A Penny for your Thoughts

Chapter 3

Penny

I had been working for Mr. McMillan for six months and I had noticed a big change in him, he seemed happier, but there was a constant ache there. I knew it was because he missed his sons. We had many conversations about them and he was extremely proud of each of them. His oldest, Gage, was a businessman like himself, CEO for some large financial firm here in New York. His second son, Andrew, was a very well-known chef and owned his own restaurant which had gotten many rave reviews. His youngest son, William, was a lawyer in a high-class law firm, he never lost a case. 

Every time one of the three made the paper, I pasted it into a scrapbook that I was going to give him for his birthday. He really was a kind man. I had just gotten him his mail when he stopped me from leaving his office, "Penny, wait. Look at this, Andrew is getting married. He sent me an invitation. I didn't even know he was dating anyone." I sighed, the man was like a second father to me. "When has it been since you talked to him? Six months? A Year? You need to go, even if you just attend and give him your blessing and then leave." 

He looked lost, "Will you go with me? I don't even know what to say after all this time. I know that it is my fault for pushing them away and ignoring them, but I'm afraid that they hate me." I patted him on the shoulder, "Of course, but all you have to say is what is in your heart. Plus, they are adults too, they could have picked up the phone, it works both ways." He nodded and smiled, "Thank you, Penny. You are like the daughter I never had. Anne would have loved you." I grinned, "As long as you don't get too mushy on me, we are good." He chuckled. "R.S.V.P. for me please and see to it that I have a suit for it and you better get a nice dress, this says black tie." I furrowed my brows, "I don't wear ties." 

His laughter boomed through the office, "Black tie means formal, long dresses for the ladies, tuxes for the men." I blushed bright red, "Sorry, I will get right on that." He was still laughing when I left for my own office. I was stopped by Jane. She had a gentle smile on her face, "You have been so good for him. I have known him for over thirty years and after his wife passed, he was awful, but you brought him and this company back to life. Thank you." She hugged me and I was in tears, it was the kindest thing anyone had ever said to me. 

I asked Jane for her help in finding the clothes for Andrew's wedding and she was more than happy to help. I love working with the woman, she was pleasant and kind. After getting together all things needed for the wedding and even getting a few gifts from the registry, we were set. Two weeks later, it was the night of the wedding and Mr. McMillian was a nervous wreck. He had his car service pick me up and he was sitting in the back, wringing his hands, his face was pale, and he was eyeing the minibar. I grabbed his hand, "You don't need that, you need to focus. This is still your son, no matter what has happened in the past, he is still family. Nothing can ever change that." 

He took a deep breath and squeezed my hand before relaxing into the soft leather seat. "Thank you, Penny. Please, call me Duke from now on, you are my family too." I sniffled, "Thank you, Duke." He grinned, "You look lovely by the way." I blushed and whispered another thank you. I loved the dress, it was a floor length, red satin, strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline. It was a mermaid gown, that is what the lady called it, but it fit like it was made just for me. I had black high heeled sandals with little crystals on the straps, and my hair was in a fancy bun thing. It had a name, but I couldn't tell you what it was. The lady at the beauty salon was kind and kept me as natural as possible, not a lot of hairspray, light makeup, I wasn't a model, just a country girl.

We pulled up outside the hotel that was hosting the wedding and the driver opened the door. Duke got out first and offered me his hand, helping me from the car. I placed my hand in the bend of his elbow and gave him a gentle squeeze, "Remember, they are your boys and no matter how angry they may seem, they still love you. By the way, you bought Andrew a few nice things from his and Laura's registry. They were delivered here an hour ago." He looked down at me and smiled, "Thank you, Penny. You really do think of everything." 

We entered the lobby and followed the hostess to the room where the ceremony was going to be taking place. All eyes were on us, I held my head high, Duke needed me to be strong, I gave his arm another squeeze as we were shown to our seats. When the wedding party started to take their places, three men with the same bright green eyes and jet black hair as Duke, stared at us like they had seen a ghost, and maybe they had. The bride was lovely and the ceremony was beautiful. As everyone left for the reception, we were halted by Andrew. "Dad?" Duke turned and walked towards his middle son, "Andrew, the wedding was beautiful." He drug me along with him, and I reminded myself that I was his moral support. 

"Who is she?" The oldest, Gage barked. I offered a smile and stuck out my hand, "Penelope Simms, your Father's PA. It's really nice to finally meet the men I have heard so much about over the last few months. It's like I know you already." All three men looked at their father and then back at me, "Are you fucking him?" The youngest, William asked me and I couldn't help but laugh, it wasn't funny, it was mean, but it tickled me. "You are too funny, the man is old enough to be my father, plus I work for him. Does that even make sense? Why on earth would I sleep with my boss?" I felt Duke relax next to me, but all three men looked lost. "Money, power, sexual gratification, there is a list of reasons, Ms. Simms." Gage said and I cocked my head, "I work, so I don't need his money, I have no interest in power, and as for the last one, I'm not really sure what to say to that, I mean wouldn't a man his age need to take a pill and wait thirty minutes?" 

Duke snorted as the three men gasped. Duke's laugh boomed through the lobby, "You are a little shit, Penny. I will have you know-" I stuck my fingers in my ears and began to hum, I did not want to know anything about Duke's sex life. Large, gentle, warm, hands grabbed mine and pulled them away from my ears and I looked up to meet Gage's green eyes, "How did you make him human again?" I scoffed, "Even the Grinch's heart grew three sizes."