A/N: This series of prompts do not follow the movie at all. What happens is that Gold will offer Belle an indecent proposal that you will see.
A/A/N: Hi everyone! I know it's been a while since I posted anything but work has been kicking my butt. I'm finding very little free time as it is so I'm so glad I was able to have the time to quickly revise these prompts for you. I still have a list of prompt requests, which I haven't started writing any of them yet but I'll try to squeeze them in as soon as I can!
Plus… the anthology my short story is published in is now available to purchase! It's called Erie Tales VIII "Holiday Horror" and it's available only on Amazon. I have the link for it posted under my Tumblr page. My holiday was Christmas and it's titled "Granny's Christmas Cookies."
Hope you all like!
Indecent Proposal
Prompt: Belle French is engaged to Grayson Knight and has a successful business. Until profits from her bookshop began to drop and they are struggling to pay their bills. Enter Mr. Gold, the shrewd and ruthless landlord, who has had his eye on Belle for quite some time. He offers her and her fiancé a deal. (Rated T)
"Damnit!" Belle muttered, looking over the paperwork for the latest quarter in profits. Once again the numbers dipped another 10%.
Then again, she shouldn't have been surprised. Lately, the number of customers had been declining and even the habitual browsers have also stopped coming. Yet it was still startling to see the actual numbers for this issue that has been ongoing for the past several months.
With sales dropping, Belle French didn't know how long she would be able to keep The Book Escape from closing its doors for good.
The thought inspired tears as she covered her face despairingly. This shop had been her dream come true and she was successful when she opened two years ago. After all, she did own the only bookstore in Storybrooke. However, she was losing business and even her loyal customers were dwindling. She couldn't figure out why that was the case. Now, she did see more of the electronic books popping up throughout town, but she didn't think that was the only factor that was driving her customers away. There was a major chain bookstore outside Storybrooke, and it was a lengthy drive to get to it, but why drive so far when there was a convenient bookstore around the corner?
She tried everything to entice her customers to return to her. She offered sales, discounts, donation collections (donate five cans of food and choose a book of your choice for half off), etc. to no avail. It seemed people would rather drive out of Storybrooke or use Amazon as opposed to her small shop.
Resigned, Belle wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve. She knew she will have to break the news to her fiancé, Grayson. They were partners turned lovers and he had invested as much as she did in opening this store. Ever since the sales began to drop, they had to postpone their nuptials, hoping things will turn around. Now that it looked much bleaker… there was only one other option to consider: closing The Book Escape.
She didn't want to but what other choice did they have? Bills were adding up, jobs had to be cut, not to mention scrapping for rent was getting difficult, especially with a landlord as ruthless and unfriendly as Mr. Gold.
The last resort would be to go to Mr. Gold to make a deal, but Belle would rather close than be indebted to him. Too many people have made deals with him, and the one thing that is always true about Mr. Gold's deals was that they always benefitted him. So no… Belle didn't want to go that route. Bad enough he was their landlord and she had to bear the bad news they may not have enough for the month.
Well, she shouldn't say that. If anything, he had been kind to her or close to kindness he could offer with his reputation and all. The rent was never excessive and was acceptable within the property's value. On Rent Day, Belle always had his money ready along with a book (on the house) that she thought he might like. In the beginning, he had scowled at the offer, but in recent months he had been warming up to the gift; even insofar as to even discuss the book with her on the next Rent Day.
However, it was the Dealmaker Mr. Gold Belle didn't want to mess with. Even though she saw him as an acquaintance, she wasn't naïve to think she would get special treatment by any means, which was why she had been careful not to mention the decrease in profits to avoid the inevitable deal he might make.
Belle locked up the store and walked home to her apartment. Grayson got home before she did and had been putting the last touches together on dinner.
She waited until after to tell him the grim news. By eleven o'clock they decided they would shut down The Book Escape for good.
xxXXxx
It didn't take long for news to spread about the closing. Belle and Grayson had spent the better part of the evening making and drawing up signs to announce the last sales, everything must go. It didn't make her feel any better, especially when she called and left a message with Mr. Gold about the bookstore closing and breaking the lease for the property. She and Grayson had discussed breaking the contract was better than suffering the remaining months until renewal. If they weren't turning a profit, then what was the point in keeping the doors opened?
Of course, they knew Mr. Gold would drop by to find out the details, but there was no point in beating around the bush. As soon as he came they would tell him the truth and pay whatever the contract said for breaking it. If it meant delaying the wedding a little bit longer… then that's what they had to do.
It was late afternoon by the time Mr. Gold did show up. The few customers they did manage to ring in took off as soon as he came into the store. Grayson nudged her to let her know he was there and Belle swallowed thickly as she approached him.
Mr. Gold was quite a sight to behold. Donned in one of his Armani suits, he was the very image of elegance and money down to the leather shine of his shoes. Even his cane was regal looking—a slick ebony body with a gold handle. The look on his face was stoic and unreadable, but his eyes held a glint of a promise for a potential deal in the making.
"Ah, Ms. French," he greeted with a slight tip of his head. "I received your message, and I must say, I was quite bereft when I heard the news. I'm sure you know how I feel about when a person breaks a contract with me."
"Yes but we saw no other way. Believe me, Mr. Gold, this decision wasn't made lightly," she said with a sense of confidence she did not know she possessed. "As much it grieves us… we weren't making any money. We're doing you a larger favor in closing so someone else can buy the property and possibly make use out of it."
He raised a finger to his chin and tapped it pensively. "Perhaps. Or maybe there is a way to keep it open."
Here it came. Just as Belle dreaded.
"I'm sorry Mr. Gold. But we're not interested in making a deal. Businesses come and go. This wasn't anything different and we need to move on."
"Indeed. But wasn't this always a dream of yours? And Mr. Knight's?"
At the mention of his name, Grayson appeared beside her with his arm supportively wrapped around her waist. "You heard the lady, Mr. Gold. We're not interested."
He feigned shock. "Truly? Even when it means this could save your bookshop?"
Grayson gulped and Belle hoped he kept his resolve. The last thing they needed was to bury themselves further. "'Fraid so Mr. Gold. Grayson and I are ready to move on with the next chapter of our lives."
He eyed them carefully. "So I see. Well, it is a shame really. Pity, too. I had such high hopes for your store. The town could use its own bookstore."
"We tried," Belle insisted. "But it seems the people would rather go elsewhere."
"Perhaps you should hear me out. I might be able to change the tide sort of speak." His grin was predatory and Belle wasn't sure she liked the tone of his voice. While she never was exactly frightened of Mr. Gold, there was something… unsettling about him. She couldn't place her finger on what or why, but he seemed insistent they keep their doors opened.
"What is it?" Grayson asked and Belle whirled at him in astonishment. "Grayson!" she hissed. "We talked about this. We weren't going to do this."
"I know but Belle," he sighed. "This store is your dream as much as mine. You can't honestly expect me to believe you would rather close then give it a chance?"
"No. I guess not but we've talked about this. We made a decision."
"No. You did," he corrected. "And I want to hear what Mr. Gold has to say. It might not be as bad as we think."
Looking back at the older man, Grayson nodded. "What are your terms?"
Mr. Gold broke out in a wide smile. "Simple. You see… I have another business venture in the works and the problem is… this investor prefers to negotiate with family men. Or at least men who are wed. It makes them a little more trustworthy. If you assist me with sealing the deal with this man, then I will give you the necessary funds to pay off your bills and any other debts you might have collected in the last six months. With a clean slate, I will also provide the resources needed for advertisement to drive customers in."
Belle arched a brow. It sounded too good to be true, and yet… "So how do you propose we help you? Are you suggesting you want Grayson to pass off as you?"
Mr. Gold burst out laughing. The sound was so sudden and abrupt that Belle jumped. Wiping a stray tear, Mr. Gold settled his chuckling fit and cleared his throat. "No offense to Mr. Knight but there is no way in Hell he could pass off as me."
"What are you implying?" Grayson demanded. A chill went down Belle's spine as the older man locked his gaze on her.
"I thought it was obvious. Ms. French will be my wife during this time."
"Excuse me?" "What?!"
The proclamations were in unison and the disgust in her expression was evident for them to see. "No. There is no way I would agree to do this." She shook her head vehemently. Marry Mr. Gold?! He had another thing coming if he thought she would accept an offer like that.
"Hear me out. You and I will wed and live as husband and wife—in appearances. In private, you will have your own room and you can go about your life as usual. We will not do anything other than a few expected intimate gestures in public. Once I have my contract signed, we will wait a period of time and you will be free to file for divorce. It will be quick and painless and after that… you won't have to hear from me ever again. I will even sign off the property as yours so no more rent will need to be paid."
As tempting as it sounded, Belle couldn't accept it. She was still selling herself and she didn't like the idea at all. If he was that desperate to have a "wife," then he should find some other desperate woman.
"Absolutely not. I'm sorry for the waste of time Mr. Gold, but I think you should leave," Belle said, motioning to the door. "Grayson and I will never agree to those terms."
"Belle," her fiancé said, placing his hand on her arm. "Let's not be too hasty."
"What?" She jerked her arm away from him as she looked at him with shock. "You cannot be seriously considering this."
"Think about it Belle," he argued. "We can keep the shop, rent free, and start fresh. We couldn't have asked for a better deal."
"Yes to what extent? This has to be illegal."
"Belle, he isn't going to push you to do something you don't want. If you do this, then we can keep living our dream. Think about it."
"I have and I can't—"
"Ahem." The couple turned to face the landlord. "I see you two have a lot to discuss. I'll give you twenty-four hours to consider. If I do not hear back from you, then I know the deal is off. You may close the store and I will expect the thousand dollars fee for breaking the lease on my counter the day after. No later. Is that understood?"
They nodded.
"Very well. I will be looking forward to your answer. Good day."
And he was gone.
Belle gazed at her fiancé in a whole new light. She couldn't believe he would actually go along with it. It sickened her that Grayson would be willing to sell her off like a prize stallion. Right now, she couldn't bear the sight of him so she excused herself to get some fresh air. She needed to clear her mind and get her thoughts in order. There was no doubt that this will be a battle and she had to have her wits about her to make sure this doesn't happen.
xxXXxx
Hours passed and Belle returned to the apartment where he was already waiting for her. Sitting across from him, she softly asked, "Where do we go from here?"
"Belle—" he began. "I know you don't like it. Trust me, I don't either. To see you with him… it'll drive me mad. But we need to think about our future. This could very well save us."
"Yeah at my expense. It's not worth it to me Grayson. Even if the tables were reversed, I wouldn't be having this conversation with you. I would have placed my foot down as soon as Gold laid out those terms."
"This is not just you, Belle. I invested a great deal into this store as well. This is my dream too and I can't sit back and let it go away. We have to give it a shot. This new start could be the thing we need to get back on our feet and try again."
"You would be okay with this? With me being married to him?"
"It's not like it would be real," he pressed. "Yeah the marriage might seem real, but the rest is a charade. You can do this Belle. I know you can. Whoever this business guy is… he won't be able to help himself and fall for your charms. He'll give Gold whatever he wants."
"Yes and what if it includes me? Grayson, I can't do this. Don't ask me to do this."
"We don't have a choice. We're broke Belle. Even the money Gold needs to break the lease is going to take some creativity. We just can't afford it."
She closed her eyes. "There has to be another way."
"There isn't. Please Belle. You're all the hope this store has. If not you…"
Tears swell in her blue depths. "Grayson…"
"I know. I know darling." He took her in his arms and held her close. "No matter what. I love you."
"I love you too," she said. And like that… the choice was made.