Chapter 7: The office party

It’s been three weeks since I started working for Leopold Beckett, three long nightmarish weeks where he has been rude, demanding, and unbearable. But at least I have a good-paying job and I remain hopeful that he will leave any day now for one of his trips around the world. It must be my luck, because according to Sylvia he has never been in the office so many days in a row before, even she is surprised that it is taking him so long to leave again. All I can do right now is to wait patiently for the day when he finally stops showing up to the office.

Today is our office’s Christmas party. The Holidays are around the corner and everyone is really excited. Apparently, Thunder Motors’ Christmas party it’s legendary. They invite not only the people from the office, but also a lot of important clients. I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was until I overheard a lot of my female co-workers talking about the dresses they bought specifically for this evening.

At four o’clock, I notice a lot of people heading for the restroom. They are going to freshen up for the party that it’s going to be held on the 17th floor of this building.

“Aren’t you changing?” Tania, the assistant from the accounting department, asks me as she passes by my desk.

“No, I’m wearing this,” I say as I shyly point out to my simple blue skirt and pink sweater.

“Oh... you look nice.” Tania lies with a fake grin.

I nod politely. Yes, I get that I don’t look spectacular and that I didn’t put enough effort to look my best for this party, but this year I lost my parents and I’m being extorted by a scary gangster, I am in no mood to dress up and celebrate.

At five o’clock, I turn off my computer. It’s time to go to the party. As I reach for my purse, Leopold exits his office. He halts in front of my desk and looks at me up and down with a frown.

“Do you realize most women change for this party?” He asks as if my outfit were a disappointment.

“Sylvia Collins said there was no dress code. That we could use our regular office clothes if we wanted to...” I reply because it is the truth, she did say that when I asked her.

“Well, I mean... it’s not mandatory to look nice, but... you should give it a try, Not Hannah,” he says before walking away.

I feel a lump in my throat. Leopold is so mean. I thought I would get used to his hurtful comments by now, but I haven’t yet.

I run to the restroom. It’s empty, everyone is already at the party. I look at myself in the mirror. My green sad eyes stare at me... I’m not ugly, I actually consider myself a good looking girl, it’s just that I haven’t been feeling well enough to care about how I look. I’m wearing no makeup and my hair is pushed back into a ponytail.

I let my brown straight hair lose and I apply a little lipstick I found on my purse. It’s not an extreme makeover, but at least it’s something.

I go to the 17th floor and the moment I step into the room the beauty of the place takes my breath away. There are string lights all over the roof and the Christmas decorations on the columns give me a sensation of magic. It’s hard to tell we are in an office building, the place looks too beautiful. Now I get why everyone was so excited. The place is full, I recognize most of the people in here, I used to see them every morning when I worked the front desk. Those who are new I assume are the important clients who were invited to come.

“It’s impressive right?” Tania says as she stands beside me.

“It is,” I reply with a smile.

“I know, my first year working here I was taken aback. And the best part of this party... the booze is really, really good,” she says as she hands me a glass of champagne.

I take a sip, I usually don’t like alcohol, but the taste of it is really good. I take another sip.

“Good, right?” Tania asks.

“Yes, it is,” I reply.

Tania turns around to talk to Nancy, the girl that I used to worked with at the front desk. I discreetly leave the glass of champagne on one table. I probably shouldn’t drink, not when I have so much stress in my life. Worries and alcohol are never a good mix.

I start to walk around the room, enjoying the beauty of the place and the cheerful mood of everyone around me. I love the Holidays, but this year is going to be especially hard without my parents. I shake my head, I don’t want to get sad right now.

I suddenly spot Leopold Beckett across the room standing next to his father and other board members. He looks so charming, smiling, and nodding politely when others talk to him. If only they knew what a jerk he really is. I can’t get over how different he is from his father. Mr. Earl Beckett is a short, chubby redheaded man with blue eyes and Leopold is tall, has dark hair, golden-brown eyes, and tanned skin. He probably looks more like his mother. Maybe his mother was an Italian or a Brazilian model when she was younger and Leopold got her beauty. It is not uncommon for models to marry rich men and that would explain Leopold’s breathtaking appearance. I must have been looking too directly at him, because Leopold suddenly lifts his sight and our eyes meet. I shyly look away and I pretend I’m grabbing a cupcake from the sweets table.

“Having fun, baby girl?” Alex’s voice sends a cold chill down my back.