Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 30858 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 103(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30858 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 154(@200wpm)___ 123(@250wpm)___ 103(@300wpm)
Nothing has changed about my policy this year.
Enjoy working here through Christmas with everyone else.
Happy holidays.
Nicholas Saint
What the hell?
“Miss Dawson!” I called out her name and instantly regretted it when she appeared in my doorway.
Today, her dress was a deep red, paired with matching stockings and stilettos I wanted wrapped around my waist.
“Yes, Mr. Saint?” she asked. “What demeaning task can I happily do for you at this moment?”
“Why are you fraudulently logging into my email account to tell your family you can’t go home for the holidays?”
“Huh?” Her cheeks reddened in shades of guilt, and I just knew she was about to try to lie to my face.
“You logged into my account to make me look evil to your family.”
“First of all, you are evil,” she said. “Second of all, I did no such thing.”
“So, you’re fine with me clearing things up with your little cousin?”
“Which little cousin was it?”
I gave her a blank stare.
“I don’t want to go home this year, okay?” She held up her hands in a slight surrender. “I’ve had back-to-back shitty-ass years, and the last thing I need is my family’s brand of over-the-top cheer and tradition… Plus, I’m avoiding a marriage pact that I wish I never made.”
“A what pact?” I leaned forward. “You’re dating someone who wants to marry you?”
“I said, like, multiple things before that.”
“I’m highly concerned with the last one…”
“I would appreciate it if you didn’t respond to my cousin and just let my family continue to think you’re an evil CEO who hates Christmas,” she said, stepping into the hall. “Oh, and your mom should be on line one in five seconds.”
Before I could tell her to come back and give me all the details of this “marriage pact” she’d never revealed until just now, my line sounded.
“Nicholas Saint speaking,” I answered.
“Why are you being like this, Nicholas?” my mother whined.
“Like what?”
“Stubborn and ridiculous like your late father.” She sighed. “I just got your cancellation from Jenna. How can you possibly avoid coming home for Christmas again?”
“Something important came up.”
“What is it this time?”
“Work.”
“Can you be a bit more specific than that?” She sighed. “It’s always work.”
“Work is very important to me. You know that.”
“Nicholas…” She sighed again. “This used to be your favorite holiday. You were the one who got us all into it, and the past several years haven’t been the same.”
“I wonder what changed…”
Silence.
The absence of my father hovered between us—heavy, familiar, and carefully ignored. We both knew what it was, knew where it led, and knew better than to touch it.
Some wounds never healed.
I rubbed my thumb along the edge of my desk, resisting the familiar pull in my chest.
“You’ll let me know if you change your mind?” she asked.
“Of course,” I said, even though we both knew I wouldn’t. “I’ll talk to you later. Love you.”
“Love you too, son.”
I ended the call and stepped out of my office to look over the lobby.
Shiny emerald and red ornaments hung on every tree in the glittering forest, and it reminded me of my father’s obsession with Christmas. For a second, I could almost hear him laughing. It almost tempted me to go home.
Almost.
“You, me, your office. Now.” My best friend and CFO, Marshall, suddenly stepped in front of me.
I obliged and followed him inside.
“So let me get this straight,” he said, shutting the door. “Sales are down this quarter, and you’re still handing out bonuses?”
“You’re mad because you didn’t get one, aren’t you?”
He crossed his arms.
“We agreed long ago that I wouldn’t include you in either of my lists,” I said. “But if you want, I can take a few hours and evaluate whether you’re naughty or nice this year.”
“Be fucking for real, Nicholas.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m being serious. Where did this year’s bonus money come from?”
“My own bank account,” I said. “And no, I don’t expect the company to pay me back. Sales will be a lot better next year once the expansions are finished.”
“How do you know that for sure?”
I don’t. “I’ll have more capital to invest in new hires and better systems.”
“I see…” He glanced around the office. “Is this ‘extra money’ in the room with us right now?”
“No,” I said. “But it will be.”
“Start explaining yourself, or I’m pulling rank and calling in a doctor to examine your brain.”
“My inheritance from my father,” I said. “Remember?”
“Of course, I remember.” He paused. “I just wasn’t sure you were actually using that money for the business.”
“Not all of it,” I said, “but a huge chunk of it so we can right the ship.”
“Good to hear.” He walked over to my liquor cabinet and took out two glasses. “In that case, I’m beyond impressed with all the rules you’ve followed to stay in the clear of all the restrictions, so I’m sure getting the payout will be an instant yes.”