Even more weeks have passed with Gabriel reading every few days through the boxes in the storage.
Once he found a design concept with the Diamond Corporate code on it between the papers in the desk.
He didn't hesitate to check the master index record and he found the files that were protected with a password. The design was confidential. Even he didn't have an access to them.
Gabriel stared at the screen of his computer, at an empty password box. He started inputting anything he knew of Claire into the box. He tried his own name. Claire's birthday. His birthday. But files remained locked.
He couldn't guess what the password was and he wasn't certain who might've put the password on the files. But if he were to guess, he would've guessed Claire.
It wasn't that many weeks later that he attended a finance conference which was followed by a gala.
Gabriel spotted Claire in the crowd as soon as she appeared in the busy room. His eyes met hers and her expression changed. Gabriel made his way towards her finding a way to approach her.
"I didn't expect you here." Claire said quietly before letting out a tired sigh. "Have a good evening, Mr Moore."
Gabriel tried to follow her but she vanished in one of the many corridors. Gabriel noticed that someone followed Claire out. He recognised the man's silhouette but he couldn't see his face from a distance. He excused himself and followed them.
Claire let out a sigh of relief as she was out of everyone's sight. She heard the footsteps behind her and she turned around fully expecting Gabriel, but it wasn't him. It was someone from her nightmares instead. She managed to draw a breath in before she was shoved into the adjacent empty room. With how unexpected that motion was, she fell onto the floor.
"You little bitch." Daniel Jones wrapped his hand around Claire's neck before she could get up. He wasn't the first person to try to strangle her. Not by far.
Claire didn't react to this beyond the initial surprise. She was way past her intended death day and she wasn't surprised any more with people trying to kill her.
She didn't try to fight. She placed her fingers on Daniel's hands as an acknowledgment of the situation rather than an attempt to free herself. "You'll pay for everything."
Claire gulped with difficulty as Daniel's fingers dug deeply into her neck. She couldn't take another breath in.
Claire momentarily closed her eyes as she tried to remain conscious. And then, a huge force ripped Daniel off her. Claire fell back onto the floor, whilst Daniel fell with the thud beside her. She drew in the air with a terrifying realisation that she didn't breathe for a while. Her chest hurt as it expanded and she started to cough. Only as her cough started to ease, she turned around and she saw Gabriel punch Daniel with a wide swing. It was most unexpected to see a scene which seemed like a reflection of the very events from years ago.
"What the hell, Gabriel?!" Daniel tried to defend himself, putting his arms in front of his face. Gabriel punched him right in the nose which resulted in a fountain of blood. Claire looked up in shock, still taken aback by what Gabriel just did.
Claire stood up and rushed over, with no intention of stopping Gabriel this time. Not again. But she was scared for what was unfolding in front of her.
"Gabriel." She was still in shock as she approached him. She didn't quite know what happened next as everything went blank.
She didn't realise as the two fighting men shifted, she was caught in the cross fire of punches which knocked her over and she landed with her head on the floor. This was enough to break up the fight as Gabriel rushed towards her, seeing a streak of blood on the marble. She bumped her head hard enough to cut her scalp.
Daniel took an opportunity to attack Gabriel again but Gabriel was fast and strong enough to throw him across the room. He then turned back to Claire and he picked her in his arms. She was weightless and she was frail.
Gabriel carried her out taking her home with him where he had her check over by a doctor. He ensured that no one else saw or knew of it for Claire's safety.
He laid her on the bed in the guest room, cautious of her state. The doctor mentioned that it was likely a mild concussion and she would be best having a rest. Following that, Gabriel gently got her out of the dress and put on her his own pyjamas before tugging her under a duvet.
He stayed with her at all times, ensuring that she was fine, while he replayed the events of the night. He thought that no one in his circle knew of Claire. He was wrong. Daniel knew her well enough to try to kill her. This was a reaffirmation that Claire existed and she existed between people around him. However, this also raised millions of questions as to why Daniel Jones try to kill her. And there was no doubt in us intend.