Gabriel's POV
Gabriel watched Claire carefully within the court. She carried herself so elegantly but with such humility, showing her respect to everyone she interacted with, even the opposing attorney. She hid her bruises well with the long sleeve dress and dark tights. Gabriel still was suspicious of her fall while he was away.
He wanted to hold her hand through the questioning. And he wanted to punch the attorney who persistently tried to argue that Claire's case was invalid due to her mental health. He clenched his fist repeatedly but he managed to remain calm. Alex fidgeted throughout, tapping his fingers on his thigh. Silent tapping somehow sounded like drumming next to Gabriel.
"Miss Thompson has a history of mental health issues. It is undeniable that her words and witness statements are an unreliable source of information and shouldn't be used within this court as a foundation of truth. Miss Thompson's mental health issues may be causing her memory issues, psychosis, and many more symptoms which are the very basis of what makes for a reliable witness." Michael's defence attorney spoke again, reminding everyone of Claire's past.
Claire stood up to answer whilst Gabriel held his breath in.
"Indeed. My word alone is not sufficient to support the claims. However, even if we focus solely on the solid evidence that is being presented, I believe we can all draw very much the same conclusions." Claire responded with her rehearsed answer. "Do not rely on my word to come to your judgments." She spoke directly to the jury. "Analyse the facts that are being presented to you and make sure that you consider each piece of evidence carefully."
"How are we supposed to know that this evidence wasn't forged solely for you to be in the spotlight?" The opposing attorney spoke again.
"Indeed, it is a very unlikely plausibility," Claire said sharply. "However, you can gather experts to ensure that the evidence is real."
Hours were spent going back and forth.
By the end, it was hard to tell who was winning, if anyone at all. Claire's tidy bun was now in disarray, with loose strands framing her face. Adam, Claire's uncle, took his suit jacket off and rolled up his sleeves. The strain was visible on them.
"As of today, this case will be treated as a criminal case and Miss Thompson will be one of the key witnesses." The judge announced at last. Claire flopped back in a chair with tears of relief going down her face. A switch from civil to a criminal lawsuit was a huge step forward and she knew it, although she knew that the battle had begun.
"Good job." Adam whispered to Claire who pressed her hands against her face, trying to hide the tears.
"Thank you." Claire managed to utter.
Soon the end of the hearing came. People slowly dissipated. Gabriel left a few moments before Claire when the room was already nearly empty. He made his way outside, somehow managing to escape the reporters.
He stood at the far corner, hiding in the shadow watching people walk in and out of the courthouse.
He noticed Adam leave first, a few moments later it was his father, and at last and barely a few seconds after was Claire. This unsettled him.
He hated the thought of his father anywhere near Claire, especially since he knew how much he wanted to hurt her. His face darkened momentarily as that murderous rage grew inside of him again, but Claire's eyes caught sight of him and her shy smile snapped him back. She wasn't as lucky with the reporters who tried to interrogate her. Claire remained composed and gracefully answered the questions as the bodyguards helped her out of the crowd. Once she escaped she walked around the corner. Gabriel took a longer way round to meet her in one of the side streets, away from the prying eyes of the vultures, as he called them.
"Well done, Claire dear." Gabriel said as he walked up to her. Claire nodded with a smile and then started sobbing again. Gabriel pulled her into a hug, pressing her head against his chest and planting kisses on her forehead. "What's wrong? Did my father bother you in the courthouse?"
"Well, I am going against him in court, obviously he bothered me." Claire said with a smile.
"Did he bother you outside of the courtroom?"
"No. Did he bother you?" Claire looked up with worry.
"No, he did not." Gabriel shook his head. "Now, let's go out for a nice meal."
"Oh, I was planning to make lunch at home." Claire let go of Gabriel and looked at him studiously, trying to work out his thoughts.
"I appreciate that but you had a tough day. I know just a place though."
Claire let out a sigh before she nodded in agreement. She gently wrapped her fingers around Gabriel's left arm and they walked across the city until Gabriel stopped in front of the tall building made almost solely out of glass.
Claire silently walked beside him inside the building. Her eyes quickly gazed around the modern entrance hall as they walked towards the elevator. They soon were walking out on the top floor of the glass terrace which had a warm fireplace crackling in the middle of the room and a view behind windows which spread across the city. Claire looked around curiously at what was a restaurant with few people sitting at the tables and enjoying their meals.
It looked cosy yet modern. Claire's eyes fixated on the panoramic view with wonder. The waiter appeared out of nowhere, and as if he understood some secret code, he quickly led them to the table with barely any words exchanged.
"I didn't even know that there was a restaurant here." Claire admitted as she sat down by the window.
"It's rather exclusive." Gabriel said as he leaned back in a chair. He loved watching Claire when she looked around with that wonder, admiring her surroundings. Her eyes seemed even bigger, sparkling with excitement, and a small smile crept onto her face.
"Of course. I wouldn't expect anything less of you than being part of the most exclusive clubs and social circles."
"It's not like you aren't." Gabriel said with a slight scoff. "Besides, you would have known of it if you checked the ownership papers." Gabriel shifted in the chair as Claire slowly placed herself in the comfortable armchair. "Which, I suspect, you still haven't reviewed."
"No, I did not." Claire nodded. "Admittedly, I wasn't ready to see my name on any of the ownership documentation. I only reviewed the papers relevant to Diamond Corporate to help me manage it whilst you were in a hospital."
"If you did, you'd know that we own this place."
"We do?!" Claire asked in disbelief.
"It was a fairly recent investment." Gabriel answered with satisfaction. Claire's simplicity often amused him.
"How recent?"
"Couple of weeks kind of recent. This is where I was planning to take you for our six months together as a married couple. I thought you'd like it."
"You bought a restaurant to take me to dinner at for six months together?" Claire asked in shock.
"I bought an entire building with the restaurant in it to take you to dinner." Gabriel said with a slightly smug smile.
"How many things do you keep a secret?"
"It wasn't a secret."
"So, what else do you own?"
"We own." Gabriel corrected her. "You already know of most things. Business and buildings wise though…" Gabriel hesitated, partially for suspense. "Several office buildings that we rent to a number of companies, hotels, restaurants, and clubs. A theatre in another city but that one was a drunk decision." Claire squinted her eyes. "Look, I was once young and spontaneous." Gabriel laughed.
"I thought that everything you ever did was carefully calculated." Claire admitted which made Gabriel laugh harder.
"Which part of my decision-making made you think I wasn't spontaneous?"
"Well…" Claire sipped on the glass of water as she contemplated the answer. "Actually, I don't think you thought anything through enough. And even now, you seem to be making decisions on a whim more than facts and careful consideration."
"That's an interesting observation. I'm curious where it comes from."
"How carefully did you think about buying this building?"
"Fairly. I thought very carefully about what you like and I thought that this is the kind of view you'd love to have during your dinner." Gabriel hesitated. "Although, I did have a second idea which I am yet to run past you."
"Go on."
"What this restaurant lacks is a chef who can take ownership of it. The food isn't bad, of course, but…" Gabriel hesitated again. "I was wondering if you're dad wants to get back into the business and maybe he'd want to take over the kitchen here?"
"What?" Claire was even more shocked.
"Your dad sold your family's restaurant to pay for your mum's treatment and then he became her carer. As your mum is getting better, if he ever wants to, this restaurant can be his."
"I don't think…" Claire gulped. "Rent…"
"Oh no, Claire, I don't expect that from you or your family. Besides, it's your restaurant. He won't be expected to cover rent." Gabriel said quickly. The idea was not sinking in for Claire.
"My dad never run a fine dining venue. I am unsure whether he'd be keen to work in a setting this formal."
"I don't think I like it this formal. See, I think it needs a warmer feeling and more homely decor and it'll be perfect. Your family's restaurant was doing well and many reviews were praising delicious food. That's exactly what this place needs. With help from someone who can deal with the business side of things, I think your dad could make it into a very successful venue."
"You really did think it through." Claire said with a certain amusement.
"It's only an idea." Gabriel looked down. "Besides, I would like to make it clear that your parents will be financially supported by us regardless if your dad would take us up on this offer. I haven't spoken about this with you yet. I haven't even officially met them yet. Not as your partner or husband. I didn't want to cross any boundaries and I'm giving you full autonomy to decide when or if that's going to happen. But, I'd like to support them even from the shadows. You didn't disclose their whereabouts to me so I leave it up to you but… we could buy them a house so they don't have to ever worry about the roof over their heads. I can hire personal physiotherapists and nurses for your mum. And housekeepers."
"Where is this coming from, cuore mio?" Claire tilted her head.
"Well… I feel guilty that they have been mistreated so badly by my family and I want to right the wrongs. But also, I want to be a good son-in-law. Supporting your family is part of taking care of you and I want to make sure that there's nothing for you to worry about that we can fix together."
"I don't think my parents would ever accept that kind of help." Claire said carefully.
"Your family might be a little too proud." Gabriel decided. "Asking and accepting help is not a sign of weakness."
"Look who's talking." Claire scoffed.
"True." Gabriel smiled. "Is your family safe?" He asked worriedly.
"Yes." Claire answered after a few too many seconds of hesitation. Gabriel knew that she didn't say the whole truth.
"Okay." Gabriel decided not to interrogate her further and instead opened the menu with a weak smile. His dimples were still mesmerising but not as distinctive as before. He lost the weight and his cheeks sunk a bit more. Claire recognised this and felt her stomach twist painfully as she felt guilty for Gabriel's current state. "Have you decided what you want?"
"No, not yet." Claire admitted as she looked at the menu for the first time. "What do you recommend?"
"I've heard Alex say that you're not as much of a meat eater before…" Gabriel thought out loud. "Shall we try the spicy mango ginger soup for a starter?"
"I don't mind meat, I just don't eat much of it." Claire said with a shrug. "Admittedly, the soup does sound delicious."
"What about mushroom and truffle risotto for the main? Actually, no. I am not risking a risotto knowing how well you can cook it. That's just bound to be disappointing."
"You don't have to praise my cooking."
"I praise what deserves praise." Gabriel looked back at Claire who was still reading the menu. "Claire, I wanted to say thank you."
"What for?" Claire looked up curiously.
"For everything that you did for me. For taking care of me. For being so understanding when I was acting like a complete dick. For picking up all the work and keeping our company afloat when I couldn't. I didn't thank you properly yet. I know that it fell on you out of nowhere and you handled it so amazingly well. I don't think I would have if I were in your place. So… thank you."
"You don't have to thank me." Claire said decisively. "I was trying to do my best. I'm sorry if my decisions didn't fit with your ideal outcome."
"I admit, you did a few things differently from what I would have done but you still have done amazingly well. Mark started updating me on the company again and he was clear that you upheld the company beyond anyone's expectations. Obviously, they didn't know as well as I do that you're extremely capable and talented."
"What's up with all the praise and compliments?" Claire furrowed her brows and sounded suspicious of Gabriel.
"I'm just very proud of you, Claire dear." Gabriel sounded genuine but Claire still looked at him puzzled. He reached for her hand and gently caressed the back of it, only now noticing a bare ring finger. He felt a pit in his stomach at that realisation. He thought that Claire still couldn't admit to their relationship and still tried to hide it as if it were a sin. Claire noticed his gaze on her fingers and the shy smile slowly crept onto her face. With her other hand, she reached towards her neck, pulling a thin necklace from underneath the dress collar. The ring was placed on the necklace.
"I didn't want to disclose our relationship in a court today as I was worried about the bias it would have created among the jury. Now that the case is definitely a criminal lawsuit, I don't have to hide it." Claire explained quickly as she took the ring off the necklace and placed it on her finger. She wore it ever since she got it, only taking it off when seeing her uncle Adam and in the court. The former was due to her still wanting to tell her parents first, and the latter was because of the potential influence on the lawsuit. As she carefully placed it on her finger, the waiter came back to take their order.
After they enjoyed their meal, with Claire still mesmerised but the view, Gabriel led the way again.
To Claire's surprise, it was Mark that drove them out of the city, towards the suburbs and then a little bit further. He drove up the hill, eventually stopping by the edge of the fenced enormous area which was situated above the city, with woods spreading from the corner all the way beyond the horizon.
Claire looked around, studying the terrain and staring at a distant view. Claire was stunned into silence.
"What do you think?" Gabriel asked as he stood beside her.
"I-…" Claire struggled to say exactly what she thought.
"I think the biggest question is, is this good enough for our new home?" Claire nodded as the tears escaped her eyes. Gabriel hugged her from behind and placed his head in the nook of her neck. "All it needs is your signature and it's ours. And then your design plans can be started on."
Claire remained silent as she crossed her arms, resting them over Gabriel's left arm that was placed across her waist. "I think that our living room number one should be facing the city so we can have a lovely view in the evenings of the sunsets and night skyline." Gabriel spoke softly, his warm breath contrasting with an afternoon autumn coldness. "And I think our bedroom should be facing the woods but with enough distance to have a lovely back garden and morning sunlight creeping in through the curtains. What do you think?"
"It's beautiful." Claire uttered as she wriggled out and turned to face Gabriel.
"Why are you crying?"
"I love this place." Claire said as she quickly looked around. "I know this place."
"I suspected you might have." Gabriel smiled. Claire looked at him in surprise, always forgetting how much he was able to find out in the shadows and how much he really knew about her. It still shocked her but also scared her a little. If he wanted to, he could easily track her every move. Or perhaps he already did.
"So, you know that my family's home used to be there." Claire said as she pointed at the distance, at the suburbs down the hill with beautiful little villas perfectly lined up.
"I do." Gabriel nodded as he followed her gaze. "And I'm aware that you lost your home when your mum lost her job at Moore Pharmaceuticals, resulting in you moving to the Poger Estate which I stupidly have had demolished a few months ago. But now… I know that you used to play around here as a child. And I might know that your old childhood home is up for sale and I think it'll be a perfect distance for your parents to live at."
"You really have it all worked out." Claire said as she wrapped her arms around Gabriel's neck.
"Well, you've been doing all the work recently so I had enough time to contemplate things." Gabriel laughed lightly. "So, may I ask you to sign the documents?"
"I'll happily oblige, although I don't have any means of any financial contribution right now." Claire said embarrassedly.
"Oh, so half of our finances don't count?" Gabriel's mouth twisted into an exaggerated upside-down frown.
"You know what I mean." Claire rolled her eyes. "I'm unemployed and I'm still working out what to do now. No one in the industry is going to hire me so I need to work out what else I can do."
"You can do whatever you want, Claire dear, and I'll support you fully." Gabriel said encouragingly. Claire's eyes shifted to look beside him. He followed her gaze and noticed a crow that landed on the cold ground.
"Let's go home. It's getting cold." Claire wrapped her fingers around Gabriel's left arm. His right arm was in a concealed sling so it didn't flap around bothering him as he moved.
Gabriel nodded and they walked back to the car. The darkness started to befell.
Gabriel excitedly spoke to Claire about all of his idea for their home, including the intriguing garden porch. Claire nodded, although her mind was wandering far.