AN: Don't kill me. I know you want an update for 'Little Treasures', but Christmas is taking up my mind right now. This story will be a short one, although, I am not sure how many chapters exactly. I would like to say that it will probably be between 7-10, and it will be completed by New Years. Thank you for your patience and enjoyment of reading my stories. It means the world to me.
Christmas in Aspen
Ana POV:
December 18, 2017
It's a week before Christmas and I have no idea what I am doing. I am alone this year, truly alone. My best friend, Kate, is in Bermuda with her family, our other friend Jose is traveling around Europe on a job assignment taking pictures for 'Christmas around the World', and surprisingly, my friends away this holiday season is not why I am most upset. I am devastated because it is my first Christmas without my dad, Ray. He passed away in a car accident six months ago. I have been doing better, I am back at work, going out to dinner and drinks with friends and coworkers, and have been on the occasional date or two. My mom and I are estranged, ever since I was a teen. She was never a real mother, I don't think she wanted to be one. She divorced Ray and moved to Texas with her boyfriend within a month. She would call the day after my birthdays, a week after Christmas, and miss all of my graduations. Ray was the only parent I ever needed, he was both my father and my mother. Fuck, I miss him.
I am staying late at work tonight, getting some first chapters of the new fiction manuscripts completed, I am on the last one for the day when my boss, Mr. Hyde calls me into his office. Mr. Hyde, Jack, is an older gentleman, with black and white peppered hair, kind green eyes, and has a gentle soul. I have been learning from him, and working for him since I was a freshman in college. I am now twenty-three. He has taken me under his wing, and now I am his executive assistant. He believes I could move up and become a senior editor in a few years, and with his support and guidance, I know I can achieve that goal.
"Yes, Mr. Hyde."
"Ana, it's Jack. How many times do I have to tell you that? Please, take a seat." He gestures to the bright red, leather chair that sits across his oversized, cherry oak desk. I take a seat on command, not knowing what he wants to idly talk about this time. "Now, listen, I know you aren't planning anything this year for Christmas, I am sad to hear that. I want you to enjoy this holiday season. Out of all the employees here, you deserve it. Wouldn't you agree?"
"I…umm. I guess so."
"Well, you do, which is why I am sending you to my Aspen house. It's your gift this year. You have been a stellar employee, not only for me, but for this company. You have found several new fiction authors, and have fought tooth and nail for their books. I admire your tenacity, and the way your mind sees things that others do not. You have a knack for what the authors want their audience to perceive and take from their novels. Not everyone has that gift."
Wow. Mr. Hyde, has always been nice to me, especially after my father passed away. He allowed me to take an extended leave, even spoke to Mr. Roach to make sure I got paid for the leave, also. I can't take advantage of his generosity, he has already done so much for me.
"Mr. Hyde, Jack, thank you for everything you have done for me, I truly appreciate it. I can't let you send me to Aspen. It's too much."
"I'm not taking no as an answer, Ana. You need this time away. I will even let you take some reading material with you, if you want. Take hikes, go shopping, get a spa, and take time for yourself. You will also fly first class, Mr. Roach already bought the ticket for you. He is completely on board with this. He wants one of his best employees to take the time to take care of herself. Ana, it will be good for you, promise."
I guess I can go. Have some time in nature, it will make me feel like I am spending time with Ray.
"Well, I guess the only thing to ask is when will I be leaving?"
Jack's face lights up like the Christmas tree he has in the corner of his office. "With Christmas next week, you will leave tomorrow. You are to spend the rest of the week and ALL, I mean all of next week, in Aspen. Take the three manuscripts you are working on now with you. Get as much as you can done, I don't want any of them to be completed when you get back. You hear me?"
He makes me giggle, "Yes, I promise. Not all of them will be edited to completion. I give you my word, Jack. Thank you for this, really." My eyes begin to tear up and before I can wipe them away, Jack hands me his handkerchief.
"Take it easy, Ana. You know we are here for you when you return. Who knows, you might actually have fun while you are out there."
"Yeah, maybe." I say with a shrug of my shoulder. "Thanks, Jack. Please tell Mr. Roach I'm thankful to him as well. I should get home to pack."
I get up and walk around his desk, as he stands also. He holds open his arms and I lunge into them, accepting his warmth and love he has for me, in a uncle kind of way.
"Thanks, Jack. I won't let you down."
He chuckles, "I know you won't Ana. Go, have fun. Call and let me know you arrived safely."
"Yes, sir." I salute him and walk out of his office.
I arrive home, still not believing that tomorrow morning I am headed to Aspen to spend a week and a half on my own. Maybe, just maybe I need this like Jack and Mr. Roach thinks I do.
Just like I do every night, I call the familiar number, all the while my heart is trying to escape my chest. The phone rings several times, with no answer. That is expected. Like always, I wait for the answering machine to start, I hold my breath and listen to his words that always seem to soothe me.
'You've reached Ray. I am probably working or fishing and can't answer the phone now. You know what to do. If this is my Annie, know that I love you always baby girl, I'll be sure to call you back… that was for Annie... not you other people.'
I breathe in and out a few times. I have his cell phone at home with me, turned to vibrate or off completely at times, I continue to pay the monthly bill on it so I can continue to hear his raspy, gruff voice. I use to leave messages about my day or just saying I love and miss him. Within the six months, those messages have diminished, I only do it when I feel like I need to talk to someone. He was always a great listener. Instead of giving advice, he would give options, always pro and cons of the subject matter, and talk it out with me. He always had me make the decision, never telling me if it was right or wrong. If I chose wrong, he would sit me down and let me know why it was wrong, and what I should have done. He never made me feel guilty for my decisions. I know he will always be with me, I just wish he was physically always with me. I wasn't ready for him to leave me, but I never would have been ready. I wish one day I can meet someone that I know he would have loved for me to be with. Someone to make me happy, keep me safe, love me for me, and always be by my side.
I take a long, hot shower, cleaning the day off of me. I think about going away, on my own, to a place I have never been to before. I can't believe I let Jack talk me into this. I need this. This is will be good for me.
December 19, 2017
I have arrived at the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, and make my way out to the parking lot took look for the rental car Mr. Roach and Mr. Hyde has gotten for me.
After walking up and down the parking lot, I finally spot the red Audi coupe that will be mine for the next couple weeks. I squeal in delight when I click the key fob and the sweet sound of the doors unlocking hits my ears. It's a beautiful car, much better than my old beat up Volkswagen. I put Mr. Hyde's address into the GPS and am on my way to my vacation home.
I turn down the road where Mr. Hyde's house is located, and I am taken aback with the picturesque views that surrounds the homes on this street. There are snow capped mountains as far as the eye can see. Tall, hunter green pine trees line the street and hide some of the houses from view. Every single house is protected by iron gates. The scene in front of me looks like a Christmas card.
I pull up the long drive, after putting in the code at the security gate, and am in awe of my surroundings. The mountains seem to be right there in front of me, it is like I can reach out and touch them. I place the car in park and slowly step out, smelling the fresh, mountain air that surrounds me. The aroma of pine and maple linger around me as I take my two suitcases from the trunk of the car. Fumbling with the house keys, I finally get the barn red door open. The house itself is beautiful beyond belief. It's a two-story, log cabin home, with an open floor plan. It's massive, much more than one person needs. I know Jack is married and has two older children, along with nieces and nephews, but even so, this is too much. He told me to feel comfortable and pick any room to stay in, I don't want to use the master bedroom, so I choose to stay in the largest guest room, which has its own ensuite bathroom. The walls are painted in a light mint color, with the bed lavished in creams and beiges sheets and pillows. The bedroom furniture look handmade, the use of the pine wood bringing the outdoors right into the house. The room doesn't need any pictures on the walls, due to the large floor to ceiling window on one side of the room. You can see mountains and pine trees right from the bed. The sunrise and sunsets must be amazing here. I cant wait to see the morning sun greet me tomorrow.
I head down to the kitchen to inspect the refrigerator and pantry. The kitchen is a chefs paradise. The appliances are stainless steel, new and shiny. The cabinets are the same pine wood that the furniture throughout the house is. The large island in the middle of the kitchen, and the countertops are a beautiful cream marble. The kitchen smells of lemon and pine. I notice a note on the island, addressed to me.
Anastasia,
I hope you made it to the house safely. Please call me to let me know. I had our housekeeper, Ms. Thompson, come in and clean up a bit for you. She will come back during the weekend to so a light cleaning again. She also stocked the fridge, freezer, and pantry. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to contact me. Have a great time. Go out, see what Aspen has to offer to you. DO NOT check your work e-mail, I will know.
Again, call me to let me know you arrived safely. Leslie told me to leave you be, but, you know I see you as another daughter, so that means that I can't sleep until I hear from you.
-Jack
I guess I should call him, I have been here for a while, I am shocked he hasn't called me yet.
"About time, Ms. Steele." Jack greets me, picking up after one ring. Damn, he must have been watching his phone.
"Sorry. I was distracted by the beauty of my surroundings and your home. It's absolutely lovely. Thank you for this again, Jack. Please tell Leslie that also."
"No need to thank us. You deserve it. Listen, I have to tell you something, it came up after your flight already took off and I couldn't reach you in time."
"Is something wrong? Do I need to leave the house?"
"No, no, nothing like that. You will have a houseguest though, I'm afraid. My nephew just called me and told me he was going to be going to his house in Aspen for Christmas through New Years. He needs a break from the hustle and bustle of Seattle. However, his house was having renovations completed, and they are behind in finishing. He asked to stay at my place for the time he will be in town. I told him that I sent you there for your vacation, he said if you didn't mind, he doesn't mind."
"Oh, um. I mean I can't exactly say no, this is your home, Jack, not mine." It would be nice not to be completely alone during the holiday season, however, having a stranger stay here with me, I don't know how I feel about that.
"You are too nice, for your own good, you know. My nephew is a good guy, like you, he is down on his luck right now. He is your age and has been working on his own business for the next year. It is up and running, however, not quite where he wants it to be right now. He is taking this break to regroup and relax before the new year starts. I promise you, he is a nice guy, he won't try anything. He isn't arriving until the 23rd, so you have time to yourself for a few more days."
"It's fine, Jack, really. I would probably get cabin fever anyway being here for the next two weeks by myself. What is his name?"
"Christian. Christian Grey."
