The scowl on the man’s face deepened and he pushed back his chair. “Now, you listen. As long as you’re under my roof-”
“Your roof? You, you...” Golden began to sputter, so blazing was her anger, and that was when she knew she’d better shut up. If not, she’d be bound to say something she would regret.
She shook her head. Then she drew in her breath and let it out. Finally, she spoke. “Do you know what? I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that. I’m going to my room now. Don’t bother to give me whatever message you got for me.”
Golden grabbed her handbag off the china cabinet then turned and stalked off, leaving both her guardians staring after her.
In her room, her only sanctuary, Golden threw her handbag onto the armchair then went and flopped down on the bed, feeling even more desperate than ever. She needed to get away, move out on her own. As much as she wanted to stay in the family home to be there for her mother how could she, with that despicable man trying to control her life? She would have to go all out in her search for employment and as soon as she was earning reasonable wages she would move out. She only hoped she could convince her mother to make the move with her. Sadly, she didn’t hold out much hope for that happening.
But then there was one ever-present option that was available, one that she refused to even consider. It would get her out of this cursed house and would even mean freedom for her mother. But could she make that move?”
That one other option would take her far out of Manchester’s reach but wouldn’t that fate be even worse than this one?
***
“The agency got the call,” Sharon said, her face beaming. “We found her.”
“Great work, Sharon. Couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Oh, it was nothing.”
But Reed knew it was not ‘nothing’. He’d been ready to hire a P.I. firm to help him find the runaway girl and had shared his plan with Sharon.
She’d waved off his idea. “You don’t need a private investigator for that. Let me handle it. How many Golden Brownes do you think could be in the Greater London area?”
Slowly, he nodded. “You’re right. Browne’s pretty common but this is the first Golden I’ve heard of.”
“I’ve heard the name before,” Sharon said, “but it’s definitely not common. Let me do a search before you bring a P.I. in.” Then she cocked her head to one side and gave him a knowing look “You’re really taken with this girl, aren’t you?”
Her question took him by surprise. Despite the fact that he and Sharon had an excellent working relationship he hadn’t expected her question. “Taken?”
Sharon chuckled. “I can see it in your eyes. I’m sorry. I know you too well.” Still chuckling, she went out the door to tackle the task she’d assigned herself, the pursuit of Reed’s latest business interest.
He grimaced. Unfortunately, he couldn’t use that as an excuse, saying she was his latest discovery, a girl who would make a perfect Davidoff model. He could not pretend that his interest in this girl was purely professional. Even his assistant could see through that story.
There was a tap at the door and Sharon stuck her head back in. “I just spoke with them again. The girl contacted the agency after we left a message at her house,” she said. “She plans to stop by their office on Thursday. What do you want me to tell them?”
“Let them gather all her particulars,” he said. “They should be doing that anyway. They’ll need that information for their database.”
Sharon nodded. “Then what? I’m not sure they’ll pass her information on to you.”
“Maybe not,” he said, giving it some thought. “Tell them to give her my contact information. Let them tell her that the owner of Davidoff Fashions would like to speak with her.”
“Very well,” Sharon said with a smile. “Consider it done.”
But even after she’d gone back to her office, leaving him to soak up the good news, Reed could not rid himself of one worrying thought.
As much as she intrigued him, why was he even bothering to track this girl down? In his situation it wasn’t like anything could ever come of it.
CHAPTER FIVE
“Oh, shoot,” Golden mumbled under her breath. She’d done it and there was no escaping the consequences. She knew she shouldn’t have gone in but she’d been desperate and now she was paying the price.
She’d gone to the agency office to collect the pay they’d called about and was surprised when she was told they had a message for her. Frowning in confusion, she took the envelope from the woman but she did not open it until she got back to her car. “Mr. Reed Davidoff of Davidoff Fashions requests that you contact him as soon as possible,” it read. “Please see telephone number below.” Her heart lurched. Reed Davidoff, the owner of the company. Dear Lord, she was in big trouble now.
This could only mean one thing. He was planning to have her head for destroying his show. She drew in her breath then let it out slowly. What in the world was she going to do now?
But deep down she knew. Whether or not she was skewered and roasted by the great Reed Davidoff himself she would not duck out of this meeting. She was at fault so she would go in and apologize and do whatever it took to make things right...not that there was much she could do. The deed was done and the show was over. But still, she had to try...
That afternoon, as instructed, Golden called Reed Davidoff’s office, holding her breath while the phone rang. She sagged in relief when she heard a woman’s voice on the other end of the line.
The woman thanked her for calling then set up an appointment for her to come in to see Mr. Davidoff the very next day.
“So soon?” Golden blurted out. “I mean, I’m flexible. I’m sure Mr. Davidoff is very busy. I can come later this week or even next week if that’s better for him.”
“No, no,” the woman said, dismissing her offer. “Tomorrow is perfect. Please be here by three.” Then she hung up and that was that.