Secret Hearts

By Tony Pay

The story begins with a single mother struggling for the emotional and financial survival of her family. This hardworking woman must follow a path that forces her beyond her comfort zones. When she least expects it, the pain and the ecstasy of love enters into her life. On the opposite side of the country, lives a very wealthy young man. He is a kind man with a heavy load on his shoulders. The decisions he must choose for his business are threatening to overtake his personal life. While trying to keep a positive outlook, he must learn to balance his power and come face-to-face with his own insecurities. All of the time, in his secret heart, he wonders if he will ever find genuine love. These interesting characters lead you on an experience of growth, sorrow, happiness, and fun. Discover how love, loyalty, and deception play a fascinating role in each of their lives. This is a story that inspires dreams to come true.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9781312168589

Book preview

Secret Hearts

Secret Hearts

By Tony Vincent Pay

Secret Hearts

First Edition eBook

Copyright © 2014 Tony Vincent Pay

All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-1-312-16858-9

www.TonyPay.com

This work is licensed under the Creative

Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

License.  To view a copy of this license, visit

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/

or send a letter to:

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Dedication / Acknowledgments

To my loving wife, Charlotte.  With kind encouragement from my wife, I found great excitement and achievement in writing.

I want to thank my daughter, Elaine, for her support.

A special thanks to Alice for helping me in the preparation

and publishing of my first novel.

It has been a joy to share this journey with my

friends and loved ones.

Chapter 1

Monday In Chicago

Over the city of Chicago it was a cold and gloomy day, during October 2010.  On the seventh floor, of a forty-five-story apartment building, a Grandfather, Grandmother, and their daughter with her three children lived in a three-bedroom, one-bath apartment.  The rooms were small, along with the rest of the apartment building.  It was not in a very good area and everyone had to be cautious of any valuables they might have.  However, the daughter, Charlotte Bradley, and her parents did not have any material items of value.  So, they had little to worry about regarding anything being stolen.

It was necessary for Charlotte to get up before daylight.  She prepared the school lunches for her three children and made sure breakfast was ready for the whole family before heading off to work.

The oldest of Charlotte’s three children was Thomas, or Tom.  He is fourteen years old.  Tom is a quiet young man and always does his best to be obedient to his mother and teachers.  So, naturally, the mother expects help from the oldest of the children to help with the other two.  Tom’s sister’s names are Sharon and Sandra.   Sharon has a wonderful personality and enjoys life, but one of her biggest obstacles is homework.  Sharon is thirteen years old and was always running late for breakfast.  The youngest was Sandra, only she is called Sandy, for short.   She was five years old and was a very out-going little girl, always eager to talk to anyone.  Sandy is too young to go to school.  She goes to a baby sitter close to where her mother works.

Both of Charlotte’s parents have secular jobs too.

Monday morning, along with every other morning, was the beginning of a busy day for all.   Good timing is essential, since; there is only one bathroom.  Of course, schedules were set so that each one had time to wash up and take care of what was necessary before sitting at the table for breakfast.  The majority of the time, the rest were waiting on Sharon and Sandy.  One of Sharon’s responsibilities was to help her younger sister get dressed.

Charlotte’s husband had died of liver cancer from over drinking.  Her past married life was not a good one.  Nevertheless, Charlotte accepted the responsibility of bringing up her three children and did her very best to show them that they were loved, appreciated, and cared for.

Sharon, Charlotte shouted, have you got Sandy ready yet?

Not yet mom, but give me a few more minutes.

She hurried to help Sandy get dressed.  Naturally, Sandy did not like the dress she had on, but that was the only one she had at the moment to wear.

The children came out to have their breakfast.  Charlotte and her Mother, Nancy, were ready.  All sat quietly around the table waiting for Grandpa Harry to sit down.  When he did everyone bowed there heads while the grandfather said a prayer.  Sandy kept one eye open, as she wanted to see what her Grandpa looked like when he had his head bent and eyes closed. 

It was almost seven-thirty and it was time for Charlotte to leave and catch the train.  Charlotte worked on the outskirts of the city of Chicago.  It was necessary for her to leave the apartment first.  She would take Sandy with her.  She had regular arrangements with an older lady that offered babysitting services for some of the single woman that worked at the factory.   Grandma Nancy walked Tom and Sharon to school. 

Nancy worked for a company close to the school making it convenient.  Grandpa Harry worked for the electric company.  It seemed like times were hard for the company as jobs were slowing down.  Harry wondered how much longer he would be having a job himself at the electric plant.

Charlotte and Sandy were waiting at a very busy train station as everyone was going to work at some place or another.  It was so crowded that people were pushing trying to get onto the train.  While among the crowd, Sandy let go of her mother’s hand.  With the crowd pushing, the mother and daughter were quickly separated.  Charlotte began desperately shouting and looking for Sandy.   Because Sandy was so small, and the rest of the crowd was so tall, she was unable to see her.  Charlotte pushed her way through the crowd franticly looking for Sandy and calling her name.  Sandy, in the meantime, was getting scared and did not know what to do. 

She started calling, Mommy, Mommy where are you?

The train started to move and Charlotte was not on it.   She began to wonder if somehow, with the pushing of the crowd, Sandy might be on the train.  Eventually, the train left the station and other crowds started to enter the platform waiting for the next train.  Charlotte still could not see Sandy, who was standing holding her hands to her face and sobbing for her mother.

A man approached her and said, What is the matter?

Sandy said, I have lost my mother.

The man grabbed her hand and said, Let me take you to the person in charge of the train station.  He might be able to find your mother for you.

Sandy nodded her head, meaning to say yes.  So, the man picked up Sandy and took her to the office of the train station.

Charlotte was still franticly looking for Sandy.  She walked up and down the platform among the crowd looking at every possible place she might be.

Then, she heard the loudspeaker say, There is a little girl by the name of Sandy in the train station’s main office.  Will the person responsible for her please come to the office?

A sigh of relief came over Charlotte’s face as she rushed to the train station’s office.  There was Sandy.  She rushed to her mommy with her arms open to give her a big hug.  Charlotte now walked back to the platform waiting for another train to take her to her destination.  Of course, she was now late for the baby sitter, and also late for work.

Charlotte and Sandy finally arrived at the Clapton Station, which is a small suburb of the city of Chicago.  The babysitter’s house was about ten minutes walking distance from the train station.  When she arrived, she met Mrs. Carton who was a really nice lady in her mid-fifties.  She had about six children that she watched.  The majority of these were under the age of five.  Sandy was able to mix in with her friends while Charlotte was at work.

Charlotte’s place of work was just around the corner.  She hurried to the gate and the guard said, You are late.

Charlotte smiled and said, I know.  Things happen.

She walked towards the office and into the factory.  Apparently, the owner trusted all the employees to arrive on time and to put in the required hours.  Therefore, it was not necessary to punch in with a time clock.  If anyone was late accidentally, they would stay later to make up the lost time.  However, in Charlotte’s situation it was very difficult to stay late, as the last train left at five o’clock.  She needed to somehow discuss this with the Manager.

When she arrived at her workstation her friends asked her what had happened.  Charlotte explained that she and Sandy got lost as they were trying to get on the train, but they found each other and could continue on the later train.

Charlotte worked for a clothing company that made very expensive clothing.  The Designers were especially particular as to the way their clothes were made.  Charlotte is a good worker and has an eye for style.  The Supervisor knew that and appreciated Charlotte’s work.  The Supervisor called Charlotte into her office and Charlotte wondered if it might be because she was late for work.  Immediately, Charlotte started to explain to the Supervisor, but the Supervisor interrupted her.

He said, I did not ask you in to discuss your being late for work.

But, Charlotte did say.

I need to talk to you about that though, the Supervisor said.  He paused a moment, then continued, All right, go ahead.  What is it you want to tell me?

Charlotte explained what happened when Sandy got lost and then said that, unfortunately, she would not be able to make her time up because of the train being the last one.  The Supervisor said that the owner does not expect to be unreasonable and that once in awhile circumstances do happen which cannot be helped and therefore forget making it up this time.

The owner lived on the other side of the United States and owned several factories.  No one ever really saw the owner and only the higher Management would meet with other VIP’s of the company using telecom communication.

The Supervisor said to Charlotte, The reason I have asked you into the office is that one of the Designers has a very difficult design for a woman’s jacket.  It is made of various materials and has a special trim around the lapel.

The Designer came into the Supervisor’s office from upstairs and explained to Charlotte that this was an experimental design and wondered if it could be made.  Charlotte looked carefully at the design and could see some of the very intricate work that would be needed.

The Designer said, Well, can you make it?

Charlotte said, I can give it my best.  But, I can’t guarantee that it will come out exactly like the design.

The Designer said, That is fine.  Just do the best you can and if you have any problems or need to make any changes let me know first.

Charlotte assured him that she would.

On her way back to her workstation, one of the employees said, Hey Charlotte, are you ready for a date?

Charlotte smiled as much as to say, Stop it.  You know I am not going to date anyone.

When she reached her workstation the lady, Rose, next to her said, What did the Supervisor want?

Charlotte explained that one of the Designers is trying out a new design and wondered if it could be made.

Boy, said Rose, You do get to do the tricky ones.  That is probably because you were late for work.

Charlotte just looked at her and continued on with her work.  It was time for a break and since the morning had been a very rushed one, Charlotte was looking forward to sitting down and relaxing enjoying her cheese sandwich she had made earlier.  She just got to the eating area and sat down at the table and her cell phone went.  It was the babysitter.  Something was wrong with Sandy and she did not know what it was.

Charlotte said, I will be right over.  She rushed through the factory and out the security gates.

One of the guards shouted with a grin on his face, Arrived late and leaving early.

When Charlotte got to Mrs. Carton’s house she ran up to the front door and knocked while wondering what could have happened.

Mrs. Carton came to the door and said, She was upset because one of the other girls would not let her use one of the crayons.  She just made a fuss that I had not seen in Sandy before.

Charlotte was relieved that it was a simple thing, and that she had not hurt herself on the swing or in the playground in the back of the house.  After talking to Sandy a bit and giving her a hug, Charlotte headed back to the factory.  Just as she got through the guard entrance, it was time to go back to work.

When the day ended she picked up Sandy and caught the train and walked home.  At the front door, her father was standing in the doorway looking worried.

Charlotte said, What is the matter Dad, is Mom alright?

Harry said, Yes, it is Tom.

Charlotte looked with surprise on her face and said, What is it Dad, has something happened to Tom?

Harry said, In a way.  But, you have to know that, sooner or later, every boy ends up with what Tom has.

Charlotte rushed inside to see what was wrong with Tom.  As Tom turned around to look at his mother, he had one big black eye.

Charlotte said, What happened?

Tom said, They were making fun of Sharon.  So, we got into a fight.  The other boys got it as bad as I got, or worse.

Okay Tom, what were the boys teasing Sharon about?

It doesn’t matter Mom.  It is all over now.

But, Charlotte wanted to know, and with loving-kindness she asked Tom to please tell her what all the fighting was about.

Tom said, Alright Mom, but please do not get angry.  They called our family the poorest family in the city, because we don’t have new cloths or shoes and other things like the other kids have.

Charlotte said, I am sorry Tom.  I really would like to be able to give you the same things other children of your age and Sharon’s age have, but at the moment we are just barely making ends meet.

Tom said, I understand Mom, and turned his head and walked into his bedroom.

Charlotte went into her bedroom and started to cry, because she has been doing all she can.   The kids are suffering because of the lack of funds. 

Sharon comes in and puts her arms around her mother and said, Don’t worry Mom.  We will fight them to the end.

Charlotte explained that fighting does not solve anything, but to stand up for what you believe in.  Also, if some of the other boys and girls are better off than they are, being happy for them.

Charlotte goes into the kitchen and starts to prepare a meal for the family.  Charlotte’s mother has not arrived home, yet.  She usually works late, but should be in within an hour.

Tom said, Can I help you mom?

Charlotte said, Thank you Tom.  Could you set the table please?  That would be a great help.

While laying the table, Tom said, Mom, could you come to the school to see the teacher?  She said she would like to talk to you.

Charlotte said, I would love to Tom, but I have a special project at work that needs to be done.  I really can’t afford to take any time off.

Tom said, But Mom, it is really important.

Alright Tom.  What is it the teacher wants to see me about?

Tom said, I don’t know Mom.  She just said she would like to see you.

Charlotte said, How are you doing with school work? Are you keeping up with the rest of the class?

Yes Mom, and I have some homework to do this evening.  Maybe you can help.

Let me see Tom.  I need to do the dishes and then prepare meals for everyone for tomorrow.  I am sure I can find sometime to help after that.  Tom, would you mind asking your teacher if it is possible that I can meet with her after I finish work?

Alright Mom, I will ask her. 

It seemed that Charlotte’s mother was taking longer to get home tonight.  Everything was prepared and ready to enjoy an evening meal. All that was needed was Charlotte’s mother.

So, Charlotte said to her Dad, Don’t you think you should call or do something to find out if Mom is alright?

Harry said, I don’t know where to call or where she might be.

Alright Dad.  You sit down with the kids and start eating and I will check. Charlotte first called her mother’s work place but according to them she had already left.

Charlotte said to her dad, Dad, while you and the children eat supper, I am going to see if I can find Mom.  Sharon will you make up a plate of food for Grandma and myself and put it in the oven?

Yes Mom, said Sharon.

Charlotte put on her coat, as it was rather cold in the winter months.  Charlotte walked to where her mother usually walked home.  She came to a park that crosses where the kids go to school and where her mother works.  As she got part way through the park, she saw her mother sitting on one of the benches in the park.

Charlotte said, Mom, are you alright?

Charlotte’s mother said, I don’t know.  I felt so tired.  I just could not walk anymore.

Okay Mom, lets try together.  Eventually, Charlotte and her mother started to walk and they slowly made it back home.

Charlotte encouraged her mother to eat and then go and lie down to rest.

Later, when Charlotte was doing the dishes her father came and said, What do you think the problem is with Mom?

Charlotte said, I don’t know Dad, but I really think she needs to see a doctor.

I agree, said her father, but how are we going to get her there?    You know she does not like seeing doctors."

Let me handle that Dad.  I think I can talk her into going.

Okay Charlotte, but let me know if I can be of any help.

Actually Dad, would you mind drying dishes as I need to talk to Mom.  I also need to help Tom with some of his homework.

Sure Charlotte, let me finish the dishes while you go and see Mom.

Thanks Dad. Charlotte said with an appreciating smile.

Charlotte walked to her Mother’s room and lightly knocked on the door, Mom, may I come in?

Sure honey, come on in.  Charlotte’s mother was lying on the bed with her head on the pillow and she just did not look herself.

Mom, Charlotte said, I am really worried about what happened in the park and that you felt so tired that you could not walk.  You know Mom, as we get older we do not function as well as we did when we were young.

Oh Charlotte, I know that, but I am sure that after a good nights sleep I will be fine.

I sure hope so, Charlotte said. But Mom, what if there is something that neither you nor I understand is happening to you.  Would it not be best to seek professional help before it got worse?

Alright Charlotte, what is it you want me to do?

Mom, I want to go with you to see a doctor just to check things out.

Do I really have to go and see a doctor Charlotte?  You know how I feel about doctors.

Yes Mom, I know how you feel.  In some ways I understand.   But, there are times that they know more than we do since they have been training for years and they might be able to find what the problem is, if any.

You know Charlotte, they may have been trained for years, but that does not mean they know everything.  But, if you want me to go, I will go.

Okay Mom.  I will set up an appointment and we can go and see the doctor together.

At that moment, Tom came into the room and said, Hi Grandma.  How are you feeling?

I am fine, thank you Tom.  And, how is your homework coming?

Actually Grandma, I came in to ask mom if she is ready to help me with some of my homework, especially, math, which I do not like.

Now Tom, said his Grandma, you know how important math is because you will need it no matter what trade you might take up later.  Math is a very important part of ones life.

I know Grandma, but I still don’t like it.  How do people like that kind of stuff anyhow? 

That is a good question Tom, said Grandma, but tell me what subjects do you like best at school

Well, one of my best classes is history.  I love to see what is happening around the world, including, what is happening in this country.   I especially like to look at old buildings.

Good for you Tom.  I am glad you like history.  I know you enjoy those classes, but do you know of any in your class that do not like history?

Oh yes!  There is a bunch that do not like it.

Have you ever wondered, why you like history and some of your school friends don’t?

No, not really, said Tom. Except, they play around a lot and it seems they just don’t like to concentrate on what the teacher is saying.

Okay Tom, said Grandma.  Now, just turn that around to the math teacher.

Grandma, I get the point.  I will try and do better.  But Mom, can you help me?

Sure Tom.  I will be right in.

Charlotte’s mother said, You have a wonderful son Charlotte and he is going to grow up to be a fine young man.

Charlotte tucked her mother in bed and gave her a hug and said, Sleep well Mom and I will see you in the morning.

Charlotte starts to head for Tom’s bedroom, but stops in the kitchen for a minute.  Her Dad had finished the dishes and was sitting down at the kitchen table with Sharon and Sandy.  Sharon was also doing her homework, whereas, Sandy was looking through a magazine pointing out the kind of gifts that she wants when she gets older and earns some money.

Are you okay Dad? Charlotte said.

Yes honey.  The kids are keeping me company.  Thank you.

Charlotte walked into Tom’s room and sat on his bed and said, Okay son.  What is the problem with the math?

It’s this algebra that I am having a difficult time with mom.  It is hard for me to understand.  I can’t think of anyone that would want to be a teacher of algebra.

Charlotte said, Well, if you wanted to be one you would study hard enough until you understood it completely.

But Mom, Tom said, I don’t want to be an algebra teacher.

Well Tom, it is on the program for all students to learn and eventually everyone in that school will have to go through what you are going through, so, we just have to do the best we can.

Mom, Tom said, did you ever take algebra at school?

I sure did Tom.  And, between you and me, I did not like it either.   But, it was a requirement and, therefore, I had to take it.  Alright Tom, let me see if I can still remember how to do this.

It was almost ten o’clock and everyone had gone to bed, except Charlotte.  She needed to get things ready for the morning.  The phone rang and it was a girlfriend of Charlotte’s who she had known for many years.  It was always good to hear from her as she was always up building and talked positive about everyone.

Well Charlotte, Mary said, how is everything going in your household?

Charlotte hesitated for a moment and then said, Well, lots of things have been happening.  Then, she started to relate the day’s activity.  Charlotte said, Mary, how are you and Jack doing and are you enjoying married life?

Oh yes, said Mary.  And guess what?  Jack took me to a really nice restaurant tonight and it was an expensive one at that.

Well, I am glad you both enjoyed yourself and had a good time.

Charlotte still had some things to do before she actually got to bed, so, she politely said that she needed to go and would call her later this week.

It was Monday evening and usually once a week Charlotte would go over the budget to see how the expenses were coming and if certain bills needed to be paid and see if some could wait.  But, since it was getting late, Charlotte decided to leave it for another day.

Chapter 2

Tuesday In San Francisco

It was Tuesday morning in San Francisco.  Cars and people were moving all over the city getting to their work place.  High up in one of the skyscrapers was a big company called, The Harris and Franklin Corporation.  It had about seventy employees that worked at the main headquarters.  As you get off the elevator, you walk pass the many desks where people were sitting and working at their computers.  On the other side, there were several offices.  At the very end, there was a really big office.  It was the office of the owner of the company.

Outside the owner’s office were two secretaries.  One made all the appointments and received the phone calls.  The other opened all the mail and replied to the sender.  There was so much mail that this was a full-time job for the second secretary. 

The owner’s personal secretary was getting the agenda ready for the day and went to get a cup of coffee ready for the owner who usually gets in around nine o’clock.  Sure enough, the owner walks off the elevator and is dressed in a very sharp light blue suite with a tie to match.  He is about thirty-five years of age.   He worked for his father before him, who worked for his father before him.  Yes, his grandfather’s name was Harris and his father’s name was Franklin.  It was the grandfather that started the business many years ago.  It has prospered with good leadership. 

As the owner walks down the isle with his briefcase in hand, the employees say, Good morning Mr. Shivo.

The owner answers back by using each and everyone’s name.  He has always felt that it is good business to know one’s employees by their first and last name.

As the owner passes the secretaries’ desks, he also acknowledges each secretary.  His personal secretary hands him his cup of coffee. 

The owner said, Thank you Daisy.  I will see you in about five minutes.

Just as the owner shuts the door to his office, there is a knock on the door and the owner could see it was one if his Vice Presidents. 

Come on in Bill, what is on you mind this morning?

Well Joe, I just got a call from one of the factories in France and they are running out of material that they usually get from Japan.

I’ll tell you what Bill, why don’t you call our reprehensive in China and ask him if there is a possibility to acquire some of that material.

Okay, I will do that.

Keep me informed as to the outcome.

Bill nods his head as he walks out of the door.  While heading out, Daisy starts to walk in.

Well Daisy, what do we have on the agenda today?

Daisy pulls up a chair and sits down and starts to go over her list.  Joe is reclining in his leather chair behind his huge desk enjoying his cup of coffee.

You know Daisy, this is really good coffee.

Thank you Mr. Shivo, Daisy said.

This morning you have a meeting with Mr. Simpson and also Mr. Taylor from the magazine company that we use for advertising our products.

Oh yes.  I need to get some information on that to see if we want to make any changes.  By the way Daisy, have you ever read those magazines with our products in it?

Yes I have Sir.

What do you think about it?

Daisy looked down towards the floor and said, Well, do you want my honest opinion?

I sure do, said Joe.

I think the ads are fine.  But, we put out very expensive clothing and to me, and this is just my opinion, the pictures of our clothing don’t really stand out enough.

Hum, said Joe, what exactly do you mean by that?

Well, if they were more real-like.  Take this for instance.  Daisy picked up one of the magazines that she had and showed Joe the picture. She continues, If the picture were more colorful, it would catch the reader’s eye more.  Since most of our garments are for women, they look for things like that.

Thank you Daisy.  Your opinion means a lot.  What else do we have for this morning?

Your ex-wife called and wants to talk to you about something.  She did not say what it was about.

Okay Daisy.  Did she suggest where I should meet her?

Yes she did.  But I did not know if you would be available.  She did suggest the restaurant at the Hilton hotel.

Would you please call her and tell her I can spend half an hour with her and will meet her at the Hilton at noon?

Yes Mr. Shivo.

Joe looks at his desk with a pile of papers that he needs to go through.  He wants to make sure that he personally has read the letters from customers and people that are purchasing his products to make sure they are satisfied.  So, for the next hour he reads various letters from companies that purchase the garments and also individuals that purchase them from the magazine.

Then, Joe called Jennifer in, the second secretary, and she came in with pencil and paper in hand.

He starts saying, Okay Jennifer.  And how is your morning going so far?

Things are coming along very nicely.  Thank you Mr. Shivo.

"Good.  I have gone over these letters that we’ve received and I noticed a couple where customers who were not too happy with the garments they purchased.  These two letters need to be followed up on to see what the problem is.  In this letter, apparently, the person purchased the