"Hey, Mark." She welcomed him.
"Claire!" He smiled warmly. Claire hesitated before entering Gabriel's office. The last time she was there they argued over the Jones' and Chi Group's projects. "He's expecting you," Mark said behind her as an encouragement.
"Thanks." Claire took a deep breath and walked into the familiar office. Gabriel was leaning over his desk, mumbling something under his nose in irritation. His hair was particularly ruffled this afternoon. Claire froze for a moment as she noticed his long eyelashes, sharp jawline, and strong large hands. Seeing him right now made her see him from a completely different perspective. Claire closed the door behind her and only then did Gabriel realise that she came in. He looked up and he smiled when realised it was her. The dimples! Claire was telling herself off for finding them wildly attractive.
"I thought that you forgot all about me," Gabriel said jokingly.
"I've brought you the data I've mentioned before. I've tried to match the format of the graphs to what you used in your annual report." Claire explained as she walked up to his desk.
"Thank you." He accepted it, his smile not leaving his face.
"Thanks for the lunch…" Claire hesitated. "As much as I appreciate it, I'd really prefer it if I didn't get any special treatment at work."
"As you wish." Gabriel seemed a little disappointed.
"Also, chief design officer? Why?"
"You wanted a place on the board so that you can contribute towards the decisions of the company. It's in our contract under clause 6."
"I don't think I fully expected to be given the C-level position."
"I try to keep to my word. I'll introduce you to the board during the next meeting and I'll get the marketing team to add your profile to all of our marketing material."
"Thank you."
"No worries. What time are you thinking of heading home?"
"I'm not sure."
"It's already 5 pm." Gabriel looked at his watch.
"I know, but there's so much left to do." Claire sighed.
"You shouldn't overwork yourself."
"I am not." Claire shook her head. "At least, not more than usual."
"I see." Gabriel nodded.
"You were grumbling at something. Is there anything I can help with?"
"It's nothing. I hope to see you later."
"Maybe." Claire smiled and left. As she left she noticed all of the employees on the forty-second floor look in her direction as if they were expecting some drama.
"All good?" Mark asked.
"I think so." Claire nodded. "Maybe too good? I half expect some sh*t to go down soon."
"Kind of like a silence before the storm?"
"Exactly." Claire nodded. "I'll see you about."
"Claire, I wanted to ask you for something and I hope that it isn't going to be too forward."
"I'm all ears."
"I did wonder if I can hang out with you and your friends again at some point. I don't want to interfere or pressure you but I enjoyed your company…"
"Mark, I think that you have already become an honorary member of the gang. We do have some plans in work but it might not be up your street."
"Yeah?"
"We volunteer in the soup kitchen and we will be going over the weekend, probably followed by a shopping spree and dinner."
"Yeah, I'm up for it." Pattison nodded.
"Great. I'll send you the details later in the week. I'm sure I'm going to see you around before then anyway." She smiled before leaving the forty-second floor and returning to the thirty-sixth floor.
"You're smiling. What's wrong?" Gina caught on straight away.
"Two things. First of all, Mark wants to hang out with us, I hope that you're okay to extend our weekend invitation to him and if not, then it's too late anyway. Second of all, I'm being promoted!"
"Promoted?" Zoe came up to join the conversation.
"Yes."
"To what role? You're holding the highest role in this department. You're not ditching us, are you?"
"No, not at all. I will be a Chief Design Officer which will put me on the board of directors and it'll allow me to be part of some of the most crucial decisions within the company."
"She just used a C-word, didn't she?" Zoe asked Gina.
"Yes, she did!" Gina hugged Claire. "I'm so proud of you."
"Did you sleep with Mr Moore?" Zoe asked in a whisper as she hugged Claire.
"Eww, no! Thanks for your faith in me, Zoe!" Claire frowned.
"Nothing wrong with it. I was wondering if you could introduce me too. Wouldn't mind a promotion or two." Zoe said with a laugh. Gina punched her on her arm.
"I thought you fancied Mark."
"I do, but it's nothing yet, isn't it?" Zoe pouted her lips. "I could use some extra cash."
"Didn't you just get a pay rise?"
"Well, yeah, but the winter collection will be released soon."
"As if you didn't have enough clothes already." Gina rolled her eyes. "How are we gonna celebrate?"
"Dinner on Saturday?" Claire suggested. "And a shopping spree. I need a dress for Jones' banquet."
"Sure. You don't want to do anything nicer?"
"Nothing's nicer than hanging out with you guys. And on that note, I need to finish the report for the Julian estate. I think it's time to close it." Claire said as she went to hide in her office.
"And off she goes I working herself into an early grave," Gina said to Zoe with some disappointment in her voice.
"Was she always like this?" Zoe said with a frown.
"She's gotten worse." Gina nodded. "I do think it's a passing phase. She's just under a lot of pressure."
"I know. I know." Zoe grumbled as she went to finish her work and go home, like most people in the office. Gina looked at the closed door to Claire's office for a few more moments before following Zoe's suite.
Slowly the desks in the open space started emptying and the lights were turned off one by one. All but one, in Claire's office.
Gabriel suspected it'll be a case so he stopped by the thirty-sixth floor as he was leaving.
"How are you doing?" He asked as he entered the office.
"Great, thanks," Claire answered shortly. She was focused on her work, wearing her glasses again. Gabriel loved seeing her work. He was filled with pride when Claire was well. But he didn't like to see her this tired.
"Did you have dinner yet?"
"Not yet."
"Would you like to grab something?"
"Not really. I need to finish this first."
"What are you working on?"
"Closing of the contract and final handover of the Julian Estate."
"I see." Gabriel sat down in the chair opposite Claire. Claire just now looked at him.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to see how you're doing."
"Seriously?" She asked in disbelief.
"Why does it surprise you so much?"
"I don't know." Claire shrugged. Gabriel noticed goosebumps on her arms.
"Are you cold?"
"Maybe a little."
"Don't you have anything to cover yourself with?"
"No. I usually have my cardigan with me but someone decided to get rid of it." Claire said grumpily as she looked back at the computer. Gabriel stood up and took his suit jacket off. He walked around the desk and placed it over Claire's shoulders. Claire looked up at him in surprise but what surprised her more was the lack of the stench of cigarettes. She could smell Gabriel's cologne. She wasn't too discreet with sniffing.
"What's wrong?" Gabriel looked with worry. "Does it stink?"
"Surprisingly not," Claire answered honestly. "No cigarettes?"
"I've only ever smoked when stressed. Besides, I've been trying to quit. I don't want my wife to die from lung cancer because she wore my jacket."
Claire laughed.
"You cannot be serious?"
"I did say before that I will not let you out of this contract that easily." Gabriel leaned over Claire, looking at her screen. "This looks good enough. Just send it off so that we can go home."
"I haven't finished yet. You can go home now if you wish."
"I'll wait." Gabriel sat back down in the chair. He stared at Claire without any shame.
"What are you looking at?"
"My wife," Gabriel answered with a smile.
"Say that once more and you'll regret it."
"And what are you going to do?"
"I have a stapler and I'm not afraid to use it."
"So, dinner…"
"If you're hungry just go."
"I was thinking Chinese?" Gabriel continued as he leaned back in the chair and put his feet up on Claire's desk. Claire scowled at him.
"Go away," Claire said sternly.
"What about some steak?"
"Stop it, Gabriel."
"Fancier or less fancy?" He asked as he put his arms up and put them behind his head. "Pizza? I haven't had a pizza in ages."
"Go away," Claire said with a warning.
"Burger?"
"No, that's it." Claire stood up and marched around the desk. She grabbed the back of Gabriel's chair and started rolling it towards the door. "You need to go. I have work to do." She pushed him out into the open office. Gabriel was laughing. Oh, the dimples! "Stop smiling!" She exclaimed taking his jacket off and throwing it at him.
"Name what you want for dinner and I'll stop."
"All I want right now is for you to b*gger off."
"I think pizza sounds great." Gabriel continued as he started rolling on the chair back towards Claire's office. "I'll order some here if you want!" Gabriel shouted towards Claire's office as she shut the door behind her.
Gabriel took out his phone and started calling Claire's phone notoriously. After the tenth call, she opened the door.
"Can you stop harassing me?"
"Then tell me what pizza do you like?"
"Seriously?"
"I don't think I am the kind that jokes around too much."
"Get double pepperoni on thin crust then. And if you want to be let back in, you have to shut up."
"Deal. Put my jacket back on. I don't want you to freeze." He threw his suit jacket back at Claire. Claire held the door for him as he rolled back on the chair into the room.
"And no feet on my desk," Claire ordered.
"Aren't you demanding?" Gabriel sighed but he sat down by the desk and took out his laptop, trying his hardest not to bother Claire much more. After twenty minutes he disappeared only to come back up with a pizza in his hand. "Double pepperoni as requested. I ordered some pop and sides too."
"I still don't understand why are you doing this," Claire mumbled.
"Because you're my wife. According to clause 2 point 7, I have to ensure your safety."
"What?" Claire raised her brow. She reached into the desk and took the contract out. "Clause 2 point 7 doesn't exist."
"It must've been a different contract then." Gabriel shrugged, pushing a box of food towards Claire.
Claire hesitated.
"How many contracts of this nature did you have?"
"You're my first one."
"What a disappointment that must be."
"It's going better than I've expected. You haven't attempted to stab me in my sleep."
"Don't give me ideas," Claire answered as she looked up. Gabriel took his tie off, undid the two top buttons of the shirt, and rolled up his sleeves. Claire smiled wondering whether he was preparing for a battle with the pizza. Claire watched him in amusement as he tried to eat pizza gracefully.
"Go on. It's good." Gabriel encouraged her. Claire hesitated but she took a slice. She giggled at the first bite. She didn't have pizza in months and it made her feel good.
Gabriel was unsuccessful in his attempts as he ended up with a huge tomato splatted all over his white shirt and grey trousers. This made Claire laugh out loud, which in return made Gabriel laugh.
Once they finished their meal, Gabriel tidied up and Claire send the report off happy to leave that project behind now.
"May I ask for chauffeur services?" Gabriel asked cheekily.
"I knew where it was heading and I still fell for it."
"Isn't pizza and my jacket worth it though?"
"This jacket is probably worth more than my car," Claire said looking at her shoulder.
"Marketing team will be in touch with you in the morning. They'll do a photo shoot and they'll get some statement from you for your profile."
"That sounds horrifying."
"I'll come by if that'll make it easier?"
"No."
"What a shame. I was wondering how you'd be during the photo shoot."
"Do not come near me tomorrow. I do have a client dinner as well so don't think about it." Claire said sternly as she got in the car. Gabriel sat in the passenger seat with a smile. God, the smile… Claire had to really fight herself not to just stare at him. She was surprised when Gabriel fell asleep on the way. She cursed under her nose quietly. She was so angry at herself. 'You must hate him!' She repeated as if she already knew that her heart's iron guards were falling, melting, leaving her more vulnerable than ever.