The Contract – Chapter 2
The Meeting
Due to her work schedule Alexandria had not been able to meet the Gibbs in person until it was time to sign the contracts. The reaction from the elderly couple not only shocked her but Jarrod as well. They immediately refused to sign the contracts because she was a woman and they stormed out claiming Jarrod had tricked them. It took Jarrod another week of talking to the Gibbs before he was able to calm them down enough to agree to another meeting with Alexandria.
Through it all Jarrod had stood by her side not believing how closed minded the Gibbs had been. She had the talent the money and experience so he saw no issue with her buying the Gibbs business. Jarrod used every trick he knew and probably some he invented to get the Gibbs to go along with the contract; but to no avail as they refused to sign anything. She knew he too was frustrated and angry with them.
Jarrod had been helping her with what she needed to say to the Gibbs in order to convince them to sign the contract. After several meetings with her he felt they had the perfect rebuttal and felt confident she would be able to sway them. However the Gibbs were unmoved by her arguments and she even begged and pleaded with them to allow her this golden opportunity but they never budged. Jarrod even got involved stating he would co-sign for her but the old buzzards were unfazed.
Jarrod threw his hands up in frustration and started ranting and raving about this and that and all the while Alexandria stood there shell shocked. Her dreams of owning her own dressmakers shop were slipping through her hands. She knew Mrs. Gibbs felt bad for her but her husband owned the shop so she kept quiet until she mentioned something about a marriage or engagement.
Alexandria looked at the woman in confusion as she repeated what she had said and when she looked at Mr. Gibbs he nodded his head in agreement. She thought my God how old fashioned are these people?
As she stood there staring at the elderly couple in disbelief she heard Jarrod continue on with his ranting and raving.
She sat down across from the couple and asked nervously, "So you mean to tell me that if I was engaged to be married you would sell me the shop?"
Mr. Gibbs answered, "No, we would sell it to you and your husband."
Alexandria frowned but continued on, "But you would sell it to me, I mean us?"
Mrs. Gibbs smiled and said, "Yes we would."
Jarrod had quit his tirade and was standing at his drink cart when Alexandria got an idea. She took a deep breath as she stood up and walked over to Jarrod and snaked her arm through the startled attorney's. He stared at her in shock since they had not exchanged any pleasantries outside of his office.
She cleared her throat as she put her head on Jarrod's shoulder and said, "Well in that case we can still proceed with the sale of the shop."
Jarrod for his part had no clue what was going on and was about to say something when Mrs. Gibbs stood up and greeted the couple.
"Why didn't you tell us?"
Alexandria clutched Jarrod's arm tighter, "We were wanting to keep it quiet until we told his family."
Mr. Gibbs joined his wife and said, "That is perfectly understandable." He offered Jarrod his hand to shake and the befuddled attorney shook it.
Alexandria asked nervously, "So the sale of the shop will proceed correctly?"
Mr. Gibbs frowned and said, "No, not until you married."
Alexandria frowned and said, "But after we're married right?"
Mrs. Gibbs said, "Yes, of course."
Mr. Gibbs asked, "When are you getting married Mr. Barkley?"
Jarrod finally found his voice, barely and stammered, "Married?"
Mr. Gibbs frowned and asked, "Are you okay Mr. Barkley? You don't seem too happy right now?'
Jarrod looked at Alexandria and saw the pleading look in her eyes. He took a deep breath and said, "I'm...fine, Mr. Gibbs. I'm just ah still trying to process all of this."
Mrs. Gibbs spoke, "Of course you are dear."
Alexandria asked nervously, "So the sale of the shop will still proceed?'
Mr. Gibbs frowned and said, "No, not until you're married."
Jarrod mumbled again, "Married?'
Mr. Gibbs frowned at Jarrod and said, "Mr. Barkley are you sure you're okay? You're not acting like a happy man right now."
Jarrod looked at Alexandria once again and knew she was counting on him to help her. He smiled at Mr. Gibbs and said, "I guess I'm still shocked that this lovely lady as agreed to be my wife Mr. Gibbs." He put his arm around Alexandria's waist for good measure.
Mrs. Gibbs said, "Well you two certainly kept your courtship very quiet. I'd have never suspected you two were courting let alone engaged."
Alexandria replied, "We are both very private people Mrs. Gibbs. That is why we were hoping I could buy the shop without involving Jarrod because of who his family is. I don't want any favors because I'll be a Barkley." Jarrod just stood staring at Alexandria and thought that was a good comeback.
Mr. Gibbs asked, "Well I can respect that but I am an old fashioned man." He pointed at Alexandria's empty ring finger and asked, "That being said, I don't see an engagement ring on your finger."
"It's being sized," Jarrod replied quickly. This old man was quickly working his nerves.
Mr. Gibbs spoke once again, "We'll not keep you any longer. Once you are married please let us know and we can proceed with the sale of the shop." He escorted his wife out of the office.
Alexandria extracted herself from Jarrod and looked at the attorney. She was trying to gauge his current mood but his face was a solid mask of confusion.
Jarrod cleared his throat and said, "Would you mind telling me what the hell just happened?"
