The Meeting: Aubrey's Contract with Silver

Jem's eyes shone brightly as she strode into her yard. Her mind wandered through all that occurred today and the most memorable is Matteo coming over to visit her earlier today at the bakery and patronizing her cupcake like he always does. She had several other customers to attend to when he arrived but he humbly waited for her to finish before taking all of her attention to himself. If not for his appearance one would not easily guess he is a wealthy businessman.

Jake sat on a couch his cloudy gazes fixed on Aubrey's framed picture. Her blameless smile, he could never look at that beautiful smile of hers and avoid smiling. He lifted his eyes on hearing the front door creak open. Then he heard soft footsteps approaching the living room. He quickly wiped his eyes before Jem finally appeared in front of him, she noticed him wiping his face earlier and his flushed eyes gave away the fact that he's been crying.

"Dad." She sat beside him and wrapped her hands around him, she doesn't want anything to spoil her mood.

"I'm sorry Jemima I..." He stuttered.

"Dad it's alright, we'll figure something out I know we would."

"Jem we only have two weeks left to pay two million dollars," he scoffs, "I don't even know why Aubrey owes Silver that much money."

Jem clicked her tongue and unwrap her hand around her father. It's impossible not to think about it, why her mom needed to borrow that much money without telling anyone including her husband.

"I'm confused honey, where do we start? I can't let them take away the bakery."

Jem didn't know what else to say she just stared at her father who gazed at his wife's picture.

"Matt came over today, I explained to him..." Jem finally spoke attracting her father's attention but he frowned on hearing Matt's name being mentioned.

"Matteo Valdez?" He jeers.

"Yeah, he said he'll do everything he can to help."

Jake scoffs a short laugh dropping his wife's frame on a stool. "Really? That bastard dares to show his face after what he did."

"Dad what are you talking about?"

"Mr. Valdez is the CEO of Silver. He was the one who lent your mother some money many years ago and upsurged the payment cause she couldn't afford to pay in time. What I don't know is how she came into contact with Silver."

"He can't be the Ceo..."

"Guess who should up at the bank today."

Jem hesitated. Matteo has been too kind to her since they met, he wouldn't lie about his identity just to get closer to her. Though he looks like an affluent businessman, he can't be Silver, he's just too decent to be Silver.

"Matteo Valdez, their boss. He has been behind all this the entire time."

***

Matteo was attentive to the lawyers as they review the contract between Aubrey and Silver. Jem just stared at his face thinking about the day she found out he was responsible for everything. With one glance you won't believe this angelic beauty would be capable of hurting a fly. But he can do way worse and still maintain his harmless look without a care in the world.

Matt knows Jem won't stop staring at him, he couldn't face her knowing how this meeting will end but he hopes she doesn't do as he wanted, only then will he be able to deal with the guilt.

Trevor mostly fixated his eyes on Jem while listening to the lawyers, he was curious to know what happened between the two. But whatever it was he wouldn't change his plans.

"... Mr. Valdez took the time to provide you with a lawyer but if you already have one you can call him or her to join the meeting right away."

Jem shook her head a bit doubtful that that was a question.

"This is Ms. Trenton, your lawyer."

Jem finally took a closer look at the red-haired lady sitting beside a bald man with glasses. She nodded forcing a smile to show appreciation.

"Do you have the money with you, Ms. Stacey?"

Jem chuckled at them, it was funny that they think she would be able to raise the money in two days that they couldn't raise for over two years. "Did my mother really borrow two million from Silver?"

"You see, eight years ago your mother borrowed a loan from Silver placing her bakery and apartment as collateral to collect four hundred and eighty-seven thousand dollars. She was given six months of grace to pay back the money, but failure will impel an interest of five hundred dollars per day. If you do the math you're owing silver way more than that amount but that's what they've decided to collect from you."

"Wow!" Jem nodded sarcastically.

"Your mother agreed to this contract." Ms. Trenton spoke pointing to Aubrey's signature while showing it to Jem.

"I know, but I've not been able to raise the money."

"Then you will have to evacuate the bakery in the next 24 hours." It was Trevor who spoke this time. Jem turned to stare at him this time with scrutiny. She had no idea what he was doing there and why he had to be a part of this meeting.

"I don't know who you are or your business here but I'm gonna kindly ask you to keep your tongue in your mouth cause this meeting doesn't concern you," She was almost yelling at Trevor.

Everyone including Matteo was astonished by Jem's attitude towards Trevor. Matteo himself wouldn't talk to his elder brother in that manner in front of a third party. It was suicidal for anyone to talk back at him. The only person who got away with it was Matteo.

Trevor smoothed a smirk, it was the first time a girl stood up to him with such audacity. He simply assumed Matteo was too soft on her, she must think everyone in Silver is like him. Everyone present just concluded she's yet to know who she was referring to.

"Calm down Ms. Stacey, you'll only make matters worse..."