Thanks again for the reviews… I tried to add some fluff, kinda hard for this chpt. But I guarantee lots more soon… again DISCLAIMER: plot is not totally my own please don't sue me
Enjoy!
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Gabriella paced as Troy dialed the number directory assistance gave him, thoughts rushed through her head as she ignored the chatter from Troy, "This man knew my grandfather, and this man was a criminal…" It went on until Troy hung up the phone, Gabriella walked up to him "Well?"
Troy smiled at her nervous expression, "His secretary seems nice."Gabriella's eyes narrowed and Troy went on, "She sounds pretty,"
Gabriella roughly grabbed the collar on Troy's shirt and pulled him to her, "Listen Bolton you tell me what was said or so help me…" she paused as Troy started to laugh, she took a step back as Troy lifted his hands in mock surrender, "Easy tiger, you have an appointment with a Mr. John Parks this afternoon…"
Gabriella examined Troy's face, "How do we even know this is the right John Parks?"
Troy shrugged, but Gabriella could see he knew more then he let on, "maybe we'll get lucky..."
Gabriella's eyebrows rose, "We?"
Troy smiled again, "You'd really think I'd let you to a jewel thief's house without a proper escort…"
Gabriella relaxed slightly, "Alleged thief… and how do I explain you coming with me? If I remember my grandfather, his friend won't find an unmarried woman escorted by a young man 'proper'"
Troy leaned against his chair and chuckled, "I thought about that…" Gabriella flopped back into her chair and he continued, "I think we should get married."
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An hour and a half before Gabriella's meeting, she stepped out the front door of Troy's house; she was dressed in black pumps a gray tweed skirt, a dark purple camisole and a matching gray suit jacket, she called into the house "This is never going to work…"
Troy emerged wearing black wing-tips, dark gray dress pants and a light green sweater; He turned and pulled the door shut locking it behind him…
"Of course it will, it makes perfect sense for your husband to come with you…" as he walked past her down the steps…
Gabriella ran after him only slightly tripping in her heels she grabbed his elbow to steady herself, "Only one problem." She grumbled, "You're NOT my husband…"
Troy stopped and fished something out of his pocket, he motioned for her to lift her left hand as they continued to walk he slipped something over her ring finger, "You know that and I know that but he doesn't know that…" He paused as Gabriella stared down at a diamond studded gold band, "And if your as good an actress as you are a whiner I'm sure we can make him believe we are…"
Gabriella chased after him, "I am not a whiner" she tripped again and Troy reached out to steady her. She pulled away when he squeezed her hand "It's going to be fine…"
Troy hailed a cab and Gabriella slid in next to him as he gave the female cab driver an address, Gabriella stared at the scenery as she nervously played with the hem of her skirt… she stopped immediately when Troy teased, "You're gonna give me some bad ideas doing that…"
Gabriella released the hem and punched him in the arm…
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Gabriella took Troy's hand when the cab came to a stop in front of a large skyscraper, the old shy Gabriella kicked in as she gripped onto Troy's arm, "We're going in there?"
Troy nodded and pulled her farther, "Do you want to get this over with or not…"
Gabriella nodded and let Troy drag her into the building, Troy walked confidently towards the elevator.
Gabriella hummed along to the music of the elevator as they rode up to the floor marked P… she glared at Troy as he again shot her an amused look and muttered, "Calm down…"
The doors eventually pinged open and Gabriella took a breath, she followed Troy as he walked towards the large reception desk and rolled her eyes as she listened to him flirt with the secretary… Gabriella flipped her left hand on the counter and grabbed Troy's arm with her right, "Honey, I'm sure this nice GIRL is very busy we should just go wait." She looked over the counter and flashed a 'Ha ha' smile
The secretary waved them to a set of luxurious black leather furniture where Gabriella perched on the couch and Troy took a seat in the adjacent chair… Troy laughed, "I like you like that?"
Gabriella shrugged, "Like what?" she pretended as she picked up a copy of Cosmo and began to leaf through it…
Troy's grin widened, "Jealous…"
Gabriella got out an "I am so not jea…" when the secretary stood in the doorway and said, "Mr. and Mrs. Bolton, Mr. Parks will see you now…" Troy grinned at the back of Gabriella's head as she angrily stomped towards the office…
Troy took Gabriella's arm as they entered an office, It didn't have the old, cozy feeling of Troy's office it was a stark light blue and had the feel of a hospital; There was minimal decoration (a few abstract statues) and a steel girder type desk, the mans back was turned towards a floor to ceiling glass window and the silver haired man was barking into a cell phone…
Troy could see Gabriella was too nervous to speak so he coughed to let Parks know they arrived…
The man in the desk chair said goodbye to his colleague and hung up t he phone, slowly he turned…
Gabriella felt a lump in her throat… although she could only see the top half of him, the man was still very intimidating… his broad navy suit covered shoulders were anchors for his handsome face, The only signs of age were the crows feet around his steely blue eyes and the gray flecks in his hair… The man took her in and smiled…
"I'm sorry if I'm staring it's just that…" he paused and met Gabriella's nervous gaze, "You remind me so much of your Grandmother…"
Gabriella knew it was meant to be a compliment but she wanted to be nothing like her grandmother so she tried to smile politely, "Thank you…"
Troy glanced at Gabriella gauging her reaction to the man he stepped towards him and extended his hand, "Troy Bolton, Mr. Parks… Pleasure to meet you…"
Jon Parks coughed then nodded in acknowledgement, "I'd shake your hand Mr. Bolton but I'm not as spry as I used to be…"
It was then Gabriella noticed the wheel chair…Parks motioned for them to have a seat, "So Gabriella, I can't believe you're married… it seems like yesterday I was bouncing you on my knee."
Troy grinned and reached over to place a hand on her knee, Gabriella almost jumped at the heat from his hand, "We're very happy…"
Gabriella tired of the charade blurted out, "Mr. Parks I was wondering if you could tell me about my grandfather…"
She could see angry flash through the old mans eyes,
"Hot Hands, has always been a cheat…it just took me some time to figure it out"
At that Gabriella's eyebrows rose, "What do you mean?"
Parks sat back in the chair and spat out, "You two are here to ask about The Quartet fortune aren't you?"
Gabriella sat back, "I'm sorry…"
Parks face twisted, "I should have known…Get out of here"
Troy spoke, "We're sorry if we offended you Mr. Parks…"
The old man yelled, "I don't know anything more then you do…" His fiery gaze shot from Troy to Gabriella, "Leave…"
Gabriella was about to speak when Troy stood and motioned for her to follow him… She turned, "We really are sorry Mr. Parks…"
The man said nothing but his gaze narrowed and Gabriella silently trailed after Troy.
She followed him into the elevator and when the doors shut she turned to him, "What was that about?"
Troy tried to smile, "I don't know" he grumbled… The worse part was he did know and things were only going to get worse…
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I might change this Chpt a bit, (still unsure if I like it…I might condense it…) If I change it I will let you guys know on the next Chpt. Please let me know if you like it.