Rory had headed out to the crowd where everyone was eating and talking about Mike. Good and happy times with Mike, and Rory remembered how she saw him last. Mike who was happy and in peace. No more sadness clouded her heart. She looked at the closed envelope that contained a letter that Mike had written to her, asking her not to be sad. Basically...to LIVE. She understood now what love meant. She loved and has been loved, and that was the greatest gift of all. She felt this inner peace that knowing Mike was ok, and she could live without feeling guilty. She smiled and walked confidently to console others to let them know that Mike would have wanted everyone to be happy once more.
Tristan kept his eyes on Rory and saw that she seemed almost...happy. Something must have hit her that made the dramatic change. It's the letter. She knows that Mike wants her to be happy again. She gained peace through that letter. With that knowledge, he plotted to win Rory, to make her his wife. I need her in my life. But how...
****Somewhere in the World****
A selfish man that existed in the world was named Jarlan Louis Dugray the Third, Tristan's father. He kept tabs of everyone that existed in his universe. Someone or anything that could interfere or help in his plan to succeed in life. That included his family, associates, "friends", and Lorelai "Rory" Leigh Gilmore McNightly. He wanted Tristan to join him to be the biggest law firm in history of the world. He couldn't succeed if Tristan lost focus. One distraction, was the girl who kept a firm grasp of his son's heart. One that he had not thought it existed. Jarlan had hoped that with etiquette, training at home, and role model ship, Tristan would grow up to be another Jarlan. To satisfy one's physically needs through girls for temporary usage. When the age of marriage arrives, one would choose a docile, beautiful trophy wife. When love entered into the equation, things get complicated, focus were redirected and a conscience developed. Tristan was doing fine until his sophomore year when a new girl from a small, insignificant, town born from a debutante mother who caused a big scandal fifteen years ago in Hartford.
"I can never let Tristan or Rory fall in love with each other again. Last time was too close. Tristan would have married that girl and ruined my plans for everything! Damn her. Well for their dallying in their youths, consequences must be paid. You do the crime, you pay the time. Well, I want that Gilmore Group, gain property, grow it, sell it, make some millions, or yet, billions and buy out UniteLaw Group. This way, I can slowly gain all major law firms and make DugrayLaw Firm the biggest and the most powerful firm in the world. Once I gain enough power, I would be nominated to become a judge in the Supreme Court. Then step up and become President of United States. Oh yes, I will achieve everything, and no one can stand in the way. No one. Make Tristan marry that girl, never letting him get too close, but close enough to torment him of his lost love. He will pay the price for disobeying me. Love! What a ridiculous notion. It doesn't exist, and sooner Tristan learns of that fact, well, sooner he'll help me succeed faster in my goal. Now...I should call the banks to pressure the Gilmores" With an malignant laugh, he started to dial the number for the president of RoyalBank -- to pressure the Gilmores to declare bankruptcy. Then, when Tristan marries the girl, "Tristan" will offer to buy off the company, to help his in-laws out in an unfortunate financial troubles....
******Gilmore Residence in Hartford******
"Yes, yes. I understand. Thank you, sir. No, there seems to be no choice, is there? Well, we will call you back next week for the final decision. Good day." Richard Gilmore hung up the phone, and let a sigh of breath.
"Well, Richard. Aren't you going to tell me?" Emily Gilmore nagged her husband. "What did that broker tell you. Hurry up, it's unnerving me!" She demanded.
"Emily. I have worked nearly twenty-three years of my life, and devoted seven years in my insurance company, Gilmore Group. I have never failed in business, and yet today, I have. It seems that we have bigger financial problems than we thought. We have to declare bankruptcy, chapter 11, sell our house, some furniture and value antiques and paintings to have the funds liquidated. The company will be sold, unfortunately, very cheaply, and we have to do our best to pay our debts." Richard told Emily. He knew that Emily was very materialistic, and probably would have hard time to let go of her possessions, but those were the only choices.
"Richard! How could you suggest such a thing. What will our friends think of us?! Some of these furniture, antiques and paintings have been in our families for decades, some even centuries." She cried.
"We are in debt, Emily! My god, woman. Do you know what this means? We cannot live in this lifestyle. We'll go hungry and in streets. You'll have to give away some of your designer gowns to those specialty stores who buy clothes and sell many of your jewelry. Even then, we owe the bank more money. But this will help us for another year to keep those sharks out of our hairs temporarily." He explained.
"Where will we live? What will we do?" She asked.
"We'll ask to live with Lorelai. We already sold our retirement plan and most of our stocks to invest in my business, so we only have few thousands in blue chip stocks. We'll have to sell those too. I'm sorry, Emily. We'll have to do the best we can." The two couples huddled closely, and tried to keep dark thoughts out of bay. They had tomorrow to worry about. They were about to lose their home and many possessions just to be save for another year. They still had too many debts to pay off. Even Rory with her new found inheritance couldn't help. Richard couldn't ask his granddaughter to give most of her money to them. Even if he did, he and Emily would still be poor. He needed another solution.
Too many phone calls and arrangements were made. Emily and Richard Gilmore dismissed the staff, and retired to their rooms for one last time before they made a new life for themselves. Whatever happens, they knew that they were still survivors. Richard felt guilty to bring down his wife; stripping her of her securities, memories, inheritance and her old life.
"Goodnight Emily. I promise, I'll make it up to you, somehow." Richard Gilmore kissed the crown of his wife's head and fell asleep to nightmares of the future.
******Back to Jarlan Dugray******
Yes, my plan is working. Tristan, son. You should be grateful that your dear old father arranged everything for you to go your way. Don't mess up. I need this Gilmore Group, valuable clients...more power to gain. The Gilmores are on a verge of losing everything. Now, just let the little information that they are bankrupt must reach Rory's ears. Make her desperate enough want to do anything to help her dear old grandparents. Tristan steps in, offers the money to help them out, in exchange for the Gilmore Group. Money's no object. Money can buy many things, including power, but power has to be gained. So I'll lose some money, but this insurance company has many valuable contacts. This company, right now bankrupt, will be lucrative in few short months; rising in the financial world, with my influence. It can be sold at a high price. Then have a takeover for the UniteLaw Group. Just a little stepping stones for my ultimate goal.
Sorry guys, filler chapter to explain the conflict to occur. Not my best fic, but hope you could imagine Emily and Richard Gilmore dialogue. Tried my best. Next chapter, hopefully it will be a Trory filled fest. This is an angst/romance fic, and it is an AU. Please only positive comments.
