Claire pulled up in front of the house laughing internally at the contrast between her shabby car and a huge villa in front of her. She subconsciously smiled as she got out of the car as spotted beautifully sculpted window arches.
"Do you like your new home?" Gabriel asked noticing the smile.
"I refuse to answer," Claire replied as she got her handbag out. She picked up the rubbish that her friends left in the car with a frown, but secretly she was pleased that Gabriel had to sit in the fast-food wrappers.
This time it was Gabriel that led the way. As they entered the villa the hall was lit up but everywhere else was engrossed in darkness. Claire took off her cardigan and shoes as soon as she entered. She was worried that her heels will damage the marble flooring.
Gabriel walked into the dining room, passed through it and entered the kitchen. Claire followed him obediently, taking in everything around her.
"You haven't eaten. I've had the cook prepare the meal for us." Gabriel took out the food that was ready to heat up and serve.
Claire's eyes widened. She didn't expect Gabriel to be this considerate of her, and neither did she expect to see professionally made food for her dinner.
"Thank you, but I'm not hungry." She uttered. She was still stubbornly trying to go against Gabriel in every way possible. Gabriel didn't nudge. He reheated the food and placed it on the table.
"See, Claire, I know when you lie." Gabriel smiled mischievously. "Besides, I've spent good 20 minutes listening to your stomach gurgling and rumbling whilst in the car."
Claire's mouth opened.
"That's the last time you're getting driven around by me. I am not your chauffeur!"
"You insisted. Now it's my turn to insist." Gabriel placed two plates and cutlery down, sitting down himself. "If you don't eat, more food will get wasted."
This struck a note. Spending years on the verge of poverty made her very cautious of wasting things unnecessarily. In retrospect, people like Gabriel were the most extreme opposite of Claire.
After hesitating she sat down at the furthest end of the table. She put a few small spoonfuls on her plate and started eating.
"Pattison placed your items in the guest room. For now, this will be your room. Until I'll get you your proper room sorted."
"Is the proper room a cell in a basement?" Claire asked, at which Gabriel started choking.
"As tempting as it may seem, it isn't. You will get appropriate space for yourself. Besides your bedroom, you will have your study."
"That's very generous of you."
"Am I to understand that you have some plans over the holidays?"
"Yes."
"What are they?"
"I don't need to tell you."
"Of course not. I'm just trying to strike a conversation with you."
"And it bothers me. I feel like you're scrutinising my every word and that you'll use it against me."
"It is a possibility." Gabriel smiled. "But what's more likely, your theory or that I am interested in my wife's life?"
"Definitely my theory."
"I agree. After saying it out loud it does sound like a load of crap." Gabriel joked. Claire watched him curiously. "The odds are simply against me."
"How is your hand?" Claire asked as she noticed the bandage. She wanted to kick herself for voicing her concern for his well-being. She knew that she was too kind-hearted. She always felt empathy, even for those who wronged her or hated her.
Gabriel froze, watching Claire looking down shyly.
"It's alright." He lied. He wasn't going to disclose his pain especially if he was at fault.
After dinner, Claire followed Gabriel upstairs, stressing about what she might find. As Gabriel opened the door to her room, she gasped. The guest room was bigger than her entire flat.
"Pattison already brought your belongings. I think." Gabriel looked around the bare room. The closet was open with barely a few hangers used and a part of one shelf.
"I'll thank him next time I see him," Claire said.
"Now, if you need anything, the phone on the side is connected to various places across the house. It has a speed dial setup. Number 1 is the housekeeper, number 2 is for the chef and kitchen staff, and I'm at 0. But then, you do have my phone number, don't you?" Claire nodded. "Call me if you need anything."
"What time am I okay to use them?"
"Any time. My staff is available 24/7."
"Poor people."
"They do different shifts so it's not only one person taking the responsibility for the entire day and night," Gabriel explained quickly worried that she will think that he exploits his people.
"I see." Claire was looking around in silence, admiring the furniture and decor of the room.
"You can contact me at any time of day and night too."
Claire smiled at the idea of calling Gabriel as many times as she physically can with the most minor inconveniences to irritate him.
"Is there any schedule? What are the house rules?"
"Ehhh… you can do as you wish. This is your home now. Go where you want, and do what you want." Gabriel said. He noticed a slight sparkle in Claire's eyes. "And yes, if you wish you can get a sledgehammer from the garage and destroy it all."
Claire laughed.
"Is it wise to give me ideas?"
"Do you need anything?"
"I don't think so."
"May I at least ask what time you're planning to leave the house tomorrow?"
"No, you cannot."
"I'll make sure Pattison is on standby throughout tomorrow if you need anything while out." He walked towards the door, then hesitated. "Good night, Claire."
"Good night." She replied with a big yawn.
She changed into her pyjamas and crawled into bed, falling asleep almost immediately.
As Gabriel came downstairs in the morning, he found his staff standing in the dining room and peeking through to the kitchen.
"What's going on?"
"We weren't sure what to do, sir." The young maid said quickly, backing away.
Gabriel was even more confused until he walked into the kitchen. Claire was cooking while the chef was standing on the side.
"Good morning." Gabriel welcomed her. Claire looked up with not much emotion, too focused on flipping the pancakes.
"Good morning, sir." The chef bowed.
"Yeah, morning," Claire uttered.
"What are you doing?" Gabriel leaned against the door frame with his arms closed, observing Claire cooking, and his chef feeling embarrassed and awkward.
"I'm making breakfast."
"Why?"
"Why not? I didn't want the croissants that were on the menu this morning. I wanted pancakes."
"Did you ask Jonathan if he can cook you pancakes?"
"No, I asked Jonathan to show me how to use the cooker and where the pantry is. He was ever so helpful."
"You do understand that Jonathan is getting paid to cook"
"He is getting paid to cook for you. I'm happy to cook myself." Claire shrugged.
Gabriel sighed. "Did anyone introduce themselves to you?"
"Jonathan did."
"Where's Martha?" Gabriel turned to the maids.
"We'll get her, sir."
"Would you like some pancakes too?" Claire asked Gabriel.
"I don't want to trouble you, Claire."
"It's no trouble. I've already made enough to feed the entire household."
And Claire wasn't exaggerating. On the side of the cooker was a plate with a huge tower of pancakes.
Claire went to chop some fruit, as she was stirring something in another saucepan.
"Sir." Martha who was a middle-aged woman wearing a neat uniform came in. She looked at Claire in confusion. "I don't recall hiring a new maid, sir."
"Claire's not a new maid," Gabriel said sternly. "Martha, I wanted to introduce to you Claire Thompson. She's to be treated as the lady of the house." Gabriel looked at Claire. "If she allows it. But as I've said before, she has completely free rein around the house and she can do as she likes."
"Of course, sir." Martha looked at Claire with concern. "Shall I get Jonathan to take over?"
"No. She can do what she wants. Even though, she'll make our lives thousand times more difficult so brace yourself."
"Sir?" Martha looked at him worriedly, but she noticed as he smiled while watching Claire. She was already dressed up for the day, wearing the same blue cardigan over her simple black dress. Claire picked up some plates and started dishing out the pancakes with plenty of fruit and two sauces - white chocolate ganache and raspberry coulis.
"There you go, Jonathan." Claire passed him the plate before grabbing two other plates. "As no one else expressed their interest, I'm sure they can help themselves if they want to." Claire decided out loud, moving the two plates in her hand into the dining room.
Gabriel followed her across, sitting down in his usual spot. This time Claire sat beside him, which was a bit of a surprise. Jonathan brought the drinks across and disappeared back into the kitchen.
"Seeing as I am not allowed to know what your plans are and when may I ask for an hour of your time throughout this weekend."
"An hour?" Claire looked up. "What do you want?"
Gabriel was taken back by her straightforwardness.
"I wanted your input on a few things in regards to your stay here."
"Like?"
"What do you need in your bedroom? Cosmetics? Clothing?"
"Mr Moore…"
"No." Gabriel stopped her angrily. "Try again."
"What?" Claire looked in confusion. "You mean your name, don't you?" She sighed as Gabriel nodded. "Gabriel, I do not need anything. I do not need you to concern yourself with anything for me. And I trust that you can make the decisions regards to my bedroom yourself."
Gabriel sighed and shook his head, taking the first bite. It was much sweeter than what he was accustomed to for breakfast, but Claire did seem to have a grasp on the cooking.
Part way through the meal, Claire received the call. Gabriel gave her a nod to answer it and not to bother about him.
"Hey, Zoe. I'm about to head out in a few minutes. You still gonna make it on time?"
"I'm afraid not, I've got a little caught up in some business…" Zoe said in the tone that Claire was well accustomed to.
"Someone's business, I suspect." Claire chuckled. "Good for you, Zoe. You need to tell me everything! You know that I live my life through you."
"What's the plan for today?"
"Well, I'm going to meet Gina at hers as I haven't said hi to Joe in a while. We're then gonna pop to St Anne's, stopping by Holly's Kitchen for a few hours."
"I'll see you at Gina's then."
"See you at Gina's."
Claire disconnected with a smile. Gabriel hasn't said anything but he already texted Pattison to find out where and what were St Anne's and Holly's kitchen.
'St Anne's is a private hospital, approximately an hour North of the city. Holly's kitchen is a soup kitchen near Poger Estate where they accommodate the homeless and vulnerable.' Pattison replied within seconds.
Gabriel decided not to ask Claire about her connections to these places but instead, he was going to find that out himself.