Gabriel hated the fancy gala that was organised on his behalf. He hated seeing the Joneses and his own father debating together. They weren't meant to come as Gabriel never invited them. But his father invited his friends along in the light of the new 'engagement' that was not yet official and someone 'accidentally' said something to the press. Gabriel had no doubt who it was. He was just glad that Francesca didn't bother him and was cautious in ever approaching him.
Gabriel started wandering on the edges of the room, under the balconies, almost trying to conceal himself in the shadows.
He hoped the plan would work without Claire as she wasn't there…
But then he froze as he spotted Claire in the crowd on the other side of the room to his father. She stood beside Christopher and Emilia, discussing something briefly before she excused herself.
Without a moment of thought he approached her in the shadow of the balconies and columns that surrounded the ballroom.
"Claire." He said her name softly and with hope. He believed that things were different between them now, that she saw that he was changing although he was still lost. He hoped to tell her to be careful. He needed to warn her.
"Gabriel." Claire turned to face him without enthusiasm. "Look, I didn't know that you were engaged. It was a mistake." Claire said quickly. "I'm sorry. I was in a very vulnerable state. Don't think much of it."
"I am not engaged." Gabriel said defensively.
"I saw the announcement." Claire spoke sharply. She was unwilling to listen. "Excuse me." She said rapidly before storming off. Gabriel tried to walk behind her but he spotted his father's gaze on him. He swore internally knowing that he might have very accidentally draw attention to Claire in hope of saving her. He tried to push through the crowd but as Claire was smaller she seemed to be able to simmer through without nearly as much resistance. Soon she vanished out of his sight completely.
Claire pushed through the crowd hoping to slowly make it as far away from Gabriel as possible. The wounds were still very raw.
Claire froze when Michael appeared before her. She didn't expect him. Perhaps she should have. She was rarely out in the open and she forgot that he was, for the longest time, the cause of all of her pain. But since she returned, she was so hurt over and over again, that he seemed like the least of her worries.
"Still alive?" Michael spoke through his gritted teeth.
"Cockroaches survive the harshest conditions, Mr Moore." Claire smiled as pleasantly as she could knowing that the man in front of her did a bloody good job of trying to kill her and her family, and that he did something that took Gabriel away from her.
"It is a checkmate." Michael's smile was full of venom as he gazed up at Gabriel and back to Claire.
Claire followed his gaze and looked at Gabriel. Michael was right, she lost everything.
"He only is with you because he doesn't remember the atrocities that you have done. It is not a true win." Claire said what she truly thought.
"Win is a win." Michael shrugged.
Claire pushed past him rushing away from the main area, ignoring the fact that she was followed. She entered the quiet and empty room, turned around, and froze. She didn't expect to see Gabriel behind her again.
"Gabriel?" Claire asked in a quiet voice full of question. He briefly seemed to mouth 'I'm sorry' before he pointed the gun at her which she wasn't nearly as surprised at as she should have been. But at this stage, everything seemed to not make sense to her.
"You lied to me. You…" Gabriel's voice was sharp and his hand erratic as he aimed the gun in her direction. Maybe he wasn't as recovered as she thought as his hand shook violently. "You tried to get between me and everyone else. You are delusional."
"Can we talk about it?" Claire whimpered knowing that something was very wrong. She couldn't tell what, but something didn't seem right or natural about it. Barely days ago he was willing to sleep with her and now…
"Talk?" Gabriel tilted his head. "Now? You had plenty of time to explain things."
"That's true." Claire agreed. "I suppose that I am worried about your actions right now. You don't seem quite yourself." Claire hoped that somehow, by miracle, she will be able to de-escalate the situation that she didn't even understand.
"You always undermine me. You always are patronising and condescending. Always."
Gabriel's words definitely didn't sound right. There was no always or never between them. He didn't know her. Not anymore. He forgot her.
"No, Gabriel. I am not. Not intentionally. I hold you in a very high regard."
"Don't lie!"
"Gabriel…" Claire felt powerless as her words were dismissed so easily. She watched as the ugliest smile crept onto Michael's face as he entered the room. That was his plan all along. He found a way to hurt her even more.
"You betrayed me. You made me believe you. But I was so blind."
"How did I betray you?" Claire asked noticing a shadow sneaking into the dark corner of the room. Gabriel's words still didn't sound right.
"You made me stand against my father."
"I didn't. I have repeatedly given you the choice not to be involved. Gabriel…" Claire was still sure that something wasn't right.
Gabriel closed his eyes due to a sudden headache.