The Arrangement

Chapter 2

I reach Sonny’s office and get in the elevator. Mrs Jones smiles when she sees me. Her grey hair tied up in a bun, she is still quite attractive and Sonny is a very lucky man.

“Jennifer. How have you been?” She greets with a warm smile.

“Very well thank you. How are you?”

“Old age is not for the faint hearted.” She winks.

I laugh. “You make it look like fun.”

“You are so sweet.”

“Thought I heard your voice.” Sonny says from behind me. I turn around.

“Hi Sonny. I’m a bit early so I don’t mind waiting if you’re busy.”

“I’m never too busy for you.” He says pulling his pants up a little under his belly. He is a sweet man, makes me think of Santa Claus, along with the belly he has a white beard.

“Would you like something to drink?” Mrs Jones asks.

“No thank you.” I shake my head.

“Let’s go into my office and talk.” Sonny says. I follow him and he sits down behind his desk. There are papers everywhere. This man has no organizing system. His office feels too small for a man of his accomplishments. Sonny is an amazing lawyer and was a good friend to my parents. I found out that he was the prosecuting attorney is my mother’s case. It was his first case ever and it made his career. I watched some of the courthouse footage he looked so scared and nervous. He is not like that anymore time has done wonders for his confidence. He gestures for me to sit down on one of the chairs.

“So Miss Henderson, what can I do for you today?” He asks shuffling some papers.

“Well, I’m getting married.” I say getting to the point.

“What?” He asks completely stunned his mouth hanging open in shock.

“I met someone.” I say.

“When? I didn’t even know you were seeing someone?”

“We were keeping it quite.” I lie.

“Who is the lucky man?”

“Michael Wellington.”

“Oh? Really?” He says relaxing a little, “He is a good man.”

I’m relieved and I smile.

“Are you sure about him?”

I nod; I hope he doesn’t ask me too many questions. I don’t have details to give him.

“I’m glad to hear it, so are you here for the trust?” Sonny asks.

“Yes.” I reply. Not sure what he’ll make of this.

“Well I’ll get started on the paperwork; you should know that half gets paid out the day of the engagement party and the other half on the day of the wedding.”

I didn’t know that. That is a good thing though. The faster we can get the money the faster we can save the company.

“Are you okay?” Sonny asks.

“Yeah I’m fine.”

“I should probably give you your mother’s wedding ring.” He says getting up and walking over to the safe. He punches in the combination and it clicks open. He reaches in and takes out a small box.

Sonny hands me the box and when I open it I tear up, I haven’t seen them since the funeral when I asked him to look after them.

“I’m fine.” I say when I look up at him wiping away my tears, “I just miss them so much.”

“They would have been so happy for you.”

I’m sure if my parents were still alive they would have helped Harry without a question. My dad was Harry’s best friend. Our families were close, Michael is four years older than me and he never paid much attention to me when we were kids, just once at a party. I know I’m attractive, I have great hair hanging down to the middle of my back, jet black, my eyes are a couple of shades lighter than Michael’s, and I’m in good shape despite the fact that I eat everything I see,  I notice the way men look at me. I just never wanted to be with anyone. I think I’m missing the girlfriend gene.

“Thank you for everything.” I say composing myself.

“Anything for you.” He says giving me a sweet smile.

I take in a deep breath when I get outside. I hope that everything will go according to plan.