The Jeweler and I: A Golden Romance, #1

By Lettie Flores

JULIA

It's been a decade since Julia, an immigrant’s daughter, made a selfless but devastating act that plunged her life into secrecy and heartache. 
Now that she's free in the West Coast’s most thriving city, she'll do anything to get what she wants – become management at the exclusive Gerald’s Fine Jewels. 
But, working at the nation’s finest jewelry store brings problems – such as keeping her past a secret while trying not to fall for the handsome and persistent owner, Gerald.
Julia has the drive to earn her position but the closer Gerald gets the more he mysteriously seems to know about her past. 
Will Julia risk her dream to keep her safety or will she fall in love and risk everything?

GERALD

He’s finally at his prime—a billionaire of the nation’s most exclusive jewels and all thanks to a brave and mysterious girl.
But now he has one mission, pay back his debt without exposing the secrets for both him and his savior.
Gerald must find a way to pay her back before she's dragged into his spotlight – but helping her means letting her go – will he be willing to repay her and lose her or will he risk his family’s company and fortune to finally own the most precious thing of all?

When unforeseen events put Julia in a tough spot— she needs to decide between her boss’s embrace or keeping her past hidden from threatening forces. 

But the more they’re together the more they question – are they running from the past or are they running towards their destiny?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BLACKHEARTED STORY STUDIO
• Release date: Mar 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386993544

Lettie Flores

Lettie Flores is the author of The Golden Romance billionaire book series.  She lives in sunny California in the glittering Monterey Bay with her family, dogs, and collection of romantic novels.  She's a recovering technical writer turned storyteller and has earned the James Phelan short story award along with multiple scholarships for her writing.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Julia

I DON’T EVEN GET A chance to look at all the shining jewels. They are set up like a glittering palace, I simply gawk at them all, taking in the shining spectacular store around me.

I gulp at the magnificent responsibility.

Instinctively, I push my hair behind my ear, a reaction my mother always called, a nervous tick.

Am I really going to work here?

Suddenly, I feel very aware of my small-town self, in this luxurious and upper-class store.

Gerald’s Fine Jewels is the most iconic jewelry store in the country. The owners never created more stores, and because of the rarity, celebrities and royal families come here directly.

The smell of the fine leather seats in the waiting area, mixed with the fresh chocolate delivered upon entrance, made me feel like my new department store suit and latest hair cut would never fit here.

But I’ll try, I promised myself.

Samantha, the store manager, and I had gone to school together. Her black long hair and her hourglass body are paired perfectly with her Burberry suit. She looks like she was made for this elegant store. She seems perfect.

She shows me around the high vaulted ceilings that shine with glistening chandeliers. We walk through the delicately organized offerings, each guarded by a beautiful jewelry expert to help with your every need.

Finally, she shows me the fitting parlor, where men and women try on sizes and custom-made pieces in front of dazzling mirrors.

I cannot thank you enough, Samantha, I feel like I am glowing.

Years of hard work in back-breaking jobs, and I had finally made it to a top-notch customer service opportunity.

She smiled at me with perfect white teeth, Really, Julia, again it’s nothing.

We stop at each of the little counters, and she introduces me to each coworker.

There was only half a dozen but each of them have perfect brilliant smiles and clear-as-crystal skin.

I wonder if that’s a prerequisite?

James, the law grad, covered the stylish watches.

Alliyah, the side-business mom, was the ring expert.

Mercedes was in charge of purchasing, and the only thing I could remember about her was that she wears large and gorgeous red lipstick.

Zack is small, but extremely and elegantly dressed, even his shoelaces seem to shine. He covered Men’s accessories such as cuff-links.

Santiago led the customer journey, beginning with the chocolates and ending with glasses of champagne upon purchase.

And finally, Meghan with the fancy manicure, who covered the supervisor role when Samantha was out, usually weekends.

I expressed my honor in meeting them. It is not easy to get a customer-facing job at Gerald’s Fine Jewels.

Finally, Samantha leads me to the back room where I will be keeping track of stocking and inventory.

The concrete back room leads to a series of other rooms, each holding the casings, bags, and other decorations for the jewelry. The jewels themselves are transported into the store by armed guards.

In other words, I will make sure we have plenty of chocolate and champagne.

I am, honestly, ecstatic.

After a final review of the inventory software, Samantha turns to go, wishing me luck.

Oh, Samantha, I hate to bug her already, I know you said that I should be wearing my best suit for the job, but I was wondering, am I able to take off the jacket at times? To sort inventory better.

She looks me up and down, then smiles, Sure you can, but when you step out of the room, or someone comes in, you have to look your best—so keep that jacket at the ready.

She walks out.

Finally, I take a long breath and swing around to face my new office.

OK! I clap my hands. I’ve made it!

I plop down in the swivel office chair to review the software program Samantha showed me.

But, I take a moment to swing around again and again to admire my new career.

This first room is surrounded by concrete walls, and has floor-to-ceiling shelves with dozens of labeled and beautiful boxes. There is a small window way at the top of one of the walls, showing a little sunlight. I feel so lucky to have gotten such a prestigious job.

It’s all so perfect.

I can’t help but think of mom. She would wake me up early in the morning, to get us cleaning one house after another in the cold, bitter winters and scorching summers. Followed by the penny-per-hour factory jobs.

After each 16-hour work day, she would always say "Don’t worry Mija, soon, you will have a job you deserve."

She would give me a peck on the cheek.

Thanks Mom, I smile up to heaven. I had finally earned my independence.

CHAPTER TWO

Gerald

MY THOUGHTS ARE RACING in time. I can’t believe this is all happening, right now, so quickly.

I look back at the photo, even though I have seen it a thousand times, I feel compelled to check that this is her. This is my savior.

What if I’m making a mistake, what if I just freak her out—what if she doesn’t want to be found?

I look at the small card that accompanied the photo — her name is different now. It used to be Sarafina. But all of those records just stopped. She picked a new life for herself.

I look over my shoulder, my brother is pacing behind me, on the phone.

I feel nostalgic, like our bitter times together are something to be cherished.

But, the only images that creep into my mind are the ones filled with terror, running, hiding, and my brother swearing to protect me at all costs— to protect our family.

I feel guilty, the weight heavy my in stomach, Should I tell him I found her? Tell him I used our savings to find her.

Jermaine had pushed our way in front of banks, lenders, anyone who could help us.

I couldn’t let him down now, disappoint him with how I spent our hard-earned cash to find a ghost from the past. Just to see what happened to her.

I know I should be working on our the files for the next loan, but right now, this photo of her feels like all the money in the world.

It’s everything I need.

Gerald, my brother calls out to me, he wags his finger, beckoning me to him.

I slip the photo into my pocket and join him in the small kitchen. Our small apartment feels like heaven, compared to the hell-holes we’ve lived in, or the hell-holes we didn’t get a chance to live in. The memory of homelessness feels raw in my throat, still echoing pain deep within me that I can’t see.

Jermaine looks to me with wide eyes, he has a small but growing smile.

Yes, he tells the person, his voice trying to contain excitement— his thick accent appears when he gets too worked up, Yes, we can do that, yes.

He eagerly agrees to everything the voice is saying. Then he hangs up and looks to me.

He smiles so wide, I swear I’ve never seen this before.

We’ve been approved, he practically jumps and down.

What? hope rises in my chest, Seriously?

They said they like the idea, we have the right assets, and they think it will work! He’s so excited that I almost can’t make out the words.

Jermaine begins to hurriedly scramble for his things, he grabs his best jacket, his watch, his briefcase.

I stand there, taking in this magnificent moment, this moment when we really start to make things happen.

Come on! he gives me a small slap on my head, Wake up, let’s go — they want us down there so we can sign the papers.

I numbly grab my things, my designer suit that took months to earn, the shoes I polish each night because they’re my only pair, and the glittering necklace that I had made, a skill given to me by our grandfather - an expert craftsman.

I look at the necklace, it looks like it’s worth thousands of dollars. It’s worth even more to me. I used it as proof to the bank and to the property renters, We know our trade.

I kissed the necklace, silently thanking my grandfather for this moment, I recall how he would guide me through each of the pieces that landed in his lap, from watches, to rings, to necklaces and then he would teach me while speaking in his mother tongue. I slip the necklace into the small black box, and hold it tightly—my hand is the only security we have.

Jermaine and I pushed out of the cramped apartment, and I looked back to it, realizing this could be the last time I had a small, cramped space. We had gotten lucky so many times.

We run down the flights of stairs, trying not to sweat but we catch the bus on time.

I gave the bus lady a wink as we enter, she blushes and smiles, giving me a giggle. She lets us in without pay. She’s one of those kind, elderly ladies, the ones who simply wanted a compliment here or there — my brother says I always knew how to read people.

Thank God, because we were down to our last pennies.

Jermaine sat on the seat and began to shuffle through our papers, to bring out the selling points again.

The nerves were burning through my stomach, We’re actually going to be business owners.

Are you sure you want to name it that? I know I had asked him a million times, but it felt wrong. We both should be named on it.

He doesn’t look at me.

How many times do I have to tell you that your name sounds better on the store. It will bring in many customers, and it sounds fancy. He turned to me with a quick wink.

As we reach our stop, he gathers his things.

The bus pulls to the side with a groan and I blow a playful kiss to the woman driving. She laughs and then pulls away.

We straighten ourselves up as we walk from the stop towards the glittering shopping alley, one of the most prestigious in the nation.

I gulp audibly, the sweat going down my face, I can’t believe this is happening.

Before we reach the alley, my brother stops and turns to face me.

Before we go in, I want to tell you something, he is half a foot taller than me, and his eyes bore into me - serious.

We really did get the contract, right? I say jokingly, but my stomach is flipping.

Gerald, I want to put your name on the store, because it is really yours, he smiles down at me, "I