CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT

FUCK, SANTA DADDY

BOOK TWO

MAE POV

Christmas is supposed to be the best time of year. People talk about joy and being kind. They talk about sitting by a warm fire, eating great food, and watching movies.

But mostly, they talk about family.

This year, I didn't have any of that. I was staying in a tiny, one-room apartment. It was small and lonely. My family was far away. I had no one to celebrate with.

I sat at my desk and looked at my computer screen. I tried to look very busy. I didn't want to talk to anyone.

Across from me sat Jesse. She was a loud, happy girl. Today, she had tinsel wrapped around her neck like a scarf. She also wore red reindeer antlers that sparked when she moved her head. She was so excited for the holidays.

I looked down at my work. I prayed for my phone to ring. I even hoped the office printer would catch on fire just so I wouldn't have to talk. But nothing happened.

"Hey, Mae!" Jesse called out.

I had to look up. I gave her a small, fake smile.

"Are you going home to Princeton for Christmas?" Jesse asked. She was grinning. "What did you ask Santa for? Have you been a good girl this year, or a bad one?"

She laughed a happy, loud laugh. I tried to laugh too, but my throat felt dry and tight. My heart started to beat fast. I didn't want to tell her I was going to be alone. I didn't want to look like a loser.

Oh, you know," I said, trying to sound normal. "I’m still figuring out my plans."

"Still figuring them out?" Jesse raised an eyebrow. "Christmas is in three days! You should come to my place if you’re stuck. My Uncle Dawn always makes too much food. There is always room for one more person."

"That is so nice of you," I said quickly. I felt a blush on my face. "But I think I'll be fine. Really."

I hated being a "charity guest." I didn't want people to feel sorry for me.

Two other girls, Lily and Reyna, stopped typing. They were watching us now. I felt like I was on a stage and everyone was waiting for me to say something smart.

The radio was playing a slow Christmas song. It made me feel even more sad. Just then, Eric from the accounting department walked by. He was carrying a big pile of gifts for the office party.

"Big plans, Mae?" Eric asked as he walked past.

"I... well, I might..." I started to stutter. I felt like a total idiot.

Suddenly, a loud voice saved me. It was the head accountant.

"Meeting time!" she shouted. "Mr. Douglas wants everyone in the big room in five minutes. Move it!"

Everyone started moving fast. The office went from quiet to crazy in one second. Jesse cursed under her breath. She started typing fast to finish her work. She forgot all about my Christmas plans.

I stood up fast. I needed to print some notes and get a cup of coffee. If I didn't have coffee, I knew I would be too nervous to speak in the meeting.

I had been working at Douglas Filtration for two months. I was a trainee. I was still learning how everything worked.

I moved four hours away from home for this job. Why? Because my mom knew the boss. She knew Mr. Douglas when they were kids in school.

"He is a powerful man," my mom had told me. "He is smart. He is rich. You can learn a lot from a man like that."

She was right. Mr. Douglas was very smart. He was very successful. But my mom forgot to tell me one thing.

Mr. Douglas was scary.

He was mean and quiet. He didn't like it when people made mistakes. When he looked at you, it felt like he could see all your secrets.

And he was Goddamn gorgeous.

He was so handsome that it made my knees feel weak. He was tall. He wore expensive suits that fit him perfectly. He had dark hair and light eyes. When he walked into a room, the air felt different.

I liked powerful men. I always had. When I was in high school, I had a huge crush on my French teacher. He was also scary and mean. I used to write dirty stories about him in my diary.

But Mr. Douglas was even better. He was a grown man. He was almost in his late forties, and he looked like a movie star.

I ran to the office kitchen. I poured a big mug of hot coffee. Then, I ran to the printer and grabbed my papers. I was walking down the hall fast, reading my notes. I wanted to be ready. I didn't want Mr. Douglas to be mad at me.

I was looking down at the paper. I didn't see the door open.

I walked right into a solid wall of a man.

My stomach did a flip. My hands shook. The hot coffee flew out of my mug and splashed everywhere.

It hit his chest. It hit his stomach. It even soaked the front of his expensive trousers.

"Oh no!" I screamed.

The coffee was hot. I could feel it burning through my own shirt, too. But I wasn't thinking about myself. I was looking at the huge brown stain on Mr. Douglas’s white shirt.

Without thinking, I reached out my hand. I started to rub his chest with my hand to try and dry it. Then, my hand moved lower, toward his waist, trying to help.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed my wrist.

His grip was very strong. It was tight and hard. It didn't hurt, but I couldn't move. I looked up and met his eyes.

He looked furious.

"I’m sorry!" I whispered. I felt like crying. "I’m so, so sorry, Mr. Douglas. I didn't see you. I was looking at my notes. I’m a total idiot."

I saw the other girls standing in the hallway. Their mouths were up by  open. They were shocked.

Mr. Douglas didn't say anything for a long time. The hallway was very quiet. I could hear my own heart beating.

He looked down at me. Then, his eyes moved down to my chest.

My heart stopped. My white blouse was soaked with coffee. It was wet and see-through. Everyone could see my red bra underneath. It was the most embarrassing and humiliating moment of my life.

Mr. Douglas took a deep breath. His eyes stayed on me for a few more seconds.

"You should go get cleaned up," he said. His voice was deep and cold.

I couldn't speak. I just nodded like a fool.

He let go of my wrist and walked past me. He didn't look back.

I turned around and ran to the bathroom as fast as I could like a total idiot.