Chapter Two
The pile of file folders on Ryane Windsome’s desk messed up the cool crisp lines of the expensive one-of-a-kind piece of furniture. Created from one single piece of glass, it took five men to position the desk to have the right Fung Shui and a team of designers found the perfect accessories to accent the piece, but now there was a pile of manila file folders smack dab in the middle of the desk.
“This is not acceptable.” Her words made her three assistants, Belinda, Bobbie and Bernadette stand.
“What’s wrong?” Hands clasped, Belinda rushed toward Ryane with the other two in tow. “What can we do?”
“Do these folders have to be there?” She pointed to the offensive pile.
The three women gathered around the corner of her desk. Bobbie whispered something to Bernadette, who in turn whispered something to Belinda.
“Ma’am.” Belinda lowered her voice. “That is your work. I think it has to be there.”
While Ryane supposed her assistants had a point, she only wished the folders could be the same pink that matched the rest of the office accents. In fact, that was an excellent idea. Windsome Holdings, her family’s company that bought and sold large parcels of land, could also be color coordinated.
“Yes, the work has to be there,” she agreed.
Before she had the opportunity to ask her assistants to pull the file that contained all of the design specifications for all things Ryane Windsome, her father entered.
His tall, broad form filled up the doorway. “Leave us.” He pointed to her assistants.
One by one her three helpers scurried out of the room, closing the door behind them.
“Daddy.” Ryane watched him enter. His grey hair combed back, his commanding presence, his well tailored suit, everything about him spoke of power and prestige. “I was just thinking that my work should be in a different color folder, then I would know it was mine and not someone else’s. Everyone here uses these common folders.”
“Come here.” He took a seat by the desk and motioned for her to join him.
In less than a heartbeat, she went to the other chair.
“Princess.” He reached forward and took her hand.
Any conversation that started with him calling her princess usually had some sort of present attached to it, and she squirmed in her seat in anticipation. Maybe he bought her a paper mill for her to make her new acceptable file folders. “Yes, Daddy.”
He paused and cleared his throat. “I know this may sound a little harsh, but you have to actually get work done, no matter the color of the folder.”
She stared at him.
“Do you know why I have this business?” He squeezed her hand.
Excellent, she knew the answer to this one. Piece of cake, A+. “Because Great Grandfather started it and it was handed down to Grandfather and now you.”
“Well, yes.” He blinked. “And one day the business will be yours, and you will get married and have a son or a daughter, and we will have built something that will support generations of Windsomes yet to come.”
“Oh, that’s nice.” She gave her father a sweet smile. “You make it sound like a fairy tale.”
“Do you understand what I’m saying?” Her father leaned in.
“Of course, Daddy.”
“No, do you understand?” The vein on his forehead became more pronounced.
She nodded. One day the business would be hers and she would have a baby. Wait, maybe she didn’t understand and she wrinkled her nose.
He let go of her hand. “You need to get married. Married to a man who won’t destroy what your great-grandfather, your grandfather and I spent our lives building. Someone who I will select and approve.”
Her mouth opened, but she had no words. Marriage? To a man her father selected? She was particular, extremely particular. Did he even know what it took her to choose her nail polish color? How could they choose a man?
“Our Seventy-fifth Anniversary Ball is coming up. Think how spectacular it would be to announce your engagement there?” her father continued. “You always come up with something special for these events, now you have a goal.”
“Daddy?” Her father already had this all planned. What did she do now?
“But no matter who you marry, I need for you to understand this business.” He pointed at her. “Do you understand me?”
Without a doubt, she understood him now. “Yes, Daddy.” Her eyes heated with tears.
“Now you need to do great things for the family.” His voice softened and he took a handkerchief out of his pocket and dried the corners of her eyes. “I want you to make me proud.”
“I suppose I can deal with the regular file folders for now.” With a newfound conviction, she stood and walked over to the stack. She swiped the first folder off the pile and opened it. “Look, this is about the land in Los Padres. Mother used to take me here.”
“There you go. Learn the land. Any man who earns the right to be with my Princess needs to know he is dealing with a brain as well as a beauty.” He got up and headed toward the door. “Our ball will be magnificent this year.”
“Daddy.” Her voice echoed through her office.
“Yes, baby.” Right before he left, he turned to her.
“If I learn the business, I can choose my own husband right?” She clutched the manila folder to her chest.
Rather than answer, her father smiled and left.
Somehow she had to learn the business that was Windsome Holdings or her father would choose some bland businessman. She gathered her items and headed toward the door. She needed to start her lessons right away or end up being sold to the highest bidder the night of their anniversary ball.