MS. Scrooge (Girlxintersex) A short Christmas Romance

Chapter 17

Season 1 Episode 17

Aya POV

"How are you going to conceal all of these presents?"

Darius' face was obscured by all the wrapped gifts piled on top of one other. Stepping outside and seeing the gloomy winter skies should not have startled me, yet it did.

"It felt like we'd been in there for years." I murmured. "I was thinking of making them sit in the car until everyone falls asleep. I'll keep them in my closet."

"Cool."

Just beyond the mall was the town square, where carolers stood in a choir posture, singing their hearts out. A handful of the people who were gradually swarming about, dropping coins and paper money into the collecting plate that was placed in front of them.

"They sound like—" I turned to find her on a phone call. Her jaw tensed as she locked her gaze on me. I gasped and turned aside. What have I done now?

"Aya." She called out. Maybe I could ignore her calls, but instead I turned around and faced her. "Yeah?"

"Come here."

I sighed as I approached her. "yeah?"

"Did you by chance allow a couple of the floors in my company to host an office party?"

I chose to lie, but first I must discover who had rot me out. I knew she'd find out sooner or later if I granted the staff permission to have the workplace party and put up some decorations.

"Did someone tell you that I told them they could have an office party?"

"Don't be clever. However, Ginny declared, I ordered you to give them the go ahead."

I was going to give Ginny a piece of my mind when I got back to work, assuming I still had a job after this.

"I knew it wasn't my place, but they all needed it, so when I found out you were staying with me, I just gave them the okay."

"I'm not upset."

"I know it isn't—wait, you're not angry? Why?"

Darius wasn't angry?

"Because they are deserving of that office party. From now on, Christmas will always include a workplace party."

"Really?!" I shouted, astonished.

"Yes, because after New Year's, everyone will be working extra hours for no compensation."

Like a shriveled lettuce, my face dropped. "And here I thought, the ice was thawing from your heart."

"There is no ice surrounding my heart."

"You do. You are cruel and reminiscent of Ebenezer Scrooge. But only the feminine version."

*************

Abida and Athen were in the kitchen as usual, while mom and dad were relaxing in front of the fireplace.

"Hey mom and dad." I haven't really had the opportunity to speak with them one-on-one since being here. Athen recently mentioned that they frequently compare me to them.

I hardly touched the surface when comparing what I achieved to what Athen and Abida accomplished. Sure, I assist financially, but there were times when they called and my life was chaotic, so I disregarded their calls. I think all I wanted to do was breathe and not hear anyone's voices.

"Hey." Mom immediately took my legs in her lap and began massaging them; today's shopping had exhausted me, and after my conversation, I'd just disappear for the night.