Chapter 96 - The Terrible News (1/2)
Claire is standing in the middle of Gabriel's office, wondering where he is. She gazes at the clock. It's weird that he's late. It was him who set their time of arrival, for a full pep talk regarding Michelle's upcoming shitstorm. But now he's not here, and she wonders why.
She hears voices outside the office. People greeting someone cheerfully. Before she could move, the door opens. It's Michelle, wearing a rather simple navy blue knit-sheath dress. Michelle smiles, and for a split-second, Claire is confused—isn't Michelle supposed to hate her? Then she quickly realizes she's not Claire Monteverde in this context, but Bella, the trusty new executive ȧssistant.
Michelle looks around the room. ”Gab's not in, yet?”
”Uhh, yeah, I think so. He's supposed to be here early. I…”
”He didn't leave a message? He didn't call?”
”He did—” He did call me while I was in the Jacuzzi, is what Claire is about to say, but she catches her mouth on time. ”He didn't, actually.”
Michelle gazes at her. ”Hmm. That's odd. We're supposed to have a longish meeting to discuss, uhh, not only boundaries—” Michelle rolls her eyes conspiratorially, thinking Claire gets her and Claire sympathizes—”and also ways for us to work together. I want my investment well taken care of, you see.”
”I know, Michelle,” Claire says. ”That's why we're supposed to come here early today.”
”Well, why didn't you discuss it yesterday, or in the previous days?”
Yeah, why didn't they sit down and talked about it, Claire realizes only now. But should she tell Michelle now that yesterday, Gabriel ran through the rain just to tell her how much she means to him? Just for shits and giggles. ”I'm not sure. I only take cues from Gabriel.”
Michelle sighs. ”He has always been like that. Remember the last time I was here? How he threw things at me?” She rolls her eyes again, the second time in five minutes. ”The temper. Can you imagine that? I wonder how you can stand him.”
”Well, he has his quirks,” Claire says. ”They say he's eccentric like that. Once you get past that rough exterior, though, Gabriel's good. Even better than some people I know.”
Michelle says nothing. She looks at Claire in a funny way. ”If he's not here, and you have nothing yet to do, how about a quick coffee?”
Claire hesitates, but Michelle grabs her by the arm, as if she has known her for a long time. ”Come on, just a little perk-me-up at the cafeteria. Don't worry, if he comes in, I'll make sure she won't blame you for not being at your desk.”
How can you say no to an offer you cannot refuse? ”Okay,” Claire says, letting Michelle take the lead.
Claire feels odd. She's supposed to hate Michelle, this evil woman who's supposedly so cunning she has managed to sneak past Gabriel's defenses to become a partner in a business merger. Not to mention the cheating. But Michelle seems a very like-able person, much better than her former roommates.
There's not a lot of people in the employee dining room because of the hour. They take a table in a corner. Michelle looks around, as though trying to find a waiter. Claire wants to tell her this place is self-service, but she keeps hour mouth shut; let Michelle learn about it herself. Someone in a cook's uniform passes bay. ”Hi, you,” Michelle says. ”Can you give us two coffees?”
The lineman gazes at Michelle as if worms crawled out of her mouth. ”Ma'am?”
”Two coffees, please,” Michelle repeats. ”Espresso. Oh, make mine double.”
The lineman stands there, uncertain, for a few embarrassing moments, until he realizes who Michelle is. ”Right away, ma'am.” He disappears into a door.
”I think they don't serve coffee here, Michelle,” Claire whispers. ”It's self-service here.”
”Oh, they know me,” Michelle says, rolling her eyes. ”They'll get it.”
Claire makes a smile of embarrassment; Michelle seems to be starting to show her true colors.
”So,” Michelle beams. ”Gossip!”