Claire could barely sleep through the night. In the morning she visited her dad in the hospital and asked doctors for an update on her mum.
She didn't realise that her being late for work was causing Gabriel unbearable turmoil. She didn't realise that he timed his start of the day to match hers, that he times it perfectly to catch her in the elevator on multiple occasions, and that sometimes he even waited in a car waiting to see her leave the car park.
He didn't know why she didn't come in at her usual time but he waited patiently in his office. He was eager to see how the events of today will unfold.
"Sir?" Pattison walked in.
"There's your new contract." Gabriel pushed papers across his desk. Pattison looked confused but came over to read through them.
"I don't understand."
"I have one condition."
"Yes?"
"Stay away from Claire."
Pattison thought about it carefully and soon signed the papers.
"Seeing as you're back, let me know when she comes in." Gabriel returned to his work without a further word.
It was nearly 10 am when Pattison came back with the news that Claire was in her office.
Gabriel smiled in such a way that Pattison felt a chill go down his spine. He follows Gabriel down the stairs, fearing for Claire.
Claire was standing in the middle of the open office helping someone out. For Gabriel, it was perfect timing.
"Claire." Gina poked her. Claire looked up and noticed Gabriel marching in like a man on a mission. This made her feel very uneasy.
"Good morning, Mr Moore." Claire didn't smile at him. "Would you like to speak to me? And if so, shall we make our way to my office?" Claire asked wondering whether he wanted to cause a murder bath in front of everyone so that he can use her as a lesson and a warning for everyone else.
"No," Gabriel said sharply with a mischievous smile that send shivers down her spine.
Everyone turned to watch as the scene unfolded. Claire straightened out and crossed her arms.
"May I ask what this is about?"
"It's a follow-up on our conversation yesterday."
"A follow-up? I don't think it's necessary. I'm pretty sure I've made my conditions clear." Claire just noticed Pattison behind Gabriel, wondering if Pattison was pretending to be fired to get information out of her.
"Here's a new contract." Gabriel put the well-drafted document on the desk next to him. He took a pen out of his pocket and passed it to Claire.
"A new contract?" Claire picked it up and started reading it. She was quick to notice that it was not an employment contract but she didn't let anyone know. She scanned through it so quickly that it would be believable that she could miss some key terms.
"Clauses 4, 5, and 6 highlight your employment within this company."
Claire tried to focus on the legal jargon to understand it. She acted as if she was so stressed that she was confused by the document.
She was conflicted on the inside. Marriage was not something she ever considered, especially with someone like Gabriel, but having access to his money would allow her mother's treatment almost immediately.
"Sign it."
"I'd like some legal advice." She said sternly.
"For God's sake." Gabriel started to lose his temper. "I'm giving in to your demands. You've got everything you wanted. Every single outrageous thing you were so adamant on yesterday evening! I've spent the entire night with Watters drafting this contract! Just sign it!"
"You seem too eager for me to just sign it blindly. I need to know what this is before I sign it. Besides, I don't think I want to work for you."
"Why are you so indecisive?! You made it clear what you want, and you're getting it all. You can't seriously expect me to beg for you to stay?!"
"Would you?" Claire asked with a raised brow.
"What?" He was so taken aback that he cooled off momentarily. "Would what?"
"Would you beg for me to stay?" She asked with a smirk, still trying to read the document. Everyone gasped in unison.
Claire looked up to find him on his knees.
"Claire, may you please reconsider your decision?" Gabriel spoke softly. "Please, do not leave."
"Seriously?" Claire asked in disbelief. "What's in it for you?"
"Your work is invaluable to my company. Giving you all of these makes the competition unlikely and hence I am securing the best talent for my future." He took a deep breath in. "Claire, I beg you to stay. I beg you to sign this contract. I beg you."
"Stop embarrassing me," Claire uttered. She took the pen after scanning through the document and signed it. She decided to seek legal advice as soon as possible to ensure her understanding of the document, but indeed, clauses 4, 5 and 6 highlighted all of her demands. "There you go." She handed the document back. "I want a valid copy of it."
"Thank you." He slowly stood up. He then turned around to the crowd and picked Gina, asking her to sign as a witness, and Pattison too. "You will receive the copy within an hour. I'll ensure that it is handled and stored appropriately. It is a binding contract."
"I'll call the X6 Group to inform them immediately of this decision," Claire said with a sigh. He nodded and disappeared.
"Oh my God, Claire!" Gina walked towards her. "What was that all about?"
"I think I've sold my soul to the devil." Claire walked into her office and flopped on her chair.
"Does it mean that you're staying here?"
"I'm afraid so."
"It's going to be alright. We're all here and we all have your back."
"Thank you." Claire smiled. "Now, let's hire Zoe back."
"What?" Gina looked at Claire with confusion. "What the heck did you demand?"
"You'll find out in time. I'll call HR to contact Zoe." Claire smiled reassuringly. But as soon as Gina left she hid her face in her hands feeling as if, indeed, she sold her soul to the devil. But even if it weren't for marriage, the quadruple salary would have been enough to help with the transplant.
Within an hour she held the contract and a lawyer came into her office.
"Can you tell me what this contract entitles me to?" Claire asked carefully.
"Of course. Firstly, you are legally married to Mr Gabriel Nathaniel Moore."
Claire hid her face in her hands again.
"This includes co-joining of all the assets and liabilities. These may include bank accounts, property, savings, pensions, debts, and any inherited wealth." The lawyer continued reading. "This contract gives you 29.5% of shares, full autonomy over this department and its employees, it has no break clause and it's indefinite. For as long as this company exists, you will be entitled to all of these. Your salary has been quadrupled and you will be given a C-Level position to allow you to sit on the Board of Directors."
"No break clause?" Claire looked up at the lawyer.
"Indeed. No break clause means that the contract cannot be ended unless both parties agree to it and even then it will require legal actions and it is still very unlikely to be overturned."