Claire got back to the hotel and she immediately started reading a book that Gabriel picked for her. She tossed in bed as she read chapter after chapter, gasping at the plot twists.
She barely was able to put the book away to get the last few hours of sleep, and even then she couldn't fall asleep. Between the book and her reoccurring thoughts about Gabriel, she couldn't shut her brain down. Every time her mind started to calm down, she thought about the evening, how close she was to him when they were drawn, and how embarrassed she was that she kissed his cheek.
She barely slept when her alarm went off, but surprisingly she felt full of energy.
She hurried that morning towards the office, excited to get on with a new week of work.
"Good morning, Claire." Gabriel was walking through the square, walking up to her with a smile.
"Good morning." Claire avoided his gaze, embarrassed about the previous evening.
"How's your day looking?"
"Busy as always."
"Remember about the board meeting."
"How could I forget?" Claire asked, her hands tightly clenching on her handbag.
"It's going to be your debut."
"Indeed." Claire nodded as they walked into the company lobby. Her image was staring back at her. "I hate that banner."
"Why?"
"It feels snobbish."
"It's probably the only way I can show you off."
"You shouldn't be showing me off."
"Shouldn't I?" Gabriel raised his brow.
"People will think that I've only got this promotion because I kissed your ass," Claire grumbled.
"No, dear. Most of my department saw me having a literal meltdown after speaking with you. If anything, they think that you've got this promotion because you bullied me."
"Just you wait," Claire mumbled. "I'll show you what bullying is."
"Is that a threat?"
"More of a promise."
"Hmmm… I'm guessing that period of us working together peacefully is going to end soon."
"It's too bland," Claire replied with a chuckle as they entered the elevator.
"And you want to spice things up?" Gabriel asked as he leaned toward her. Claire looked at him confused by his suggestive tone.
"I think you might have a wrong idea," Claire said as she looked away quickly, blushing.
"That's a shame. I really liked my idea." Gabriel chuckled, straightening up.
"I'll be bringing up three new policies today. You should have had the drafts with you." Claire changed the topic.
"Ah yeah, you're trying to revolutionise our company." Gabriel smiled. "I should warn you that none of the new policies will go down easily with our beloved board of directors."
"I suspected as much." Claire nodded. "Now, what does our beloved CEO think of them?"
"You'll find out soon enough," Gabriel replied carefully.
"Which one are you going to vote against?" Claire asked with a sigh.
"I haven't said anything."
"I can sense it," Claire admitted.
"I've considered abstaining from the vote on the policy on the expansion programme."
"Why abstain?"
"I am not going to stand in the way of my wife."
"No, Gabriel. In here I am not your wife. I am an employee. If you disagree, you say so."
"This sounds like a recipe for disaster."
"Us being together is a recipe for disaster." Claire pointed out as the elevator door opened on the thirty-sixth floor.
"Would you like to go for lunch later?"
"I have business lunch today," Claire said as she turned around to face him, walking backwards.
"That's a shame. I was hoping to spend some time with you."
"Don't worry. I'm free in two months, on Thursday the 23rd, at noon." Claire joked.
"It won't do." Gabriel held the elevator door open. "After last night, you do realise that every minute away from you is torture?"
"Your emotional anguish is my speciality." Claire smiled.
"When can I see you?" Gabriel asked more seriously.
"In the board meeting this afternoon."
"Not like that." Gabriel rolled his eyes.
"Wednesday night." Claire decided. "This time, it's my turn to decide on a date."
"Oh, okay." Gabriel nodded. "You didn't like it so much that you need to take control now?"
"That's not it, Gabriel." Claire shook her head. "It's only fair if I get a chance, too. I should warn you that I'm a complete rookie so it might disappoint you."
"You a rookie?" Gabriel looked at her in disbelief. "I can't believe that Claire dear, not with how well you play with my heart."
"I'm going to take it as a compliment." Claire smiled. "Now, go."
"Cruel woman," Gabriel mumbled and Claire chuckled at his remark. She made her way to the office, starting work immediately, but her mind kept going back to Gabriel. All her thoughts somehow ended up with him, with his charming smile and dimples, at how well he understood her jokes and teasing, and at how gentle he seemed with her.
Work that morning was a challenge she didn't expect.
"Boss, how was your date?" Gina asked as soon as she came into the office.
"Good." Claire nodded, holding her head in her hands.
"What's wrong?"
"I can't focus, Gina. My head's all over the place." Claire grumbled, laying her head down on the desk and sighing.
"Now that I'm sober, I do have a slight grumble."
"Go on."
"I can't believe that you hid your marriage from us and even made me a witness." Gina flopped in the chair opposite Claire.
"I was embarrassed and I knew you'd want to change my mind," Claire admitted.
"Embarrassed?" Gina raised her brows. "You're married to the infamous Mr Moore!"
"You know exactly why I'm embarrassed," Claire grumbled.
"Because you don't love him?" Gina asked. "Claire, many marriages aren't about that crazy love that we see in romantic movies. I'd say that it's better if you just like each other. Less fuss, really."
"Does Joe know about your opinion on this?" Claire asked, still hiding her head in her hands.
"Probably. See, the difference is, if you love someone blindly, sometimes you let them mistreat you as you can't stand being without them. You keep on forgiving and forgetting. And I'm not saying Joe and I are like that. We're one of the lucky few to get along, but also remember that we were friends before falling for each other. What I'm saying is that you have a more reasonable approach to that relationship. You can work all the quirks out and you're more likely to hold him accountable for his sh*t."
"That's one way to look at it." Claire sighed. "He doesn't have any more chances left now. If he scr*ws up again, that's it."
"That's good." Gina nodded. "He seemed like a completely different man over the weekend."
"I know. It worries me." Claire admitted.
"Why?"
"I wonder if he isn't putting a facade to be someone I want him to be."
"Or he's showing you his true self?"
"That's always an option. But I can't stop thinking that he is just a psychopath or narcissist and that he's using his sweet words and promises to lure me in."
"God, Claire, when did you become such a sour old lady," Gina mumbled. Claire looked up at her with sadness in her eyes. "I'm sorry," Gina said quickly realising that she touched on a sensitive subject. "Being careful is okay, Claire. I'm sure that he'll understand, especially if he knows of those…" Gina started swearing before she took a deep breath. "So, how did yesterday go?"
"It was very nice." Claire smiled. "We went down the riverside. We had one of those sketches done by the street artist, then we had dinner together. Sunset over the river was stunning." Claire sighed dreamily. "Then, we went to the book shop. Gabriel picked one of his favourite books for me to read, and I've picked one for him."
"That sounds so sweet."
"I didn't quite expect it." Claire smiled. "It was so simple and yet it felt like the most memorable date ever. I expected something else. Something like the finest restaurant with several Michelin stars."
"He picked exactly the kind of date you'd like. You wouldn't care for the finest restaurant." Gina concluded.
"Yeah." Claire chuckled.
"Did he try to make a move?"
"Oh, Gina." Claire laughed. "Not really." Claire thought back to the previous evening. "He held my hand, and he held me for the drawing, but he hasn't really initiated or pushed anything onto me."
"That's good." Gina nodded, fully aware of Claire's hesitancy towards any form of intimate contact, especially if she felt cornered or pressured.
"If anything…" Claire hesitated.
"Yes?"
"I gave him a kiss on the cheek at the end of the night." Claire blushed in embarrassment.
"That's so sweet." Gina clapped her hands.
"Zoe will probably laugh at me."
"Maybe. I can already hear her lecture on how you're 25 and not 15 and you should get in his pants." Gina laughed. "But it's okay, Claire. Work it out at your own pace. It's your first time…" Gina moved closer, grabbing Claire's hand. "I know it's difficult and that you're extra careful, and it's okay. If he truly values you, he'll wait for you to be ready."
"Thanks, Gina." Claire smiled.
"Not sure how much you care about my opinion, but I felt that he was genuine towards you over the weekend," Gina said carefully. "Not everyone can go through Zoe's seance."
"I know." Claire laughed. "I love that crazy b*tch."
"What's the plan for today?"
"Lots of work. I have to finish a few drafts this morning, then I have a lunch meeting with Pierre as his project needs checking over before the start of next month. Then there's a board meeting. And then I have dinner with potential customers."
"It's your first board meeting! How are you feeling about it?"
"I'm nervous," Claire admitted. "I'm going to be scrutinised and anything can be used against me."
"Surely Gabriel won't allow it."
"Oh no, he will," Claire said with confidence. "One thing I'm sure of is that our relationship will not affect our work."
"Is that good?"
"Yes, of course." Claire nodded. "It means that I can develop my skills without being coddled. And I can feel that I've accomplished it on my own. After all, my skills made me one of the most desirable specialists in the industry. Our contract was the result of that."
"Surely Gabriel didn't marry you for your skills." Gina laughed.
"No, but he negotiated terms with me based on my skills. It was Watters who mentioned marriage and I think that's when Gabriel got this atrocious idea."
"See, I can't tell which one of you is crazier. The one who made the contract or the one who signed it."
"I don't know." Claire smiled. "Now, off you go. You have an important meeting this morning."
"How do you know?"
"Because I'm keeping track of this department. I know almost everything that's happening."
"And no wonder that you don't have any brain capacity to focus on any form of relationship." Gina sighed, leaving Claire alone in the office.
"Hi, Pierre." Claire smiled at the familiar man who she was meeting at the Horton Club which was the company's go-to.
"Claire, how great it is to see you." Pierre stood up and gave her air kisses on each cheek. Claire felt uncomfortable but she knew that this was his form of greeting. "How have you been?"
"Good, thank you. Yourself?"
"Fine. I was really worried when I found out about your career break. For a moment I was worried that you've gotten into trouble with your boyfriend over me." Pierre joked, without realising that he hit a sore spot for Claire.
"That wasn't the reason." Claire smiled. "My mum had surgery and I needed some time away from work."
"I see." Pierre nodded. "Derek has been great at helping with the project during your absence, but I felt like nothing quite compares to you."
"Thanks." Claire smiled as she took out the folder. "Derek did pretty well. The concept created by him meets all the legal requirements. I do have a few suggestions for minor changes though which I think might be closer to your needs and wants." Claire started pointing at newly rendered pictures. "I thought that the entrance could be a little lighter and airy, with plenty of seating for the visitors and employees. I also shifted the reception desk to be closer to the entrance so that you can have a welcoming face as soon as you enter."
"I like that." Pierre nodded.
They ordered their lunch as Claire went through her suggestions one by one. Pierre was increasingly more excited with each one, agreeing without hesitation. Claire indeed knew what she was doing and she understood his vision better than anyone else.
During the meal, they briefly chatted about their uni years again.
"Claire, no wonder you came so far in Diamond Corporate." Pierre laughed at last. "If you ever feel like changing a job, my company is all yours."
"What do you mean?"
"I think that you'll run it better than I do."
"Don't be silly. I only design places."
"How are things with your boyfriend?" Pierre changed a subject suddenly.
"It's going well." Claire nodded.
"I'm glad that things are working out for you."
"Thanks, I am too." Claire nodded as she looked down at her hands.
"Are you going to introduce me to that lucky man?" Pierre asked as he raised his brow.
"I can't." Claire shook her head.
"Oh, now that's intriguing." Pierre smiled. "If things don't work out, do let me know. I can give you 50% of my company." Pierre laughed. "And a beautiful ring on that finger."
"I'll keep that in mind," Claire replied with a chuckle.
"Good afternoon." Gabriel's voice startled them both.
"Oh my goodness, Mr Moore!" Pierre stood up quickly shaking Gabriel's hand.
Claire hesitantly stood up, looking at Gabriel cautiously.
"Mr Moore, this is one of our current clients, Pierre Martin." Claire introduced Pierre to Gabriel. "Pierre, this is Mr Moore of Diamond Corporate, as you already seem to know." Claire's smile vanished as she was wary of the conversation that Gabriel might have overheard, and she was well aware of how her relationship with Pierre already put a strain on them before.
"How's the project going?" Gabriel asked Pierre instead. His voice was calm, yet he was missing the smile that was on his face for the last few days.
"Really well. I can't describe how helpful Miss Thompson has been. She perfectly understood the brief and my vision. She's honestly a miracle worker." Pierre praised Claire to Gabriel, and Gabriel just nodded.
"I'm quite aware. Miss Thompson has been my best employee for months now." Gabriel emphasized Miss Thompson as if Claire irritated him.
"I'm glad that she's being recognised for her work." Pierre nodded. "It's a bit of a shame though, as I hoped to steal her from Diamond Corporate."
"I'm afraid that I can't let her go that easily." Gabriel smiled, but his smile didn't reach his eyes.
"Of course, I understand. Maybe I was a little hopeful that the fact that we went to the university together and we know each other for years might sway her over, but it seems that she's a very loyal employee of yours." Pierre smiled at Claire
"I do hope so," Gabriel said more quietly. "I'm returning to the office after my meeting, Miss Thompson." Gabriel directed his words to Claire. "If you're done, would you like to make the way together? My driver is just outside."
"I still have to settle the bill, Mr Moore," Claire said embarrassed.
"I'll wait then." Gabriel smiled again.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr Moore." Pierre shook Gabriel's hand again. "And Claire, as always it's great to see you. I'll see you next week with the last changes?"
"Yes, Pierre." Claire nodded as she picked up her coat and handbag. "I'll see you next week."
Pierre leaned in and gave her a set of air kisses as a goodbye before Claire left him and hurried to pay for her meal. She took a deep breath in as she walked outside, expecting Gabriel's anger or coldness.
"Shall we walk back?" Gabriel asked as she walked out. "It's rather lovely weather and we still have almost half an hour until the board meeting." Gabriel checked his watch. Claire looked at him warily. His face seemed stone cold and she felt that something wasn't right. She nodded at his suggestion and started walking beside him.
"Please say something," Claire said quietly.
"What do you mean?" Gabriel looked at her sideways, genuinely confused by her words.
"I can feel that something is bothering you. I have some idea of what it might be, but I wish you told me so that I don't have to overthink it." Claire blurted.
"I'm not bothered." Gabriel shrugged.
"I can tell that you are," Claire said coldly, looking more and more worried and scared.
Gabriel looked at her again and before he said anything he gently wrapped his fingers around hers, squeezing her hand tightly.
"I am not bothered by anything, Claire." Gabriel smiled at her. "Well, I did overhear part of your conversation with Mr Martin."
"Gabriel…" Claire started worriedly.
"I've realised that you do not have a ring," Gabriel said before she could finish her sentence. He rubbed her bare ring finger. "I was rather contemplating how to ask you if you'd like to go ring shopping with me."
"What?" Claire furrowed her brows, confused as to what was happening. She expected the scolding.
"I know I'm doing things backwards." Gabriel smiled, his smile slowly spread to his eyes as he lifted Claire's hand and kissed her ring finger. "So, would you like to go ring shopping with me? You need at least two rings."
"Two rings?"
"An engagement ring even if I failed that part completely, and a wedding band." Claire was stunned into silence, still trying to stop herself from feeling anxious about Pierre. Her hands started shaking, as she struggled to calm down. "Claire, what's wrong?"
"I thought that you were angry with me," Claire replied quietly, a stray tear escaping her eye. "I thought that you'll yell at me. Or… I don't know."
"I am not angry with you." Gabriel shook his head.
"Last time, after I met with Pierre, you were."
"Yeah." Gabriel nodded. "That was stupid." He sneered at himself. "First of all, I trust you. Second of all, I've heard you say that things are going well between us. It was rather reassuring to hear it from you. And thirdly, having the most wonderful woman as my wife brings on a challenge of many men trying to steal her. I think I may need to get used to it." Gabriel brought Claire's hand up again, kissing the back of it gently. "It's rather conflicting, you know. I love it when people praise you but also I want to keep you all to myself." Once he planted another kiss on her hand, he moved his other hand and wiped tears off Claire's face. "You still haven't told me what your thoughts are on the rings."
"I don't know," Claire admitted with a nervous laugh. "Not yet."
"Okay." Gabriel nodded. "Let me know when you're ready."
"I will." Claire nodded, looking down at Gabriel holding her hand. Musing at his display of affection, however small it might seem to others. "Did you have lunch at the Horton Club?"
"Yes. After you said you were busy, I thought that I might as well sort one of the meetings out today. Coincidentally, I've spotted you on the way in." Gabriel smiled. "I loved seeing you talking about your work. You were so enthusiastic. And you know that I've stopped by on the way out. I was slightly curious about Mr Martin but also I wanted to suggest that we make our way back together, especially as we're so busy and I wanted to get as much time with you as I could. I don't think I can last till Wednesday."
"Shouldn't you be a little more discreet?" Claire asked as she pointed at their hands that were still wrapped together.
"If you want me to," Gabriel said carefully. "Personally, I want to show you off to the world. But I understand if that's something that you're uncomfortable with."
"It's okay around here but closer to the office I'd rather not," Claire said quietly.
"Of course." Gabriel nodded. "I've started reading the book from you."
"Oh, how is it?"
"I'm halfway through it. Did you intentionally give me a tear-jerker?"
"Not really." Claire smiled, relaxing again. "It was one of my favourite books. I didn't think about how sad it is."
"Do you purposely pick things that just make you more miserable?"
"Isn't that the obvious pattern?" Claire asked.
"Oh, I was certain that you were going to point at me just then."
"I was thinking about it." Claire chuckled. "I was reading the book from you too."
"How are you finding it?"
"It's the slowest plot I've ever read." Claire sighed.
"Does it mean that you don't like it?"
"No, it's not that. I'm just trying to fire through it as I'm impatient. I just want to get to the next bit. Like, it's slow, but so well written that I just want to get on with it."
"That's why I like it. It takes time for things to happen but it draws you in." Gabriel admitted. "I like its slower pace." Gabriel slowed down, unwilling to let go of Claire just yet, as they were barely a few minutes away from the company's building. Gabriel stopped and looked at Claire with a warm smile. Claire turned around to face him. "Is it okay if I give you a kiss?" Gabriel asked carefully. Claire hesitated. "A peck?" Gabriel corrected himself recognising Claire's discomfort. He guessed, rightly, that Claire struggled with any form of intimacy. Claire nodded shyly. Gabriel moved closer, moving her hair behind her ear before he gently planted a soft kiss on her cheek. "Please be honest with me, Claire." He whispered. "Say no if you don't want something. I'll always respect it."
"Thank you," Claire said as she looked down at the ground, turning beetroot red.
Gabriel let go of her hand and they walked towards the building with a slightly greater distance between them.
"Good luck in the board meeting," Gabriel said as they reached the thirty-sixth floor.
"Thank you." Claire left the elevator with a shy smile glancing back at Gabriel.
Claire hurriedly left her handbag in the office and grabbed her laptop, notebook and pen, silently praying for the first board meeting to go well.
She entered the large meeting room full of middle-aged and old men, quietly finding the spot with her name written on a little card. She tried to ignore all of the burning gazes.
As the meeting started, she was asked to introduce herself, which she did, hiding her anxiety well, by clenching her notebook tightly.
As the meeting progressed, Claire knew how much of a battle she was going to endure to change anything within the company.
As expected, she found significant resistance against the policies she suggested. At least two of them.
The first policy was voted for by Gabriel but yet there was enough resistance that it wasn't passed, instead, it was agreed to be rewritten. The second policy was passed with the majority voting for it. And the last policy was completely obliterated, Gabriel voting against it too. Claire felt her stomach twist at the result she saw, but it was also much riskier and she knew that it was out of the comfort zone for many. But even then, she still gathered the support of three members of the board who argued her case viciously.
Even though she expected Gabriel to vote against her, she felt a little hurt by it. She didn't want to but she still felt like it was personal.
The entire meeting took four hours or so, where they discussed shares, stocks, changes in market trends, potential investors, and so much more.
Claire was active throughout, making the best suggestions on many occasions.
After the meeting, as Claire was finishing her notes, she was approached by several separate directors who either wanted to welcome her on board or wanted to continue the discussion from one of the points of the meeting. Gabriel watched how she interacted with each person carefully, but as he was in a rush himself, he had to leave before she did.
As Claire finished up and got into her office, she found a text message from Gabriel on her phone: 'Good job'. It was a simple message but it made Claire feel all warm on the inside. At the end of the work, she hurried to the restaurant to meet yet another client, along with Derek and one other colleague.
She made her way back to the hotel late at night feeling exhausted, but once again she smiled at her phone as she received yet another simple message: 'Good night, Claire'.
The fact that Gabriel thought of her enough to send these two messages seemed to make her feel so much more excited. She responded with a good night message herself before trying to get some sleep.