The Christmas Arrangement

by A. J. Morrow

  There was a sharp intake of breath on the other side of the line. “Weird doesn’t even begin to cover it. Whose family is that into generational wealth, anyway? It’s positively medieval.”

  “I know. I don’t think they’re that wealthy, actually—at least, not as wealthy as Colette’s crazy pant suit collection would make you think—but they’re all in with the family business. Colette sent me an email with all the basic information for the holiday, and, honestly, her family is nothing like ours.” Tess held the phone between her shoulder and her ear as she climbed into a different skirt. There was a pause as Elsie considered what she said.

  “I’m not sure about this, kiddo. This whole thing feels like a bad idea.”

  “Don’t worry, it’s just for a few days.” Tess nearly toppled over as she tried to zip up the skirt. “And even if I embarrass myself, it’s not like I’ll ever have to see her family again.”

  “I don’t mean like that, Tess. I mean with your boss. Don’t you have a massive crush on her?”

  “Yeah, well, that doesn’t have to matter.” Tess bit her lip.

  Elsie’s silence was so strong it practically reached through the phone and slapped Tess. As her big sister, Elsie had always looked out for Tess—whether it was protecting her from bullies, mean bosses, or, more often than not, Tess herself. Sometimes it was almost a full-time job, not that Elsie minded.

  “I can control it for a few days,” Tess said, “I can act like a normal person—and then, when it’s over, I can use the raise to book a flight back home for the next holiday.”

  “I wish you could be home this holiday, instead of pretending to date your weird boss. You know we’d fly you down here if we could, right? Mom is desperate to get you home.” Her voice shifted from protective big sister to genuinely upset, and Tess couldn’t help but feel guilty.

  “Yeah, yeah, of course.” Tess smiled, and let the warmth leak into her voice. “I’m sure I’ll be down next year, and I’ll call plenty while I’m away.”

  “You better—I’m serious. Mom’ll have your guts for garters if you don’t keep her in the loop.”

  Tess laughed. “I know, I know. Listen, I’ve got to finish packing, so I’ll say goodbye. Talk to you later?”

  “Yeah, okay. Mom says to send her love. Bye.” Elsie hung up, and Tess let her phone drop back onto the bed.

  She bit her lip. What was she meant to pack for a trip to an unknown location, to meet Colette’s family? The email Colette had sent was vague at best—apparently, she would need ‘good, neat clothes, suitable for dinners out,’ but Tess wasn’t sure that any of her clothes fit the bill. Colette was unlikely to approve of Tess’s fluffy jumpers and comfy jeans, that was for sure. Her snarky comments on Tess’s pastel work clothes had become a running joke at the office, since, when they stood next to each other, Colette looked like the Ice Queen with a munchkin by her side.

  Tess stripped off the skirt and stared at herself in the mirror in frustration. She had a soft face, with wide, soulful eyes and full lips, and a nervous air about her. Even in her underwear—red, lacy, with a festive trim she’d thought was funny when she bought it—Tess looked awkward. She sighed. There was no way she’d impress Colette’s family, not really. She just wasn’t the kind of person to impress people who valued the sort of things Colette did. It was a wonder (or a sign of Colette’s desperation) that Tess had been asked, if she was honest.

  Eventually, she shoved another armful of books and her most Christmas-y clothes into her suitcase, and decided to leave it be. Holidays were meant for relaxing, after all, so she was probably overthinking it. Just as Tess was zipping up her bag, her work phone rang.

  “Hello?”

  “Good afternoon, this is Colette.”

  “Oh, uh, hi Ms. Sylvestre,” Tess stammered. “What’s up?”

  “There was a change of plans and I’d like to leave earlier, if at all possible. Would it be acceptable for me to pick you up from your apartment in about half an hour?”

  Tess glanced around her room, which contained only a small amount of the overall mess inside her cramped apartment. There was no universe where she was okay with Colette seeing all the unfolded clothes and forgotten tea cups littered about the place. “Um…” she stalled, unsure of an excuse to give.

  “It would be very helpful if I could.” Colette’s voice was less clipped than before, and Tess had to muffle a groan. Curse this stupid crush.

  “Okay, sure, I’ll see you then.”

  When Colette had hung up, Tess threw herself back onto the bed and let out the groan in all its embarrassing glory. There was barely any time for her to tidy, or get dressed, and her hair was an absolute mess from the wind outside. She looked around the room for something suitable to wear. After a moment, Tess’s eyes fixed on what could only be described as an absolutely adorable Christmas and kitten themed sweater, and a pair of burgundy jeans. Perfect.

  She pulled the sweater over her head and grabbed the jeans. As she struggled to put them on quick enough, Tess piled up all the cups from the night stand and raced into the kitchen. She hopped back to her room, one leg in the jeans and the other accidentally whacking the door frame, and began to push the spare outfits off the floor and into the closet. Tess had only just done up the zip of her jeans and kicked the last of her clothes into the wardrobe when there was a frantic knocking at the door.

  “Alright, alright.” Tess opened the door to see Colette standing there in a crisp black dress and matching blazer. Her makeup, as always, was perfect in the way it drew attention to her pretty, cupid bow lips and piercing eyes, and a red and gold clasp held Colette’s hair back from her face in a neat twist.

  “The doorbell wasn’t working,” said Colette, in a tone that was clearly a question.

  “Yeah, it broke a while back. Do you want to come in?” Tess moved to the side so Colette could stand in the living room of her poky little apartment. “Sorry about the mess.”

  “Don’t be.” Colette smiled and tried not to stare in shock. After a moment, she felt herself smiling back.

  “Right, well, I’m all packed and—”

  “I’m sorry, but Tessa, please, what are you wearing?” Colette said. She gestured to the pink kitten jumper and burgundy jeans, with the matching Christmas socks Tess had managed to find.

  Tess blinked behind the loose blonde hair that’d fallen in front of her eyes. “I thought it was cute.”

  “Cute?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Tessa, the cat has a Christmas hat and a heart for a nose. It might be cute, but it won’t go down well with my family,” said Colette, “you know what, let me help you pack.”

  Tess couldn’t tell if Colette was trying to be insulting or helpful. Possibly both. She led her through to the bedroom, which was even smaller than the living room, and showed her the suitcase. As Colette unzipped it, Tess surreptitiously kicked the bulging closet door, and prayed that it wouldn’t open and spew forth all the clothes she’d forced inside only a few minutes before.

  “Do all your clothes look like a cross between a cheerleader and a fifties’ housewife?” asked Colette.

  Tess rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. “I like pastels, and I think turtlenecks suit me—that’s not a crime.”

  “Maybe, but if I see one more cardigan, I might have to set it on fire.” Colette leaned back and rubbed her the side forehead. For a split second, Tess could see all the stress on her shoulders, all the worry and planning Colette had to do. However, just as quickly as the mask had slipped it was back on, and Colette was sighing disdainfully at the suitcase full of ‘unsuitable’ clothes.

  “This will have to do,” she said, “if I have a chance, I’ll find you something else.”

  “Oh no, you really don’t have to, I’ll be fine with what I have—”

  “Come on, we have to get to the car.”

  Tess grabbed the suitcase and followed Colette down the stairs to the bottom of the apartment building. The stairs were a bit g
ross at the best of times, and Tess couldn’t help but feel embarrassed as she watched Colette pick her way over puddles of suspicious liquid in her fancy high heels.

  When they got to the car, Tess tried, and failed, to hide her surprise. Usually, Colette traveled with a fair amount of style, it was true, but she’d swapped out her usual fairly-cool car for a sleek black number, the kind that made strangers turn their heads as they passed. Tess knew basically nothing about cars, but even she could tell that it was a seriously fancy car. It was probably worth more than her entire apartment.

  “Like what you see?” Colette smirked.

  “It’s…pretty neat.”

  Colette held the door open for her and the two slid into the backseat of the car. In the front sat a driver with a neat black hat to match his suit. Tess shifted nervously in her seat as she let her suitcase fall to the space by her feet.

  “Are we all ready to go, miss?” the driver asked.

  “Yes, Johnson.” Colette smiled warmly. “To the airport please, if you wouldn’t mind.”

  Tess stared at her. At work, Colette came across as distant at best, and downright rude at worst. She was icy and standoffish, never participating in the standard work-place banter, and yet here, outside of the office, she was almost…nice. Tess didn’t know what to make of it.

  She didn’t have long to mull it over, however, since as soon as she turned to the window, she spotted the most adorable little puppy. “Aww,” Tess squealed, unable to hide her excitement.

  Colette raised an eyebrow. “Oh, they’re going to eat you alive,” she whispered, a strange look in her eye.

  Tess pretended not to hear and instead focused on the puppy. It really was very cute. “If I had a pet,” she said, “I’d like a puppy like that—or, even better, a little cat. I love cats.”

  “Yes, I know.” Colette fought back a smile. “Now, listen, we’ve got to go over the plans for the gala tonight.”

  “Gala?”

  “Every year my family attends a charity gala in support of the local foster homes. My family expects me to bring a date,” said Colette, “thankfully only some of my family members will be there, so you’ll be saved from the full Sylvestre family attack. Think of it as a bit of a baptism of fire.”

  “Right.” Tess nodded. “What do I need to know?”

  “I’ll introduce you to everyone, so try to remember as many names as you can; there will be a lot of influential people there and I’d rather not have to explain why my date doesn’t know anyone.”

  “Okay, I can do that,” said Tess.

  “Good. As for my family, both my mother and father will be there, as well as my grandfather and younger brother, Arthur. Mother is a…very formal woman, and naturally suspicious. Try not to be left alone with her.”

  Tess gulped. How could one woman make the formidable Colette Sylvestre nervous?

  “Father will probably go a bit easier on you,” Colette continued, “and Arthur, while protective of me, will be very pleased I’ve brought someone along.”

  “And your grandfather?”

  “Smart, but kind hearted. He values honesty and integrity above all else.”

  Tess frowned. She’d never been a good liar, and being dishonest always made her feel guilty, even when she was a little kid. This was probably the biggest lie she’d ever told, and she had no idea how they’d get away with it.

  “How long do your family think we’ve been dating?” Tess asked.

  A crease appeared between Colette’s eyebrows. “I’m not sure, but I’ve been making hazy mentions of a significant other for a while now. Maybe about a year.”

  “Yikes, okay.” Tess sat back in her seat. “We’ve really got our work cut out for us, huh?”

  “Indeed.”

  * * * *

  They arrived at the airport not long after, with only a little bit of wiggle room before their flight. As Colette booked them in, Tess made a few phone calls, glad of the time she had available.

  “What are you doing?” asked Colette as she walked back over to Tess.

  Tess put away her phone and they walked to the waiting area together. “Oh, I just had to move some commitments back a few weeks because of the trip,” she said cheerily.

  “I thought you didn’t have any commitments.”

  Tess looked away, blushing. “I usually volunteer at a soup kitchen for a few days during the holidays. They have loads of people volunteering at this time of year, though—holiday spirit and all that—so they were quite glad I wanted to move my days. Said that it was right after January when they have the least people.”

  Colette pursed her lips in a way Tess knew meant she was thinking hard. A beat passed as both waited for the other to say something. “Why do you volunteer?”

  Tess laughed. “Well, not all of us can go to charity galas, Ms. Sylvestre.”

  “Colette.”

  “Huh?”

  “If we’re going to ‘date,’ then you better call me Colette.”

  Tess nodded. “And you better call me Tess. No one calls me Tessa.”

  Colette’s eyes widened in shock. “I thought that was your name?”

  “Well, technically my name is Theresa, but I go by Tess. I’m not sure why you started calling me Tessa, I just didn’t want to correct you before.”

  The line of Colette’s mouth sharpened and she turned her face to hide the sudden flush of red that had gathered in her cheeks. “Please don’t ever feel like you can’t correct me,” she said, “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay, Ms. Sylvestre—Colette, I mean. It’s okay, Colette.”

  Colette’s mouth twitched. “I have to say, it is strange to hear you say that.”

  Chapter 3: The Gala

  The plane ride was only a few hours, but, for Tess, a nervous flyer, it was far too long. She fidgeted in her seat the whole way, and had to be gently shushed by Colette more than once when she began to ramble. They flew first class, of course, and Tess wasn’t sure if she liked it. Sure, the seats had so much leg room, and they were offered drinks as soon as they sat down, but it felt like a waste of money.

  They arrived with only an hour to spare before the gala and were whisked away by another driver, this time sent by Colette’s mother. He drove them through the city, until they came to the outskirts, where the skyscrapers and apartment blocks thinned out and turned into long driveways and luxurious family homes. Tess stared as they passed neighborhood after neighborhood, each grander than the last.

  Eventually they turned into a long gravel driveway. The garden that surrounded it was filled with fern trees and picturesque little bushes, but they remained largely hidden beneath a blanket of pristine snow. A single robin hopped between one bush and the next, leaving a trail of three toed footprints in the snow, but besides that the garden was empty.

  Tess sighed. It was the sort of scene you saw on a Christmas card—the only thing lacking was a snowman, but she could fix that easily. Maybe she could even persuade Colette to help, though Tess couldn’t imagine Colette doing anything so ‘undignified.’

  “It’s beautiful,” she said.

  “Hmm, oh, yes.” Colette looked up from her phone, where she’d been tapping out an email. She gave Tess a tense smile. “Just wait until you see the house.”

  Tess turned back to the window. She pressed her face against the cold glass and watched as the estate—and estate was the right word, because this was the kind of house only ever seen in period dramas—came into view. It was a tall, wide house, with more floors than a nuclear family could possibly use, and a grand old design. The walls were made of red brick, with large, latticed windows and beautiful mahogany doors. Artful balconies graced the side of every floor, and a flurry of chimneys sat on the tiled roof.

  It was a house that, from the outside, should have seemed warm; it blended in with the landscape, serene and untouched by the city smog just a few miles away, and looked like it’d come right out of a Victorian postcard. Despite that, there was an absence there; som
ething there was missing. Something Tess couldn’t quite put her finger on.

  “So, this is where you’re from, then,” she said.

  Colette nodded. “Yes. The family home, if you will—big enough for all of us for the holidays, thankfully.”

  “Do you have a big family?”

  “Fairly, I suppose. Apart from those we’ve already spoken about, I have two aunts and an uncle, another set of grandparents, and three cousins. Only one of my cousins, Bernard, is a serious contender for control of the family business.”

  “Right.” Tess frowned. “Do you always talk this formally?”

  “You are my employee.”

  Tess reached over and pressed her finger to Colette’s lips. “He can hear you.” She gestured to the driver, who seemed not to have heard at all. “And according to your family, I’m your girlfriend, not your employee.”

  “Of course.” Colette nodded, her eyebrows furrowed. She pushed away Tess’s finger just as the car came to a stop. “Are you ready?”

  Tess smiled. “Yup. Can’t wait to meet the in-laws!”

  “You know we’re not engaged, yes?”

  Tess put her hands up in mock defense. “It was a joke!”

  As the driver came around to open the door, Colette smiled. The smile was small, and it disappeared quickly, but Tess still saw it. She smiled back and climbed out of the car.

  The air was chilly, and the snow reached up to Tess’s ankle. A puff of air escaped her lips as the cold mush touched the bare skin between Tess’s socks and her jeans, and it clouded in front of her face. Tess shivered and stepped aside to help the driver with the bags.

  “Don’t worry about it, ma’am,” he said, “you go on inside.”

  Tess nodded and followed Colette up to the door. Colette rapped three times against the knocker, which was in the shape of a big brass lion, and stepped back. Tess looked around. The door, polished as it was, was completely bare. No wreath in sight, not so much as a sprig of holly. In fact, now that she thought about it, Tess realized that there were no Christmas decorations on the house at all.