Happy Holigays

Chapter 1 : The Call

The last three verses of fairytale of New York are spinning on repeat due to the CD being stuck like it always is on this specific song every year but the rest of the office is too busy to take notice , the only reason my attention is enthralled is the fact the loud repetitions are making my skull expand from my lingering hangover. "Carly can you please turn that off" . Her eyes follow my glare to the CD player across the room and she smiles before holding out some blue files. "Okay , but you have to take these to boss witch for me" . Before a word can leave my lips the pleading in her eyes make me give in . "Okay fine, but please turn that fucking thing off now before I hurl" . "Rough night?" . The smirk and wiggle of her brows make me shake my head before standing up to adjust my shirt and smooth out my frizzy hair. "Tequila and karaoke with Taylor" . I can feel her breath slightly drift past me from the exaggeration of her sigh. "You should call that girl , she's really cute , it's time you dated someone" . Entertaining her would only give her chance to talk me into a group date so instead I give her a soft smile , pick up the files and head out of the office floor to the end of the hall.

It isn't long until I'm met by a very stressed Colton who's pacing up and down behind his desk. "Are those the Henderson files? , Miss Rosehayé needs them asap" . I peer at the name before nodding. "Yeah Carly had them, is everything okay? I thought we were on track for the pitch after holiday break?" . His eyes are fixated on his computer as he points to her office . "Go take them , the meetings been moved up to tonight she's heading there in an hour with the board" . I refrain from calling him out on his not unusual bitchiness and head to the door to knock before a voice calls me in. "Carly didn't fancy dropping them off? Or were you desperate to see me?" . Resisting rolling my eyes is hard as I place the files down on her desk. I can feel her stare lingering on me as I retreat backwards trying to slip away before she calls me back. "Wait" . My insides tingle a little causing me to freeze in place before hands on my waist make me quickly try to pull them away. "Stop , Colton's outside and the door isn't locked" . "That can change" . Her hands slip momentarily off of me leaving me to watch as she stalks over to the door , heels click clacking the whole way. I hear the snap of the lock and within seconds her arms are back around my waist pulling me close to her. "Better?". Her smile causes me to kiss her , softly at first until the feel of her hands trailing down to undo the button of my jeans makes it harder to be gentle.

I move with her as she turns me to the side and pushes me backwards towards the chaise long in the corner , a place we have many memories that start like this. As her lips find my neck a vibrating in my pocket makes my heart race. I try to swiftly move my hand between us and slide it out of my pocket. "Are you really trying to look at your phone right now?" . Instead of answering her I quickly check the caller ID. "Sorry , it's my mom, she's been calling me all morning , I should answer in case it's an emergency " . Before she can say anything I answer the phone causing her to slide off of me. "Hey mom, sorry works been hectic today , is everything okay?" . There is a silence and then some sniffling before finally she clears her throat to speak "Your brother's getting married!! , he proposed to Haliey!" . The palpitations in my chest subside a little . "God mom I thought something had happened to you or the house , ...but that's amazing tell them congratulations" . Screams erupt from the background making me pull the phone away from my ear. "They want a Christmas wedding on our land , please say you'll come home for the holidays baby girl? we miss you". The silence causes her to sigh softly down the phone, a sound I hear every year. "Mom you know I'm busy over the holidays , we have a lot of meetings to prepare for" . "Yes of course , you're a big city hot shot now , but I won't be here forever Victoria , it's been five years , your brother needs you here, I know I'm not your father but I love you too" . My stomach tightens as flashbacks of me and my dad make my heart sink. "Okay , but I only have the week" . "Wonderful , He'll be so happy to see you , we all will" . I hang up before sinking into the chaise. "So you lie every year that you have to work?" . "Hey less of the judgement , you lie to your husband that you're working late when really you're sleeping with your head of marketing" . "Well I was trying to but we got interrupted" . Her lips are so pretty when she smiles I can't help myself but pull her close and kiss her. Just as I feel my body heat up she stops kissing me . "So you stay home the whole of the holidays by yourself  Instead of visiting family every year? . "Yes , I happen to like being alone for Christmas, besides it's not like I can come over and spend the holidays with the woman i'm screwing is it? since it would be awkward for your husband and all" . "You know I care about you and I want nothing more than to be with you especially over holiday break but I have a reputation to uphold , Rick has connections I need for the business " . I roll my eyes as I sit up to redo the buttons of my shirt. "I know , that's why this could never work" . As I begin to stand up she follows me , grabbing my hand before I can walk away. "I don't want to stop what we have Tori" . "I don't want to be your secret side piece" . The sound of a knock to the door makes her sigh. "Let's talk about this properly when we get back after the holidays" . Her beautiful persuasive eyes stare at me softly as I try not to melt inside. "Fine , but no contact until then , enjoy your skiing trip with... Rick" . She gives me an eye roll before letting go of me to head to the door. "Thank you for the files and updating me on the next project Miss Knox" she half lies whilst holding the door open for me. Colton is shaking his head at me on his way into her office as he knows all too well that our almost hour long meetings aren't about actual work.

"You missed the holiday rush , everyone's almost gone , where did you go, Narnia?" . Carly's fully packed away her desk and part of mine by the time I reappear . "Got caught up with the boss lady and my mom called again , I answered" . Her hands stop flapping around hurrying things into boxes for a moment as she turns to look at me. "Is everything okay?" . "Yes , my little brothers getting married she wants me home for Christmas and the wedding" . "At least it was good news , little bro getting married huh? Wow you need to catch up" . I make sure to punch her semi-softly on the arm before helping her pack up the rest of my things. "What did you say to your mom? Are you going home or keeping post mates in business again over the holidays?" . "Going home , just for the week so I can post mate all the Chinese food I want for the next seven days" . "I'm proud of you , first time home in five years" . I give the hand she's placed on my shoulder a little rub before her mouth opens again causing me to shrug it off. "Seriously though you should call Shelby before you leave , go on a date , she's really sweet ". "I'm good , girls are complicated , they make you get a cat with them then leave you to take care of it" . This time I'm the one getting a punch. "I still pay for him, besides you know he loves you more" . It takes us thirty minutes to pack everything up and head downstairs to the ground level. "Merry Christmas James" we say in sync to the doorman who calls it back to us as we leave the revolving doors. "Just because it didn't work out with us doesn't mean you shouldn't date anyone , you deserve someone to spend the holidays with". "I know , I will someday, but for now you enjoy your family chaos with Sophia and I'll enjoy my Chinese and cat cuddles" . She smiles at me before leaning in for a hug goodbye before we head off in opposite directions to our apartments.