Gabriel was even more determined to get Claire. He hated the rejection. He hated that Claire's eyes clouded whenever he tried to step closer to her and break down the wall that she put up.
But, many burning questions remained. One of which was, what was the connection between Claire and Michael Moore. He decided to touch onto it when he had a dinner with his father a few days later.
They already went through some awkward small talk and sat down to a meal, speaking vaguely of their businesses and the benefits of the company merger.
Gabriel looked at his father, watching his every forced interaction. Michael was eating his meal, focusing on the steak on his plate, struggling to look at Gabriel. Gabriel noticed it more now.
"I was wondering…" Gabriel started as he picked up a champagne glass and slowly rotated it in his hand, watching the golden liquid spin in the centre.
"Yes?"
"Was I in the relationship before the accident?" Gabriel's eyes went back to his father watching his every micro expression. Michael's knuckles turned white as his hand squeezed the cutlery he held. The corner of his lip twitched.
"No. Where did you get this stupid question from?"
"It was just a thought. Something I didn't consider before."
"Did someone say something to trigger this thought?"
"Perhaps."
Michael shifted in his seat and then put the cutlery down. He let out a long sigh as he looked up at Gabriel.
"What did they say?"
"Nothing specific."
"Who was it?"
"I can't remember. It was a few weeks ago now."
"Look, she's crazy. I wouldn't bother yourself too much with it."
Gabriel noticed that his father said 'she's crazy' as if he had someone specific in his mind.
"Would it be possible that I have been with someone without you knowing?" Gabriel placed the glass down.
"No. Definitely not. Why would you hide something like that from me?"
"I guess that you're right." Gabriel answered with his well rehearsed response. "I had a dream recently. About a woman. I guess that's why I wondered if I might've been seeing someone." Gabriel lied. He rarely dreamed anything coherent enough to make sense of it.
"Really? Who was she?"
"I do not know."
"What did she look like?"
"She was tall and slim. She had brown-like eyes and blonde hair."
"And what was the dream?"
"It was just her."
"You must be confused. You haven't been around many women as far as I know. And since the accident, you definitely weren't near women." Michael took a long sip of his drink before he continued. He was more relaxed now, more confident in his words. "Besides, if you were with someone, why wouldn't they be here after your accident? Why would they just leave you?"
"I do not know. Was anyone else there when I had an accident? Did anyone else get harmed?"
"No." Michael's voice was slightly sharper than usual. Gabriel's vigilance and gut feeling told him that he couldn't trust his father.
He dropped the topic, unwilling to push his father further.
He left the dinner feeling more uncertain than before. The only person who could have answers was Claire, and he still wasn't sure if he could trust her. What if she was crazy and that delusion started to spread to him?
The only way to find out was to find more opportunities to be near her so that he can slowly untangle the mess inside his head.
The next opportunity was during a ball in Reading.
It were mere seconds since he entered the large dome-shaped room to spot Claire who spoke with people in fancy tuxedos and ball gowns. Claire dress was a deep royal blue shade with gems shining brightly like a night sky.
Gabriel was rendered breathless as his heart momentarily stopped before rushing in an agonising speed. His palms became sweaty. His body felt equally heavy as weightless.
Claire noticed him, her eyes meeting his across the room. Her smile vanished, but her face remained soft. She didn't withdraw yet as she looked at him, mesmerised herself.
It took a lot of self-control and a lot of Will for Gabriel to walk across to her. His body didn't seem to follow his instructions as well as usually.
"Good evening, Miss Cooper." Gabriel bend over, gently grabbing her hand and kissing the back of it. She had long slim fingers. Her skin was soft like silk and light like porcelain. Claire looked fragile to Gabriel.
"Good evening, Mr Moore." Claire replied unsurely. She was reserved and cautious. Perhaps, rightfully so.
"A dance?" Gabriel offered as he pointed at the dance floor where couples slow danced across the marble floor.
Claire considered it carefully before giving him the slightest nod. Her hand rested on his again as he led her to the middle of the dance floor.
Gabriel placed his other hand on her waist, feeling the warmth of her skin from under the fabric of her dress. Claire wrapped her fingers around his hand and placed her other hand on his shoulder.
Gabriel led with confidence. He was a good dancer. And Claire was a perfect match. She followed his steps as if she knew them in advance, or as if she could read his mind.
"What did you wish to say?" Claire asked Gabriel.
"Why do you think I wanted to say something?"
"A dance? In front of so many onlookers? With a crazy woman that you accused of stalking? I can only assume that it was an excuse to say something without being easily overheard."
"Perhaps. But maybe I just wished for a dance?"
"You do not dance in public." Claire said it as a statement. It was off-putting to hear her speak of him in such a confidence. He didn't know her but she knew him. It was unfair. He hated not being the one who knew everything.