I hurry out of the high school and walk the four blocks to my father's twenty story office building. I have just turned eighteen and it has just been Dad and I since I was a little girl. Mom left and we never heard from her again. I am a senior at an all girl's Catholic school and Dad has been very strict about my association with boys.
I am a very petite girl, barely five feet tall, with long red curly hair and bright green eyes. My facial features are dainty and I am always smiling. I am on the pom-pom squad at school so I am toned and curvy. Thanks to my school uniform of white blouse and short plaid skirt my mature attributes are clearly visible. I like to go home and change into baggy clothes before going to my dad's office, but he insists that I come immediately after school today.
Dad's assistant went home sick today so I will fill in until the office closes at five o'clock. My dad makes million dollar deals with his clients so it is very important that they not sit in the waiting room alone.
There is one man waiting when I burst into the office out of breath and he doesn't look very pleased. I look down at the schedule and see that Dad is in a meeting with some investors for the next forty-five minutes. I wonder why Mr. Brooks is here so early.
"Mr. Brooks?" I ask politely. He rises from his chair impatiently and I am instantly intimidated. He is well over six feet tall with broad shoulders. He appears to be in his mid-thirties with black hair and icy blue eyes that are now glaring at me.
"Yes Mr. Brooks." He states in a frigid tone. "I was supposed to have my meeting moved up and I have already been waiting for a half hour."
"I'm sorry Sir." I reply in my sweet voice. "The normal assistant is out today and I am just filling in for my dad. It appears that he is in a meeting with some investors for the next forty-five minutes."
"My meeting will mean the difference between your father continuing to have a career and being unemployed young lady." Mr. Brooks tells me coldly. "He has been trying to meet with me for the last six months and now he has the nerve to make me wait for almost two hours?"
"I am sorry Sir. I didn't realize the importance of your meeting." I try to soothe him. "I will go an interrupt to be sure my father knows you are waiting."
"What is your name Honey?" Mr. Brooks asks me in a suddenly warm tone.
"Danielle Sir." I answer meekly.
"How old are you Danielle?" He asks as he gazes at me strangely.
"I just turned eighteen Sir." I blush uncomfortably.
"I am pleased that you were willing to interrupt your father's important meeting." He tells me with a very intense look on his face as he removes a packet of papers from his briefcase. "I want you to give these to your father with the instructions that he is to sign them and you, only you, are to return them to my hotel room at the Hyatt around the corner. I am in the penthouse suite."
"I would be happy to Sir." I smile at him happily, completely misunderstanding his change of emotion. "When would you like me to deliver the papers?"
"The office closes at five?" He asks me with that strange expression evident in those pale blue eyes.
"Yes Sir."
"Be knocking at my door at six o'clock sharp or you can tell your father the deal is off." He tells me firmly.
"Yes Sir, Six o'clock sharp." I reply anxiously. Mr. Brooks walks out of the office with a smile playing around his full lips. He is handsome for an older guy.
I spend the next forty-five minutes filing and organizing until Dad is out of his meeting. After the investors have left I hesitantly enter Dad's office with Mr. Brooks's papers.
"You missed Mr. Brooks meeting Dad." I tell him anxiously. "He was really angry and knows you need his deal to keep your office." I place the packet of papers down on the desk in front of him.