Tamed by the Billionaire(5)

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?