Finding the Holidays

Seven

This is a picture of a gingerbread house (obviously).

"Psst, Lena!  Lena, wake up!"  My eyes fluttered open to see Lesedi looming over me.

"Agh, what time is it?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"Eight in the morning." 

"Why are you waking me up?  We don't have to meet with Michael until after the gingerbread house making and judging." I grumped, still upset about last night.

"What got your knickers in a knot?  It's a pretty sunrise and I want to show it to you." Lesedi said and pulled me out of bed.   Frowning, I shuffled out of the room and into the hallway, where there was a huge window.  The sunrise was pretty, with flecks of pink, peach, rose gold, and lavender dotting the sky like a painting.  But, my sour mood spoiled it.  "It's meh." I stated dully, rolling my eyes, "Not worth waking up over, though." 

Lesedi looked at me awkwardly.  "Suit yourself." Lesedi told me, "I'm getting breakfast."  Since she was already dressed, casually in a pair of skinny jeans, brown lace up boots, work socks, and a grey sweater, she made her way towards the main part of our building, were bacon and eggs, toast, pancakes, and more breakfast foods were being served.  The smells drifted in my way and I wanted to go over too, but I was too mad at Lesedi and Michael.  I decided to stay put in my room until breakfast was almost over, then I would grab a quick bite to eat.

I later changed into black suit pants and a suitjacket, black heels, and a deep red blouse with ruffles at the front.  I straightened my hair professionally, and stepped into the main room.  Luckily, breakfast was almost over, so I grabbed toast and jam.  Not my ideal breakfast, since food was so yummy here, but it'll do.

I walked into the main building and smelled gingerbread.  Sure enough, there were rows of tables where kids were decorating and constructing gingerbread homes.  Adults were overseeing things, but ultimately it was the children who were doing most if the design.  Mrs. Meade walked up to me and said, "This is our little tradition for December first.  Having the children decorate gingerbread homes.  Cute, is it not?"

"It's December now?" I asked.  Mrs. Meade nodded.  Delaney usually does this whole 'Happy Holidays' cell phone call on December first.  It's one of her several traditions.  I checked my phone and saw no missed calls or messages.  Wow, I thought, I guess she's still mad at me.  I kind of missed it, she is my sister after all.

"Hey." 

I turned and saw Michael.  I rolled my eyes.  "What do you want?" I asked.

"I was wondering if you could do the meeting now so we can watch the judging of the gingerbread homes this afternoon." Michael said to me.

"Oh," I said with a nod, "sure."  The sooner this is over, the better.  Michael gestured towards his office.  "Lesedi's waiting." Michael told me, "Shall we?"

"I guess." I said with a smirk.  Time to buy this resort from him and walk out with a nice, new promotion!  

In his office, Lesedi and I sat side by side facing him.  "So, I hope Lesedi has found a reasonable bidding price for you.  I can have this building emptied and ready for my company to take control over in less than two weeks, if we proceed today.  See?  These families will get their holidays." I told Michael bluntly.  Lesedi gaped at me.  I folded my hands on Michael's desk, and waited for someone to say something.

"Um, Lena?"  I saw Lesedi was giving me a weird look.

"What is it, Miss Katimsky?" I asked, using her last name.

Lesedi was startled that I did that to her, but said quietly, "I don't want to be a part of this deal.  I'm not offering my financial support to you to buy out this resort."