Before food was delivered, Claire helped Zoe in setting up a table. Gabriel went outside with Mark waiting for the driver. And Joe was with Gina who was still sick.
"Do you love him?" Zoe asked quietly, but Claire's silence was response enough. "Do you even like him?" Claire hasn't responded. Zoe let out a heavy sigh. "I never thought that you'd marry for money…" Zoe shook her head. "But that's not quite right, is it? Knowing you, you took what you needed for your mum and now you live off scraps."
"Zoe, please don't judge me…"
"It's hard not to, Claire-bear. Do you even understand what marriage entails? Do you understand how much you sacrificed?"
"It's not quite as much as you'd think," Claire said carefully.
"You sacrificed your only chance to marry for love."
"That's overrated."
"Really? And your parents would approve of that?"
"Don't bring my parents into this," Claire said sternly.
"Do you feel anything towards him?" Zoe asked as she furrowed her brows. "Do you hate him?" Zoe asked carefully.
"No, I don't think so," Claire responded unconvincingly.
"There are divorces…" Zoe said cautiously.
"Well…"
"What did you agree to?" Zoe turned paler.
"Our marriage contract has no break clause. My permanent address must be his. I have full autonomy over the Contracts and Services Department. And I own half of his assets, including the Diamond Corporate, its shares, and anything else really."
"You're a billionaire?" Zoe asked in disbelief.
"In theory, yes."
"What about the marriage…?"
"What about it?" Claire didn't understand the question.
"You know… how often do you have to…?"
"Jesus, Zoe. Only one thing seems to be in your head." Claire shook her head in disbelief. "I cannot have any other romantic or sexual relationship outside of the marriage."
"That's kind of fair. No cheating." Zoe nodded. "But I was asking about Gabriel."
"I have no obligations towards him in that regard."
"Did you sign up for a life of celibacy then?"
"Maybe." Claire shrugged. "However… Gabriel offered to terminate the contract recently."
"Why?"
"Because I didn't seem happy…"
"And?"
"I've hesitated."
"Is it the money?"
"No," Claire admitted. "It's because of Gabriel."
"I did ask you if you liked him…"
"I don't know. That's why I'm confused."
"I see." Zoe nodded. "I might start to like him though. You know, when he came out after me earlier he said that he loved you."
"Yeah, he said that to me too."
"Now, how is he down there?" Zoe gesticulated.
"Zoe!"
"Don't tell me you didn't even try it yet?"
"Of course not!" Claire blushed.
"I know that you've said there was no obligation but aren't you curious?"
"Not that curious."
"I would be. It's bl**dy Gabriel Moore! The most eligible man in the town."
"Stop it." Claire snickered feeling embarrassed.
"Is he a good person?"
"I think so." Claire nodded. "He is doing a lot of good in the shadows. I guess he didn't want me to feel like I owe him."
"Like what?"
"Harry being prosecuted is his doing."
"Really?"
"Yeah." Claire smiled shyly. "There's more that he has done. He has been a bit like an angry Guardian Angel."
"How is his temper?"
"Getting better. He is on the last chance, so if he f*cks up, that's it. I think he knows that."
"That's good. Don't let him wear you down with sweet words and gestures if he mistreats you."
"I won't." Claire agreed.
"Seriously, you didn't sleep with him?"
"Of course not, Zoe."
"And did you live with him?"
"For the first two months. Not since I came back. Not yet, at least."
"You lived with the sexiest man alive for two months and nothing?" Zoe looked at Claire in disbelief. "Is he at least a good kisser?"
"I wouldn't know." Claire shook her head.
"You haven't kissed your husband?!"
"Zoe, stop it." Claire turned beetroot red.
"Okay. I'll stop for now. But I want some spicy details soon enough."
"I'll go check on Gina." Claire decided to leave Zoe who still had a mischievous smile on her face.
"Gina, how are you doing?" Claire asked sending Joe away.
"I'm never drinking again." Gina decided. Claire kneeled beside her and gently moved Gina's hair from her face. She was green-coloured and pale.
"That's fine," Claire said softly as Gina threw up. "You haven't said much yet about Gabriel and me."
"I don't have much to say. I suspected it for a while if you remember. I didn't think you'd go as far as marriage but I also know that you're crazy. Frankly, I'm not surprised."
"You know me like the back of your hand." Claire smiled.
"You're like a sister to me."
"You too."
"Is Zoe still ranting?"
"No, not anymore. She has been asking about my very personal life a lot though so I needed to escape."
"Well, I can't say that I'm not curious about the mysterious Mr Moore."
"I do hope that he can be welcomed to our gang…"
"You both welcomed Joe with wide arms. I'll do the same for Gabriel and Mark."
"Thank you. Do you need anything?"
"I think I'm done. I just need a minute before I can get up."
"That's fine. I'll wait with you." Claire sat down on the floor, leaning against the wall.
"Do your parents know?"
"They both suspect something but not yet. I want my mum to be well enough before I say anything."
"What about his family?"
"I highly doubt it."
"I see."
"Mark found out first during our rather heated disagreement. You and Zoe were second. And Joe of course. I'd appreciate it if you didn't spread it. I'm not sure whether that's something I could deal with right now."
"That's going to be a scandal."
"Yeah, I know." Claire nodded.
"Whatever will happen, we're by your side." Gina sat up straighter, taking deep breaths. "We are always by your side."
"Thank you."
"Now, let's go and see what mess these men have made." Gina smiled, slowly getting up. Claire rushed to help her. As they walked into the dining room, Gabriel and Mark were taking boxes out of the bag, chatting about something vividly.
"Please tell me that you aren't talking about work," Claire said with a smile.
"No, not at all." Gabriel smiled back. "We were musing at how delicious greasy food smells after a night with few drinks."
Claire looked at him in the morning light. He still wore his white shirt with two buttons undone and his suit trousers. He had stubble on his face, and he looked quite tired but his smile was genuine. His eyes were lit up.
Everyone sat down at the table, quickly digging into the fry-up. Gleeful chatter filled the room.
"Have some more bacon." Zoe was piling food on Claire's plate. "When I see the names of lovers engraved on a tree, I don't find it cute or romantic. I find it weird how many people take knives with them on outings." She said to the group.
"That's one way to look at it." Gina shrugged, downing a cup of espresso.
"Claire?" Zoe looked at Claire, expecting her point of view.
"Statistically your spouse is the one most likely to kill you." Claire started carefully. "It only makes sense to start carrying a knife for your outings."
"Are you carrying a knife with you?" Zoe's eyes widened.
"Not a knife… I did get a safety keychain set and a pepper spray some time ago."
"Because of Gabriel?" Zoe looked worried.
"No, because of mugging. But it should serve as a warning for Gabriel."
"Do you know what happened with that investigation?" Zoe kept asking.
"They have been given a life sentence," Gabriel answered for Claire.
"Really?"
"Yes. I've made sure of that." Gabriel said coldly passing Claire some more food.
"Is that what you meant earlier?" Zoe asked Claire pointing at Gabriel.
"Yeah." Claire nodded.
"About tonight…" Zoe changed the topic.
"No more alcohol." Gina groaned.
"You did mention you wanted a sleepover, didn't you?" Claire said carefully.
"I mean, we kind of had one last night." Zoe shrugged. "Maybe just a nice dinner and movies? I don't think Gina will manage any more booze."
"If you fancy, you can use the villa tonight," Gabriel said with a smile towards Claire. "You can have it all to yourselves if you want."
"No, that won't be necessary," Claire said carefully.
"What do you mean no?" Zoe interrupted. "I want to stay in some posh villa."
"Zoe!" Claire gave her friend a death stare.
"And I've said that Gabriel is an honorary member of the gang. He doesn't have to leave his home for us to enjoy ourselves. Not to mention that you must make us some food."
"Ignore her, Gabriel. She's a materialistic witch and she just wants to be nosy around the villa." Claire said softly to Gabriel.
"I don't mind it. Besides, Claire, there's nothing wrong with your friends visiting you in your home."
"You aren't meant to take her side." Claire laughed. "You scheming b*stard."
"Claire, he's your husband. You shouldn't call him names." Zoe reprimanded her sweetly.
"Zoe, you're an adult, you shouldn't be living with your parents." Claire bit back. They laughed at each other which seemed to confuse Gabriel.
Claire gently tapped the back of his hand which was larger than hers. "Seeing as Zoe is shamelessly inviting herself over to the villa, would you be okay with it?"
"I can get Jonathan to make dinner." Gabriel offered.
"No, I've been volunteered. Didn't you hear?"
"I did, but I can't get you to slave in a kitchen all afternoon."
"Why don't you help me?" Claire asked, now placing her hand over Gabriel's.
"I will, of course. I'll get some good wine out of the cellar too. And as for movies, we can use the home cinema. If you let me know what you want to watch, I'll make sure it's all set up."
"How is your husband so thoughtful?" Zoe grumbled.
"Don't know," Claire replied shortly.
"Don't worry, Zoe. I'm absolutely useless without Mark or Claire." Gabriel said with a smile. "I will be asking Mark how to operate the cinema, and I will be asking Claire to tell me what wine will pair well with the dinner. And any further requirements, I'll need explicit directions. And I mean explicit directions. I'm shockingly clueless when it comes to everything."
"I see. Shall we agree to meet in a couple of hours then? 6 pm?" Zoe asked.
"Sounds good." Everyone nodded in unison.
After the meal, they all were quick to tidy up together. Gina rushed off home with Joe, whilst Mark stayed behind with Zoe.
Claire walked out of the big house that belonged to Zoe's parents with Gabriel beside her.
After a few moments, she felt warm fingers wrapping around her small hand. She looked up at Gabriel with surprise.
"Why are you looking at me with those big beautiful eyes?" Gabriel asked.
"I'm just surprised."
"Surprised?"
"About last night and this morning…" Claire hesitated. "Thank you."
"If I have to be honest, Zoe scares me a little," Gabriel admitted.
"She scares me too." Claire smiled. "She's like a mamma-bear. She's the one that isn't afraid to say what she thinks. She's the one that fights for what she considers justice."
"Is that why she calls you Claire-bear?"
"Yes." Claire chuckled. "Back in the first year of uni, we joked that she's my mamma bear and she started calling me her bear cub. Somehow it ended up as Claire-bear."
"I quite like it." Gabriel pondered on something. "What other nicknames do you have?"
"Gina always called me 'boss', even before I became her boss. She decided when we met that one day I'll be a boss in some big firm, hence the nickname. If anyone, it'll be her that should be a psychic."
"Depends how good she's at seances."
"Not as good as Zoe." Claire laughed.
"I love your laugh…"
"Oh." Claire looked down in embarrassment.
"Actually, I liked when you called me your husband this morning. I loved the protectiveness in your voice as you told Zoe to leave me alone."
"One thing you must know is that I defend people that I care about as I strongly believe that I'm the only one who has a right to bring them down."
"You care about me?"
"Well, I do need your card so I guess…" Claire responded teasingly. Gabriel squeezed her hand in his.
"That's good enough reason for me."
Claire tried to turn her way toward the hotel. Gabriel stopped and looked at her with his brows raised.
"I was going to refresh myself," Claire explained quickly.
"Wouldn't it be easier if you went home with me?"
"I wanted to pop to the market too. I need to grab a few ingredients for dinner."
"Okay, let's go to the market." Gabriel nodded. "Then we can go back home so that you can refresh yourself and rest before cooking."
"Okay, mister." Claire gave in.
"Hmm… complacent Claire. That's something I didn't think I'd experience."
"That's only temporary so enjoy it while you can."
"I am enjoying it. I'm enjoying every single minute of being with you. I didn't want to go to sleep last night in fear of missing out on the time with you."
"And what can you do when I'm asleep?"
"I can watch your peaceful stunning face without any distraction. I can admire those long eyelashes, cute cheeks, and those lips that I feel so drawn to."
"I rather sleep myself than creepily watch people sleeping."
"Am I creepy to you?"
"Yes." Claire nodded.
"I see. I'll have to think of a way to rectify it."
Claire let go of his hand as they entered the outdoor market. She hurried between stalls, chatting to the vendors as if she knew them well. Gabriel quickly realised that she did. She asked about each vendor's family and their health. She knew them each by name.
Gabriel picked the bags off Claire and obediently followed her around, watching her with admiration as she picked fresh produce.
Once they both carried several bags each, they walked back to the city centre where Gabriel's car was parked. Claire didn't protest him and after they put the shopping at the back of the car, she sat in the passenger's seat.
"I hope that you don't mind." She said as she took her shoes off and let out a sigh of relief.
"Of course not. I never really approved of clothing choices that make you uncomfortable."
"And yet you wear that collar every day."
"I do have to keep up that over-glorified image of a businessman." Gabriel smiled.
"Hmmm… do you though?"
"I can see your mind wandering. Would you prefer me to wear something different?" As Gabriel asked, Claire, blushed at the question.
"I don't think so. I just can't imagine it being comfortable."
As they left the city, Gabriel gently placed his hand over Claire's. She fell asleep, leaning on the window. Her hair was a mess by now, and her clothes somehow found a way to twist themselves.