Part 31

The status between Antony and Claire was strictly that of a boss and subordinate. The girl wasn't part of the PR team that needed to clarify issues he had created for the public. However, Antony personally wanted to emphasize to her that he and Anastasia had no relationship to avoid any misunderstandings between them. But the fact that Flavia was involved and Claire's reaction to his relationship with Anastasia hit him harder than he expected.

Why was Antony being so cruel, not considering Flavia's feelings when Claire had pointed this out just last weekend? What kind of man was he? What kind of father was he?

"If there's nothing else to discuss, I'll take my leave, Sir," Claire's words snapped Antony out of his thoughts. He looked at her and reflexively nodded his head.

The room fell silent as Claire walked back to her cubicle. All eyes were clearly on her, their gazes filled with curiosity.

"What did he call you into his office for?" Bella was the first to voice her question, speaking for her colleagues.

"What do you mean?" Claire replied, pulling her chair back and turning to face her computer.

"Sir Quirino, what did he want?" Nareta now approached, her curiosity evident as she ignored the pile of work she had.

Claire shrugged before answering her friends' questions. She intentionally raised her voice a little higher, so she wouldn't have to repeat the same answer.

"Sir Quirino said that anyone who gossips about him shouldn't expect a year-end bonus. And since he knows I haven't gossiped about him, eight percent of your bonuses will be mine," she replied with a sly grin on her face. Nareta gasped, clearly not accepting Claire's statement.

"Are you serious?" Bella whispered to Claire. Claire simply nodded, trying to suppress her laughter as she watched Bella glare at Nareta. Her friend seemed to be blaming Nareta for indirectly making Bella comment on the gossip about their boss.

The evening arrived, and Claire had packed her bag and was getting ready to leave when her phone rang, displaying Yudhis's name on the screen. Claire's brow furrowed instantly.

"Yeah?" she answered the call.

"Where are you? Still at the office?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm about to leave. What's up? Is there a problem?"

"I forgot to tell you that we received a wedding invitation from one of the restaurant suppliers. The event is happening tonight." The sound of bustling activity in the kitchen echoed in the background. Yudhis seemed to be in the restaurant's kitchen area.

"Whose wedding? The owner's or the supplier's kid?" Claire asked as she shut down her computer and prepared to leave. She was reaching for her bag and leaving her desk when Yudhis replied.

"Don't be crazy, Claire. There's no way Mr. Chow is getting married again; you know how loyal he is. It's his kid who's getting married." Yudhis laughed heartily. "The event is at Hall F; if you want to come, I'll send you the virtual invitation."

"So, I have to go alone?" she asked, standing in front of the elevator as it descended to take the early leavers. At that moment, she spotted Antony approaching.

"Pick me up at home," she replied, glancing at her watch. "At seven o'clock sharp; I'll make sure I'm ready." At the same time, Antony was already standing beside her.

"Okay. Wear that 'dress' so we can match as a couple."

"Sure. Just don't be late picking me up."

"Of course, ma'am. Make sure to look beautiful and don't embarrass me."

"Of course, handsome. I'm going to dress up beautifully and sexily so I won't embarrass you," Claire replied, rolling her eyes. "Just make sure you're not late."

"Yeah, sweetheart. Seven o'clock sharp. I promise," Yudhis said again before the call ended.

The faint sound of Yudhis's response reached Antony's ears, causing him to raise an eyebrow.

"Do you have plans?" the man asked flatly. Claire turned her head to look at him before nodding.

"I thought you had dinner plans with the girls tonight," he assumed.

"No, Sir. I don't have plans with the girls. Tonight I have plans with Yudhis," she clarified.

Just as the elevator doors opened, they stepped in together. The lift was empty and only occupied by the two of them, as their floor was the top of the building. The atmosphere fell silent again as the doors closed.

"Are you in a relationship with Yudhis?" Antony asked after a moment.

"Of course. If we weren't in a relationship, I wouldn't be communicating with him," Claire answered logically.

"What I mean is, do you have a special relationship?"

Claire shrugged. "Sorry, Sir. I don't think I have an obligation to answer your question." Her response made Antony furrow his brow.

"We're out of office hours, Claire. I don't see any harm in discussing personal matters," he replied again. He turned to look at Claire, and she gave him a sweet smile while shaking her head.

"That's exactly the problem, Sir. We're outside of work, and it's inappropriate for us to discuss personal matters. Your concerns about me revolve only around Abigail and Flavia. Other than that, I don't think there's a need to discuss anything else, especially my personal life."

"But I want to know," Antony said coldly.

"And that's your problem because it's not my duty to satisfy your curiosity, Sir." The elevator doors opened, and a few people entered, prompting Claire to create distance between herself and Antony.

Antony was left speechless. Why did people have to appear and interrupt this rare interaction with Claire just when he wanted to say so much more? He felt annoyed that there were still many things he wanted to discuss with her.

Claire exited on the first floor, along with other employees, while Antony descended last and lost track of Claire.

The journey back home suddenly felt long, even though he was eager to arrive. There was something he needed to do with his daughter. There were questions he had to ask Flavia and her friend.