Solomon' Daughters

Chapter 30

"Well your patient I'll give you that much at least. But not very professional," the woman said raise her face and her green eyes met Anthony's.

"Well that is a matter of opinion," Anthony said smiling at her, "I could have dressed up nicely and had Eliza wear a nice suit but that would change nothing. I could be wearing a four thousand dollar suit and if I brought you crappy jewelry it would still be crappy. Or I can wear something comfortable and bring you what I hope are unique masterpieces and they will be no less so for my casual attire."

"True enough. Show me what you have with you," she said moving over to sit on a stool at a counter that was cleared of all gems. Anthony took a seat opposite her and placed the bag on the counter as Eliza sat next to him. He reached into the bag and pulled out the box that contained his favorite piece from the jewelry that Sar-Rah had made. It was a tiger that looked so real your thought it might leap off the chain and bite you. The body was made from orange and black diamonds. The teeth were pearl and the eyes were yellow diamonds with black slivers in the center. Anthony held his breath while Abigale took the necklace from the box and held the lens she had been using before to examine the gems up to her eye and examined it.

"How did you get pearls naturally shaped like this and orange and black diamonds, not to mention these yellow diamonds have the black diamond slivers in them naturally as well," she asked looking up at Anthony. He shrugged at her.

"Sorry can't help you there. I have no idea how she did it and if you asked her she wouldn't tell you. These were given to me. I was pretty sure they were worth a lot that is why I called you to get advice on how to sell them. I don't know anything about jewels, I could pawn them but I doubt I would get even half what they are worth."

"Are you the one who made this," Abigale asked Eliza who shook her head no. Abigale sighed and put the necklace back in the box and moved it back over in front of Anthony.

"Well as for selling those I would have to go over each one buy if they are all that level of craftsmanship I would buy them from you. That tiger alone is worth a few thousand at the least. As for spreading your client base I can't help you for two reasons. One it would give my competitors pieces of the same quality, and that is bad business. Secondly reputation as a jewelry maker increases slowly through word of mouth," she explained. Anthony thought about what she said and the fact that he didn't want Sar-Rah's reputation to grow he had an idea.

"What if we only sold Sar-Rah's work to you? Would you be able to keep her name from getting out? Somehow keep the crafter as anonymous," Anthony asked her. Abigale leaned her elbow on the counter and put her chin in her palm while she studied him.

"I could do that but then you would only be able to sell to me and I can only buy a set number of pieces until the ones you sell me are bought by someone."

"About how many could you buy at once," Anthony asked her. She pointed at the bag and asked how many were in it when he told her an even fifty she sat back in her chair looking at him.

"Again I'll have to go over each piece but I'll buy that entire bag if they are all the same level of work and if they sell well I'll buy at least that much if not more next time. But I'll have to have a contract stating that as long as I am buying fifty pieces from you at least twice a year you aren't allowed to sell to anyone else. Anthony nodded and she began going over each piece mumbling to herself and making quotations in a book. Two and a half hours later she stood and pulled out a check book, writing a check. Looking up into Anthony's face she smiled at him.

"Whoever made these is an artist. Now here is the check for these and tomorrow if you come back at the same time we will sign the contract."

"Do I need to bring the maker here to sign as well," Anthony asked.

"No since you are acting as her go between any contracts you sign in her name with her permission are binding. However I would like to meet her if you can talk her into it."

"I'll see what I can do," Anthony said and accepted the check from her outstretched hand. Looking down at the check for seventy-five thousand dollars he had to fight to hold his happiness in check. He stuffed it into his pocket and saying a last good-bye to Abigale they headed out of the store and down the street toward the bank. When they reached the bank he pushed Eliza up against the wall a few feet from the front doors and kissed her deeply.

"I am so glad I found that bottle," he said leaning his forehead against hers and looking into her eyes, "I have two amazingly beautiful fiancees and probably another five on the way. Sar-Rah brought me and my sister together. And you my beautiful have made me super smart and allowed me to bring my dreams even closer to being able to achieve. Anything I could possibly imagine doing with my life is now with in my reach because of you. You are really hot and your kind and caring. I love you Eliza," he said. Tears flooded her eyes at his declaration and she hugged him tightly to her as she kissed him. He pulled back and holding her hand walked with her into the bank. While inside he opened a new account in his name, Liz's, and handing the paper to Eliza had her write all of her sister's names on there as well. Depositing the check into the account he and Eliza walked happily out of the bank.