Bab 148: The Bowler

Gabriel removes himself from the press conference like some rock star who had just finished a concert. In the hallway outside the conference room of the TXCI building, he joins Claire, who runs up to him and throws her arms around him.

"Thank you," she whispers, teary-eyed. "Thank you so much, Gab."

"I should have done that right when we first became real. Should not have prolonged that lie."

Claire smiles, tearing flowing down her cheeks. "But still. That was a load off my chest."

Catherine Buenavista, who has been watching this exchange, says, "That was a bold move, Sir. I didn't know you were set to do it, though." She laughs nervously, as people mill around them. "I would have advised otherwise, but—"

"It's alright, Cath. I take all the responsibility." He takes Claire's hand. "Now, we'd have to go and check on Miguel's condition. The doctor said—"

He never finishes his words—Michelle Alcantara appears before them with murder in her face. She has her eyes on Claire.