Chapter 138

“It feels strange leaving school before lunch,” I told Victor as we drove to the office.

“We can have something to eat at your desk,” Victor said. “Tell your assistant when we get there what you want.”

Principal Jones had temporarily shortened my school day even more, as long as it didn't affect my grades.

I would miss having lunch with Amy and William, but he was still permitted to leave school early some days to help me study business matters at the office.

Victor and I put in orders for sub sandwiches before my lesson began. I love learning something new, and this topic was fascinating.

Today, Victor was beginning to teach me all about the stock market.

“Let’s start with what stock shares are,” Victor said. “They are fractional pieces of a company that are sold to investors. The company puts that money to work to grow and improve the business.”

“Like Wilson, Inc. has stockholders,” I said.

“Correct,” Victor said.

I wanted to understand as much as I could. I would rather have first-hand knowledge than to take someone’s advice.

“Investors reap the benefits as their shares become more valuable over time,” Victor continued. “They can either sell their shares for a profit or accept a dividend. A dividend is a cash payment or more stock in the company.”

“That makes sense,” I reasoned. “The more the company makes in profits, the more money the shareholders should make.”

“Right again,” Victor said. “But investors can also lose some or all of their investment if the company fails.

He put a pamphlet in front of me “You should invest during a bull market and sell when it changes to a bear market.”

“What does that mean?”

A bull market is when there is a sustained period when stock prices are rising. A bear market is the opposite,” he explained.

After hours of the lesson, I wanted to try investing on my own.

“I want to try investing some of the money from my debit card,” I said. “Not a lot. I don’t like to waste money.”

“Go ahead and try it. You seem to learn better by doing something rather than by me telling you how to do it,” Victor said. “Use one of the online investing apps. Their fees are low, and it will be a fun experiment for you.”

I downloaded an investment app on my phone and studied the top new stocks, reading all the information on them before choosing Luna-C. This new company manufactured women’s sports gear, vitamins, and supplements.

After investing five thousand dollars in Luna-C, I opened my favorite music app before I sat back and smiled. It was fun to help a new company, and I hoped to make money for the charity foundation.

“You look awfully pleased with yourself,” Victor said. “How should we celebrate your first investment? Ice cream?”

I shook my head. “I’ve got that meeting with your mom soon,” I said. “We’re going out for a bite to eat while we discuss preparations for the charity ball and auction.”

I was looking forward to both events. I’ve never attended a silent auction, and I adored any chance I had to dance.

“When are they again?” Victor asked.

“The auction is this weekend if we can find the right venue,” I replied. “Your mother is working on it. And the ball is next weekend,” I replied.

“I’ll put them on my calendar,” he said. “And I get your first dance at the ball.”

“Sure,” I replied. “It’s been a long time since we have had a chance to dance. I miss it.”

One of my favorite songs began playing on my phone. It was a slow love song that told the story of a young girl who was falling in love with the wrong man.

It was sweet and sad at the same time.

I closed my eyes and listened to the words. It made me admire the girl’s courage and conviction to never give up on the man she dearly loved.

Suddenly, Victor held out his hand to me. “Let’s dance,” he said softly.

I took his hand and stood. “There’s not enough room in here to do a tango or a waltz,” I teased, but I very much wanted to dance.

And Victor is the perfect partner. He’s tall and handsome and dances effortlessly.

“We’ll improvise,” he said and pulled me into his arms. His hard, muscular body was warm against mine.

I put my arms around his neck as we began to sway together to the music. I didn’t realize how much I had missed dancing with Victor. It was familiar and comfortable, yet thrilling.

He laid his cheek against the top of my head, and I snuggled closer in his arms. It was one of those moments that I wanted to last forever.

I felt happy, safe, and something else I can’t quite describe. It made my body feel alive, especially where we touched.

“So you’ve really never been kissed,” Victor whispered. His voice was more husky than usual.

“No. Never,” I replied, feeling a little embarrassed. “At eighteen, does it make me pathetic? Even Amy has been kissed.”

“No,” he replied. “Like the girl in this song, your life hasn’t been easy. But you're turning it into something special. When the time comes for your first kiss, you’ll know it.”

I leaned my head and looked into his eyes. “How will I know?”

“You will want it more than anything in the world.” Victor caressed my cheek with the back of his hand, and his mouth slowly moved closer to mine. “It is a shame that nobody has tasted your lips.”

It was like madness. At that moment, I badly wanted him to kiss me. My lips ached to feel his mouth against them, and my whole body screamed for his touch.

And then there was a knock on my office door.

“Daisy. Oops, excuse me, but I’m here to pick you up for our meeting,” Lana sang out.

“Mom,” Victor groaned and released me. I stifled a giggle at the annoyed expression on his handsome face.

“I’m sorry, dear, but I have an appointment with Daisy. Save the love and romance for later. But don’t get carried away, you two. You’re not married yet, although you should start thinking about setting a date.”

I blushed to the roots of my hair. Love and romance? “We…uh …we were just dancing. I made my first stock trade today, and we were celebrating.”

“There’s too much going on right now to set a date, Mom,” Victor replied. “We were waiting until Daisy has the company in hand, and we see how things go with Alex

“Maybe you could plan for a wedding sometime around the end of next summer,” Lana suggested.

“Maybe,” Victor answered. “It’s almost dinner time. You too should get going. I’m having dinner with Alex, so I’ll see you when you get home, Daisy.”

I turned off the music and tucked my phone into my purse. “I’m ready to go, Lana.”

We went downstairs to the parking garage and said goodbye to Victor before climbing into Lana‘s Bugatti.

It was such an exquisite car that I felt like a princess while just sitting in it.

“I’ve got the most marvelous news,” Lana said as she started the powerful engine. “I can’t wait to get to the restaurant and tell you all about it.”