Fathers

Pattison walked into the villa, straight away spotting the shattered vase across the back of the hall and the stairs.

He walked carefully across to the living room where the lamp and the tv shards were spread across the floor. Gabriel sat on the sofa, his clothes still wet. He had his face hidden in his hands, sobbing.

"What happened?" Pattison braved the question.

"I've lost control. I've really lost it." Gabriel cried, his eyes red and his voice raspy. "Is she hurt?"

"She did have a cut on her foot but it wasn't major. She was very shaken up though." Pattison replied honestly. "Gabriel, you need to get a grasp of this. It's getting out of hand."

"I know. I'm trying. I thought I had it under control."

"I'm going to get Claire's stuff and pass it on to her," Pattison said with a sigh.

"Make sure that she's safe," Gabriel added. Pattison nodded and went up the stairs to Claire's bedroom. He hurried back to the hotel, passing Claire the clothes he packed for her. Pattison stayed with her until she calmed down again, and then left her alone, leaving his phone number in the reception if something was wrong.

He came back in the morning, bringing Claire breakfast.

Claire somehow managed to hide any effect of the events from the previous night, putting a convincing smile on. The only indication that something wasn't quite right was that she wore trainers instead of her usual heels.

After breakfast, they made their way to Holly's kitchen where they met Zoe and Gina, and then to the mall for their mini shopping spree where Zoe forced Pattison into trying at least twenty different shirts and making him get the more colourful ones. Claire found herself an evening dress which was approved by the group in unison. It was a very light blue body-hugging dress. It had a beautiful lace corset and wide sleeves that almost merged into a cape. It was elegant and very fitting to Claire's style.

Then they grabbed dinner together before Pattison took Claire back to the hotel. Without a car, Claire decided to spend the Sunday in the room, still upset over the Friday night.

On Monday, she made sure to not go in too early worrying that Gabriel will try to bother her. She walked in with Gina, feeling more confident in her friend's company. As they walked into the lobby they were welcomed by an enormous banner hanging from the ceiling representing the top five C-level employees. In the centre was a picture of Gabriel facing forward with his arms crossed labelled 'Gabriel Moore, Chief Executive Officer'. The banner to the left was one with Claire in her green dress labelled 'Claire Thompson, Chief Design Officer'. The remaining three banners were of the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Marketing Officer.

"I'm guessing that they're not being too discrete with your promotion and with who runs the company." Gina joked. Claire frowned at a picture of herself, but also she felt sick when seeing Gabriel's face.

She felt on edge throughout the entire day but Gabriel didn't show up.

At the end of the day, she went back to the hotel. She still didn't hear from him on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday and she only just started calming down.

But Thursday brought a new type of stress.

At Gabriel's office in the afternoon.

"Gabriel." A middle-aged man walked into his office. He was very similar to Gabriel in many ways, such as the eye and face shape. However, his features started waning, his wrinkles were cutting deep, and his hair was mostly grey.

"What brings you here?" Gabriel asked sharply.

"I've heard rumours that you were shaking things up around here and I was curious what was happening."

"Nothing is happening that should interest or bother you."

"You appointed someone new to the board of directors. You do realise the impact it'll have, right?"

"Again, it's nothing of your concern."

"Actually, I think there is. That Thompson girl…" his father sat down on the chair. "Thompsons were malicious and dishonest. I would be wary of your newly appointed CDO if that Claire is related to them."

"What are you even talking about?"

"I'm sharing with your part of my wisdom. Don't make the same mistake that I did."

"Is that all?" Gabriel asked coldly.

"I wanted to know what happened between you and Joneses."

"None of your business."

"Joneses were our family friends for years. Maybe you should try to resolve that dispute? For the sake of Francesca, at the very least."

"If you will try to pressure me towards any form of forgiveness and resolution, I'll make sure that I'll take all of them down."

"Now, don't be rash. We might not see eye to eye but I have more experience than you, boy."

"Sop patronising to me." Gabriel cut him off. "Leave before I'll call the security."

Moore senior left the office with a loud huff.

"Pattison, let me know when he leaves the building," Gabriel asked Pattison over the phone. Pattison walked into his office a few minutes later. "Did he leave yet?"

"No, sir. He walked out on the thirty-sixth floor."

Gabriel stood up and started walking in a hurry, Pattison decided it was best that he followed.

"Good afternoon, how may I help you?" Claire asked as she stood up from her desk, freezing when she realised that it was Mr Moore Senior.

"You look just like Leanne." Mr Moore said with an evil smile. "How is she?" His voice was spiteful. "Did she die yet?"

"No, my mother is still alive," Claire responded coldly. She clenched her hands into fists. Hatred started to fill her up.

"That's good. I do wish her a long and painful death."

"Please, leave."

"I would be careful if I were you." Mr Moore Senior walked up to her desk. "I believe that we had an agreement and now you're stepping out of the lines." Mr Moore smiled wickedly. "You're only a speck of dust for me. It'll take just one blow for you and your entire family to be wiped out for good. I did let you all live for as long out of goodwill. But don't be a thorn in my side." He turned around and started walking towards the door. "Remember, it takes just a snap of my finger and you'll be gone." He said before leaving. Gabriel run in moments later, just to catch Claire still frozen with her eyes wide open.

"What did he say to you?" Gabriel asked but Claire didn't answer.

"I need to go," Claire said instead of rushing out of her office. "Gina, clear my schedule for the rest of the week. Zoe, can I borrow your car?" She ordered on her way out, ignoring Gabriel completely. She didn't have time or energy to deal with him yet. Zoe rushed with her keys towards Claire having some awareness of her family's history with the Moore Senior.

Gabriel grabbed her wrist to try to stop her.

"Leave me alone!!!" Claire screamed as she was on the verge of a meltdown. "F*ck off!!!" Claire shook off his hand and she disappeared off into the elevator. Everyone around stared in confusion over the occurrence. Gabriel, on the other hand, was hurt, but he knew that he deserved it.

He rushed out of the building catching his father near the pickup bay.

"What did you tell her?" He pressed the old man against his car.

"It was just a reminder for my old friend." He smiled wickedly.

"What did you tell her?!" Gabriel felt his insides turning.

"Is that temper of yours doing you any good?" The man laughed. Gabriel remembered the events from the previous week and he loosened his grip on his father's collar.

"You'll pay for everything you have done," Gabriel said as he let go.

"Don't throw some empty threats around, boy. You cannot do anything to me." His father got in the car and drove off, leaving Gabriel in an increasing state of anger which slowly transitioned into a panic attack.

He partially regretted not going after Claire to make sure that she was okay but he already messed that one up, and she was more distressed when seeing him.

He failed her. He failed everything.

Gabriel sat down by the wall having his meltdown, holding his head between his hands, trying to block out everything around him. At this moment he wasn't a nearly thirty-year-old man but rathe a terrified child that was paralysed by lack of control. After a few minutes found him. He helped him out and got him to the back of the building where there was a more private entrance leading directly to Gabriel's office but which he rarely used.

"Pattison, find out the link between my father and Thompsons," Gabriel ordered once he was calm enough to speak again. Gabriel himself tried to find any trail of Thompson name that was associated with Moore but besides Claire's online profile for his company, there was nothing else that would explain why his father behaved the way he did.

Claire drove back to the hotel from where she called her dad.

"Claire?" Her dad sounded confused.

"Are you alright?" She asked, blinded by her tears.

"Yes, is everything alright?"

"I'm not going to be able to visit you both for a while…" Claire sobbed.

"What happened, Claire?"

"I think I…" Claire curled up as she spoke. She sobbed so hard that she couldn't put her words together.

"It's Mr Moore, isn't it?"

"Yes, dad."

"I'll keep myself and your mum safe, but you need to take care of yourself."

"I know dad."

"As we discussed previously, if it were to happen and if he found us, you must vanish."

"I will. There's a banquet tomorrow night so I'll attend it to not raise any suspicion, and I'll ensure to be gone afterwards. By Monday I'll be far enough."

"Good girl. Don't worry about us. We've done it before."

"I know." Claire nodded. "I love you, dad."

"I love you, too."

Claire disconnected, quickly preparing her bag, thankful that she asked Zoe to keep a hold of her banquet dress.

She went to stay at Zoe's later that evening not disclosing her plan to either of her friends.