The Meeting: First Stage of the Contract

"Calm down Ms. Stacey, you'll only make matters worse for yourself." Ms. Trenton said fidgeting, it's not like she knows Jem personally but she's scared for her.

"Worse? You say worse. My father has been in jail for two days now, is that part of the contract? Did I miss it?"

"Your father caused a commotion at Silver's bank and insulted Silver himself."

"I don't care, jailing my father wasn't part of the deal. You had no right whatsoever." She hits her fist on the table.

"Jemima," Matteo called at her which made her turn to look at him, the moment her eyes met his she became calm, not out of fear but because it made her realize he is the only one she should be mad at, every other person was innocent. But she couldn't hate him, no matter how hard she tries.

"All this yelling is but a waste of our time, why not consider the options first," Matteo gulped dryly as he said those words to her, if only she could read his thoughts and find out what he feels. She would understand everything he said is far from what he wished to say. "If you're not ready to reason you can give up the bakery and forget about your father."

Jem didn't know when a tear touched her cheek then more started coming down. Matteo was been indifferent toward her emotions and that hurt her even more.

He hates seeing her cry because of him so looked away and tried his hardest to pretend he couldn't care less but Jem kept staring at him.

"Ms. Stacey are you with us?" the first lawyer asked her noticing she was unresponsive to her environment.

Jem nodded wiping her face with the back of her palm and then wiping it on her blouse. Both Trevor and Matt cringed at the sight of that, especially Trevor who has never seen a woman do something as such in front of him. Matt quickly took out the neatly folded handkerchief in his pocket and handed it to her. She looked at him for a while before accepting it. She wiped her face before blowing her nose.

"Thanks," she muttered. It's weird how he always wants to wipe her tears after making her cry.

Matt nodded staring at her face trying to ensure her face was tear-free before looking away.

"There's a proposition, Ms. Stacey one that will help you pay the money you owe the company with ease." Ms. Trenton said.

"I'm listening."

"You are going to be given a job at Silver and all your salary will be handed to the company until payments are complete. But such a favor wouldn't be for nothing that's why you will have to enter a contract marriage with Mr. Valdez."

"This marriage is going to be like every other marriage. There would be a ceremony and exchange of vows. You can request a divorce as soon as you finish paying your mother's debts. This is because we don't want the public to know you are been joined because of the contract."

"But the world already knows I owe him a fortune,"

"We can change that, can't we Ms. Stacey?"

"I don't know what you want from me."

"It's simple, be his wife for the public if you know what that means." The lawyer smiled at her.

Jem was starting to get it, they wanted to protect Silver's reputation from the public. And they needed her cooperation in doing so.

She looked at Matteo expecting him to say something about this but he was quiet about it. He doesn't look like he cares about her decision, but deep down Matteo was sweating bullets. He wants Jem to reject the proposal, no matter how impossible it is for her right now.

Jem gulped dryly to brace herself before saying what she had in mind. "Can I talk to you in private first?" She was staring at Matteo as she said this. But before Matteo could open his mouth Trevor spoke before him.

"Whatever you have to say Ms. Stacey you can say it right here."

"And how does that affect you," Jem glared at him.

'Whoa! She did it again this girl has no fear.' this was what everyone had in mind, especially Kendra who is starting to dislike the new girl's nerves.

"This meeting is taking longer than it should. Is it a yes or a no?" Trevor clenched his fist as he said this. He wasn't sure how long he can stand this girl.

"I need to speak to Mr. Valdez, I don't know why you have a problem with that."

"Excuse me, do you know who you are talking to?" Kendra blurted out having stayed patient enough. But Trevor lifted one of his index fingers to only her notice. Reluctantly she nodded and continued to glare at Jem.

Jem didn't mind with her all she wanted was a brief talk with Matteo.

"Jemima if have conditions you want to discuss it's better you say it in front of our lawyers," Matteo said.

Jem nodded, it is a contract hence affection is far from it. But living with a man you love without loving him, how is that even possible?

"Can't I see my father first?"

"No Ms. Stacey you'll get to meet him after you agree to the proposal."

Jem looked Matteo in the eye, she could now predict he wasn't happy about this. But like her, he had no choice. Why was falling in love with him so easy but hating him for being the bad guy nearly impossible?

Besides all of this is to save her father's life and her mother's bakery, if it's to be with Matteo then it's all worth it.

"Yes, I do accept the proposal."

Matteo's world shattered in pieces on hearing her response. Jem felt relief at first but then noticed Matteo was not smiling.

The lawyers started officiating the contract having them sign the first stage of the contract. She was so caught up wondering why Matt wasn't happy about her decision that she hardly paid attention to the contract. She signed, Matteo and Trevor signed then the lawyers included their signatures.

Everyone except Matteo and Jem was satisfied with the outcome. Their eyes were locked on each other like they were having a conversation with no words. Jem was confused while Matteo was angry.