SANTA, BABY
December 23
ANA
"This place looks amazing, Jose! I can't believe you got this job. The best part is I get to be your assistant. Lord knows I can use a few extra dollars to pay for those presents I charged. How the hell did you get hired for this party?"
"You don't have faith in your BFF's picture taking skills?" Jose asks.
"You know I do, but this is the GEH Christmas party. This is huge! You said you're getting paid five thousand dollars just for tonight. Holy fuck!" I yell.
"Well I have met the owner before. Remember I took pictures of him for Kate's article?"
"Don't talk to me about that bitch! She facetimed me today and I got to see how tanned she looks. The nerve of her leaving us to go on vacation with her family," I say playfully. Jose and I have been best friends since childhood. We lived on the same street growing up, and though I'm a year older, we've been best friends since I was eight. After my mom left my dad, Jose's parents and Ray became very close. Thanks to Jose's mom, Vicky, I had a female presence in my life growing up. Jose is like the brother I always wanted.
"You're just mad because you're too pale to tan," he says.
"Am not! Anyway, how the hell did you get this job?"
"Well, like I was saying, I met him back in May when I took pictures for the WSU article Kate wrote about him. He was supposed to come to the graduation, but canceled at the last moment. Anyway, GEH does a lot of community outreach and they prefer to do business with small, local companies such as mine. When I met him, I did some more research on his company. His public relations department has a link and I submitted my resume along with the link to my website. They contacted me and hired me to do this party. They didn't come out and say it, but I the impression that if this goes well, there might me more opportunities in the future. The best part of the deal is that I can use three of the pictures I take here tonight and post them on my web page. Guess who's going to be in the first one? Christian Grey! Every time someone googles his name, my website will show up."
"I can't wait for more opportunities to be your assistant. SIP doesn't pay shit," I complain.
I look around the ballroom at the Fairmont Olympic hotel while the hotel staff decorates the room with what looks like every Christmas decoration known to man. Since the theme is the North Pole, there is fake snow everywhere, a giant Christmas tree with fake presents underneath. The hotel staff are dressed like elves.
"Everyone here is dressed as elves, Jose. And you frowned when you saw my Mrs. Claus outfit," I say to Jose.
"Mrs. Claus doesn't normally wear a short dress and stilettos," he says.
"So, I'm a naughty Mrs. Claus. Lord knows I need to get me some."
"You definitely do. It's been a year since you broke up with that loser, whose name need not be mentioned," Jose says.
"Don't remind me. The first boyfriend I get, and he cheats on me with some skank. I wish I could take my virginity back from him. I loved him, Jose!" I whine.
"No, you didn't love him. You wanted to be in love. If you would have listened to your gay BFF, you wouldn't have taken up with his ass in the first place. I told you he was no good."
"You never liked him. From the second I introduced you, you couldn't stand him."
"That's because I have good instincts. I'm never wrong. Listen to me next time."
"Whatever. Anyway, I'm ready to let loose and screw the next guy who smiles at me that I find remotely attractive," I say.
"No, you won't. You're not that type of girl. Listen, he whose name need not be mentioned isn't worth it. You're not the one night stand type, so don't try to be. Trust me, honey. One day soon, you will meet a guy who will go crazy over you, and you him. It won't be forced like your last relationship. Don't change who you are to prove a point," he says smiling at me and fixing my white Mrs. Claus wig.
"Now let's not talk about that asshole anymore. Fix your glasses. They're crooked. If you're going to be naughty Mrs. Claus, you need to look the part. Now get over here and help me set up."
We spend the next half hour setting up his video equipment and checking his digital camera. Jose was hired to take candid shots of the guests and the executives, which include the CEO, Mr. Christian Grey.
"So, what's the big boss like? Kate said he was an asshole. What's your take?"
"Well, he's definitely puts on the act of being cold and distant but I don't buy it. I think he's a young CEO so he has to play a part so that he can earn respect. I told you I researched him. Anyone who goes out of his way to help small business owners like me can't be that bad. He also does a ton of charity work, most of which is to help children and women. Christian Grey is ok in my book. And besides, he is good eye candy," he says as he fans himself. "The man is H-O-T! Insert fire emoji!" Jose can be so damn dramatic at times.
"I saw his pictures and he's just ok, if you like gingers," I say.
"You might need real glasses if you can't see how fine that man is. You'll see. He should be here soon."
"Fine. I'll be the judge of that."
When we finish setting up, we sit at a table placed behind the curtain that is separating the ballroom from the kitchen while we wait for the guests to arrive. Jose only needs me to set up the equipment, and help him carry them to his car once the party is over. I guess I'm just supposed to blend in while he's taking pictures. Just then, I see a group of people walk in while I peek from behind the curtain.
It's an elderly couple probably in their seventies, another couple maybe in their fifties, a very handsome blonde guy and a girl with a short bob. The girl is talking to the blonde guy and is quite expressive. Right behind them is Christian Grey. I recognize the same crazy hair from Jose's photo shoot. I see two other tall guys. One with a buzz cut who has former military written all over him, and another giant with brown hair. I know they're not part of the immediate Grey family, so I wonder who they are.
"Jose," I whisper. "Come here! Is this the Grey family? Who are those other two guys? Cousins?" He walks over and starts peeking from behind the curtain too.
"Yes, honey. Those are his parents, grandparents and siblings. I recognize the guy with the buzz cut. That's his personal security detail. He was with him when I took his pictures for the newspaper. I'm not sure about the other guy, but he looks like he might be security too."
"All that money Mr. Grey has, and he can't find a decent barber. His hair is a mess," I whisper.
"It's was like that the few times I saw him. "
"What a shame. It looks like he just rolled out of bed. Bedhead! That's what we'll call him from now on!" Jose and I have habit of giving people nicknames unbeknownst to them.
"Bedhead it is, honey," he says, giving me a high five, while we both laugh.
"Is the blonde guy his brother? Now, he's cute. Maybe I can do him later," I say.
"You're not doing anybody later and you know it. But yes, that's Elliot Grey. He owns his own construction company. The tall girl is the youngest Grey sibling, Mia. His mom's a doctor and dad is a lawyer."
"Oh, boy. The high society of Seattle and us under the same room, Bestie. Who would have thought?" I say. I peek out from behind the curtain again and see Elliot and Mia laughing at something, and the other couples talking amongst themselves. The other member of their party is standing there looking around the room with an intense look on his face.
"Bedhead looks intense. Is he always like that? He looks constipated." The man has yet to crack a smile.
"Oh, he's always very intense. Extremely polite, aloof. He takes no prisoners from what I hear. He's been known to make grown men cry."
"Oh, really? Rich boy thinks he can scare the crap out of everybody. I'll be sure to stay away from him. I'm not in the mood to put the prince of Seattle in his place," I say.
"Girl, bye! You're all talk. And you better not mess up any future work for me here."
"Let's play our game." Jose and I like to come up with stories about random people that we see. We would spend time at the food court and create elaborate tales about people's lives.
"I bet mom has a different servant for everyday of the week to clean the various rooms in her mansion," I begin. Jose shakes his head at me and continues.
"I bet she can't wait until she can put her parents into a nursing home so she can get her hands on her inheritance," Jose continues.
I laugh at that.
"Well that old man doesn't look like he's going anywhere. He looks pretty spry," I say observing grandpa attempt to dance with his wife as she keeps shooing him away.
"Bedhead has a penthouse full of women waiting for him. Once this party is over, it's orgy time," I say.
"Wrong, honey. I don't know anything about Bedhead's personal life. No one does, but I know people. That is not a man who shares. Look at him. You see that intense look on his face? That's a man who's only with one woman at a time. He loves intensely, too. If that man falls in love with you, he'll never let you go," he finishes.
"You can tell all of that from just looking at the man, Jose? Are you sure he's not gay and it's not your gaydar acting up?"
"He's definitely not gay. If he was, I'd be all over that," he says.
"Well if you're right, then that poor woman. That last thing I would want would be that intensity fixed on me. I'm way too much of a free spirit to deal with some man who can't be away from me."
"Well he can fixate on me anytime," he says, fanning himself again.
"What about Benji? You call me a liar. You're crazy about him." Jose and Benji have been a couple for almost two years now. He was the first person he ever introduced his parents to.
"He'd get over me, but Bedhead is one woman man. Trust me on that! He's Seattle royalty so when he falls for someone, we will all know about it. It will be front page news."
I can't even imagine being in a relationship and having little to no privacy. Who wants to deal with all that shit? It's hard enough being with someone without the entire city getting in your business, ripping your life apart and reporting every little detail about you.
"The horror. That poor woman. Well maybe not poor. I'm sure whoever he ends up with will be someone from his social circle. I can't even begin to imagine something like that, Jose," I say. So much for me hooking up with the blonde.
"Don't count on it. He doesn't give a hoot about societal expectation."
"Ok, oh wise one. There's a roomful of people out there now. Go snap some pictures."
I watch Jose walk into the party and start snapping pictures. He walks over to the Greys and I see him shake Bedhead's hand. Before I know it, the party is in full swing. There is a live band, open bar and heavy horderves being served. The ballroom is packed, and I don't think anyone will know that I wasn't invited. I'm sure employees bring their spouses or girlfriends to these things. I make my way over to the open bar and order a mojito. If they are giving free drinks around here, I'm going to partake. I also don't mind if I have a few of those crab puffs or shrimp kabobs that are being passed around so liberally.
I'm on my third mojito, in my defense they aren't very big, and am full of appetizers when the band starts to play Let it Snow. Since it's one of my favorite songs and I have a slight buzz, I start to dance to the music right there at the bar. I close my eyes and I swing my hips from side to side, imagining what it would be like to have someone to dance with. To be someone's permanent plus one to every event. Maybe that's just not in the cards for you, Ana, I think to myself. Get used to dancing alone, or with Jose, Benji or Kate.
I guess a life alone isn't all that bad. Ray's been by himself since my mom left us ten years ago and he's perfectly happy. Maybe that's the Steele curse. Anastasia Rose Steele was meant to be alone. Twenty two years old and headed into spinsterhood. There are worst things.
I forget about my problems and continue to dance by myself until I feel someone tap me on the shoulder. I turn around and I'm surprised to see the Bedhead's grandpa standing behind me. He has big, expressive eyes and a sweet smile on his face.
"Excuse me, miss. I would be honored if you would let me have this dance," he says and bows.
"The honor would be all mine," I say as I curtsy. He takes me in his arms and spins me around the room. For a man his age, he is definitely spry. He's very tall, well over six feet and broad shouldered. As handsome as he is now, I can only imagine what he looked like forty or fifty years ago.
The song ends and Baby it's Cold Outside starts to play and we continue to dance. He spins and dips me throughout the song and I can't help but laugh. I don't know if it's the alcohol but I'm having a great time dancing with my surrogate grandfather. We continue to dance when this song ends and Santa, Baby starts to play. He stops dancing and grabs his back.
"Are you ok, sir?" I ask. I hope I didn't hurt him.
"I'm fine, dear. Don't you worry. Just growing pains."
"Am I losing my dance partner just when my favorite song starts to play?" I ask.
"I'd hate for you to miss your favorite song," he says as he looks over my shoulder. "Christian, would you mind cutting in? I need a few minutes." I turn around and Bedhead is right behind me. He's standing so close that I almost slammed into him when I turned around. He's looking at me with that same intense look he's had all night. Our eyes meet and I feel like everything else and everyone else has faded away. I hear no music, see no one. I only see him. I can feel my heart rate increase and I can feel my pulse quicken. I feel this ache, this need, this longing. I don't know what it is, but I hate and love it at the same time.
"Uh, that's ok, mister. I can go back to dancing alone," I say to grandpa.
"Theo Trevelyan. None of this mister stuff. A lady should never dance alone. Christian, take our friend here for a spin. What's your name, darling? You're the prettiest Mrs. Claus I've ever seen. Don't tell my wife that though," he says flirtatiously.
"Anastasia Rose Steele," I say. I have no idea why I gave my full name. I'm just so nervous all of a sudden. Maybe I should have had a fourth mojito. I'll definitely be hitting the bar after this little exchange.
"Hurry up, Christian, before the song ends. It's her favorite song."
"Well, let's dance, Ms. Steele," Bedhead says. Before I can answer, he swoops me into his arms and we start to dance to Santa, Baby.
This family definitely has some dance moves. This man can dance! I wonder if Jose, in his infinite wisdom, could tell that just from looking at him. Just like his grandfather, he takes control of the dancing and spins me around the room. Unlike his grandfather, though, he held me a lot closer to his body. He's a bit taller than his grandfather, but our hips align and we move in perfect sync. Even in my stilettos I only reach his chest and I rest my head on it. He feels so strong. I can tell he has a muscular build underneath this white button down shirt.
The song continues, and he holds me even closer:
Santa baby, slip a sable under the tree for me
Been an awful good girl
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight
Santa baby, an auto space convertible too, light blue
I'll wait up for you, dear
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight
Think of all the fun I've missed
Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed
Next year I could be also good
If you'll check off my Christmas list
Santa honey, I want a yacht and really that's not a lot
Been an angel all year
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight
Santa cutie, there's one thing I really do need, the deed
To a platinum mine
Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight
Santa baby, and fill my stocking with a duplex and checks
Sign your 'x' on the line
Santa baby,…
The song finally ends, and I'm jolted back to reality. I look up and his gray eyes are boring into my soul. I think I hear the band start another song but neither one of us moves. We just stand there in the middle of the ballroom, looking at each other. I don't know what causes me to do this, but I take my hands and attempt to brush his crazy hair off his forehead. It's useless of course, but I had to try. I remove my hands from his hair and place them on his chest. I remove them instantly once I realized what I've done. His nostrils flare and I hear a sharp intake of breath. Before he can say or do anything, I break the eye contact and walk away, towards the bar. I definitely need another drink after that.