Second Chance Christmas

I stared out the floor to ceiling glass windows of the boardroom, my eyes fixated on white flakes of snow drifting down from the sky.

The sight only further deepened my scowl, to some, the sight of the first snow would have been a magical thing but it only served as a reminder of the impending holiday. Christmas.

“Ms Wilson,” I snapped out of my thoughts and swiveled my chair back to face my employees seated around the large oval table at the sound of my name.

Leah who had called my attention was still standing by the projector, her dark gaze drifting around the room unsurely. I'd zoned out of most of the meeting, the realization had me clearing my throat as I quickly sat up.

“What were you saying?,” I murmured in a dismissive tone, flipping through the pages of the proposal she was pitching which I'd already gone through the previous day and deemed worthy, if that weren't the case I wouldn't be sitting here and wasting my precious time.

“I was saying, it would be a bonus to host Christmas sales at the mall and a small celebration in light of the coming holiday,” she started with a small smile and I tilted my head, watching her with a slightly narrowed gaze.

“It would not only boost the company's income but also curb the rumors flying around about how you hate Christmas and everything it represents,” she finished and there was pin drop silence in the room.

She wasn't wrong about the rumours, I absolutely hated Christmas and but I simply didn't care about that or what anyone had to say about that. No one dared to utter a single word or even move a muscle at her pitch. I must say, I was impressed by her courage to bring that up in my very presence.

“Leah was it?,” I murmured unsurely, but she was quick to correct me.

“It Lynn, Ms Wilson,”She dared corrected and I scoffed.

“It seems no one has told you how things work around here,” she shifted on her feet as I stared daggers at her from across the room.

“Your pitch was great except for one little thing, Leah,” I gritted out, leaning against the table.

“We don't dabble in that Christmas nonsense and there will be no celebrations just as there haven't been for the last five years!,” a couple of my employees jumped in their seats at the increase of my voice.

“Is that clear?,” I seethed, my tone dangerously low and as quickly as the words left my mouth there were collect nods.

“If anyone of you have a problem with how I run things around here, the door is wide open so you are free to get the fuck out.” I nodded towards the door and Leah's eyes widened into saucers as she quickly shook her head.

“Well then we're done here,” I snapped turning to the marketing team head, Jones who was seated by my left.

“I want a full rundown of the cost of the project launch on my desk first thing in the morning,” he nodded quickly wiping beads of sweat that had gathered on his forehead before stuttering a 'yes Ms Wilson' in response.

Rising to my feet I walked out of the board room, the sound of my stiletto heels deafening as they clicked against the marble floors, like a gavel against a sound block.

“Clear my schedule for the rest of the afternoon,” I said to Parker, my assistant who was walking silently a pace behind, by my left, clutching an electronic tablet to his chest.

“Yes Ms Wilson,” he responded right before I slipped into my office, rounding my desk as I grabbed my hand bag and car keys. My eyes drifted to a small picture frame of my babies beside my computer and I couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corner of my lips.

I walked out the office, heading towards the elevator as Parker fell into step with me.

“There was a call from Mr Hossein after I called his secretary to reschedule the meeting,” I rolled my eyes at that.

“What did he say?,” I asked as the elevator doors slid open and we both walked in. Parker punched the underground parking floor as I waited for his response.

He cleared his throat, this eyes darting about like he was uncomfortable to relate to me what exactly Mr Hossein had said over the phone.

“Parker,” I called with a raised brow and he squared his shoulders, his white dress shirt pulling taut against the broad expanse.

“He said and I quote, 'it feels like you're testing me Habibti, but not to worry, I am a very patient man especially when I know the worth of my reward.”

I almost burst out in a fit of laughter at that but barely held myself back. He was afterall vying to be an investor in my hotel chains so I had to put up with his flirtatious attitude just until for the time being, but the man was dead set on making me his wife which was laughable considering he already had one.

The elevator doors slid open halting my thoughts and we both walked out into the empty lobby, Parker slid his company key card on the security panel beside the glass doors leading to the underground parking garage and it slid open.

I unlocked my car with a loud beep, but paused when I made to pull the door to the driver's side open.

“Inform Mr Hossein that I offer my most sincerest apologies for having our meeting rescheduled on such short notice, but something important came up that I couldn't miss,” I instructed and Parker responded with a firm nod before I turned and slipped into the waiting car.

Placing my handbag in the passenger seat of the car, I pulled my auburn locs into a high ponytail, securing it with a hair tie I'd pulled out of my bag.

I sighed in sweet relief after having my hair out of the way, before proceeding to start the car, the sound of the engine roaring to life strangely putting me at ease as I pulled out of the parking garage of my billion dollar company.