Gabriel started sobbing as he realised that he pushed Claire away whilst she was the real target and that she might be in danger. He was panicking, still unable to move as the pain radiated through his body.
The pain has gotten worse and Gabriel was sobbing more and more. At last, he stared at the high ceiling blankly unable to produce any more tears.
Claire walked out of the villa and ended up walking down the road, speed walking even, trying her hardest to calm down. It didn't take her that long, maybe half an hour or so. Then it dawned on her that Gabriel was left alone, with most staff dismissed for the night. Alone with possibly a psychotic breakdown and a gun. Claire rushed back in fear that Gabriel might've hurt himself.
It was maybe an hour by the time she walked back inside.
Claire straight away caught the glimpse of Gabriel. She ran towards him without a second thought. He was barely conscious, grimacing in pain, with dried tears on his face.
"I'll be right back," Claire announced, running up the stairs and grabbing Gabriel's pain relief medication. She run back down and swiftly injected him with morphine. Gabriel weakly put his hand on her arm, looking at her with regret. "I've given you a dose of morphine. It should help very soon, cuore mio." Claire said softly, wiping his tears away. She was quick to notice a small red stain on his chest. She lifted his sweater to find the dribble of blood. "I'll get a bodyguard to help me get you to bed and I'll call the doctor." She informed him, doing exactly as she said. The bodyguard helped her get Gabriel to his bed without much
"Claire… I…" the words struggled to leave his lips. He wasn't even sure how to apologise at this stage. He let out a pained sigh.
"I don't want you hurt, Gabriel. I hate every minute of you in pain. If I could, I would take it all away and onto myself. I hate that you saved me because I wish you didn't." Claire said as she caressed Gabriel's cheek.
The morphine made him drowsy, making him fall asleep within minutes. Claire looked at his face, which was still tense.
"Mrs Moore, his stitches almost completely ripped open. He needs to rest." The doctor said sternly.
"He is too stubborn for that," Claire answered honestly.
"I'm guessing that you administered the morphine."
"Yes. 5mg, as previously instructed." Claire sighed. "He isn't keeping up with his pain relief. He is also showing signs of withdrawal syndrome."
"In most cases, it won't last longer than a week or two."
"I see." Claire stared at Gabriel, hating what was happening but promising herself that she will persist. "He did agree to see the specialist. Can you please make arrangements for it?"
"Of course, Mrs Moore." The doctor smiled faintly. "I spoke to him earlier this week and he will have an opening already next week. I'll send you the details as soon as."
"Thank you."
Claire placed herself in the armchair on the side of the bed, letting her tears silently run down her cheeks.
When Gabriel woke up, he was alone in the room. He tried to sit up and rush out to find Claire. He needed to tell her how sorry he was. He needed to tell her how stupid he was. He needed her. As he stood up, the pain radiates through his body immediately like stabbing spears. Nausea hit and he barely made it to the bathroom, vomiting violently.
"Good morning," Mark said as he entered the room. "God, are you okay? Shall I call the doctor?"
"Claire…" Gabriel managed to utter between bouts of vomit.
"She's downstairs, on the call with Gordon. Do you want me to call her up?"
"No." Gabriel shook his head.
"Actually, she sent for me."
"Why?"
"She's managed to arrange an appointment with a specialist for you. I came to pack you up as well as check with you about how long you intend to stay in the States. She's been in touch with your sister. Eva will pick you up from the airport and she offered you a bedroom at her house, but it's up to you. I wanted to ask how many staff you want with you as well."
"I am not going anywhere," Gabriel said stubbornly.
"That's not what Claire said," Mark said with a smile, passing Gabriel a glass of water from his bedside table.
"I can't leave her now."
"She's in safe hands."
"He was here. The day before yesterday. He was here. I can't risk it if he comes back."
"Claire has plenty of bodyguards and plenty of friends. We will protect her."
"I really screwed up, Mark." Gabriel sobbed as he sat on the bathroom floor with a huff and a grunt.
"That's nothing new."
"Did Claire seem okay?"
"She's a proper boss, you know. She's like a master puppeteer, and Gordon is her puppet. It's funny actually." Mark chuckled. "The policies that she previously suggested to the board and which were rejected, are now way underway with Gordon. I think our board of directors has a heavy bias against workers like Claire. I'm not sure whether it's her age or gender though."
"That's shit," Gabriel mumbled.
"What's shit is you being on the bathroom floor. Let's get you back on that bed." Mark said as he pulled Gabriel up. Gabriel winced as his wound felt like it was ripping. "If you still feel nauseous, I can get you a bucket." Mark offered.
Claire walked into the room with a tray in her hands.
"Morning." She said with a fake smile resting on her face.
"Claire…" Gabriel looked at her instantly. He couldn't quite work out how she was, but he could still see a glimpse of sadness in her eyes. He tried to sit up but he struggled.
"Hang on, let out some pillows behind your back," Claire said as she did just that. Gabriel looked at her puzzled. She was acting as if what happened the night before didn't happen. "I've been on the call with Gordon. The company is doing quite well. The stocks started stabilising. We're no longer going down. Now, the big task of bringing it all backup. Gordon's doing great and he has amazing backing from the board of directors." Claire said as if she tried to reassure him that things are under control. "Now, I've made you some porridge, and there's some lightly buttered toast. Morphine seems to be affecting your stomach quite a bit so I thought something beige might do you good." She passed him the tray with a bowl of porridge on it.
"You seem to be in good hands here." Mark smiled. "I guess you're okay with whatever for the trip as you haven't said anything besides the fact that you aren't going."
Claire's eyes shot up at Mark.
"No, he's going." She said sternly. "That's not up for discussion. Besides, that was the deal."
"The deal was that you tell me about the lawsuit first."
"The papers on the sideboard are exactly what you need to know," Claire announced pointing at documents that she tidied and put on the side this morning. "So, you're going. Eva is expecting you tomorrow night."
"Claire!" Gabriel raised his voice.
"Gabriel." Claire's voice was not any louder than her usual voice but there was such a force in it that Gabriel froze.
"And I think that's my cue," Mark said as he disappeared out of the room.
Claire looked at the quickly emptied doorway in surprise before she looked back at Gabriel.
"Claire…" Gabriel's voice was calmer. He took a deep breath in. "About yesterday…"
"Stop," Claire said rather coldly. "Go to the States tomorrow night. I beg you." She pleaded.
"Claire, it's not about that."
"What is it about?"
"About what I've said and did. I wanted to clarify that I don't regret saving your life, and if I had a chance I wouldn't change my decision." Gabriel said as he put his hand on Claire's arm.
"I know that it's tough for you. I know that you're frustrated, in pain, and that you're struggling." Claire said as she looked down at his hand that was resting on her forearm. She wore a light-coloured sweater but she still could feel his cold fingers. "I don't know how to help you right now but I need you to get better. I need you to do everything you can to get better. I need you to go and see that doctor. And I'll do anything to help you through it."
"What I did last night was beyond stupid. It was reckless and dangerous and hurtful. I'm so sorry." Gabriel said quietly, looking down in shame.
"Don't apologise," Claire said sternly.
"I'm on edge because I'm trying to come off the painkillers."
"Why? You are still recovering..."
"Because I'm spiralling out of control without the antidepressants, Claire, and I can't take them whilst taking morphine. But if I don't take morphine, I am unbearable anyways. I don't know what the right answer is. My head has been in a mess as I don't know how to deal with it."
"Take the painkillers, Gabriel. Don't suffer through the pain." Claire said quietly. "We will keep you safe until you're well enough. And then, you can get back on with your meds. But…" Claire sighed. "The spiralling thing is also a withdrawal symptom. You might get better within a few days and you may not even need them later."
"I don't trust myself right now. I'm sorry, Claire."
"Do you have any more weapons hidden around?"
"I have one gun in the sideboard downstairs, and one in my study," Gabriel admitted. Claire froze momentarily, trying to understand the reason as to why. Gabriel noticed the quizzical look on her face. "I did mention that my father was abusive. I guess I wanted means of protecting myself. I am fully licensed and they're both registered. Just to make it clear. I didn't just get them." He explained quickly.
"I don't want to know," Claire replied shortly as she closed her eyes.
"Why not?"
"Because it scares me. It terrifies me to think that my husband keeps weapons in his house to keep himself safe." Claire's eyes welled up.
"I'll get rid of them." Gabriel decided. "But Claire… I don't know where we're standing right now and I can't stand it. I need to know." A tear escaped his eye.
"I am upset, Gabriel. It hurt when you've accused me of wanting to hurt you. But… We will make it through this mess." Claire gently wiped the tear off Gabriel's cheek.
"I didn't mean what I've said in anger. I really didn't. I don't regret saving your life. And your life is worth everything to me."
"You don't have to explain. I know that it must be truly terrifying to not know how your recovery is going to go. I can't even imagine what you're going through."
"It's alright. It's just a worthless limb." Gabriel laughed nervously as he looked down at the paralysed arm
"It's not worthless." Claire was careful as she caressed the back of his arm. "It's still a part of you." Claire leaned over and planted a kiss on Gabriel's forehead. "Eat your breakfast before it gets cold." She reminded him.