Over the next few days and weeks he retreated to the storage several times, holding dearly onto the few artefacts that he selected to keep as a reminder.
The CD was either in his car's or in his bedroom's stereo, ready to be played whenever he was on his own. He started to carry one of the letters he wrote to Claire as a reminder of what he truly felt about her before he had forgotten her. He took a photo of the sketch on his phone, so that he could look at it whenever possible. These things didn't feel the holes in his brain but were a known missing pieces that he used to fill the void.
Gabriel lost interest in a lot of what he did. His company was faring well enough and he had no motivation to push it further. His mind was increasingly obsessing over not knowing his past and Claire.
He was so focused on his thoughts that it took him completely by surprise when he spotted the golden blonde hair in the crowd during one of the events. He was so focused on the thoughts of Claire that her actual presence was flabbergasting.
Claire wore a wonderfully well-fitting dark green dress that drew the attention of the onlookers, and especially Gabriel. He gulped as he observed her. She naturally moved with gracefulness that made her seem like flowing. Her mannerisms were subtle and her posture emanated confidence.
She might not have been born into those circles but not a single person would have questioned her belonging there.
Claire was forcing a smile onto her face as she spoke with people around her. She hid behind that false facade well. If Gabriel didn't know what she was going through, he would have never noticed the clouds in her bright eyes.
Gabriel's legs carried him before he even thought through his actions, finding his way to the circle where Claire stood and he listened to the conversation with utmost interest.
Claire responded to someone's question with eloquence, explaining how sustainability ensures the long-term resilience of every company. She was well-trained by Emilia Vincent and she spoke respectfully, evoking trust in her, even about the most challenging topics.
She ignored Gabriel as much as she could and then found a way to move away from the group without raising suspicion.
Gabriel followed her, joining the next group that she did. Claire excused herself again and Gabriel followed her again. Claire noticed it and walked into a quiet corridor, adjacent to the busy rooms. The crowd could be heard in a distance.
On her part it was an attempt to hide from Gabriel, but his eyes hunted her like prey.
"Mr Moore." Claire's voice was shaky as she turned around to face him. She looked around warily ensuring that no one saw them.
"Agent Summers saw me." Gabriel walked towards Claire. He didn't bother with pleasantries. Not while he finally was within an arm's reach to get all the answers he needed. He couldn't waste time on 'hellos' while Claire was there with those enchanting intelligent eyes, drawing him closer. His own words from all those letters he once wrote her resurfaced in his mind. As much as he questioned why he loved Claire so deeply, in this moment he understood himself. He wanted to drown in her, he yearned for as little as a touch.
"Okay." Claire nodded. Her voice was flat and unenthusiastic. He could see that she felt defeated and lost her spark since many weeks ago. Her determination seemed to vanish. He didn't like that. He wanted to see her smile. Or at the very least, he would prefer to see her angry. Anything beside the neutrality and nothingness that she presented today.
"You have lied to me." Gabriel said in an accusatory tone. He bit his tongue straight after but he couldn't let it go. She had the evidence to tell him all of the truth and she didn't. She knew the truth and she didn't force him to see it.
"Have I?" Claire's eyes suddenly shone dangerously. That was better than the lifeless look she had throughout the evening so far. But yet, even Gabriel felt like he should recoil under her strong gaze.
"You told me that you didn't have any evidence." Gabriel walked even closer, slowly closing the gap between them. "Why?"
"You seemed happy." Claire's simple answer took Gabriel aback. He knew what she was going to say but hearing it was very different now that he knew the truth. He felt guilty that he allowed himself to seem happy when he wasn't.
"Didn't you want everyone to know the truth?"
"I know the truth and that'll suffice." Claire was dismissive, but yet, she her tone barely hid her anger.
"What about me?" Gabriel asked. His voice had a hint of pain of not knowing who he truly was. Claire's face changed. She didn't expect the question. Part of her felt guilty that she didn't push harder for the truth to be seen. Part of her felt like she gave up on her own cause and the fight.
"You didn't believe me when I've told you the truth and you seemed happy in your lies. I cannot make you happy as my truth hurts." Claire said more quietly. Her anger dissipated as she felt the overwhelming dread that everything that she did was wrong.
Gabriel closed the distance between them.
"The truth hurts." Gabriel agreed. His warm breath landed on her face as he leaned over her. "Agent Summers has said that you have gathered those boxes months ago. And then… you left them." Gabriel moved the strand of hair off Claire's face. "You confuse me." His fingers felt warm and reassuring, but also it hurt to know that he wasn't the Gabriel that Claire knew and loved before.
"That was always my specialty." Claire forced yet another smile before she took a step away trying to walk away.
"Claire Elise Moore née Thompson."
"As you know, I go by Elise Cooper nowadays." Claire said with new frustration in her voice.
"Claire… Elise… what did I used to call you?"
"Have a good night, Mr Moore." Claire said decisively as she turned away readying to leave.
Gabriel grabbed her wrist and pulled her in closer, "Claire, dear." He said softly before his lips crashing onto hers.
At first, Claire froze in absolute shock. Her body didn't comply with Gabriel's. She was stiff and defensive. And then she pushed Gabriel away. "You cannot do that! You can't!" she exploded and slapped him across the cheek. She was as surprised as Gabriel with her own action.
His cheek stung from the hit that was unexpectedly hard. He always considered Claire to be frail but her slap made his head spin. He blinked a few times.
"I thought that this is what you wanted." Gabriel said with irritation, placing his hand on the stinging skin.
"I cannot have any more of the false hope. I can't!" Claire freed her other hand and moved away from him. "It might be fun for you, but it isn't for me!"
"I'm confused." Gabriel admitted. "Before you stormed into my company. You told me of how much you needed me, and now?"
"Be confused without me." Claire stormed away so suddenly and without a single more answer that Gabriel was only able to merely look behind her with hurt. He contemplated whether he should run behind her but before he reached the room she was long gone. Gabriel stood in the spot, still trying to steady his breath as he felt remnants of the warmth of Claire's lips on his. He touched his lips, feeling the tingling and warm sensation grow through him. The kiss was comforting, evoking fire within him, but also it felt natural and familiar. It felt as if his lips belonged onto Claire's. He wanted to indulge further in her.
After he returned to the main room, he couldn't find Claire again. He hated that he wasted his chance by being too hasty with his actions.
But that kiss…
It evoke fire within him that he has never felt before, or which he didn't remember. He recalled it every free minute he had. He laid on the bed at night thinking of it, and still feeling the tingling on his lips every time it crossed his mind.