CHAPTER 1
HOLLY
The sound of people caroling cheerfully nearby makes my skin crawl, a sour taste entering my mouth.
God, IhateChristmas time.
It’s the worst time of the year. People are constantly smiling. Everyone is spending money like it’s nothing, and charities have no shame knocking at your door toattemptto guilt you into donating.
All of it is disgusting behavior.
No one respects your wishes to be alone at this time of year, yet no one bats an eye any other time of the year. The double standard only fuels my disdain for the holiday season.
There’s a knock at my office door, and a few seconds after, my secretary Joy enters.
“What is it, J?” I know she didn’t choose her name, butGod,I hate it.
It particularly irks me around this time of year.
She wrings her hands together in front of her as her wings flutter behind her. “The staff and I were just wondering, since, you know, it’s getting close to Christmas, if you had thought yet about?—”
“Spit it out, J.” I sigh, tossing my pen onto my desk.
Her shoulders rise, falling as she quickly blurts out, “What days will our Christmas holidays be this year?”
Ofcoursethat’s what they want to know. No one ever asks how the business is doing, or what else we can do to be even better than our competitors.
They all just care about when theydon’thave to work.
Typical.
My answer for her is rather simple. “Just the statutory holiday days, like the law requires.”
Her bottom lip slightly pouts, and she grips her hands together tighter. “But boss, some of us have family out of town, or across the country—that’s not a lot of time to go see them.”
“Well, then those people should’ve planned their vacation weeks better,” I grumble, picking my pen back up. “Anything else?”
She gets a bit closer to the desk. “Just think about it, please. Even a few extra days off. Last year?—”
“Last year, you all stormed my office and practically rioted for extra time off. I won’t be pushed around again.” My tone is harsh as I cross my arms. “Next thing you know, you’ll all be asking for a Christmas party.”
She lets out a sheepish laugh, chewing on her bottom lip before saying, “Well, actually…”
You havegotto be kidding me.
They want extra time offanda Christmas party? That’s what they want me to use our company’s extra money on? How ridiculous.
“Before you say no…” Joy holds her hands out hesitantly. “All we need from you for the Christmas party is permission to use the office. We will do a potluck for the food, and we’ll decorate ourselves. Music can be played through a radio, so we don’t need to hire anyone.”
I can feel the vein in my forehead pulsating, but her proposition is something I can’treasonablyreject. It costs me and the company no money, and I don’t have to plan anything.
The muscle in my jaw ticks. “Fine—you can have your party here.”
“Thank you.” Joy’s grin spreads across her face instantly.
“But,” I say just as she starts to turn to leave. “When you decide on a date, inform me—and if there’sanymess by the time I come in the next day, there’ll be no party next year.”
She nods. “Will do, boss.”
