Educating Danielle

by Karen E. Lea

Part Nine

 

Chapter Forty Four

Next morning I awoke entwined with Laura, I don't think we had moved all night. It had gone six and I rose to have a shower. After I finished, Laura took my place after a quick kiss. While I was dressing I could hear Daniel moving around in the kitchen. This was a new experience for me, having other people in the house.

We ate breakfast together, Daniel promised to have the washing done by tonight, he already had a load in the machine. Actually he was dressed as Danielle in a skirt and top, his faux breasts supported in a bra, as we hadn't taken the breasts off the night before.

Wishing every body a good day and a kiss each, I headed for the studio. Once I was behind my desk, I looked at the workload for the week. Busy, but not flat out. Tuesday and Wednesday we could probably use Danielle's help. A small catalogue for a small mail order boutique. Thursday was three cars for studio shots.

Every body started to drift in after eight thirty. Cindy came and said "Good Morning. How was your weekend?"

"Pretty good. Got engaged, you know, the usual weekend stuff."

"You what?"

"Had a run of the mill weekend."

"No you dope the bit about getting engaged."

"Oh that. Laura and I got engaged."

"Congratulations. This is Daniel's mum isn't it?"

"Thanks. Yeah. Although Daniel is fading from view."

"Why?"

"He got carried away at the hair salon on Friday; we can't get him to look like Daniel any more."

"That's right the wedding. How did it go, did he pass."

"Of course."

"Kelly will be here soon."

"Gees that's right, forgot about that. Annette gave her notice on Saturday, sick sister some where."

"No great loss. Tell you what though, thought I was talking to a woman on Saturday."

That was the problem with my female voice, I had to concentrate on it and it was very hard drop in and out. Before I could think of a reply, John poked his head in and said "Hi."

I told him all the news. He congratulated me. "Did you ever hear from Sam after that Saturday?" I asked.

"Not a peep."

"Think he's forgotten?"

"Let's hope." He wandered off in to the studio.

Annette arrived and apologised for leaving again, but her sister was in a bad way. Cindy was behind her waving to me, "Kelly's' here."

I looked at my watch; she was early, no matter, "Show her in."

Cindy bought Kelly in to my office. She was wearing a scoop neck top, short skirt and high heel sandals. Gee she was tiny, put a school uniform on her and she would like a thirteen year old. She was extremely nervous as I read her TAFE certificate and references. She told me she was doing a MYOB course at night. "That's good, we use that too. Please relax."

"I'm sorry. It's that last time we met, I got carried away with Daniel, I hope it doesn't go against me."

"Because you kissed him? No way. Can you start today, like now?"

"I've got the job?"

"Problem?"

"No. No."

"I should have been more formal, thirty thousand a year to start; I'll review it in eight weeks."

"Thank you."

"We have a bonus scheme as well, if we use you as a model for little jobs."

"Sounds great."

I took her out to the studio and introduced her to John and Cathy, Cindy and Charlene she knew. We went back to the office and introduced her to Annette. I apologised for throwing her in the deep end, but Annette was leaving at the end of the week.

I went back to my office, after just settling down, the phone rang. It was Moira, "Jeff, good morning."

"Morning Moira."

"Everything fine for the next catalogue?"

"No problems…any at your end?"

"Just one. That girl I saw on John's desk that Saturday, I want her in this catalogue."

"I'm sorry, like I said at the time, it's just not possible."

"If its money, that's not a problem, she'll be well paid, all our models are well paid."

"It's not about money. It's just not possible."

"I would like to remind you, we are your biggest client and that girl suits us."

"She's not a model, and doesn't want to be one."

"Well give me her details and I will convince her."

"That's private information; I'd have to get her parent's permission."

"Jeff Williams. You are making me very exasperated. Please get this girl's details for me so we can negotiate with her. What's her name?"

"Danielle."

"Surname?"

"Marsden."

"I'll ring tomorrow, could you please have some information for me."

"I'll try. Goodbye."

"Please don't let me down. Good bye."

I hung the phone up. Was she persistent or what. How was I going to get out of this? The day passed quickly, but the conversation with Moira nagged at me and by the end of the day I was no closer to a solution.

We locked up and went our separate ways heading for home. I arrived home and parked next to the Golf in the garage. I let myself in to the house, something smelt good. Laura greeted me with a kiss. I think I'm going to enjoy coming home to a family. "Our daughter has been very busy today."

"She's cooked dinner by the smell of it?"

"She's finishing off the ironing. She's cleaned the three bathrooms, the kitchen absolutely shines."

Danielle was ironing in the family room watching reruns of MASH, "Hi Daddy."

Hi honey. Been busy?"

"Just a bit."

"You've done a lovely job, make somebody a great wife."

"Thank you, I think. I'd only want to be a wife to one person and my mum beat me to it."

"Danielle…" Laura gasped.

"Weeell."

"Okay, I'm flattered, but I'm head over heels in love with your mum."

We helped put the clothes away that had been ironed, then sat down to dinner, Beef Stroganoff. "I don't remember having the ingredients in the house for this?"

"You didn't." Danielle said. I gave her a quizzical look.

"I went up to the shops at lunchtime."

"That was a bit of a risk."

"Sorry daddy."

"I just worry. Anyway, on a brighter note, anyone like to see a movie tonight? I'd like to see 'Sorority Boys'"

"It didn't get a very good rating in the paper." Danielle lamented.

"It must be good, it's about cross dressing." I replied. They both laughed.

We finished our dinner, cleaned up and prepared to go out. Locking the front door, we entered the garage through the internal door. "Geez, I nearly forgot, can Danielle come to the studio tomorrow and Wednesday?" I asked Laura.

Laura nodded, "I guess so, it's not like he can go to school at the moment."

"Oh daddy." he hugged me.

"I employed your girlfriend today."

"Kelly?"

"Yep." I said as I backed the Golf from the garage.

A couple of hours later we were on the way home. I enjoyed the movie although there were no more than ten people in the theatre. We arrived home and got ready for bed, kissing Daniel goodnight. "See you in the morning honey."

Laura and I snuggled in to bed, kissing and petting leading to sex.

Next morning Danielle woke us, "Come on you two sleepy heads, its six ten."

I opened one eye, then the other. Danielle was dressed and makeup done. She had her stretch jeans, white clingy top and her joggers on. "You look good?"

"Thank you daddy. I have a reputation to uphold, I'm the boss's daughter," she giggled.

Showered and breakfasted, I finished my coffee, "Three days to go." I said to Laura.

"Yep, I'm counting the hours. I was just thinking, maybe I should just give my notice."

"I wouldn't. You've worked ten years for your long service leave. You give your notice, he's such an arsehole, he would probably withhold it on some technicality."

"You're right. By the way, I meant to ask last night, can I have the girls over for lunch Saturday week?"

"Sure. Your house too, you don't have to ask."

"I'll get used to it one day. The girls were impressed by the ring and are dying to meet you."

"Come on Danielle, we better get going, see you tonight." I said kissing Laura.

 

Chapter Forty Five

We pulled in to the car park just after eight. I saw two guys waiting at the front door, both in suits. We walked up to the door holding hands, the short one in a crumpled suit swung toward our approaching footsteps.

"Jeff? Jeff Williams."

"Yes."

"Sam…Sam Goldstein, friend of Johns', hey…. here she is, what did I tell you eh...eh, is she the one or what?" He shook my hand, then swung back to his friend when he saw Danielle. His friend agreed.

"Hey, this is my business partner Sal Abrahams." I shook hands with a tall young man impeccably dressed in a very expensive suit.

"What can I do for you?" I asked.

"Well, it's actually the girl we're come about; I saw her photos a few weeks ago, here with John."

"He did mention it."

"Great…great. Now we're making a music video and have a need for a good looking young girl and you're…um, I don't know her name?"

"Danielle." Danielle answered.

"Yeah well, Danielle you're very hot looking and we have a need for you in our video."

Danielle was going to speak, I squeezed her hand, "I don't think so." I said.

"Hey this is a great opportunity for a young girl, national exposure, we're hoping for worldwide eventually."

"I really don't think so."

"Jeff, can I call you Jeff. We've got four great young guys and we're going to do a cover of 'I'm a believer', you know the Monkee's hit. The guys appeal to the babes and a hot babe like Danielle to pull the guys in. Can't miss."

"My daughter is not a hot babe, not by your standards at least. We are not interested Sam."

"Hey I know it sounds a bit wild, but she'll be paid well, two grand for a couple of days' work."

"Two grand, is that all." I scoffed.

"Hey, that's a lot of money."

"Maybe to somebody."

"Come on Jeff, she'll have a ball, make some money, be on national TV, all the music video shows."

"We are not interested. Now if you will excuse me, we have work to do. Goodbye."

"But, but Jeff. Danielle honey, talk him in to it will ya." Sam called after us.

"That went well…not." Sal said as we unlocked the door.

We went in to the office and started the computers, turned on the lights, threw the junk faxes in to the recycling bin. I checked emails and deleted the junk. Cindy came up to say good morning and squealed when she saw Danielle. "Oh my god, my little girl has grown up." They hugged and kissed.

They chatted while I answered some of the emails; Kelly came in five minutes later, "Morning mister Williams."

"Hi Kelly, we're pretty informal around here, it's Jeff. You're early?"

"If I catch the next bus, its borderline getting here on time."

"Hi Kelly." Danielle chirped.

"Hi Kelly." Cindy echoed.

Kelly looked at Danielle. "You don't recognise him do you?" Cindy prodded.

She looked perplexed for a minute, "Daniel?" They air kissed.

"If Cindy had said her, I would be no wiser. You look great."

"Thank you. You look pretty terrific yourself."

"Thanks." Kelly blushed.

"Can we keep it to her, she etc please?" I asked.

"No worries." Cindy replied.

The girls talked amongst themselves, when we heard a tentative hello from the outer office. Cindy went out to greet the newcomer and returned with Sonja, the owner of the mail order catalogue.

"Darlink." She greeted me, wiping her dark hair behind her ear.

"Sonja, nice to see you." I shook her hand. I introduced the girls who then went to their respective tasks, Danielle tagging along after Cindy.

"Darlink, why you let me hire second best girl, when you hiding best girl here?"

"Sorry?"

"The girl Danielle, very beautiful, she in my catalogue, I insist."

I'm sure she spoke perfectly good English; this Russian immigrant speak was an act. "She's just helping out today, she's not a model."

"I insist she in my catalogue, she be how you say, fantastic."

"She's not a professional model, her help is needed elsewhere. Sorry can't do."

"I cancel shoot."

Great. "Sonja. You all ready have a girl coming for the shoot."

"She can assist the beautiful Danielle."

"I think it best we go with the original plan."

"No. The beautiful Danielle in my catalogue or I cancel."

Standing there thinking how I was going to get out of this. I wanted to end this in my favour.

"I know is money, is always with capitalists, Two thousand dollars a day for the beautiful Danielle."

"Sorry?" My reverie broken.

"Two thousand dollars a day for Danielle."

Kelly poked her head in the door, "Excuse me Mister Williams, a Moira to see you."

Moira. What did she want? "Ask her to wait, thanks Kelly. Okay Sonja, you win, I'll get a contract ready."

Sonja looked like the cat that got the cream. "Darlink, you think I foolish with my money?"

"Crossed my mind."

"Danielle will make me a lot of money, her beauty will shine through, people will want to buy my clothes. Next time I may not be able to afford her." I cocked my head in her direction.

"She is very special that little one. Something about her…… very special."

I led Sonia downstairs to the studio, told Cindy and John what was happening, and took Danielle to one side to see if she was okay with it.

"I will stay and supervise darlink." She'll send every body mad. "Okay." I acknowledged.

Back upstairs and greeted Moira, "Jeff, we need to speak."

Kelly interrupted, "Excuse me Jeff; I need to talk to you." I ushered Moira to my office and returned to Kelly, "Annette hasn't turned up, what do you want me to do?"

"Look busy; I'll be with you soon." I went back to my office.

"Jeff. How did you go with those details?" She was very on edge and hadn't said good morning or any niceties at all. And she had never turned up without an appointment before.

"Um…."

"I'll get straight to the point. Our company wants a bigger slice of the youth market, but we've never come across the right girl to spearhead it, till I saw those photographs on John's desk that Saturday. You wouldn't believe the number of girls that have been screened for this position."

"Oh….."

"First things first. I would love to meet her, would that be possible?"

"Um….I guess."

"Great. When?"

"Um……..work out something I guess."

"Please work with me here. Why all this 'I guess' and back pedalling."

"Well…..I talked to her last night, she's really not interested in modelling, she wants to be a makeup artist."

"This girl has a great future in modelling, those photographs don't lie, you have seen them, haven't you?"

"Yep, I've seen them."

"Well I think she should hear what we have to offer."

While I thought of a reply, there was a knock at the door, "Excuse me, Dad?"

Moira spun to the speaker, it was Danielle. I just closed my eyes and prayed for deliverance. "Jeff Williams, I demand an explanation now. And it better be good."

"Sorry Dad, Cindy needs the keys to the store. She left hers at home."

"Danielle this is Moira, marketing manager from Spencer's department store, Moira this is Danielle Marsden."

"She called you dad?"

"She's not my biological daughter, but my daughter all the same."

"Well this is most opportune. Her photographs are stunning, but do not do you justice young lady."

"Thank you." Danielle blushed. I gave her the keys and she skipped from the room.

"Okay Jeff Williams, no more beating around the bush. We want Danielle on board to spearhead our push in to the teenage market. I will not be taking no for an answer. We have an exclusive contract to offer her."

"Why haven't you mentioned this in all our talks over the last couple of months? I better tell you now when we walked in this morning, we had a visit from a music video producer who saw the same photographs, and the meaning of no seems to elude him. Then to top it off, once we got inside, the woman with a mail order boutique threatened to cancel if Danielle wouldn't work for her."

"I should've have bought you in to the loop sooner." She sat thinking. "I've got a whole marketing department working on this."

"She's not a professional model or anything; there must be thousands of girls out there more suitable."

"And I've met nearly all of them in the last eight months, but none were suitable."

"What about a star from one of the teenage soaps?"

"I didn't dream this up over night; we have been down all those roads. She's a natural beauty; you feel it in the photographs. She's a very special person."

"You're the second person to say that in the last half hour."

"Can I borrow your office and phone; I have to make some phone calls."

"Sure. I've got some things to sort out."

I went out to the outer office; Kelly was working on the computer. She looked up. "She didn't show, I've started working on things she showed me yesterday, bringing them up to date."

"Thank you." That was unusual I thought as I descended the stairs to see how the studio shoot was going. Danielle had been made up and was putting on the first outfit. Sonja fussed around like a mother hen. I talked to John, he had convinced Sonja to use the other girl as well. Every thing seem to be working down here, so I headed back upstairs to the office and Kelly who had some questions. All in all she had picked up on the work quickly and was a very capable young woman. Sitting down I thought about the morning's events, I don't think I had seen the last of Sam and Sal, obviously the meaning of no eluded them. Then there was Sonja, I would not imagined her paying that sort of money for an unknown girl. Then I had Moira in my office organising god knows what. This was becoming a bit too much.

"Jeff…….Mister Williams."

"Uh….sorry Kelly, miles away."

"That's okay; do you know why we do the payroll this way?"

"Annette said it was easier for her."

"Don't know why, you have to enter the same data three times. Do you mind if I do it my way?"

"As long as every body gets paid, go for it."

"Thanks."

 

Chapter Forty Six

Moira called me from the door of my office, I followed her back in. "Jeff, I've spoken to my CEO, who's backing me on this, he's very eager. Our market share at the moment of the teenage market is miniscule, and market share can be increased with the right marketing."

"But why an unknown?"

"This way there is no preconceived ideas about the person. If someone is too well known, she'd be always connected to her previous endeavours. Believe me; till I saw those photos we ready to shelve it in the too hard basket."

"Well, I really have to say no."

"I'll get the girl's mother."

"She's my fiancée; she'll probably leave it up to me."

Moira was looking out of the window down to the studio floor, "How old is Danielle?"

"Sixteen."

"Do you realise she could be a millionaire by the time she's twenty with the package we want to offer?"

"Moira, I've been working in this industry a long time to know that unknowns just don't bob up, it's a long hard road."

"Why are you stonewalling this? It's out of character for you? When we decided to go with Starburst for our catalogue needs, we didn't do it on a whim. We asked around and did our homework, great reviews from your clients, couldn't do enough for you, nothing was a problem. What's happened?"

"I don't want Danielle to get hurt."

Kelly knocked at the door, "Fax for Moira…….would you like some coffee mister Williams?"

"I would kill for one." Moira answered, "White, one sugar."

"Thanks Kelly, black for me, two sugars."

Moira read the fax and nodded her head a couple of times, "Okay. This is what we are offering Danielle for the next twelve months. Three catalogues at thirty thousand per catalogue. Minimum six commercials for television and theatre, hundred thousand per commercial, two thousand a day for newspaper and magazine advertising shoots, at least one a month, probably more. One thousand a month to spend at the store for clothing, shoes and accessories. Personal appearances, one thousand per day, no more than two hours at a time, plus travel……."

"You're having me on."

"No! I've been working on this for weeks, soon as I saw those pictures; I knew we had our girl. This has not been gone in to light hearted. I've been watching her from the window and every minute that passes tells me I am right."

Kelly knocked and bought the coffee in and put it on the desk, "Thank you Kelly."

"You wanted exclusive."

"Well we realise we won't get that, but, we would like any input on any other work she may take on."

"Or veto."

"I'd hope we wouldn't have to do any thing like that, but wait there's more."

"What. Steak knives?"

Moira laughed which broke the tension. "We will guarantee Starburst all the photographic work for the next twelve months, she will be on a retainer of twelve hundred a week, for that she has her name on articles in magazines about fashion and makeup."

I stood in silence, deep in thought for at least three minutes.

Moira broke first, "It's all negotiable of course, if you want more, say so."

"What's this about travel?"

"We have stores in other states and we would like to visit at least once if not more to these locations. We would pay airfare, first class, five star hotel, limo and double appearance fee for interstate appearances."

"What's in it for you? Sorry what I mean is, what will Spencers gain from spending all this money on one girl?"

"If we increase our market share five per cent, the money will be a drop in the ocean and very perceptive, I get a fat bonus if it all comes together."

"Well I better get a copy of the contract and have a read I suppose, but I can't promise anything."

"The altered contract is being couriered here as we speak."

"You were confident."

"I am. I refuse to accept no."

"We'll see." We shook hands, promising to talk if we had any questions.

"It'll be my Easter present if you say yes by Thursday night." She said walking down the stairs.

Answering more questions for Kelly, I had a thought and opened the drawer where Annette kept her personal stuff, completely empty; she obviously had no intention of coming back today. I organised Kelly to do a contract up for Danielle and Sonja. While I was waiting a courier turned up with the contracts from Spencers. "Want a job back to the smoke." I asked.

"No worries."

Checking that they were identical, I put one in an envelope and addressed it, gave it to the courier, who gave me a receipt and left. Kelly had the contract ready for me and I took it downstairs to be signed.

Sonja was happy with the way things were going, she signed the contract and I signed on Danielle's behalf. John was rapt; wish they were all like Danielle he commented.

The day quickly went, after lunch, I read the contract. Every thing she had said was in there, plus some. I spoke with my solicitor, who said he would read it carefully and let me know.

Just before five, Cindy and Danielle came up to the office. They were finished for the day, mainly because Sonja had clothes that didn't quite hang right on Danielle. She would be back tomorrow. Cindy commented that she had never seen such a variation in sizes, even though the tags said otherwise, "Pity the poor people buying this stuff through the mail. What are we doing tomorrow boss?"

"Finish Sonja's stuff, then a pantyhose ad and a shoe catalogue, Cathy and Charlene can do that, then bring the first car in for Thursday."

"Sounds like fun, see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight." We tidied my desk, turned off the computers and headed home ourselves. We drove, mainly in silence, my mind working overtime on the Spencers offer.

"You okay Dad."

"Yeah. Have a fun day?" I said giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

"It was cool; I wish I could work all the time."

"Hold that thought……do you have a bank account?"

"Yep. Only has a couple of dollars in it. Why?"

"I've got four grand for you, and you're not getting it in cash."

"Four thousand dollars. How come?"

"When you work for people, they pay you……."

"Daddy."

"I didn't want you to do Sonja's work this morning, but she made me an offer I couldn't refuse with a reasonable excuse." Whoops. I had been so busy talking I nearly missed the exit from the motorway.

"You're having me on?"

"No, but it gets better, you'll see when we get home." Six minutes later we were parked in the garage. We entered the house and were greeted by Laura, we kissed. I definitely liked coming home to a woman. Danielle told his mum about the day and the money he had earnt. We sat down in the lounge with a glass of wine each and I handed the contract to Laura to read. She raised her eyebrows, I told her to read it.

Laura read in silence, till she got to the money part, little gasps of surprise punctuated her reading. She finally finished and passed it to Danielle. Danielle read as his eyes grew wider. "Oh my god. This is a windup."

"Danielle, I don't have time for elaborate hoaxes like this. This is for real."

"Well?" Laura shrugged.

"Well what?"

"What are we going to do?"

"I got accused of stonewalling today. Moira couldn't understand why I didn't sign on the spot."

"It's a lot of money." Danielle stated.

"If we allowed you to do this and I mean if, there would be a lot of work."

"How would it be a lot of work?" Laura asked.

"Every time she left the house, she would have to be immaculate. Makeup, hair, legs waxed, she would be the ambassador for Spencers. Only time you could be slob is at night in your bedroom. So…..what I'm saying is twenty four seven for Danielle, we can't even hint at Daniel, he didn't even exist."

"No school?" Danielle said brightly.

"We didn't say that…..yet."

The timer on the oven chimed and we went to the kitchen. The casserole smelt good and I hadn't realised how hungry I was. We sat and ate, talking things through. We told Laura about Sam and Sal.

"The thing I can't get over is that Moira has seen a couple of photographs and put this all together." Laura commented.

"Yep. She is convinced and I might add convinced her CEO that Danielle will be their figure head."

"This is madness. I love Daniel and Danielle, and however she decides to live his or her life, I will love her always…but I can't say I'm not worried by all this." Laura said.

We cleaned up after dinner, watched some television and then prepared for bed no further in our deliberations. We wished Danielle good night; I was asleep soon as my head hit the pillow.

About three o clock, I momentarily awoke and sensed someone standing next to the bed, "Daddy? I can't sleep, I'm worried. I think we should tell the truth."

"Hmmm. Can we talk in the morning?" I answered half asleep. Danielle picked up the bed covers and slid in beside me. I moved to the centre bumping Laura.

"This is worse than having a two year old." She mumbled settling herself in to a new position.

"Just don't knee me again, that's all I ask." I said closing my eyes.

Three hours later we awoke. We talked over breakfast about her nocturnal thoughts. She was right of course, I'd probably lose the Spencer's contract, but it was better than being sued if they found out. We might as well tell Sonja while we were about it. That decided, we showered and headed for the studio.

 

End of Part 9 (to be continued)

This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  

  

  

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