[Completed] Moments Around the Mistletoe

One

Another winter day in New York, I parked my car at the garage and took out all the shopping I did for Christmas. I also bought presents for myself, of course. Not too much, just a bunch of books and journals, calligraphy pens, markers, paints and canvas. Yes, that's a little bit too much but who cares, I love it anyway and I'm using this for my schedules, you know, making the day easy by listing them. I also use them for entertainment since I love painting and doing calligraphy. 

"Catherine, there you are. Did you get what I--what are all these kinds of stuff?! Books? Journals? Calligraphy Pens? Are you out of your mind Catherine Claire Walters De Novo?" Mother puts her hands on her waits and looks at me with the did-you-even-buy-groceries look.

"Mom, chill out it's Christmas. What are these stuff, you may ask? I just bought myself a bunch of gifts and I also bought your groceries of course and I also bought you a present but I'll give that to you at Christmas." I winked while clicking my tongue and went inside. 

While hanging my coat I can say that my older brother Caesar Dominic is cooking delicious foods, obviously cuz the fragrant aroma of Fettuccine Alfredo is in the air. Yum. I plan on sneaking up on my brother would make him flinch and I don't want the sauce all over him so I will just go and greet him. I put the groceries on the dining table and tapped my brother's shoulder.

"Oh sis, you're here. I guess you bought some stuff for Christmas and yourself, ey..?" Caesar smirks and laughs. I hit his shoulder and he closed his mouth. 

"Mommy ask me to do to the shopping." 

"So, was the snow outside cold? I haven't gone out you know." 

Tch, that's the worst questions I've ever heard. Was the snow outside cold? What do you expect, of course, snow is cold, it would be a miracle if there would be hot snow and cold chocolate, instead of hot chocolate. 

"No, the snows warm," I said before going upstairs. 

"Ridiculous!" Caesar laugh.

You're the one who is ridiculous not the warm snow so frankly speaking you're the one who is ridiculous. 

***

Even though if it is Christmas work never ends. When is the stress going away, haven't I had enough thinking about work for a year. I mean it's the holidays, I need to rest but even though if I rest, work is always bothering. I breathe deeply and scratch my head, being CEO is a hassle. This position may be a blessing but honestly, it's a curse. Well, not that of a curse but what I mean to say is it's tired. 

I fill-up the paperwork and stamp those that need approval. All I can hear in this room of mine is the vibration of the heater that makes me wanna fall asleep. I got up to get some water when someone knocks on the door.

"Caesar? Is that you? Stop bothering me." 

"No, honey, its dad." Oh, it's dad. I quickly gobbled up my water and unlocked the door.

"Hey, dad. Anything you want me to do," I said.

"No, Catherine, it's time for dinner. Your mother says that she will shout from downstairs but I guess that's a bad idea since you always want your quiet time," Aw, that was nice. Dad's the one who always understands me whenever no one does. He just ruined my future in dating since I can't find any men who can reach my father's standards. Even at the age of 50, my father is flaming hot for men of his age.

Dad looks over my shoulder and I'm thinking that he's looking at my paperwork. Yeah dad, I have a lot of work on my plate. "Work? Don't worry with that, kiddo. I'll help you with your paperwork."

"But dad is that alright, I mean I already succeeded you."

"Who says I can't help you with your work. Besides, I'm your father. I'm always here for you, Catherine." That was sweet. I smiled and hugged my father. "Thanks, daddy."

"Anytime, dear. So, let's go downstairs. Mom and Caesar are waiting for us. You know what they always say: never start dinner when you're not complete." I cracked up. Who says 'never start a dinner when you're not complete', gosh. That's the worst quote but that makes sense, a lot of sense.

"Another quote from Sir Matthew De Novo," We laughed as we went downstairs.

"What took you so long to come downstairs Mister De Novo and Miss De Novo?" Mom asked and we sit down.

I rolled my eyes. "Nothing, mom."

I serve myself Fettuccine Alfredo and a fork full of pasta. Not minding the conversation around me. Well, it's nice to be listening to them and figuring some gossips. My mother is a gossip-girl, oh I mean a gossip-oldie. 

"I've heard that our neighbour's son got admitted in the hospital, poor little boy. We should pay a visit," Seriously, we're not even close with our neighbours, were just an acquaintance. Why do we have to visit their son who is in the hospital? I need a valid reason, gosh, my mother maybe in her fifties but she's acting like a stupid young 15-year-old.

"Mom, enough with the stupid gossips. We have to focus in our Christmas celebration this year especially when our grandparents are coming tomorrow," Caesar said.

"Grandma Tina, Mary and Grandpa Fuller and Gordon are coming tomorrow. I thought they were coming next week," I said not knowing what date it is. Gosh, too much work causes a CEO to forgot almost about everything. 

"Yeah, It's almost Christmas, sis."

"I forgot," I said twisting a fork full of pasta and into my mouth. 

"Well, I'm not gonna wash the dishes. I have work to be done and I mean a lot of work to be done," I wiped my mouth and stand up.

"Minimal work only, Catherine Claire," Dad says and I nodded.

Minimal work only, how to do minimal work when I have a lot of work. Maybe I can reschedule my schedules and focus on my holidays. I don't have schedules and all I have are all paperwork. Dad did say that he will help me if he said he will help me, he will help me. Sometimes I wish that I can have a six-month-vacation twice a year but can never happen. No pain, no gain, that's what they always say.

I breathe and close my eyes looking at the paperwork. Minimal work only, Catherine, minimal work only. Honestly, all I want to do is to close my eyes and sleep but no, and my grandparents are coming here tomorrow so there will be no rest. I will just manage my time wisely and have a two-week holiday all to myself.