by Angelo, Judy
But Serena’s real reason for wanting to move from her magnificent family home was that she wanted to be closer to the city, closer to all the action and her friends. Bridle Estates was no place to be when you wanted to hang out at parties and go on quick shopping trips. It was too far away from everything else. She loved the fact that she had a lot of space to do her riding. They were sitting on acres and acres of land. But sometimes she wished she had it all, the luxury plus the convenience. Like the Rosedale area. That would be perfect, an oasis of stately homes in the heart of the city. She had to start working on her dad, make him see the wisdom of moving.
Although she was wearing riding boots her feet padded along the plush carpet. When she got to the double doors of her father’s office she knocked lightly then pushed them open and walked in.
“Hi, Daddy,” she said brightly, even before she saw him. “Beth told me you wanted to see me?”
As she walked into the spacious office the black leather chair behind her father’s desk swiveled round and she saw her father’s smiling face. “Good morning, Princess,” he said in his deep, gravelly voice. “You look well rested this morning.”
“And you look tired.” She threw herself down in the dark leather chair in front of him. “You look like you’ve been up all night. Have you been drinking?”
“No, I haven’t.” He smiled at her indulgently. “But I have been thinking. A lot.”
“About what?”
“About you.”
Serena frowned as she looked into her father’s gentle gray eyes. “What about me?” Then her heart melted in realization. “Oh, I know what you’ve been thinking about.” She jumped up from her chair and went quickly around the desk to put her arms around her father’s shoulder. “I know you’ll miss me, Dad, but it’s only going to be for a few months. You can survive without me.”
Her father nodded then patted her hand gently. “That’s what I want to talk to you about, Princess.” He took her hand and pulled her around to face him. “I’m afraid the trip is off.”
Serena’s mouth fell open. She pulled her hand away from her father’s grasp and stepped back quickly. Then she jammed her balled fists on her hips.
“What are you talking about, Daddy? How could the trip be off? I’ve been planning this all year.”
“I know.” He sighed and clasped his hands across his middle. “But I’m going to have to change that plan. There is something that I want you to do that is far more important than a trip to Europe.”
“What could be more important than my trip to Europe? That’s supposed to be the last part of my education. The finishing touch, remember?”
“Serena, be quiet for a moment.” Richard’s voice was stern.
Serena sucked in her breath. He rarely spoke to her in that tone of voice. Something serious must have happened. She walked back to the chair she had vacated and sat on the edge. She looked across at her father and his usually gentle eyes were now sharp and businesslike.
“I want you to listen to very carefully, Serena.” He rested his hands on the desk. “I love you very much but I have to admit that I’ve failed you as a parent. Now I want to make things right. I want to make sure you’re well prepared for the world.” He leaned back in the chair, loosened his arms and put a hand to his eyes as if in pain.
“Are you alright, Dad?” Serena got up and quickly went over to her father. “Is something wrong?”
“No, no.” He shook his head and dropped his hand. His face looked grave. “I’m so ashamed of how I've handled your upbringing all these years. I have failed your mother.”
“Daddy, why are you saying these things? You’ve been the best dad in the world. You’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“Therein lies the problem.” He sat up straight and fixed her with a serious look. “Serena, I’ve arranged for you to work with Steele Enterprises assisting the president and CEO, Roman Steele. It will be an internship of sorts so you can gain some experience in business."
“What?” Serena jumped up from her chair and stared at her father. Had she heard right? “What are you saying, Daddy? I’m supposed to be traveling all summer. How can I be in Europe and work with this Roman person at the same time?”
“That’s the thing. You won’t be in Europe. You’ll be working starting Monday.”
Serena gasped. “That’s in less than a week." She shook her head, confused. "What happened, for you to do this to me? I don’t get it.”
“That’s what I was trying to tell you, Serena. I need to prepare you for the world. I’m not going to be with you forever. I want to know that when I leave this earth you’re prepared to face the world alone.”
“But I don’t need to cancel my trip. I can do all of that when I get back. I’m only going away for three months.”
“I'm sorry, Serena, but you have no choice in this.” Her father’s voice was firm. “It's time for me to put my foot down. You'll report to work on Monday and you'll be with Steele Enterprises for the next six months. You'll earn your own money, learn to budget, and your allowance will be suspended until the end of your internship period.”
Serena jerked back, shocked into silence. Then she felt quick tears sting her eyes. "How could you? What have I done to deserve this? How am I going to manage without my allowance? It’s not fair!”
“It’s what has to be done. I can’t prepare you for the world by pampering you. You’re a woman now, Serena, not a child. From now on I will treat you as such.”
For a long while Serena could only stare back at him, her dismay burgeoning till she felt she would burst into tears right in front of her father. That had worked for her in the past but somehow she knew it would not work for her now. With a sob of frustration Serena spun on her heels and stalked back to the door. When she got there she turned and glared at Richard.
“I'll do what you say because I have no choice but I will never forgive you for this.” With that she marched out, slamming the door behind her.
******
Serena rode hard as she hit the open field. Her eyes were narrow slits and she was breathing hard as she leaned forward in the saddle but it was not because she was exerting herself. It was because she was seething. She could not believe her father was making her cancel her long awaited trip. He'd even threatened to cut off her allowance. In all her life she could not remember her father ever speaking to her in that way. And he'd said it was because he loved her. And he was showing his love by making her work for one of his old fogey business partners?
Well, she was going to make him change his mind. And she knew one way that she could do it. She would get an ally.
Within minutes she was trotting the horse up the dirt track to the back of her grandmother’s house. She was lucky to have a grandparent who lived just a few miles away, someone who always had time for her and who listened to what she had to say. If Serena was upset about anything at all she knew that Grandma Sylvie would be there for her. This was one of those times.
Although it was not yet eight o’clock when Serena knocked on the kitchen door the smell of eggs and hot chocolate already wafted through the air. Within seconds the door flew open and Grandma Sylvie stood there smiling, her gray hair in rollers.
“What took you so long?” She took Serena’s hand and pulled her into the kitchen.
“How did you know I was coming?” Serena stepped into the kitchen then gave the petite woman a quick hug. “Are you psychic or something?”
“No.” Sylvie’s eyes twinkled. “Your dad called. He knew you were going to head right here after the little talk you both had.”
“He told you about that, did he?” Serena pulled out a chair and sat around the kitchen table while Sylvie bustled about doing what she loved best.
Sylvie loved cooking, especially for people who had problems. She'd often told Serena that it was her way of helping. If you came to her with your woes the least she could do was make your stomach happy. Right now she was making a cheese omelet just t
he way Serena liked it - with lots of onions and green papers wrapped in the middle. She quickly slid the omelet onto a plate and laid it on the table. She poured two glasses of orange juice then pulled out a chair and made herself comfortable beside her granddaughter.
“So. Tell me all about it." Sylvie put her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her palm. Her green eyes sparkled with interest. "Richard gave me his version but I know you're ready to share yours.”
“He practically threw me out of the house, Grandma.” Serena was pouting but she didn't care. She was so angry. “He told me I had to get a job. Can you believe it?” Sylvie chuckled as she popped a piece of egg into her mouth. “Sure I can believe it. You just finished college so the next step would be to use those skills in the working world. Or did I get things wrong?"
“You’re forgetting something. I was supposed to be in Europe a couple of weeks from now.” Serena folded her arms across her chest and frowned. "That was supposed to be one of my graduation presents. You know that. Now I’m going to have to stay here and work for some old geezer." She shook her head. "I don’t understand why he would do this to me.”
“You’ll understand in a while,” Sylvie said as she reached over and patted Serena’s arm. “Now eat something before you wither away. You’re so skinny already.”
“Oh, Grandma.” Serena got up and began to pace the floor. “You just don’t understand. Daddy is trying to sabotage all my plans and I don’t get it. Why does he hate me?”
Sylvie burst out laughing. “You are such a drama queen. You know your father doesn’t hate you. He loves you. Don’t you see that’s why he’s doing this?”
Serena scowled. “This has nothing to do with loving me. If he did he would let me go away like I planned. My best friends are going.”
“Serena.” Sylvie’s voice became serious. “Sit down and let me talk to you.”
Serena knew when to obey. She went back to her chair and waited for the lecture she knew was coming.
“And stop fiddling with your fork.” Sylvie slapped her hand and Serena pulled it back. “Now, young lady, it’s time to wake up and smell the coffee.” Sylvie gave her a stern look. “Your father…and I…have spoiled you rotten. You’re a sweet girl and no one can deny that. But what is also true is that your dad has always given you everything you wanted, and so have I. I agree with Richard. You’re a woman now. We can’t keep treating you like a child.” She reached over to take Serena’s hands in hers. “You have a lot to learn about life, Serena. And remember, you are Richard’s only heir. All your father is trying to do is to get you ready for life. You must understand that.”
Sylvie put her hand under Serena’s chin and lifted it so that their eyes met. “Do you promise me that you'll do what your father asks? Will you do this for me?”
Serena tried to look away but her grandmother’s stare was so intense that she felt transfixed. When Sylvie dropped her hand Serena heaved a sigh of resignation then nodded slowly. “Alright, I'll do it.” Then she set her mouth in a mutinous pout. “But if the old geezer I'm going to work for thinks I'm going to be his new gopher, he'd better think again. And he'd better be nice to me or else he'll wish he'd never met Serena Van Buren."
CHAPTER THREE
As Serena drove along Bay Street she was lost in thought. She was on her way to Steele Industries for her first day at work and she was not looking forward to it. In fact, she was busy thinking of ways to derail her father’s plans to make her a 'working woman'. Yes, she'd promised her grandmother she'd give it a try but she hadn't promised she'd be a model employee. Maybe she could get herself fired on day one. She bit her lip, giving it some thought. Was that a good idea, though? Effective today she would no longer receive a monthly allowance and would need to earn her own money. And she'd have to survive that way for the next six months. She shuddered at the thought. She had never felt so trapped in her life.
She found the place easily enough and pulled off the road and into the parking lot where she slid into the last empty spot. The sign said reserved but right then she didn't have time to be choosy. She reached over for her Hermes handbag then slid out of the SUV, the slim skirt of her Chanel suit making it impossible for her to hop down. She put on her sunglasses then slammed the door and walked briskly toward the main entrance, her stilettos tapping loudly on the pavement.
Serena entered the lobby and for a moment was taken aback by the magnificence of the main entrance. The lobby was huge with a high cathedral ceiling from which a massive chandelier hung. The black marble tiles on the floor glistened and as she looked down she saw herself reflected in their sheen. The walls were covered in the same dark marble but those were accentuated with gold trim. The company logo on the wall and the handles of all the doors were in gold. She had to admit the building was impressive.
She approached the massive receptionist desk and, putting on her most formal tone, she said to the woman sitting there, “Serena Van Buren, here to see Mr. Roman Steele.”
“Good morning.” The woman acknowledged her with a nod. “Do you have an appointment with Mr. Steele?”
“Uhh, yes,” Serena said quickly, too embarrassed to tell the woman that she was reporting for her first day at work. “He’s expecting me."
“I’ll have someone take you up.” She directed Serena to have a seat in one of the soft black leather chairs along the side of the wall.
She’d been sitting there for less than a minute when a statuesque woman with raven-black hair exited the elevator and approached her. She was impeccably dressed in a wine-colored suit and matching pumps. She had the body and gait of a model.
“Ms. Van Buren?” The woman’s voice was husky, almost as deep as a man’s. Serena tried to hide her surprise behind a bright smile. She stood up and took the woman’s outstretched hand.
“Yes, I’m Serena Van Buren.”
“Welcome,” the woman said then released her hand. “My name is Theresa Lederman. I’m Mr. Steele’s personal assistant.” Then her brows knitted. “Did you have a problem getting here? We were expecting you some fifteen minutes ago.” The disapproval was evident in her tone.
Serena immediately bristled and straightened to her full height, not that it made much difference since Theresa Lederman had a good four or five inches on her. She gave the woman a frosty look. “I’m not used to driving on Bay Street at this time of morning. I had no idea the traffic was so heavy.” Then she frowned, angry at herself for even responding. She’d never had to explain herself to anyone before. And who did this woman think she was to ask her about being late? She was nothing but a glorified secretary, after all.
The woman looked down at her and nodded. “Well, this is your first day so I can understand. But you will have to head out earlier tomorrow. Mr. Steele postponed a meeting specifically in order to meet you this morning and he’s already lost fifteen minutes.” She beckoned Serena toward the elevator. “Unfortunately, he’d wanted to spend at least an half an hour with you to get you started but now he’ll only have a few minutes.”
“I’m…sorry,” Serena said grudgingly, suddenly feeling guilty for her previous display. She was going to have to check her attitude. She gave an inaudible sigh. Being an employee was not going to be easy.
At the tenth floor Theresa punched in a code and the glass doors automatically slid open. They entered another beautiful lobby, a smaller, more intimate version of the one below. She strode down a hallway then stopped in front of a door and knocked. Serena heard nothing but apparently the woman did because she pushed it open then stepped aside to allow her to enter. “Ms. Van Buren,” was all she said by way of presentation then as Serena stepped into the room she pulled the door shut behind her.
Stepping hesitantly into the middle of the room Serena looked around at the expansive office, impressed with the elegance of its décor and the wide bay window with its impressive view of the city. A quick survey revealed that the long anticipated Roman Steele, the man who would hereafter control eight hours out o
f each of her weekdays, was nowhere to be seen.
Okay, now what? Stand here like an idiot or plop self into one of the chairs and wait? Where the heck was he, anyway?
As if in answer she heard the rustle of paper then a deep voice behind her. “Welcome, Miss Van Buren.”
Serena jumped. She turned toward the voice then stared in wide-eyed surprise at the startlingly handsome man who filled her vision. Tall and broad-shouldered, he towered over her five foot three inch frame in an immaculate suit the color of midnight. Ink-black hair framed a tanned, rugged face that spoke of strength, power and pride. Eyes the color of black diamonds bored into her, making her flush under his intense scrutiny. When his firm lips curled in what could only be amusement, she dropped her gaze and her eyes sought refuge in the rich crimson of his tie.
She’d been staring like a doe caught in headlights but she couldn’t help it. Roman Steele was so shockingly different from the middle-aged balding man she’d expected. Who could have known he’d look like he belonged on the cover of GQ? And why in heaven’s name was her heart racing like she’d just done a hundred-meter sprint?
Serena took a quick breath, trying desperately to steady her pulse. She lifted her face again. “Where did you come from?” she asked, then cursed herself for sounding so breathless.
He cocked an eyebrow then giving her a crooked smile he waved his hand in the direction of a door which stood slightly ajar. “I was pulling a file from the vault.” He seemed amused at having taken her by surprise. “Please. Have a seat.” He waved her to a chair then went and sat behind his massive desk of deep mahogany. “I’m glad you could finally join us.”