Maybe

"You're going to suffocate me." Claire huffed into Gabriel's chest.

"Sorry." Gabriel let go of her then his smile vanished as he scowled at her. Claire knew that now must be a time for his anger. "You've lost weight again," Gabriel said worriedly.

Claire studied his face carefully. She was surprised at his behaviour, maybe even taken aback by it. Yet, she still noticed the dark circles under his eyes and his sunken cheeks.

"Says you." She grumbled back as she furrowed her brows. Gabriel smiled again.

"I'm glad that you're back." He said softly.

"I need to get to work, you know." Claire looked up at the banners with her photo still hung beside Gabriel's. Gabriel followed her gaze.

"The board is ready to meet you whenever you are."

"Thank you. I didn't expect that you'll hold that position for me."

"Indefinite contract? No break clause?" Gabriel smiled. "Besides, I cannot let go that easily of the biggest gem that this company ever had."

"What got into you?" Claire asked in worry and with slight suspicion in her voice.

"Did you have breakfast?" Gabriel asked instead.

"Ehh…" Claire was caught off guard by that question.

"I'd say that's a no. Let's get something to eat then." Gabriel turned around towards the entrance of the lobby. Claire stood frozen for a moment, her mouth open, unsure what to say. "Aren't you coming?" Gabriel grabbed her hand and gently pulled her along, letting her go as soon as she started walking. "There's a nice cafe just across the square. Unless you'd rather something fancier."

"I don't do fancy," Claire said honestly, quite aware that she didn't have much more money left.

"I'm not sure whether that's true. Your cooking was definitely something spectacular. Even fine dining restaurants didn't make me want to eat out of the saucepan."

Claire looked over at Gabriel as they walked across the square. Something felt different.

"Go on, sit down. Is it something like a vanilla latte with some sugar?" Gabriel asked nudging Claire to sit down.

"Yeah." Claire nodded.

"Any preference for breakfast?"

"Not really. I'll just get whatever is the easiest."

"Okay, sit down. I've got this." Gabriel nudged her more. Claire hesitated but she went to sit down. She was tired. She rubbed her eyes as she looked outside of the cafe looking at the company building in all of its glory. It was still early enough that the square was almost completely empty and the morning sun just climbed over the rooftops. "Here you go." Gabriel passed her food and coffee with a wide smile on his face, placing his on the opposite end of the small table. He sat down with a wide smile. "How are you?"

"I'm alright," Claire responded with furrowed brows, still suspicious of him.

"The weather is rather nice, isn't it?" Gabriel asked as he looked outside himself.

"Okay, what are you playing at? What's your deal?" Claire asked rather harshly.

"In what way?"

"You are acting odd."

"Odd?" Gabriel contemplated on an answer. "Maybe, Claire. But I'm acting earnestly." Gabriel fixed his gaze on her. "I've promised myself that if you were to come back that I will not ask about it. Throughout the last two months, all I thought about was if you were safe and whether you've taken care of yourself."

"I'm safe and I did take care of myself."

"Not well enough. Knowing you, you probably started skipping meals again and haven't slept properly. But I'm happy to see you, and see that at the very least you're safe."

"One's safety can be considered to be rather arbitrary," Claire answered remembering that she was not yet done and that Moore Senior will soon be on her back if he weren't already. "Also, what's with that smile?"

"I'm just very happy to see you. I've missed you so much."

"You've missed me? Did you not find anyone else to call you an a*shole during that time?"

"I'm afraid not. It seems that you're one of a kind." Claire chuckled at that. "Would you like me to brief you?"

"Yes, please." Claire straightened out in her seat reaching for her handbag.

"No, not this second. Let's eat first. We can have a briefing once we get into the office." Gabriel stopped her immediately.

"Why?"

"It's not good for you to work while eating."

"I see." Claire tried not to smile but it was hard. She reached towards her plate which had a filled pastry on it.

"I've got us Croque monsieur croissants. I was here about two weeks ago with an investor and I thought you might like it."

"That's very thoughtful of you." Claire sounded surprised.

"Would you like me to ask Pattison to bring your wallet and phone?"

"It's not necessary." Claire shook her head. "I'm in no rush to get them."

"Are you worried about using it?" Gabriel asked. He had plenty of time to think about it. "Claire, it's none of my business, but is someone wanting to hurt you?"

"As you've said, it's none of your business." Claire cut him off sharply.

"Hey, if you can't use stuff in your name, why don't you use my card and phone?"

"What?"

"I can get a second phone and a spare card in my name, and you can use it for the time being."

"No, thank you." Claire blushed.

"The money is equally yours as it's mine," Gabriel said quickly. "I'll get Pattison to sort it out. In that way, you can safely contact anyone without the worry of being tracked. I'll ensure extra security features are being used."

"It's not necessary."

"It'll be easier to contact your parents without needing to find a pay phone every time." Claire's eyes widened at Gabriel. "It's okay. I should probably apologise. I met them without your permission."

"I know," Claire grumbled. "You've made my dad worried."

"I'm sorry. I've heard your mum was better though."

"Yes, she's recovering well."

"That's good. Also, as a reassurance, I haven't mentioned anything about our little secret."

"Little secret?" Claire laughed. "God, if it ever were to come out into the light…"

"A big secret then." Gabriel corrected himself, his smile weakening. He didn't want to bring it up as he didn't want to hear the answer yet.

"Gabriel…" Claire started uncomfortably. "I-…" she hesitated.

"If you made your decision, whichever one you've made, you can just say it," Gabriel said seriously, his smile gone. "If you didn't decide yet, I'll wait for as long as you need." Gabriel reached for Claire's hand. "However, if you have not yet decided, I thought about it for a while, and I wish that we could try again. Maybe try to date first."

"Shush! Someone might hear you!" Claire blushed as she shook Gabriel's hands off.

"What I mean is that I wish that I've done things properly the first time around. As I can't time travel, that's the second best thing that I can do. If you're willing to give me a chance."

"It depends."

"On what?"

"Will you beg?" Claire asked jokingly, with a mischievous smile creeping onto her face.

"Oh, Claire, dear." Gabriel smiled back as he stood up, soon after dropping to his knees. "I beg you to give me a chance to prove my love to you."

"Gabriel! Get up! Stop embarrassing yourself!" Claire gasped looking around the cafe that started getting busy and at least ten people were already gazing at Gabriel. "People are looking. Get up!"

"I cannot until I hear a yes. Besides, I'm not embarrassed."

"Are you crazy?!"

"I've done this before. What made you think I wouldn't do it again?" Gabriel smiled. "Claire, I beg you to give me a chance…"

"Get up," Claire said sternly. "Then, we can talk." Gabriel hesitated but got up, wiping the dust off his suit. "Let's go somewhere more private." Claire decided as she downed the last of the coffee and quickly swallowed the few bites of the croissant.

"As you wish."

Gabriel followed her out of the cafe. The sun was now brightly shining onto the square. Gabriel took a deep breath in as he watched Claire walking in front of him, her hair glimmered with golden streaks. She turned around, her big doe-like hazel eyes glistening in her usual fiery way. She looked tired.

Gabriel couldn't think of anything else besides how happy he was to see her again.

"What are you grinning at?" Claire asked.

"I don't know." Gabriel shrugged. This made Claire laugh. "I think it's because I'm happy to see you again." Claire stopped laughing but a faint smile rested on her face.

"Your office or mine?"

"Aren't you worried that Mr Wood rearranged your entire office?"

"Not in the slightest. I wasn't bothered to change the office after Gary, so even if Derek changed it, I doubt it'd be anyhow troublesome either."

"Mr Wood hasn't used your office," Gabriel admitted. "He said that it was yours and until you leave completely, he nor anyone from the department will use it."

"Yeah, that does sound like Derek. He might've been threatened by Zoe and Gina though."

"Let's go to my office first."

"Sure. No holes in the wall?"

"No, I promise."

They walked into the elevator together and got to the forty-second floor without much of a chatter.

Once in Gabriel's office, they both sat down, but to Claire's surprise, Gabriel wheeled his chair around and sat to face her instead of sitting on the other side of his desk.

"I'm suggesting a new arrangement. New agreement. It can be written as a contract or…"

"No more contracts, Gabriel." Claire cut him off coldly.

"That's fine."

"So, your offer to end our marriage contract is still standing?"

"Yes, it is." Gabriel gulped, his hands were sweating and shaking as he tried to keep himself together. His face drained of blood.

"I want a reassurance, a promise, that this will be an option at all times until we both agree to either fully terminate it or re-establish it."

"I promise." Gabriel nodded.

"And what arrangement do you have in mind?"

"Let's date, like a new couple."

"What are the rules?"

"You're fun, aren't you?" Gabriel tried to joke.

"Zoe always said I was the most fun one at parties," Claire replied sarcastically.

"Okay. So, rules. Would you like to suggest anything?"

"I do not wish to be controlled or imprisoned," Claire said still upset over the past. Gabriel nodded. "I don't want to be forced into this new arrangement. And most importantly, no more going behind my back."

"Agreed."

"What are your demands?"

"That we date and get to know each other. There's no other expectation."

"Am I going to be pestered?"

"Maybe slightly."

Claire snickered.

"What benefit does it bring me?" Claire stood up and started pacing around the office.

"Absolutely none," Gabriel admitted. "If anything, it's solely a disadvantage to you."

"You're not really selling it." Claire smiled as she looked out of the window. It might have been only six floors difference but Gabriel's office was pointed in a different direction. Instead of the square and other tall buildings, the view spread further showing a panorama of the city.

"Well, I am a messed up human being that needs therapy because I couldn't deal with my own head. There's literally nothing I could say to sell myself. You've seen me at my worst."

"Are you expecting me to compliment you, or something?"

"No." Gabriel leaned back in the chair feeling depleted. "I genuinely have not much to offer. Everything I owned now has your name on it so even if the marriage contract falls through, you own half of everything."

"Hang on a minute, what did you just say?" Claire turned around and looked at him with shock.

"I worked with Watters for a while to ensure that your name is on every single legal document of ownership, including this company, villa, lands, jet, cars, and yacht."

"You own a yacht?" Claire looked confused.

"WE own a yacht." Gabriel corrected her.

"Seriously?" Claire squinted her eyes and lowered her brow. "Sorry, I'm getting hung up on the wrong thing. I just didn't realise you had a yacht as I don't think you ever mentioned using it."

"I never did."

"What a waste." Claire clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes in disapproval. "You do realise that this does not affect me, right?"

"I wish you were seeking money or power. It would have been so much easier to sway you. But you, and your high standards?" Gabriel said teasingly.

"Someone has to have standards. After all, not everyone is okay to marry a cockroach."

"That's a hit below the belt," Gabriel answered.

"That's for later." Claire smiled mischievously.

"What?" Gabriel looked at her in shock.

"You must brief me in. I have work to do." Claire picked up her handbag and took out her notebook and pen from it.

"But…" Gabriel turned in his chair. "I don't understand."

"You're such a dumb*ss." Claire smiled.

"I thought that you've realised that by now so please, just spell it out for me," Gabriel said as he looked at her with concern.

"It's a maybe." Claire decided.

"Maybe?" Gabriel's confusion and worry haven't left his face.

"Gabriel maybe is a yes for now," Claire explained in a whisper as she leaned towards him.

"Are you serious?" Gabriel asked as he grabbed her hand.

"I do have some more conditions. You must still adhere to my wishes to not expose this weird arrangement, at least intentionally, and you must continue going to therapy."

"That's perfectly fine, Claire. I have continued my work in therapy for the past two months and I wasn't going to stop any time soon. And I am willing to not speak a word of our relationship until you're ready."

"Thank you." Claire thought for a moment. "Gabriel, if you ever struggle to tell me something, write me a letter."

"Will do." Gabriel smiled. "I have gotten better at writing them, too."

"I can't wait," Claire said honestly. She hesitated before adding. "I should warn you that being with me might end up badly for you."

"I can't wait." Gabriel smiled smugly.

"We'll see about that. For now, may we get on with work?"