The last few days before the office Christmas party seem to go by in a flash. I have tried my best to ignore the smartphone while I'm at work, but I find myself checking it for messages every now and then. I've had the phone for almost a week now and he hasn't called me once. But oh boy has he sent messages... I actually blush as I think of them. He is doing an incredible job at seducing me, and he is doing it from the other side of the globe.
At home, Kate has grown suspicious because of my secretive behavior. Just last night she barged in to my room and saw the Agent Provocateur boxes, yes now plural, and I really had to get creative trying to explain them for her. But how do I explain going from white cotton to the other end of the lingerie spectrum? I'm sure she didn't buy my vague explanation about wanting to be adventurous and rambling about a discount voucher about to expire. But I can't tell her what is going on with Christian, not before my own head is on straight. Probably not after that either. Considering the fact, that he has a CEO reputation to withhold, I doubt he would want the heir of Kavanagh media to know about his affair with an intern.
On Friday, the day of the party, I'm busy making sure that everything falls into place. The special requests for food are all sorted, but unfortunately the only program idea, the Secret Santa, has been permanently shot down by Andrea.
In the afternoon, Andrea and I go to inspect the venue, which is the restaurant on the fifth floor of the GEH building. The stage has been built, and the band is setting up. I stand there and listen to them jamming for a moment and smile, the band sounds great – and I'm sure that after they get changed they will look great too. Even the office ice-queen a.k.a. Andrea seems to thaw a bit. "The singer is so cute! Did you notice his dimples?" she whispers to me. To be honest, I hadn't noticed.
The decorations are perfect, the food is being prepared and the bar is being set up. Over all, I'm pleased that everything is going as planned. I go through my list one more time to make sure nothing has been forgotten. There's only one line unchecked on my list, and that's the mistletoe. I haven't got one, and I haven't asked Andrea about getting one, and I'm not going to either. I've come to the conclusion that Christian wasn't serious when he suggested it. Besides, I'm kind of hoping that he might kiss me without a mistletoe too. Memories of the elevator ride flood my mind, and my blood heats up. Butterflies flutter in the pit of my stomach at the mere thought of seeing him again.
By four, I leave, because I need to change and freshen up before the party. As I sit alone in the wide backseat of the Audi, I open the smartphone for the hundredth time today, just to be disappointed again. There are no new messages. It's been almost 24 hours since the last one, and I'm starting to get paranoid. What if his plane has crashed? For sure we would've heard if something had happened to him?
Although the uncertainty is nagging on me, I go about making myself ready for the night ahead. I take a long shower, shave all strategic places, and then lather myself with moisturizer before putting on my new, black and nude Agent Provocateur lingerie. I put my sequin skirt and silver top on, before tackling my hair and make-up. Once I'm done I hardly recognize myself.
"You're looking mighty fine, Steele." Kate compliments me as I stand in front of her for evaluation. "Have you got yourself a little office fling? Or where's all this coming from." She waves in my direction.
"Can't I just look good for my first real office Christmas party?" I don't have to feign my annoyance
"Of course, you can. It's just... I'm just not used to seeing you like this. You look absolutely stunning."
"Have you got any plans for tonight?" I divert the subject away from me.
"Elliot is coming over, actually, he should be here any minute now."
"Well, I'll get out of your way then." I grin as I snatch my purse off the desk.
"Have fun, honey, and remember, don't do anyone I wouldn't do." Kate gives me a squeeze.
"That doesn't narrow it down much, now does it?" I retort before taking my jacket and head to the door. "Don't worry, I'll behave." I add before shutting the door behind me.
Once again in the backseat of the Audi, I open my purse to check if Christian has sent me any messages, but before even touching the smartphone, my fingers land on something strange in my bag. I pull it out and then stuff it back quickly as I realize what it is. A quick peak into my bag confirms it, at least four condoms are tucked neatly between my new phone and my old one. A post-it note it attached to my phone, Stay safe xoxo, is written in a familiar handwriting.
"Kate." I shake my head. Just typical. As if I'd need condoms at a Christmas party, I scoff. But then again... I smirk. There's always a first time for everything.
I tear off the post-it not from the smartphone, and the excitement bubbling in the pit of my stomach is replaced by a knot of uncertainty. There are still no new messages, no missed calls, no noting.
AN: Just a few more days to go. It has been a crazy ride and I want thank you all for joining me on it :)