CHAPTER ONE
Penelope Walton did her best to keep her composure and not break into a happy dance in the middle of the hall of Goldman Corp. She had just smashed her interview with Richard Goldman, and her fingers were shaking as she took out her phone to call her mother.
“Tell me everything,” the woman said instead of “hi”.
Penny could tell from the tremble in her tone she had been watching her phone like an eagle, waiting for her call.
“I got the job! Mom, you’re now talking to Rick Goldman’s personal assistant.” She lowered her voice and stole a quick glance around her. The middle-aged secretary working at the desk by the window didn’t seem to have heard or noticed her. Good. She had to get used to calling her new boss Mr. Goldman, otherwise, people would think she got the job just because her parents were family friends with the Goldmans.
“I knew you could do it, honey!” Her mother sighed in relief. “You deserve it. You’re so smart, so bright… You’re ready for this. You’re going to do great.”
“Thanks, mom.” She heard her father’s voice through the phone. “Oh my God, dad’s there? Wasn’t he supposed to be at the office?”
Her mother laughed. “He’s leaving now. Lazy old man… Wanted to know the result first, he says, but I know him better.”
“What are you talking about, woman?” The warm, deeply masculine voice made Penny giggle. “I had to know if I should drop by the bakery and grab a cake to celebrate with the team, didn’t I?”
“That’s what you do at work? You eat cake?”
Penny laughed wholeheartedly. Leave it to her dad to make a fuss about her interview and promise the employees at his small law firm he’d bring them cake if she got the job. She liked how her dad was more than a boss to them, and she hoped Richard Goldman would be the same to her. However, looking at the austere offices and the silent, rigid employees typing away at their computers and exchanging less than five words when they met by the coffee makers, she wasn’t so sure. Maybe it was just an impression. Now, she was part of the team. She’d get to see things from the inside, and she was sure they were different and the people here were actually very warm and friendly.
“I have to go now. I’ll drop by tonight and tell you all the details, okay?”
“Red wine?”
“Mmm… that sounds great. And how about that divine roast chicken of yours? If it’s not too much to ask…”
“Anything for my little girl. Roast chicken and wine it is.”
“Thanks mom. Tell dad I love him. Bye!”
She hung up just as a tall, young brunette stopped in front of her. She was holding a stack of files and had a pleasant smile on her pretty face.
“Miss Walton?”
“Yes.”
“Hi! I’m Jenny. Mr. Goldman asked me to show you to your office and get you up to speed.”
They shook hands, and Penny was impressed by how professional, confident, and drop dead gorgeous the woman was. Jenny’s suit was more expensive and chicer than hers, but Penny couldn’t hold it against her. Soon, she’d afford better clothes and that Gucci handbag she’d been dreaming of for the past two months. If anything, she could learn from Jenny, and maybe ask her where she’d bought her stilettos.
Penelope wasn’t ashamed of her own look, either. Her long, blonde, curly hair was tied up in a neat, high ponytail, and her make-up was flawless – nude eyeshadow, perfect eyeliner, natural contouring, and a pinkish lipstick that complimented her full, plump lips. The black pencil skirt stopped right under her knees, and the corset she wore underneath her white shirt gave her body a delicious hourglass shape. In fact, Penny was very proud of her ability to combine garments and accessories in a clever way, and on a budget.
“Follow me, please.”
“Sure. Oh, and… call me Penny.”
The brunette giggled. “Jenny and Penny. I like that.”
“Will we be working together?”
Jenny led her across the hall, opened the door to a spacious, white office, and invited her in.
“We’ll see each other around. Your job will be a bit different than mine, as you’ll take care of Mr. Goldman’s more personal affairs. I envy you, really. He must trust you a lot.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” Penny blushed to the tips of her ears. Everyone already knew she had practically grown up with Goldman’s four children. “I’ll do my best.”
“Of course. Well, this is it.” She motioned toward the immaculate desk, the perfect, empty walls, and the large windows.
