The Contract
Chanel was not quite intimidated but curious about this man.
Growing up, she'd heard stories about Jackie Blackwell, but now, before her, he was a different person.
There was something intoxicatingly powerful and coolly confident about Mr. Blackwell that opened up new possibilities for her.
"Are you enjoying the show?" Jackie asked, breaking the silence.
"Yes, they're impressive," Chanel said, smoothing her voice.
"The designs are very beautiful." Jackie shifts his gaze to the gown they're standing next to. "What do you think of this thing?" he asks, his voice flat.
Chanel looked at the dress for a few moments.
'It's great,' she said.
'The detail and the fabric... it's something else.
It's classic and modern at the same time.
I love those wide straps and those thin, tall flowers on the skirt.
The smooth keepsake. Real good stuff." Jackie raised an eyebrow.
"So what do you think?' he asked. "Seems a bit of an expert in fashion to me."
"I do my small line," Chanel said, "I'm a fashion designer."
She laughed and looked back at the stage as though sorry she had intruded.
"Of course, it's nothing like what they're showing here, but I love it." Jackie nodded thoughtfully.
"Passion is important. It's what drives us to succeed." He replied.
She was too disheartened to hope, but his words sent something like a tiny flame to light up the hope in her heart.
Perhaps Jackie Blackwell was more than the vicious shark cutthroat of commerce he was rumored to be.
"Yes," she said, "that's always kept me sending."
Their discussion stopped when they heard someone call Jackie's name. It was a man who looked as if he was dressed in his Sunday best.
He looked surprised to see Jackie.
"Jackie, I didn't expect to see you here," the man said, extending a hand.
Jackie nodded, picked up the man's hand, and, smilingly, said: 'I couldn't help but peek. I was just curious to see how the other half lives."
The man chuckled and glanced at Chanel.
"And who might this be?" He inquired, looking at Chanel.
"This is Chanel Collins," Jackie introduced her. "She's a fashion designer." "Pleasure to meet you, Chanel," he said.
'Richard, one of Jackie's business associates."
"The pleasure is mine," Chanel replied, shaking Richard's hand.
As the men launched into their business discussion, Chanel felt sidelined, and just as she was about to excuse herself, Jackie turned back to her.
"Chanel, may I talk to you alone for a moment?"
"If it's about taking me up to your room, you'll have to dream on.
That room's filled up," she said, laughing at her wit.
Jackie chucked "I'd like to talk to you later.
Tonight, say, over a drink?"
Chanel was surprised by the invitation but nodded. "Sure, that sounds nice."
Jackie smiled slightly. "Great. I'll find you after the show."
Jackie and Richard gave a half turn and disappeared, leaving Chanel a bit dizzy and thinking.
I have met Jackie Blackwell, and he wants me to have a drink with him.
"What! Is this real?" she muttered.
"Or am I suddenly dreaming?"
The show's second half began, and Chanel considered running away when her mind wandered back to Jackie and the boredom in her small, simple brown apartment.
I can actually wait to talk with him. She muttered.
After the show, Chanel went to the bar area to look for Jackie.
He was there within moments, already holding an alcoholic beverage and wearing an abstract expression.
"Thank you for waiting," Jackie said as he approached her.
"It's good to have you along."
"Of course," Chanel replied, taking the glass he presented. "Tell me about yourself." Jackie chuckled softly. "Most people ask. But tonight, I'd rather hear more about you." Chanel raised an eyebrow in surprise. "About me? There's not much to tell."
"I'm having trouble believing that," Jackie responded, putting down his drink.
"When you said things were tough, what did you mean by that?"
Chanel hesitated for a minute, not knowing how much to tell.
But from Jackie's eyes, she could tell she could be all right and talk a little.
"It's my brother,' she said."
He's been accused of embezzlement in his office.
I know he didn't do it, but we can't afford to pay the lawyers to defend him."
Jackie's expression softened slightly.
"That's a difficult situation. I'm sorry to hear that."
"Thank you," Chanel said softly. ", I don't know how else to help him." She continued. Jackie sat for a long moment, clearing his throat.
"What if I told you I could help?"
Chanel looked at him in surprise. "Help? How?"
"I can pay your way and get you a lawyer for your brother," Jackie said. "And I will get something for you if you will help me out with something." Chanel's pulse quickened. That wasn't her idea at all.
She didn't even believe what she was hearing. "What favor?" she inquired.
Jackie's eyes locked onto hers, his expression serious. "I need a wife."
Chanel blinked in shock, her mind raced to process his words. "A wife? Why?"
"It's complicated," Jackie replied, the tone in his voice was firm and resolute.
"But believe me when I say we will both benefit from this. And that means the same thing."
Chanel looked at him.
This wasn't what she signed up for! 'Shall I lower my dress a little and take you to those girls?' She teased.
"Think about this, Chanel, this arrangement will be a temporary one, you get what you want, I do the same, then we divorce and both have our freedoms." Jackie pressed further.
Chanel thought for a while, could she take a man she hardly knew as her husband to save her brother?.
What kind of absurdity was that? John in prison – she couldn't bear the thought. She needed to think about it.
"What's your answer, Chanel?" Jackie asked, his voice low but urgent.
Well, she needed to think about it fast. With the urgency in his voice, Chanel wasn't sure if he would like to wait.