shyly.
"As I've said, I do find it weird to call my boss by his first name."
"And I thought you didn't care for my authority."
"No, it's not that." Claire shook her head. "I do not know you well."
"There's an easy fix."
"No offence, but I don't care for it." Claire shrugged.
"Wow." Gabriel laughed. "As always, you're a charmer."
"Same as you."
"I haven't punched a hole in the wall this week, I should say."
Claire sneered and then started laughing, realising that Gabriel tried to make a joke as he smiled at her charmingly.
"Yay, we might be able to afford new coffee machines across the entire building without needing to pay for express wall plastering."
To her surprise, Gabriel laughed. It was not his usual contained laugh but his actual laugh. The kind of laugh that spreads to your eyes. Claire watched him in amusement. For a second she forgot how horrid he could be. For a second she felt her chest squeeze tightly at some unfamiliar feeling.
They placed their order moments later.
"So, what was it you wanted to discuss?" Claire started.
"Let's see." Gabriel reached for his briefcase and started rummaging through it. "B*llocks! I must've left it in the office."
"That's unfortunate."
"I'm so sorry, Claire."
"It's fine. Not awkward at all." She looked out of the window to avoid his gaze.
"We already ordered so we might as well have the dinner," Gabriel said. Claire nodded, focused on the outside world. "I saw you working on something when I came in. Can I help you with it?"
"It's nothing." Claire shook her head as she looked back at him.
"Come on, show it to me."
"Alright." Claire took her notebook out. "It's nothing professional. I use it to gather ideas. And it's for one of the smaller projects we have."
Gabriel started looking through the neat drawings and notes.
"I love the idea of a hidden room but I'm unsure of its functionality."
"That's what I'm struggling with. It's private property and the brief was essentially something cosy and dreamy." Claire sighed. "I was thinking of possibly doing a hidden library or drawing room with a cosy nook."
"I quite like this idea. Why are you working on this one?"
"I was personally requested and they're paying extra for this privilege."
"Who is the client?"
"I'm not sure. The contacts were made through foreign accounts and representatives. They value their privacy."
"If you swap the rooms around and make this the load-bearing wall you can have a fireplace in the library." Gabriel took a napkin and started drawing on it.
"I'm conflicted on this idea. I'm not sure whether not to make it a more central part of the house instead of the hidden gem."
"I see." Gabriel leaned back. "Both ideas seem good." Claire nodded, putting her notebook away. "I didn't realise that you wear glasses."
"I try not to."
"Why?"
"I never liked them."
"I see," Gabriel repeated his favourite phrase.
Soon the meal arrived and besides comments on how good the food was there was very minimal conversation.
Right after the meal, Claire excused herself to go to the ladies' room.
As she was heading back to the table she was stopped by a group of women.
"Claire, is that you?" The one at the front almost screamed in some over-the-top fake excitement. It took Claire a moment to recognise who it was. "God, you haven't changed at all!"
"Hi, Maddie," Claire said rather coldly, starting to feel anxious. "I don't think I've seen you in nearly six years."
"I know!" Maddie looked at her from top to bottom. "You seem to be moving up in a society."
"Well…"
"From being a waitress in that horrible diner to here? I mean, moving up the hospitality chain, aren't you?"
Claire stared at Maddie in confusion wondering where this assumption came from.
Maddie walked up to her and with her index finger, she lifted Claire's silver necklace.
"I'm not sure if it's appropriate for a waitress to wear jewellery during working hours." Maddie pulled the necklace which gave in quite easily, breaking and falling onto the floor. Claire looked at it with sadness. She was defenceless against Maddie. Maddie went to the same school and university. She was an elitist. Born and raised rich. And people like Claire were a thorn in her side. Even after years of not seeing Maddie, Claire felt panic at her shrieking voice.
Claire squatted to pick up the necklace, feeling so much pain as it was a gift from her mum for getting into university. Her hands shook as she picked up a broken chain with a small crystal pendant.
"I've told you so many times to not get in my way. Six years on and you're still just as embarrassing."
"Maddie, I don't know what or who made you so cruel, but we're no longer teenagers. You should've grown up by now." Claire glared at her angrily.
Maddie scoffed pushing her. Claire didn't anticipate it and she lost her balance while squatting, landing on her bottom.
"What is the meaning of this?" Gabriel showed up behind Maddie.
Maddie turned around and her mouth dropped.
"I-..I-…" she stuttered. "It's nothing, sir. My high school friend is just a little dramatic."
"A little dramatic? Why is she on the floor?" He gritted his teeth.
"She fell over. She was always so clumsy."
Gabriel looked at Claire who didn't dare to look up as she was too embarrassed.
"Is that Mr Moore?" One of the girls behind Maddie asked the other.
"Where are my manners, I'm Madeline Taylor."
"I don't care." Gabriel shrugged. "Even though now that I know, I hope you realise that your father will find out about this."
"Find out about what?" Maddie scoffed. "With all due respect, it's not my fault that some lowlifes are clumsy."
"Claire, please let me help you." Gabriel offered her help. Claire pushed his hand away and stood up herself, trying to recover her pride. "Your necklace?" He noticed the silver chain in her hand.
"It's alright," Claire said coldly watching Maddie's increasingly worried face. "And for your information, Maddie, we were never friends. You abused me because I wasn't like you."
"Claire, can I handle this?" Gabriel asked.
"If you can do more damage than me then go ahead," Claire said coldly.
"Madeline Taylor, I hope that you understand that your behaviour will not be tolerated," Gabriel said sternly. "You have no right to abuse anyone, especially Claire."
Claire watched him curiously and watched as Madeleine's knees seemed to start to buckle.
"She's a fraud," Maddie said through gritted teeth. "She's nothing."
"Oh, you're so wrong. Claire is my best employee at Diamond Corporate. Her worth within my company is estimated in the billions. She helped your father with his business as a consultant. Her worth and contributions are so much more than yours, a person who leeches of their parents' riches." Gabriel took out a phone and made a call. "Mr Taylor, I have an issue and I hope you can help me. Your daughter, Miss Madeline, just abused my best employee." Someone answered on the other end. "Yes, indeed, it is Claire Thompson whom I had in mind." Gabriel soon disconnected.
Whisper behind Maddie indicated that she has lost all of the support of her friends.
"How can you defend someone like her?" Maddie snapped.
"It's none of your business whom I defend."
Security showed up and now they've dragged Maddie out.
Claire stood frozen. She didn't expect Gabriel to stick up for her. And she hated that she couldn't defend herself. Never mind her necklace which was now in several pieces.
Gabriel turned around and scowled at her.
"Claire." This snapped her back and she looked up at him with her big doe eyes. "Where's that foul mouth of yours when you need it? You can say whatever towards me but not to some girl who can't tie her shoelaces?!" He barked.
Claire looked down, still feeling lost and anxious, and so upset. "Claire, this is not what I expected of you."
"I'm sorry to disappoint." Claire felt the tears welling up so she rushed toward their dining table to grab her bag.
"I can reassure you that this will not happen again."
"Maybe Maddie will not do it again, but there's always someone keen to point out my worthlessness. Or that I'm a cockroach." She grabbed her bag and rushed toward the check-in station to settle the bill.
"I'm sorry about your necklace," Gabriel said more quietly.
"It's alright. For people like you, it's worthless."
"Obviously it isn't." Gabriel followed her out to the counter.
"I'd like to settle the bill for the table by the window," Claire said to the waiter.
"The bill has been settled in full." Waiter announced. Claire turned around to Gabriel.
"What games are you playing?"
"Games?" Gabriel showed confusion.
"I know you, and I know that you didn't forget the printouts. I've decided to entertain you tonight to see what you want. So, what is it?"
"You're reading way too much into this."
"That's one way to gaslight me." Claire sneered, walking out. It was raining but she didn't seem to notice as she clasped her broken necklace.
She sat down in the car, completely soaked, and started crying.