49 Daniel Jones

Claire called in sick the next day which only made Gabriel warier of her well-being. But now he was more focused to find out what his father did and how Claire get intertwined into this.

As the evening came, he went to the villa to change into the tuxedo knowing that this banquet will be his last. He wasn't going there because he wanted to but because he had some suspicions as to the family. He had his security as well as law enforcement on standby if things were to go the way he thought.

In the meantime, Claire dressed in her pale blue dress, allowing Zoe to tie her hair up. She borrowed a silver necklace and earrings from Zoe, and some silver coloured heels. Zoe was wowing her for the entire time and in the end, she was the one that drove her towards the Joneses Villa.

It was a familiar place and as previously, it was beautifully decorated.

She walked into the room at just the exact moment when the lights were dimmed and shimmer from thousands of fairy lights glistened.

Gabriel was already forced into Francesca's company and yet, as soon as Claire entered the room, he noticed her, his eyes following her across as she gracefully walked through the crowd with a welcoming smile. Almost everyone in her way wanted to say hello or introduce themselves, which Claire didn't mind.

Eventually, Mr Jones rushed to welcome her. She engaged in the conversation showing off her amazing people skills, joking and making him laugh.

Gabriel was in awe of her, remembering how much of a distraction she was to him, and how breathtaking she was. And how much he loved her and missed her. How painful every minute was away from her, and how quiet it was in the villa without her. And most importantly, he realised how much he hated himself for everything he had done to her.

It wasn't long when Claire was dragged across by Mr Jones to be introduced to the company beside Gabriel.

"You know Mr Moore. This is my daughter Francesca Jones." Francesca's father introduced Claire. "And my wife, Katrina Jones."

"Don't you look lovely tonight!" Mrs Jones started her parade of over-the-top compliments that Claire waved dismissively at.

"Thank you for your kindness, Mrs Jones."

"Not at all! My husband has mentioned that the project is well underway."

"Yes, indeed. The building start date is established and the contractors are all set up and ready to go. We're currently ahead of the schedule."

"I've told you that she's a star!" Mr Jones said excitedly to his wife. "If you'll excuse me, I think a few more guests have just arrived." He disappeared with his wife.

"Gabbie, shall we go grab a drink?" Francesca said in her sweet tone as she grabbed Gabriel's arm. Claire gave them a nod and walked away toward another of her clients. Before they sat down for dinner, Claire went to the bathroom walking down the quiet corridor.

"What are you doing here?" Gabriel's voice sounded behind her. Claire froze momentarily before she turned around to face him.

"I could ask you the same."

"You-…" Gabriel stuttered in frustration. He took a step forward and Claire took a step back, looking particularly cautious of him.

"Are you planning to follow me all the way to the bathroom or will you return to your companion?"

"For f*ck's sake, Claire…" Gabriel groaned.

"Say what you have to say and leave me alone."

"You shouldn't be here."

"Ah yes, I remember now. I'm not allowed to go anywhere without your permission, is it?" Claire's face slowly changed into that of determination. "You have absolutely no say in what I can or cannot do anymore. Sue me if you wish. Destroy me if you wish. I don't care."

"Is that some sort of dare?"

"Dare? I know what you're capable of. I know you can do it. All I'm saying is that I'll be waiting."

"Seriously? This is the way you want to go?"

"See, I've made it clear before. I rather die than be with you. The quicker you finish your job, the quicker I can get away from you." Claire said through her gritted teeth.

"And I've said before that I am not gonna let that happen."

"Honey?" Francesca's sweet voice echoed through the hallway. Gabriel frowned at it.

"I think it's time for you to return to your companion," Claire smirked as she walked toward the bathroom.

As she came back, guests were slowly sitting down in their assigned seats. To Claire's annoyance, she was placed next to Francesca, but thankfully on the other side was Mr Jones who was very keen to talk about the contractors and the new build. Francesca was mostly interested in Gabriel who was stoically putting up with her behaviour.

At one point Francesca got bored with Gabriel who didn't respond to her at all and turned toward Claire.

"Isn't it you who bothered Gabbie the other day?"

"Quite possibly. After all, I am Mr Moore's employee."

"Is that so?" Francesca smiled devilishly as if she had an idea. "Don't you think it rude to just storm into someone's office?"

"It is customary in my department for my subordinates to reach out to me as needed without any theatricals, but I see that this is not something that Mr Moore appreciates. I'll make sure not to bother him anymore."

"I've heard that you were promoted." Mr Jones said to Claire from the other side

"Yes, indeed."

"What's your new role?"

"Chief Design Officer."

"A C-Level position? That's a grand recognition! I did hope that you'll get recognised as a gem you are to the Diamond Corporate." Mr Jones nodded. "Mr Moore must've seen your talents."

Francesca didn't like the praise Claire was receiving, and so she 'accidentally' tipped the glass of wine onto Claire's light dress.

Claire didn't even flinch as she picked up some napkins and started wiping the red stain.

"Oops, I'm so sorry, Miss Thompson!" Francesca faked her apology.

"Goodness me, Miss Thompson." Mrs Jones came round the table to help her. "Let's go upstairs. We can try to clean it but I'm sure I can find something else for you to change into."

"It's alright, Mrs Jones." Claire smiled cheerfully not showing an ounce of care for her dress, but Mrs Jones pulled her by her hand and led her up the stairs and through some twisted corridors to the first floor. She brought her to a bedroom and started searching frantically through a closet.

"Maybe one of these will fit? I'm so sorry for my daughter. She's so clumsy."

"Thank you so much, Mrs Jones."

"Come back down once you find something suitable." Mrs Jones smiled leaving Claire with a pile of dresses.

Claire sighed at them wondering if she should change or whether she should just leave the party.

"Claire?" A familiar voice sounded behind her.

"Daniel?" Claire was surprised to see him. She smiled at him with her most charming smile but Daniel hasn't reciprocated it. "I haven't seen you in ages. How have you been?" She tried to start a conversation but something was off. Daniel started slowly making his way around the room as if he was circulating the prey.

"Could have been better." He replied coldly. He looked at her as if he was trying to decide if she was worth the hunt. Claire's gut feeling started sending her some red alerts

"I've heard about your company. I am so sorry."

"Yeah, it's a bit of a shame." He was closing in on her. Claire kept slowly turning around on the spot ensuring that she didn't lose sight of him. He closed the distance between them, standing merely centimetres away. Claire took a step back but he grabbed her hand. She felt uncomfortable.

"I should be going downstairs. They'll be worried if I'm gone too long." Claire explained quickly, trying to find a believable excuse to leave.

"I'm sure that you can spare a few minutes." Daniel didn't back down.

"I really should go." Claire tried to wriggle her hand away but his grip was firm.

"Claire, you look so beautiful tonight." He smiled in a way that send shivers down Claire's spine. A dangerous way. A way in which a hunter smiled at his catch.

"Thank you, Daniel. I'm sure we can catch up sometime soon."

"Why are you in such a rush?" He moved her hair away from her face. Claire didn't like the way he stroked her cheek while doing so. She felt that her boundaries were being ignored and that she was losing control over the situation. She tried to free her hand with some more force.

"Daniel, let go." She said with her smile gone.

"I'm sure you'd like it." Daniel grabbed the back of her neck with his other hand and leaned in, forcing a kiss on Claire's lips. She tried to push him away with her one free hand, but she wasn't strong enough.

She was trying to fight with her free hand, landing punches that seemed to not affect him. She felt as if she was suffocating. She was panicking. and then she felt Daniel's tongue trying to intrude her mouth.

And then he did let go. A huge force ripped him off, Claire.

Claire trembled trying to work out what happened. Her brain lagged momentarily before she realised that it was Gabriel. Gabriel threw punch after punch at Daniel who already had blood pouring from his nose and mouth. Daniel tried to block the punches with his arms as he lay on the floor.

Claire was frozen in shock as Gabriel's rage took a hold of him and he didn't care for how much damage he did to Daniel.

Claire was still panicking. The last thing she wanted was to witness Gabriel killing Daniel. She didn't want him to have Daniel's blood on his hands, or at least any more of it. Gabriel might have had a bad temper but most of the damage he ever did to anyone (at least of what she was aware of) was accidental. This wasn't. Gabriel's face turned red, his eyebrows were pulled together, and his pipes were tightened.

"Gabriel, enough!" She raised her voice rushing towards him. She tried to grab his arm but to no avail. "Gabriel, please stop!" She screamed as she tried to pull his shoulder. Still nothing. Claire rushed all in and managed to push herself in front of Daniel, blocking her face with her arms as if she expected Gabriel's next punch to blindly land on her. Gabriel froze with his fist in mid-air. "Gabriel, enough," Claire repeated, using her body as a shield for Daniel who grunted below her.

"Get out of my way!" Gabriel roared, grabbing her by her arms and pushing her to the side. She lost her balance and fell to the ground. Gabriel didn't care for Daniel now. He looked at Claire as if he was about to kill her. "How dare you stand up for him?"

Claire pushed herself with her feet and quickly moved back across the floor until her back was pushed against the wall. She tried to stand up but before she did Gabriel grabbed her by her forearm and dragged her upward. Few men in black suits run into the room, handling Daniel roughly. Claire wasn't able to see anything else as Gabriel dragged her down the stairs and towards the exit.

"Gabriel, let me go!" Claire tried to fight him off.

"You'll be quiet," Gabriel said to her through his gritted teeth.

"No!" Claire kicked him but he didn't seem to feel it.

"Mr Moore…" Mrs Jones was by the stairs. "Shouldn't we talk?" She asked in an over-the-top sweet voice.

"You hid a fugitive. There's nothing to talk about." Gabriel barked at Mrs Jones.

He dragged Claire into the cold, pulling her towards the car.

"Let go of me!" Claire screamed. "Let go of me!"

"Be quiet!"

"No! You had no right to hurt Daniel! You had no right to interfere!" Claire screamed. "You're a vile human! I hate you!" Her emotions took over her. "I hate you." She repeated coldly.

"You'll regret this," Gabriel said to her. It wasn't a threat or warning, it was a promise.

"I already regret everything I've done! I regret that blo*dy contract! I regret ever crossing my paths with you!"

"Pattison!" Gabriel roared. "Take my wife home and make sure that she doesn't leave without my permission!" He pushed her into the car, raising the glass divider between the back and front seats. Claire kicked him in the chest but it had still absolutely no effect on him. Gabriel ensured that Claire was locked and couldn't get out. Pattison stood frozen for a good few moments trying to process what he just witnessed. Then he got into the driver's seat and started driving. Claire sobbed hysterically, wondering if Gabriel went back to kill Daniel. Wondering if he was really cruel enough to kill. Her heart shattered at what she witnessed. She wanted to believe him to be a good man

Frankly, she wasn't sorry for Daniel. He cornered her, and tried to take advantage of her, but he still didn't deserve to be beaten to death. And Gabriel shouldn't be the one to do it…