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 Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2025 6:03 pm
It was, perhaps, not a conventional reason to be meeting a lovely lady in a fine steakhouse for a dinner that would have been romantic, given its date and setting. But then again, Gerard had tried conventional romance. He mostly found it trite, uninteresting, and inconvenient. Far too many people saw a wealthy lawyer and decided that he was something to be manipulated for his wallet.
Besides, a wedding was a boost to his career. Married men tended to get ahead, ion the presumption that they were providing. Obviously Melody was far more than capable of providing for herself, but how exactly it would work would be down to what they discussed tonight.
A marriage was a contract. Theirs would perhaps be more literal.
"If you could," Gerard said, evenly, "what exactly are your primary expectations, here? How do you want to define the...relationship?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2025 8:18 pm
The prep work had been done, something she'd been writing up and planning alongside her most recent project. It was a long time coming, and she was pleased with what she was seeing. Sitting across the table, she measured them up again with the information she'd been given by Alexandre as well as the bits she'd picked up in passing and previous meetings. Straight to the point was the goal but she would enjoy her real as well, it was a nice enough place, similar to where she brought Liam for graduation. "A marriage would be beneficial for both of us. Though perhaps more in your field as I have a bit more leeway with that as the business I run is family-owned." She knew how things looked, it was something she would have had to consider more on her own part if she wanted to pursue teaching much as her brother did. It wasn't something she liked, at least not outside of the bit she did for the Evans family. But that was work the ins she had now. "I don't intend to interrupt your business and I would hope that can go both ways, though I won't say no to an occasional visit to the shop." It might spin up a bit of morale for the part-timer she had manning the counter when Aloysius was mucking about making instruments. It was frustrating she couldn't do it herself, that it had only been taught to that lout, but it was too little too late to change that. Pausing to sip at her wine, she hadn't brought any papers out yet, knowing that there would be some regarding assets. It was a given, considering things, but that would be a later conversation. "What are your thoughts," she asked lightly, swirling her glass slowly as she looked up at them. The height was something she would have to get used to, at least they weren't as tall as Aloysius.
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Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2025 9:25 pm
A practical woman. Gerard appreciated that about Melody--she knew what she wanted and was willing to take it. Not unlike himself, and a trait he greatly valued. Honestly, if she hadn't been so, he probably wouldn't have considered this...arrangement.
"Having a wealthy husband with connections can still bring you benefits," he said, "but I'm sure you know that." She was far too clever not to be aware of it. "So I'm happy to lend my presence at the shop as you require. Similarly, I would appreciate your appearance at work events and client parties."
He took a sip of his wine, considering.
"I'm happy to grant reasonable access to my assets, as you require, to fund the lifestyle expected of my wife. Do you have thoughts on children?" It seemed an important discussion to have. "I'm ambivalent. Carrying on the Evans family name certainly isn't my responsibility alone."
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Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 12:09 pm
"Of course, I've played this social game since I was little." She knew the benefits, even without bringing finances into the equation. Even just being involved more closely with the Evans family had increased the Sharp family business. More people had requested her and her brother for tutoring which had become quite exclusive considering the contract they both had with the Evans family matriarch. "I can agree to that, it would be good to be seen to validate that I do in fact exist. I know some people falsify marriage prospects to get bonuses or promotions." It made sense and it was something she was glad didn't quite effect her side of things as much. Swirling her glass slightly, she fell back to the contract she'd set up before speaking up matter of factly. "Two, the first a Sharp, and then if you would like an Evans. Considering your mention of it not being a responsibility of course. We can negotiate things as they come along. I doubt dear Aloysius will have a child considering all the various factors and as much as I dislike him, I would hate to see him being the last Sharp." That said she took another sip before starting on her meal. There was still room to talk and she was paying attention as she enjoyed that first bite.
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Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 2:09 pm
There was something comforting about a straightforward negotiation where both parties actually did want the same thing. Sure, it wasn't the sort of drag-out fight that he was fully capable of getting into, legally speaking, but opening this sort of negotiation with that kind of hostility would really set the wrong tone. And also ruin a perfectly good evening.
His eyebrows went up when she presented her plans--concrete and specific, and he supposed it made sense. One for each family, and an appeasement for their respective relatives.
"Perfectly reasonable," he said, "and I suspect an arrangement that will please some of my pickier family members." Certainly there were some that would make his life very difficult if he didn't provide children for them to dote on. A tiny sigh passed his lips, and he took a sip of his wine. "Are there any other details you think ought to be covered?"
Honestly, this was quite successful. Far better than any other relationship he had tried. Better that they were up front about it, that they made it as deeply uncomplicated as possible, rather than...well. Gerard had often found himself strung along. Lied to. Used. And it was difficult to not be a little bitter about it. Better that it was all laid on the table--that this wasn't some deeply romantic arrangement, that there were practicalities to consider first and foremost.
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Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 9:18 pm
It seemed to be going well, considering her future husband's drink wasn't sputtered out after the comment she made. For once it wasn't so obnoxiously tedious to figure out what they might want, something she hated about the social circles she found herself in. "Yes, I would like to remain in good standing with all of your family considering the contract my brother and I have but it would help with holidays I assume. I had the pleasure of being invited to one of the Christmas get-togethers with Alexandre the other year and it was pleasant."Thinking of her list, there were plenty of other small things but with the main points on the table, she found herself easing slightly to enjoy her meal. "Those were the main details for now, of course, we know where to find each other to talk about that and more." And for once she wasn't wholly displeased with the idea of having someone potentially stop by her place. Maybe not tonight, or relatively soon, but it would have to happen to get things moving towards the end goal of marriage, success, and children. She'd have to figure out how to deal with that last part, perhaps add in terms of seeing about her brother watching them occasionally.
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