Claire was in a new mindset as the morning came. She was determined, she was ready to get back on with life. She didn't care about staying home, she had things to do.
She took a cold shower, not cold by choice. And she dressed herself up. She picked one of her nicest blouses and a pencil skirt that fit her the best, complementing the look with simple earrings and black heels.
She took care in applying her makeup. She had to be strong.
She didn't touch the food that Gabriel brought the previous night. She felt guilty over it as she hated food waste but it was too late to do anything with it aside from binning it. As she turned around she found a letter under the door, another one. It was in a blank envelope as previously. Claire didn't have time to agonise over another death threat. She picked it up and placed it on the table. She wondered if it was Gabriel who put it there on his way out last night, but it was not a time to confront him. Not yet, that's for sure. Even though Claire wondered why he would keep it up after already holding her life in his hands.
She stopped by the hospital to talk to her mum's doctor, working out what's the best way to arrange for the transfer. She didn't dare to say anything to her dad yet, not until everything was set and ready to go.
She made her way to work in her rusted green hatchback. A thought crossed her mind that with more money she can buy herself a car that is much more reliable but she shot it down. She didn't need any luxuries. She only wanted enough money for her mum. After that, she will never ask for anything. She didn't want to be indebted to Gabriel.
She walked across the thirty-sixth floor with tenths of eyes fixated on her.
"Claire?" Gina looked surprised. She didn't expect her to come in after the events of yesterday.
"Gina." Claire gave her a nod as she continued walking toward her office. Gina followed her right in.
"How are you feeling?"
"Much better than yesterday. The stress started wearing off. I'll be good as new soon enough."
"You should've taken a few days off."
"I didn't think it necessary."
"Did Mr Moore force you?"
"No, but he is the reason why I'm here."
"Explain."
"Thank you for not asking yesterday." Claire smiled but her smile didn't reach her eyes.
"I didn't want to make you worse." Gina walked towards the desk and sat in the chair opposite.
"I appreciate that. As you know, I've put in my resignation on Monday."
"Yes, I know. I didn't expect you to sign a new contract at all."
"I met with Mr Moore on Monday night as he wanted to discuss any potential options and my wants if I were to stay here."
"Don't tell me you stayed for a 10% pay rise."
"No. I went in with an attitude that I will demand such outrageous things that he would never oblige and I could shift the blame onto him. After all, I've put my price tag out there and he didn't want to pay it." Claire sighed. "But, that's not what happened. Mr Moore gave me all that I asked for. And it wasn't a 10% rise, it was a quadruple of my current salary."
"Oh my goodness." Gina gasped.
"Besides, I now have full autonomy over this department. I can run it as I want, with a slight expectation of running it to the ground as a way to have my revenge."
"Will you?"
"No. I've received some shares of the company and it's in my best interest to continue our work the best we can. And that's why I will email HR and I'll rehire Zoe so that she can help with the Chi Group Project."
"Actually, I was to tell you yesterday that the project has been withdrawn."
"What?" Claire sat up straight in her chair.
"It came through yesterday morning. Just before you signed the contract. Same for Jones' project."
"Any reason as to why?"
"It was withdrawn by us not the Chi Group. Someone from above decided to terminate the contract."
"I'll get on top of it in a minute." Claire sighed as she felt the headache coming on. "I was about to add that we will have a software upgrade and I will ensure a pay rise for everyone. Not to mention extending the miscellaneous budget. Frankly, I want a new coffee machine."
"That's so great, Claire!" Gina squealed.
"I'll be shaking things up in the next few weeks so brace yourself." Claire stood up. "Now, excuse me. I'm going to rip off Mr Moore's head." She hurried out of her office leaving Gina behind
"Claire." Gina ran after her. "Don't do anything rash!"
"Too late," Claire answered back as she entered the elevator.
Claire walked across the forty-second floor like a woman on a mission. Pattison stood up as he spotted her.
"Don't try to stop me." She said sternly.
"Wouldn't even attempt it," Pattison admitted, even though he was a little worried over what was to come.
Claire didn't bother knocking as she stormed into Gabriel's office. He looked up with confusion as he listened to someone on the phone. He finished the call almost instantly, looking at Claire expectantly. He had a gut feeling that this wasn't going to go well.
"What happened to the Chi Group and Jones' projects?"
"Whatever do you mean?"
"The contracts were withdrawn and it came from here. I want to know why you broke the contracts."
"It doesn't concern you."
"Excuse me?!" Claire allowed her anger to show. "Everything that has to do with my department is of my concern, that's the deal. It wasn't your decision to make."
"Claire, this decision has been made before our contract became effective. You have no say in it and you cannot demand that answer." Gabriel straightened out.
"You better hope that I get to reinstate those contracts." Claire put both her hands on the table and leaned forward, almost hovering over Gabriel.
"You cannot." Gabriel stood up.
"Why?"
"Because you cannot overturn my decision."
"Oh, you bet I can," Claire said through her gritted teeth. "And I'll ensure that they are the main customers for the next few years."
"Don't you dare!"
"I don't care for your personal feuds, Mr Moore. I wasn't given an appropriate justification for terminating the contract. I don't care about your petty disagreements."
"YOU WILL NOT WORK WITH CHI GROUP OR JONESES AGAIN!" Gabriel raised his voice as he walked around his desk getting dangerously close to Claire.
"I will do as I please. I'm sure I can also get Daniel's company's collaboration within that project."
"YOU WILL NOT GET CLOSE TO HIM EVER AGAIN!"
"That's up to me." Claire smiled sweetly. "You went behind my back to get rid of the contracts I worked hard on, now, I will do as I feel."
"CLAIRE!!!" He roared.
"Mr Moore, shall I remind you of the terms and conditions we agreed to?"
Gabriel lost his cool, for the first time in weeks. He grabbed Claire's blouse and pushed her against the wall.
"You will not get anywhere close to them again." He said through his gritted teeth.
"Or what?" Claire titled her head. Her smile hasn't left her face yet. "You're going to kill me?"
Gabriel let go of her blouse, looking down at her with disappointment. He was more disappointed in himself. He leaned against the wall using one hand, his face just above Claire's. She hasn't moved. She hasn't buckled.
"Do not get near them. I might give you a real reason one day, but for now, trust me." Gabriel started cooling off.
"Trust you? Don't make me laugh."
Nope, that triggered him again.
"Leave!" He growled. Claire smiled as she moved away, and as soon as she was out of his way, he punched the wall. The skin on his knuckles split spilling down his arm. Claire looked around at him and for a moment she wondered what made him this way. What made him so angry. She quickly sorted the collar of her blouse and left.
"Mark, I think Mr Moore might need some bandages," Claire said as she passed by his desk. "And there might be a need for a plasterer, again." She smiled and walked away leaving Pattison in shock.
Claire returned to her office knowing full well how she can now make Gabriel miserable.