“Yeah, you know it’s almost Thanksgiving and I’m a firm believer that you can’t decorate for Christmas too early. So I was thinking the corner in the front of the office would be a great place for a tree.”
Stewart didn’t miss a beat, “The decorators put a tree in the lobby the day after Thanksgiving.” He bent back over his paperwork, assuming that would end the conversation.
“Okay, but what about here in the office?” Abi had come all the way to the desk now and when he looked up, she stood right in front of him with her lip poking out. “Please?” she begged. “It would be so nice and Christmasy.”
Stewart wanted to smile at her pouting face, but he held firm. “I really don’t think that’s necessary. We have other things to do with our time.”
Abi sighed dramatically. “Fine.” She crossed her arms and put her pouty face away. “Anything I can do for you this afternoon?”
“Actually, yes. I could use a cup of coffee.”
“Alright, I can make some.”
“No, why don’t you run down to that coffee shop. That was some really good coffee you brought yesterday.”
“Sure, no problem. Be back soon.”
As Abi left, Stewart wondered about the fact that he had never had a Christmas tree in his office. Was that something people did? They had one downstairs in the lobby, did he really need one up here too? Of course, he had one at home. The professional decorator came to decorate his home every December. Although, he had to admit he had thought about canceling it this year. Since he was the only one in the house, and since he didn’t spend much time there anyway, it seemed a waste. Maybe a tree at the office made more sense. He spent more time here than at home and would enjoy that more. He shook his head, he didn’t need to waste time thinking about that now.
He checked his email. They had a new product launch coming just in time for Black Friday, and he needed to focus on that. As he read over details of the launch, he found his mind drifting to thoughts of Christmas, holidays, and decorating.
Christmas had been a special day growing up. It was one of the few days of the year that his dad didn’t go to the office. And he probably would have gone then, but Stewart’s mother wouldn’t allow it. They stayed home all day, the whole family. Stewart and his parents and his brother and sister. They opened presents and had a fancy lunch. It was catered, but it was delicious. Stewart remembered playing with new toys and watching Christmas movies. Plus, if they were lucky, they could go out to play in the snow.
Those memories led him to thinking about the rest of the year. His dad worked every day, without fail. Stewart couldn’t remember him taking a sick day and even though they took vacations, his dad would work on the trip and was always anxious to get back. His dad rarely attended a school function during the day, and would often show up late for sports games or birthday parties. Stewart had always wished his dad was around more, but he had understood that the reason he had the privileges he had - private school, toys when he was little and nice cars when he was older, every sports team or lesson he could want - were all because of his dad’s work. There were times when he begrudged his dad, but overall he really understood.
And that was why he had decided long ago that he wouldn’t have a family. When he started his own company at twenty-two, he knew he was a business man, and only a business man. He worked hard and had grown that business into a multi-billion-dollar company. And he was proud of that. Some people would say it was a sacrifice he had made to never get married and have a family, but he considered it a simple choice. His legacy would be this company, the products that he sold, the tools that he made, the contribution to society, and the charitable giving that he did. That will be enough, he told himself. And he had always believed it.
Sure, there were plenty of women who wanted to date him, even marry him. But he kept his focus on the business.
And that’s where his focus would stay. No Christmas tree in the office, or bouncy blonde curls were going to change that.
His office door opened again and in walked Abi holding a cup of coffee. “Here you go,” she said with that contagious smile of hers. “I brought cream and sugar. Surprisingly there weren’t any notes about how you take your coffee.”
“Black,” he said.
“Ick. I couldn’t drink coffee black. Seriously, try a little cream and sugar. It’s way better. Maybe next time I’ll even get you a flavored coffee, something like vanilla cinnamon latte. I promise it tastes like Christmas in a cup. That’ll get you into the holiday mood.”
“I’ll get into a holiday mood a little closer to the holidays,” he said. “Black coffee for me.”
“Suit yourself.” Abi shrugged as she walked away. She turned back to wag her finger at him as she said, “You just wait, I’ll turn you into a regular Holly Jolly Christmas-er in no time.”
Stewart smiled after she left. He kept doing that. Something about her made him want to laugh out loud at most of the things she said.
Still, he needed to get back to work, he reminded himself. That was what was important.
CHAPTER FIVE
Abi shut the refrigerator door after taking out the milk to pour herself a bowl of cereal. She was exhausted from the early morning at work, but she couldn’t turn her brain off to go to sleep yet. She headed to the couch and picked up the phone to call her best friend. Kim picked up in one ring.
“Hey! I’ve been waiting for you to call! Tell me everything,” Kim drew out each syllable of the last word.
“You could have called earlier,” Abi said, taking a bite.
“I was afraid you might still be at work, and I didn’t want you to get in trouble on your first day. You said you might work some crazy hours.”
“Yeah, I did say that. I only worked until six-thirty, but got stuck in traffic on the way back, and my boss has already sent me three emails about things I need to do in the morning.”
“Wow, that’s intense,” Kim said. “So what kind of stuff do you do?”
“All kinds of stuff. Mostly keep up with his schedule and make sure he had everything ready for meetings and things. His other assistant read all of his emails, but he hasn’t asked me to do that. And I ordered lunch and got him coffee too. So just whatever he needs done, really.”
“That’s so cool.” Kim sounded impressed. “Do you think you’re going to like it?”
“I guess,” Abi said. “It was busy, and I think there’s still some more complicated things for me to learn. But it wasn’t too bad, and I think I did a good job today. At least he didn’t fire me yet.”
“I’m sure you’re doing a great job. He won’t fire you.”
“Maybe not. But it’s all on a trial basis, so we’ll have to wait and see if he wants to keep me after the holidays.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that. You’ll be great. Just keep being you.”
“Thanks, I’m pretty sure I’m doing enough of that. I might need to tone down the personality.”
“Nah, don’t do that. You be you, Abi, and you’ll be just fine. Besides, it’s only the first day. He’ll get used to you.” Kim gave a light laugh.
Abi laughed too, “I guess so.”
“Sooooo…..” Kim let the word hang like she was waiting for something.
“What?” Abi asked.
“So tell me. Is he cute or what?”
“What? Don’t start that Kim.”
“I’m serious! I mean I already Googled him so I’ve seen his picture. But I mean, up close, in real life. Is he as good looking at he seems?”
“Out of professional curtesy, I have no comment on that.”
“Oh come on!” Kim begged. “I work with six-year-olds all day,” Kim said of her job as a first grade teacher, “The most exciting thing that happens to me is my coffee break. The least you can do is share some juicy details of your super rich, public figure, fancy company owner boss.”
“I’m just trying to do my job,” Abi said. “This is a big deal for me, Kim. You know how my parent
s are always saying I need to take things more seriously and work a real job. So that’s what I’m trying to do. I got lucky when I landed it, but now I need to work on keeping it.”
Kim was quiet for a moment. “I know Abi. Like I said, I’m sure you’re doing great. But you know you don’t have to do this to prove anything to your parents. If you’re happy with what you’re doing, then be happy and don’t worry about them. But I think you were amazing to ask him for the job and to convince him to hire you. So you’ve already won in my book.”
“Thanks,” Abi mumbled.
“But, that doesn’t mean you can’t happen to notice if he’s attractive. Thinking that won’t get you fired.”
“But it might make me distracted, and that might get me fired.”
“So you admit that he’s hot then?”
“What? No, I didn’t say that!”
“But you said if you thought about it you would be distracted. Which means you do think he’s attractive.”
Abi rolled her eyes even though her friend couldn’t see. “Alright, fine. You’ve seen his pictures. I don’t have to tell you this, but he’s very attractive.”
“Yes! I knew it! See that wasn’t so hard, was it?” Kim teased.
“I don’t know. Ask me tomorrow when he’s asking me for the fourth quarter sales prediction report, and I can’t understand because I’m staring at his amazing blue eyes.” Abi sighed.
“Oh I’m sure that will be so difficult for you. Staring at a handsome man all day. Ordering him food, bringing him coffee.”
“It’s more than just that,” Abi said, but she knew her friend was teasing.
“I know. Trust me, you’ll be fine. And if you feel like you’re distracted by his good looks, just think of Booger Brain Brian Smith.”
“Ewwww, no way, I’m not doing that,” Abi didn’t ever want to think about the boy from middle school who wiped boogers everywhere he went.
“But it works,” Kim argued. “I’m telling you, you just think of him and it will knock you straight to the reality that all boys are gross, and all men are just big boys.”
Abi laughed. “So that’s how you fight off all the men.”
“Yep, sure is. And I’m living proof that it’s a perfect system.”
“Do you think you’ll ever let down that guard and fall for someone?” Abi asked.
“No plans at the moment,” Kim answered, “It’s working pretty well right now.”
Abi wanted to encourage her friend to be open to possibilities, but she knew Kim would turn that advice around on her. So she kept her mouth shut.
“Speaking of plans, are we still on for Black Friday shopping this year?” Kim wanted to know.
“Well…” Abi’s voice trailed off.
“Oh come on, don’t bail on me.”
“I’m not bailing. But I don’t know yet if I will have to work. Black Friday is a pretty big deal for the company. But maybe I can get a couple of hours in. I’ll have to see.”
“You just tell your boss, you have a standing, every single year, without skipping, date with your best friend to go Black Friday shopping.”
Abi laughed, “I’m sure that will win him over. But I’ll see what I can do.”
“You do that,” Kim said.
“I will. But Kim, I’m exhausted. I’m about to crash, I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay?”
“Alright, just remember. Two words: Booger Brain.”
Abi laughed again. “Bye, Kim.” As she sat and finished her bowl of cereal, she thought about her friend’s words.
“You don’t have to do this to prove anything to your parents.”
Abi heard the words, but she didn’t believe them. She thought about the day before when she had told her mom about the new job.
“Oh honey, that’s fantastic,” her mother had said. “I always knew you would find a good job. Just stay in this one for a while, alright?” She made it sound like Abi had a choice about her last position, and that she had been losing jobs left and right. Her mom and dad had told her the same thing all through high school and college.
“Study hard so you can get a good job one day.”
“It’s important to do the job right, so you can keep a job one day.”
Job, job, job, Abi thought. It’s like that’s all they care about. It didn’t help that her brother had paved the way by making straight A’s in high school, and college. Then he had to go on to medical school and become a doctor, making everyone so proud.
Then there was Abi. She was a good student, but she had a harder time in classes that didn’t really interest her, so she sprinkled in a few B’s on her transcript. And when she finished her undergraduate degree and didn’t want to pursue graduate school, she thought her parents might disown her. Her parents were solid middle class folks. Her dad was a company man who worked for the same accounting firm since she could remember. Her mom had been a counselor. She quit work to stay home with Abi and her brother when they were little, but she went back to work once they were in school. She was well known as a trainer and often traveled teaching seminars.
Abi was proud of both of them. And she was proud of her brother too. But each of them was working in a career that they loved and cared about. Abi just wanted to do the same with her life.
She would keep working hard at her job, and hope that she did well and that her parents would be pleased. But she also planned to work even harder at writing and one day have a career that she could be proud of. So she pushed away all the negative thoughts swirling around her brain and opened up her laptop.
Once again she dove into the story. The characters seemed to have a lot to say tonight and she was happy to be back in their world. She stopped and closed her eyes to envision the scene she was writing. She tried to imagine the hero and how he looked in the scene.
But when she closed her eyes, she could only imagine one face. A certain brown haired male with stunning blue eyes.
She opened her eyes and stared at the screen as she mumbled, “Thanks a lot, Kim.”
CHAPTER SIX
Work the next morning came bright and early. Stewart was at the office before sunrise and already hard at work. He had asked Abi to be in at eight, so he was expecting her. He heard the moment she entered the front office. She flung the door open and he could hear her headed for his door. He looked up in anticipation and watched as she threw his door back too. He did notice that she checked to make sure he wasn’t on the phone, but just barely. She stood in the door way, seeming breathless. She wore a puffy winter jacket and a winter hat with a large pom pom on the top.
“Guess what!” She practically shouted, throwing her arms up in the air.
“What?” Stewart said, eyeing her cautiously.
“It’s snowing!”
“Oh. Really?” He felt like she expected him to run to the window to check, and his calm voice seemed to deflate her enthusiasm a little.
“What do you mean, ‘Oh. Really’?” She mocked him. “Yes! It’s snowing! The first real snow of the year. Come on or you’ll miss it.”
“What?” Stewart was genuinely shocked at her excitement. Wasn’t snow for little kids to enjoy?
“Come on! Come see the snow.”
“I’m good,” he said.
Abi rolled her eyes, and said again, more slowly this time, “Come, see the snow!”
“Oh alright. If it will make you stop saying that.” He rose and headed towards the window, but Abi intercepted him.
“No, not there. Outside!” She took his arm and pulled him toward the door of the office, pausing to take his long overcoat from the coatrack and hand it to him. “Now come on.”
Stewart didn’t know whether to protest or just laugh at her antics. Either way, he didn’t think he was getting out of this, so he decided he might as well go along with it. He managed to slip his arms into his coat on the elevator before the doors opened and Abi caught his elbow again to pull him out the door. Once they were in the lobby, with the floor to ceiling win
dows, he could see that she was right. There was a small accumulation of snow on the ground and snowflakes were falling. Abi went ahead of him and opened the door, waiting for him to follow. The pom pom on top of her head bobbed back and forth as she motioned with her head to go outside. Stewart smiled at the sight of her before stepping out the door.
Abi held out her hands and spun around in a circle laughing. Stewart stopped and stood still, staring up at the white powdery flakes falling. The coolness on his face reminded him of Christmas as a boy. He couldn’t remember the last time he had stood outside in the snow.
“Isn’t this fantastic?” Abi asked.
“I’ll say it’s not bad. It’s pretty when it first starts to fall. Although it’s really a hassle when the roads get covered.”
“Oh don’t be so negative. It’s beautiful, and I say we celebrate the first snowfall of the year by traipsing down the block to get hot cocoa with whipped cream. What do you say?”
“How about you go down the street for hot cocoa and bring it back to the office for me? You know, so that I can work, and you can do the job I pay you to do.”
“Oh alright. I’ll do that since you said it semi-nicely, and since you did come out to see the beautiful, wonderful, happy snow.”
“And also since I pay you.”
Abi met his eyes with her own and grinned. “Why yes, that too.”
Stewart laughed as she “traipsed” as she called it, down the block. He walked in the lobby and brushed the snow from the tops of his shoulders. Going out in the snow hadn’t been on his schedule, but he had to admit the cold had invigorated him and now he felt prepared to head back in for a productive morning. He made it back to his office, hung up his coat, and took a seat at his desk. A few minutes later, Abi arrived with the hot cocoa and placed it on his desk.
“Your happy snow day beverage, sir.” She gave a little bow after setting it down. “Will you be requiring anything else this morning?”
“Are you always this chipper first thing in the morning?” he asked.
“Nope. This is most definitely snow day only.”
Billionaire Under the Mistletoe Page 3