A la Carte

Chapter 22

Unedited

Charlotte had woken up with a terrible migraine, it was as if karma was getting her back for telling a lie to Dimitri the day before, about being sick. Groaning she made her way out of her room and into the kitchen, searching the cabinets for the medicine they kept there.

Charlotte contemplated calling in sick, but she knew they Bistro had booked a function and she could do with some good tips. Sighing, she made her way back to her room to get ready.

The Bistro was a hive of activity when she arrived and she quickly joined in with the other waiters and they set the tables to be reserved for the function guests. Even though she was working, Charlotte couldn't stop worrying that her father, Frank Lockehart would walk through those doors and make a huge scene, but then again she didn't have to worry because Frank Lockehart would not do anything that would tarnish his reputation. The day drew to a close and a tired Charlotte swiped herself out and began the journey of walking to the Subway, as she rounded the corner a town car stood parked and a driver in uniform was leaning up against it, watching the Bistro doors like a hawk, Strange, thought Charlotte and she hurried on past the man and his car, intent on getting to the Subway as fast as possible.

"Miss Lockehart!" Charlotte whirled around, the driver of the town car hurried towards her.

"Miss Lockehart?" He asked, she sighed and nodded, " Your father requests your presence," he added and gestured toward the town car, " I'm to drive you to meet him."

"Requests it or demands it?" Charlotte asked the driver, he looked a tad uncomfortable under her scrutiny.

"I am only the driver, miss," he said.

"You can tell my father I don't want to talk to him and he can stop wasting his time," She said firmly, the drivers face fell.

"Miss it's my job to take you to see him, if I don't, I have been told I will lose my job," He said. Charlotte's face fell, her father was a conniving and manipulative man, and he knew she wouldn't let an innocent man lose his job over her.

"Fine, but you are to take me home first so that I can change," she said firmly, the driver nodded.

"Harry Westford at your service, miss."

"Nice to meet you Harry, you can call me Charlotte please."

Harry was very chatty and Charlotte was grateful for the conversation as it kept her mind occupied. Once back at the apartment, she quickly got changed into suitable clothes and touched up her makeup, her hair she pinned up and when she was satisfied with how she looked she left the apartment and Harry drove her to wherever her father was going to meet her.

Harry parked in front of the looming building of Lockehart Industries, well the New York branch at least. Drawing in a deep breath, she made her way to the door, which was opened for her by the security guard, she thanked him and made her way inside.

A receptionist was typing away behind the desk and Charlotte cleared her throat to get her attention.

"Ah Miss Gail Price?" The receptionist inquired. Charlotte nearly screamed, he dad was giving her a fake name to meet with him, was he still so ashamed of her. Well, if he was going to play games, she would beat him with the truth.

"Actually no, it's Charlotte Lockehart, I'm Frank Lockehart's forgotten daughter and I'm here to see him."

The receptionist stared at her, but quickly recovered.

"I'll have to ring him, Miss Lockehart, to see if he is expecting you," Charlotte merely smiled.

"Mr Lockehart, your daughter is here to see you, should I send her up?" The receptionist nodded her head, "I understand, sir."