Russell Fabray

Russell Fabray sixty-one | savannah | #95 Lawyer + business man + entrepreneur

[fabrayrussell]

F2F | 8.4 → Take Two

[fabrayrussell]

hunteractually‌:

Having gone through so much since young, Hunter was rarely intimidated by anyone. In fact, he was the one spreading fear most of the time. But of course, none of those magically happened overnight. In order to spread fear, one had to overcome it first, before they could even exploit it for maximum gain. Thanks to the way his father had helped mold him into, Hunter had been quick to grasp the difference between an instinct and an emotion, and he had since learned that fear was nothing but a product of the mind. He wasn’t intimidated by anyone simply because he wouldn’t allow himself to be intimidated. It was as simple as that.

From what he had heard from his own father as well as his numerous business partners, Russell Fabray was as calculative and manipulative as any formidable businessmen would be, and Hunter couldn’t deny that he had been waiting for an opportunity to best the older, more experienced man in his own game for the longest time. While he hadn’t been able to touch the Fabray’s line of businesses due to the relationship Russell had with his father, Hunter still secretly longed for that day to come. There was no personal animosity involved, of course, it was simply a matter of business and a thirst to go against – as far as he could tell – a worthy opponent. 

And so when Russell leaned forward, what Hunter had in mind was something business-related. He certainly wasn’t expecting to hear Quinn being mentioned, least of all a marriage proposal. His green eyes narrowed almost immediately as he held the older man’s gaze, wondering why he had been so careless as to have overlooked the possibility of Russell taking matters into his own hands and deciding Quinn’s future for her. This was a common practice amongst the elites – manoeuvring the system to their liking by arranging marriages like the royal families once did in the past, just so they could keep what was theirs safe and intact. Hunter had always thought that that was fair play. He wouldn’t want to welcome someone into the Clarington family when they had done nothing to deserve it either. 

Although driven by fear, it was still a logical move nonetheless. Still, he wondered just how much Quinn knew about this or whether she had any say in it. None, most likely. 

“I have no need for your legacy.” Hunter smirked, pointing out the obvious. “But I suppose… you and I both know that need and want are two very different things.” He paused then, his fingers toying with his glass while he considered his next move. Russell must have hated being in a position like this, he thought to himself. With no heir of his own and having to go around, lowering himself to the other person’s level when he was already so high up there, almost as high as his father was. Perhaps he did care about Quinn, in his own twisted way, just that Quinn wasn’t the priority when compared to his work and legacy.

“What about the Smythe’s only son? Isn’t he the more obvious choice since they’ve been together in the past?” He asked coldly, before swallowing his drink all at once. As much as he hated to admit it, Sebastian would be more suited for taking care of Quinn than he ever would. Hunter and Sebastian were both driven, ambitious, and wouldn’t stop until they got what they wanted. They were both masters at ferreting out vulnerabilities and using them to their advantage; knowing just how to enchant and entice and feign interest before going full throttle after their preys. They shared a lot of remarkable similarities, but what separated them was the heart. Sebastian had compassion while he had none, for he had received none himself. 

They were equal, yet opposite. Hunter had no faith in himself, but he had some for Sebastian. 

“Or perhaps, you’ve already approached him and I’m simply the back-up plan?” 

There was nothing worse for Russell than having to ask for something he wanted. In the way he normally conducted business, there was no asking involved, only setting his sights on something and simply taking it. There was no other way when you wanted to rule the world. And while it hurt Russell’s pride to be chasing after the likes of the young Mr. Smythe and Mr. Clarington, he was also determined to do whatever it took to secure his businesses. In his line of work, he understood that it wasn’t always going to be pretty, he experienced a lot of ugly during his time, and he knew that sometimes you needed to do something that was undesirable to obtain a desirable result. This was one of those things and he refused to let his pride get in the way. 

Holding onto the young man’s gaze, Russell watched his reaction very closely. Unlike Sebastian who seemed confused and surprised that Russell would be offering such a thing, Hunter just seemed surprised that he didn’t see it sooner. It showed in the expression that followed, a cocky smirk as he pulled back with cocky words to follow. He shouldn’t have expected anything less from the young man and he could see why his father had so much faith in him taking over his own business. 

“Of course it’s not something you need, but you and I both know that if you were looking to expand on your future business - which you are, inheriting mine would double what you have in one deal.” Russell finished his own drink and waved the bartender back down for another, his eyes remaining on Hunter’s as he did. “You’re a smart man, Mr. Clarington, and you know the implications of taking this deal. You’d be even more of a nonstop force, a mogul with unprecedented power.” He paused and looked over to his daughter. “With the opportunity and the privilege of having her by your side.” Russell’s eyes lingered on his youngest daughter a little longer than he intended to and by the time he looked back to Hunter, the topic of his daughter’s best friend was breached and he had no choice but the address it. 

“There’s no point in lying to you, Mr. Clarington. I did approach the Smythe’s boy but he foolishly turned down my offer which tells me two things. One, he doesn’t have the ambition he claims to have. And two, he doesn’t care about my Quinnie like I thought he did.” Russell had all but written the Smythes off because of their son’s decision to turn down his offer, but he also took it as an opportunity to make a better offer to a more suitable recipient. 

“So, yes. You are my second choice, but the better one I’d say. Time is of the essence, so what say you, Mr. Clarington?”

HUNTER

Hunter was, at his core, a competitive person and even though he disliked the idea of Russell treating Quinn like some sort of a bargaining chip, he was also substantially attracted to the offer. Inheriting Russell’s business would not only strengthen his position in this market, it would help him expand his leadership presence to the other regions of the world as well. World domination had always been a goal of Hunter’s and he couldn’t help but to nod along as he listened because Russell was right, he would be unstoppable.

“Indeed.” He agreed, his eyes following Russell’s as they moved across the room to land on Quinn. This was the second time Russell had gotten distracted ever since they started their conversation and Hunter had to wonder if he had misread Russell’s intention all along -- that perhaps Quinn was just as important as his legacy and that was why he had paired them up together as one deal instead of two separate ones. Hunter highly doubted that Russell would still go ahead with the deal if the person he was offering to only wanted one and not the other.

He wasn’t caught off guard or bitter about the fact that Russell had handpicked Sebastian as his first choice since it was the most sensible move after all, but he was definitely surprised to hear that Sebastian had turned it down. That didn’t sound like Sebastian Smythe at all. The Sebastian he knew liked games but more than that he liked to win so he could flaunt his winnings in front of other people and that was why Hunter couldn’t believe that Sebastian would actually reject an offer as tempting as this one. He didn’t linger on that thought, however, as Sebastian’s decision had nothing to do with him and right now, he needed to focus on making the right decision for himself.

Hunter took another swallow of his whiskey as he pondered the options available to him and their respective pros and cons. Russell’s legacy aside, did he really want to marry Quinn? Would Quinn be alright with marrying someone like him? Quinn, who valued her freedom and independence more than anything else would surely resent him for dragging her back to that place she had worked so hard to break free from. Although, he had to admit that the thought of keeping Quinn safe and close to his side was just as attractive as inheriting Russell’s work. Besides, if he rejected the offer and it went to someone else, which it would, it might turn out to be a person he didn’t trust and that would just do Quinn more harm than good.

It was at that moment that he chanced a glance at Quinn, taking in all her light and her beauty and being mesmerized beyond his control. To turn her into a Clarington would mean clipping her wings, but perhaps... perhaps it need not last forever.

He could return her freedom once he had taken over his father’s position. They could potentially end their ‘marriage’ before it even begun.

“I’ll take it.” Hunter answered swiftly, draining the rest of his drink in a single gulp before setting the glass down on the bar. Then, he turned back to face Russell and added, “But under one condition.” The moment those words came out of his mouth, he knew he was making the right decision. “I want Quinn to come to me and tell me that she willingly agrees with me taking over your legacy and marrying her in the future. The day she comes to me with her approval will be the day I make her Hunter Clarington’s fiancée.”

[fabrayrussell]

[fabrayrussell]

F2F | 7.24 → A DECISION

Sebastian: waited patiently for a response or any reaction from Russell. He licked his lips, keeping his composure despite how fast his heart was beating inside his chest. When he finally responded though, Sebastian was a little surprised. He knew from Quinn's stories that her happiness was at the bottom of his list of priorities, but he thought that happiness and safety would go hand-in-hand; he supposed that was naive of him to think. He knew the importance of a business and legacy, but Sebastian was a person who held family values, having grown up in a completely different situation as Quinn, and the idea of her father basically trying to sell her off to protect his assets continued to leave a bad taste in his mouth. He was seriously considering the offer at first, knowing that he and Quinn would both be content in marrying each other, but what Blaine said changed his mind on the spot; he pushed away the small part in the back of his mind though, that was telling him accepting the offer would be what's best for the both of them. Russell continued after finishing his drink and Sebastian was immediately taken back. Telling him that he didn't care about Quinn cut deep and Sebastian had to bite his tongue so he wouldn't say something he'd later regret. Quinn was his best friend and like family to him, and he knew that he cared far more about her than her father ever would. With a curt smile, he stood, looking down on Russell. "That's an odd conclusion to pull from thin air, especially from someone who hasn't cared about Quinn a day in their life," he finished, voice strong and unwavering. "Have a good day, Mr. Fabray." With that, he immediately turned and walked out, letting the door slam shut behind him.

Russell: was dumbfounded to say the least. Perhaps he judged Sebastian too harshly. He didn't know that the young man had that in him - though he really didn't care for what he said. There were decisions he made as a father that most people didn't agree with, but he knew that what he was doing was only going to benefit Quinn in the long run. As far as he was concerned, his youngest daughter didn't know the first thing about taking care of herself. The sooner he helped her realize that chasing this stupid dream of being an actor needed to be forgotten so she could marry and start doing her part to take care of the empire he's grown for their family, the better off she'd be. The better off they'd all be. He scoffed as Sebastian stormed away, still in shock that he turned down the opportunity of a lifetime. Seeing Sebastian lead with his heart instead of his mind told Russell that maybe he wasn't the right person for the job. Perhaps he dodged a bullet. He wasn't completely convinced with that point either, but it was what he would keep in mind as continued his search for an heir.

[ end ]

[fabrayrussell]

F2F | 8.4 → Take Two

[fabrayrussell]

hunteractually‌: 

For the most part, the gala dinner had gone exactly how Hunter had planned it. Everyone was impressed by the food, the performances, and the hospitality – or at the very least, they seemed to be. While it may be true that no one would dare to utter a single negative remark about the gala, especially not in front of the Claringtons, but Hunter was confident that he had delivered everything his father had asked for and more. Instinctively, he knew that he was merely being put to the test by Henry Clarington, just to see if he could truly handle the pressure of being the sole heir to the empire he had carefully built over the years, long before Hunter was even born. Judging from the look his father had thrown his way after the closing speech, well, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Hunter had passed with flying colors.

Inheriting his father’s business was everything Hunter had hoped and worked for. Watching his father run his business had given Hunter a front row seat to witness the harsh realities of life and while he would go to his grave convinced he wasn’t permanently scarred by them, he couldn’t deny that all those things had made him into the person he was today. Hunter valued himself. He knew his worth. If someone like Henry Clarington – a heartless and ruthless husband, father, and businessman – could navigate life using whatever cards he was given and still succeed, why couldn’t he? He didn’t just want to inherit whatever that was already there, he wanted so much more. He planned to expand it and take it to a whole new level. A level no other Claringtons had thought of before, let alone reached. When people looked at him, they only ever saw a dutiful son working to support his father, but it was never that simple. Hunter had already started carrying out his ambitions at work without his father realizing. Why wait for the inheritance rights to be announced and legalized when it was only a matter of time, anyway?

“I don’t think that’s a surprise. Quinn and I practically grew up together, seeing as how preoccupied both of our fathers were back then. Still are, I’d say.” Hunter answered casually as he accepted his own drink from the bartender before turning to his side to face Russell. While he wasn’t particularly fond of Quinn’s father, he still harboured some form of respect towards him, from one businessman to the other. Hunter raised his eyebrows upon hearing Russell’s next sentence, curious as to what this was all about since it was quite unlike Russell to ask him personal questions such as this one. “I suppose I do, the same way anyone would care for a childhood friend.” He said, just enough for Russell to work with without giving everything away. “I don’t think I’ve mentioned how thankful I am to have you on board, keeping my father company. He’s been asking for you ever since he heard about the news of your hospitalization. I dare say it had him thinking of his own health as well.” 

There were parts of himself he saw in Hunter. The drive and the focus as well as his ability to charm an entire room. From what Henry said, Hunter was every bit as ruthless as he was when it came to navigating his business and it was those qualities that Russell was searching for when it came to someone inheriting his empire. There was no one that knew his business as well as Henry Clarington and that came from years of working together. The knowledge could easily be passed down from Henry to his son and if he could get Hunter to agree to take care of his businesses as well as he took care of his father’s, Russell could rest easy knowing that his legacy was well taken care of. 

His chest rumbled in a deep laugh at Hunter’s words. Russell always enjoyed how direct the young man was with him and how he was always completely honest with him, never telling him what he wanted to hear because he was too scared to be upfront. He didn’t cower like most people did when in his presence and whether that was because he was just that strong willed or because it was how he was molded by his father, it still left an impression on the older man. When looking back at the time when he and Henry started doing business together, he tried to pull up some images of Hunter and Quinn running around their offices as they tried to conduct business and he couldn’t conjure up one memory. Of course he would never admit to being a neglectful parent and wrote it off on old age. 

Russell merely nodded at the answers he received from Hunter, it wasn’t a lot to go on but even without him saying it, he knew that there was a certain level of adoration the young man had for Quinn. He could see it in their interactions with each other throughout the night and actions always did speak louder than words. He was simply looking for a confirmation. When the dialogue shifted, Russell kept his goal in sight. Before he left Hunter’s side for the night, he was determined to have presented his proposition and received an answer. “It’s not something you need to thank me for. Our families go way back and your father and I have gone through a lot together. It’s only right that we’re here.” 

There was another slight chuckle when his health was mentioned and he saw it as a perfect segue. Russell sipped at his drink and took a deep breath as he turned his body as well to better face the other man. “Having a heart attack certainly changes one’s perspective on life. I realized that if I didn’t make it out of that hospital, I would have lost everything I’ve built over the course of my life. That’s not something I’m willing to do.” He turned his attention to where Quinn was sitting with her mother and sighed before finishing his drink. He leaned forward, eyes locked on Hunter’s, signaling the importance of what he was about to say. 

“This is where you come in, Mr. Clarington. You’re a young man with a brilliant mind for business and I have every confidence that you would take very good care of my daughter if given the chance.” He pulled back, letting those words sink in before delivering the punchline. “I want you to marry my daughter and inherit my legacy. There’s no one better suited for either task.”

[fabrayrussell]

F2F | 8.4 → Take Two

Even Russell Fabray felt the occasional burden of having to keep up appearances. There were so many things he needed to be doing with his precious time, like securing an heir, but instead he was on a boat. Sure, it was an exquisite boat with more than enough amenities to keep himself busy and more than enough alcohol to keep him happy, but in those moments when he wasn’t distracted, it was as if he could hear the clock ticking, telling him his time was almost up. Both Judy and Quinn seemed to distance themselves from him and while it annoyed him to no end, in true Fabray fashion, he didn’t let it bother him, or it appeared that way at least. The cruise seemed to go by in a flash of socializing with old money and drunken nights spent at the bar or at the casino and Russell was relieved when the gala dinner finally rolled around. It was about time of gallivanting came to an end and for him to get back to work. 

He was more than pleased when he came to realize that they would be dining with the host of the gala and his old business partner, Henry Clarington. The two men spent most of the night sipping on the finest cognac the ship had to offer and reminiscing about simpler times while Judy spent the night familiarizing herself with the ship’s wine cellar. And while he seemed fully immersed in his interaction with the other man, he couldn’t help but notice the interaction between their children. They way the younger couple was completely taken with each other as they spoke and danced, Hunter’s full attention on his youngest daughter and - was that a smile? Russell skillfully refocused his conversation with Henry to his son and how he had taken such a big role in helping run their business. Russell couldn’t believe he didn’t see it sooner. The young boy was on his list of prospects, but had he known everything he learned tonight, Hunter would have been far higher. Possibly the first.

Once he saw that Hunter had some time to himself, he excused himself for a moment and made his way over to where the younger Clarington was situated at the bar. He sat down next to the young man and flagged down the bartender. “I didn’t realize you and and my daughter were so close,” he stated before ordering his drink and turning towards Hunter. “I’d say you even care about her. 

[fabrayrussell]

F2F | 7.24 → A DECISION

Sebastian: had been putting off the meeting for a week. He felt confident in his decision to turn down the offer, but he wasn't sure what Russell's reaction would be and if he was being honest with himself, he was a little scared to find out. Russell Fabray wasn't the most friendly, charismatic, nor understanding person. He only knew from stories told by Quinn what he was like when he was upset and he was far from excited to experience what it would be like first hand. He did say he had backup plans though, so perhaps Sebastian choosing to say no would only slightly inconvenience him -- at least, that's what Sebastian had hoped as he sat outside Russell's office, waiting to be called in. Once he was, he shook his hand, just as polite and professional as he was the first time they met. Once given the opportunity, he spoke in an unwavering voice, "I've made my decision, sir." He licked his lips, taking in a breath before continuing. "I understand how important this offer is and again, I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity, but I'm afraid that I'm going to have to decline," he explained, trying his best to hold eye contact with Russell. "I will always be around to take care of Quinn when she needs it, but I just can't accept your offer at this time."

Russell: It set Russell on edge, not knowing or being able to predict the outcome of his proposition to Sebastian. Though looking at him from the outside, you could never tell. He buried himself in his work, much like he always did no matter how many times Judy called to remind him to take it easy, he would rest easy once his legacy was secure, until then he wouldn't stop. He flashed the same smile he did a week ago when Sebastian made his way into his office, offering him a drink like before, the only difference was this time, Russell was already three drinks in. The older man remained unphased at Sebastian's announcing he came to a decision, though inside he was hanging onto the boy's every word. Then it hit him and it took him a moment to register the answer. This was not at all how he expected things to turn out, he was counting on the connection Sebastian shared with Quinn to outweigh the rest, but he was never a man who really understood emotion, at least not the ones other people seemed to always let control them. Russell had a short temper, but he was also very smart and calculating, if he was anything but decent to Sebastian, there was no way Quinn would continue to go along with his plan, so he needed to suck it up and accept the boy's answer. Regardless of how much it pissed him off. "I can't say I'm not disappointed," he said with the shake of his head. "Though when it's all said and done, her happiness really isn't as important as being safe and well taken care of. Which she will be once my company is in the right hands. I have plenty of people who could do both." He finished his drink before looking Sebastian in the eyes. "I guess you really don't care about her as much as you say you do. You're dismissed."

[fabrayrussell]

F2F | 7.17 → A Proposition

[fabrayrussell]

smytheactually: 

The more he heard about Russell’s plan, the more appealing it sounded, but the gnawing in the pit of his stomach was holding him back from giving any certain answer. This was a huge life decision and he’d be an absolute fool to give an answer without thinking it through first and with the older male’s next words, he knew he knew that as well. 

The Clarington dinner – his parent’s must have forgot to let him know. Great, he thought, taking a second away from the problem at hand. Something else to look forward to. “No, sir,” he answered confidently, although he wasn’t sure he felt the same. “You were incredibly clear.” He felt a small wave of relief rush over him as he felt the meeting come to a close. They had only spoken for a short time, but it nearly felt like hours to Sebastian. His eyes fell back to his drink; he debated for a moment on whether or not it was appropriate to finish it off in one go, but if Russell thought this highly of him, he didn’t think something so small in comparison could ruin him. Knowing how much Quinn’s father loved his alcohol, he’d probably be offended if Sebastian left any behind. 

“Thank you so much, sir, for the incredible opportunity.” He rose to his feet and reached out to shake his hand once more. “I’ll let you know the minute I’ve made my decision.” He pulled away and turned back to his glass before tilting his head back and finishing it off, wishing he would’ve ate breakfast before he came. “I’ll let you get on with your day. I know you’re a very busy man,” he nodded before adding for good measure with a friendly smile, “Pass my best to Mrs. Fabray.” 

[ end. ]

[fabrayrussell]

F2F | 7.17 → A Proposition

[fabrayrussell]

smytheactually:

Sebastian was completely taken back by the offer. Inheriting Russell Fabray’s livelihood was an incredible opportunity – one he had never considered before – and he was definitely receptive to the idea, but it was the part about Quinn that really had him shocked. He had always thought that being matched with Quinn would be one of his best case scenarios, as they would be able to date whomever they pleased as per a mutual agreement. It wasn’t something that he had found uncommon, having slept with a few unhappy married people in his lifetime, and he didn’t see the option as totally horrible.

But that was before Blaine.

It was only a few days before that he nearly told his boyfriend that he was in love with him, but it now seemed so long ago. Accepting Russell’s offer would be an ideal situation career wise, having a perfect life plan laid out for him, but he had never pictured something like that with anyone but Blaine by his side. He had only been envisioning his future recently, but in every idea he pictured, he always was always there with him, and they were always happy. 

“That’s….” he searched for the right word, but couldn’t seem to come up with any to describe what he was thinking. “Wow.” A part of him wondered if Quinn had any idea about her father’s idea, but he was confident she would have told him if she did. He also wondered how she would take the idea; she would definitely hate it, especially when it was coming from her father. “Sir, I’m….honored. I’m really honored. That’s just…a lot to take in.” He chose his words carefully, doing his best to get his point across while simultaneously trying to avoid offending the man. “Have you figured out a way to get past the system?” 

Russell was always so good at reading people, he’d been doing it his whole life. The older man saw all the changes in Sebastian’s face as he considered the offer. The young man had a promising mind for business and he knew that he was weighing the pros and the cons, much like Russell did before he made any decision, especially one as serious as this. The pros were that he would be inheriting an empire and he would be lucky enough to call Quinn his wife. The cons would be if his parents had something else planned for him or if happened to have someone else in his life already. “You should be honored,” he replied simply, taking another sip of his scotch. 

There was a chuckle and a nod at the next question. Though of course, he shouldn’t have been surprised, he was considering all of the possible obstacles. “You don’t have to worry about the system, Mr. Smythe. I have already hired people to start looking through the government records so they can use the clues to try and figure out Quinn’s matches. Once you tell me your number, I will have them do the same for you. From there it will depend on who’s the cheapest.” 

At the entrance to his office, he could see his secretary telling him that it was time for his next meeting. Russell leaned forward in his chair so that he was closer to the man across from him. “You don’t have to answer today, I know this is a lot to consider. I trust you’re going to the Clarington Gala Dinner? I expect an answer by then.” He stood up and placed a hand on Sebastian’s shoulder. “Do you have anymore questions for me?”

[fabrayrussell]

F2F | 7.17 → A Proposition

[fabrayrussell]

smytheactually:

Sebastian followed suit, raising his glass with Russell. It was an odd toast, but seemed to be right on point with the type of person he was. “Cheers,” he nodded before taking a sip. He much preferred whiskey to scotch, but he kept a perfectly straight face as it went down, not willing to let it show. Sebastian followed Russell over to the chairs and took a seat, posture perfectly straight as he moved his glass to the side, even though he knew he’d have to finish it before he left.

“Of course.” Sebastian appreciated willingness to skip to the climax, unsure of how long he could wait before discovering what the subject matter of their meeting was. As he waited in silence, his heart beat a little faster, mind once again racing to come up with potential scenarios but he didn’t have to wait for long, because as soon as Russell began talking, Sebastian was clinging to every word.

Sebastian swallowed hard, eyes trained on Russell as he drank, in his mind he was nearly on the edge of his seat in anticipation but kept his composure on the outside, giving a small understanding nod as he waited. 

Sebastian had come up with several different ‘propositions’ in his mind but none of them came close to what Russell suggested. His jaw dropped slightly in awe, his heart beating out of his chest as he tried to take in what he was asking – and if it wasn’t enough clarity, Russell’s last words fixed that. “I–” he tried to look for the right words – any words for that matter – but came up short. Afraid of coming off poorly to him, he instead forced something out. “You want me to marry Quinn?” he breathed out, brows furrowed. “And to inherit your business?”

It took Russell a fair amount of time and consideration to reach this decision. While there were several men Russell could have considered from a business aspect, he knew that consent from his daughter was key and there were only a few men that he knew would take care of her, but also who she’d sign off on spending the rest of her life with. Quinn had dated Sebastian once and it was obvious they still cared for each other since he was in Savannah with her while he was in the hospital. He was an impatient man, but for this, he was willing to give Sebastian all the time he needed to just take in what he was asking for. Russell expected that it would be a lot, so he remained silent as his words settled into the air. 

The expressions of surprise and confusion were to be expected and he watched closely as Sebastian finally seemed to wrap his head around the proposition that was hanging in the air. Russell finished his drink and moved to the bar to fix himself another. “That’s exactly what I’m asking of you, my boy,” he replied as he made his way back over to where he was seated. Russell leaned back in his chair, choosing his next words carefully. “There’s no one I can think of that’s more qualified to handle both my business and the safety and happiness of my daughter once I’m gone. Can you?”

[woescrapbook]

[fabrayrussell]

F2F | 7.17 → A Proposition

[fabrayrussell]

smytheactually:

Sebastian was nervous for the meeting; Russell Fabray rarely called him and when he did, it was only ever to check in on Quinn. After she had assured him she was fine, it caused his mind to race. He was a hard man to read and always had Sebastian on edge when he was around. He was always sure to take careful care in his behavior and manners, and to come off as the best possible representation of himself he could be. He always wanted to be perceived as professional, a businessman, and a gentleman all at the same time. 

He woke early that morning, taking extra care in his appearance for the day, making sure that his shirt was perfectly buttoned and that his pants were free of wrinkles. He spent time debating a tie before finally wrapping one around his neck, hoping that Russell would appreciate the formality. After one more check in the mirror and adjusting a loose piece of hair, he made his way out the door and to the office. 

Sebastian arrived fifteen minutes early as planned and after checking in with the receptionist, took a seat in the waiting room. She soon ushered him in and Sebastian immediately put on his best smile. “Mr. Fabray, you as well,” he replied, reaching out to return the firm handshake. He wasn’t surprised that Russell had already started drinking, and Sebastian would normally never say agree to a morning drink in a professional setting, but  knowing Quinn’s father, he knew what his expected answer would be. “Yes, of course. Thank you.” 

Returning the handshake and nodding his approval to Sebastian’s answer, he moved to the bar and fixed the young man an exact duplicate of his drink. Russel, always the gracious host. Once he handed Sebastian his drink, he held up his own. “Here’s to life and the legacies we leave behind.” He clinked their glasses together, took another sip, then led Sebastian to the arm chairs that sat on the opposite wall of the office. 

Meetings were normally held in the conference room or at his desk, but this was a more personal matter and he needed that to come across. His secretary was already told that he would take no interruptions. This was a matter of high priority. The morning sun poured in through the glass walls behind them, creating an ambiance of positive energy and compliance, both of which he needed. Once seated, Russell crossed his legs and turned towards the other man, taking another sip of his drink. 

“You’re probably wondering why I asked to meet with you, so I’m going to skip the small talk and get right to it. I’m sure you won’t mind.” He paused for a moment as if getting his thoughts in order, but really he was ensuring he had Sebastian’s undivided attention. “I have a proposition for you, Mr. Smythe. As proven by recent events, no one is immune to the tragedies of life. Including me. I realized that if I hadn’t survived that heart attack, everything I’ve built over the past forty years and everything my father built before then would have been left unled and unprotected. I can’t have that.”

There was another pause and another sip of his drink as Russell let those words settle. “The only way I can keep that from happening is for my daughter to marry an upstanding, businessman who can inherit my legacy. There was a lot to consider. As you can imagine, there aren’t many options as far as someone I trust with my company and who I trust to take care of my daughter. You’re at the very top of that very, very short list. Which leads me to my proposition.”

“Marry my daughter, Sebastian, and my legacy is yours.”

[fabrayrussell]

F2F | 7.17 → A Proposition

Russell Fabray wasn’t scared of anything. Throughout the course of his sixty-one years, he’d met every challenge head-on and always came out on top. He grew up knowing that his name carried not only a lot of power, but fear, and above all a lot of responsibility. He worked his entire life building upon that name, turning it into a plethora of networks, businesses, and real estate properties. There wasn’t a single part of Savannah -or Georgia for that matter- where people didn’t recognize the name Fabray. 

The legacy his father built only continued to grow and Russell wasn’t going to let anything stop the continued expansion of his empire.

He loved his two daughters, yes, but he would be lying if he said he wasn’t disappointed when he found that they were girls. He wasn’t sexist, oh no, he just wanted a boy that he could give everything to. Someone who would continue the Fabray name and legacy. When he realized he wasn’t going to get that, he settled on marrying his daughters off to the most prestigious name he could charm. It was always in the back of his mind, never urgent because he always believed he had all the time in the world, but the sudden heart attack and coma he fell into left him fearful that if he didn’t act quick, it would be too late.

When Frannie left the house for good, all of it hung on his youngest, Quinnie. That never changed, even when they had their falling out. When he woke from his coma to find his youngest daughter there with him, it only solidified what he always knew. That while she was strong and independent, family still meant something to her and he would use this little tidbit to his advantage. 

The morning was full of meetings. By the time 11am hit, he was already pouring his first scotch of the day, thankful that Judy wasn’t there to nag him about it. Just because he had a heart attack didn’t mean that he still couldn’t enjoy the pleasures in life. He beamed when his 11 o’clock meeting showed up, moving to greet him with a handshake. “Mr. Smythe, it’s good to see you. Would you like a drink?” He asked, gesturing to the dry bar at the corner of his office before taking a sip of his own.

[fabrayrussell]

CALL | RUSSELL ⇄ SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN: See you tomorrow.

RUSSELL: *ends call*

[fabrayrussell]

CALL | RUSSELL ⇄ SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN: Sounds great, sir. I look forward to meeting with you.

RUSSELL: As am I, Mr. Smythe. See you tomorrow.

[fabrayrussell]

CALL | RUSSELL ⇄ SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN: Yes. Alright. Let me know whichever day is best for you and I'll make myself free.

RUSSELL: I’ll be at my Manhattan offices all day Tuesday. Let’s schedule a meeting for let’s say... 11am?

[fabrayrussell]

CALL | RUSSELL ⇄ SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN: I -- Is everything okay?

RUSSELL: Everything is perfectly fine. I just have a proposition for you I’d like to present in person.

[fabrayrussell]

CALL | RUSSELL ⇄ SEBASTIAN

SEBASTIAN: I'm glad to hear that. I'm actually doing great, sir. Yes, they're very good as well.

RUSSELL: That’s good to hear, very good to hear. I know you’re wondering why I’m calling. I’m going to be in the city this week, and I’d like to set up a time for you and I to meet. One on one. When’s your next available day?