All Chapters of One Christmas, Two Keys: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

• Sloane Rivers •“I’m already at the airport, sir. I just landed,” I said quietly, running a hand through my hair as I exhaled. It was cold as fuck.“Good. We’ll see you in two days. Enjoy the break,” Mr. Anderson replied before ending the call.I slipped my phone into my pocket, a sigh escaping me as I glanced around the terminal where people walked in and out.After a long year of working my ass off—long days in court, longer nights reviewing briefs, a relationship I’d known from the start had no future, and of competing for a Partner position—I had planned to spend Christmas with my mother. I needed it. She needed me.Until I was included in the mandatory firm-sponsored retreat that happens yearly.And yes, I was only informed two weeks ago. In their words, “It would help if you’re competing for Partner. I’d advise you show up,”.Hell, I knew what those words meant. If I didn’t show up the odds of getting the promotion would cut down to nothing and I didn’t care. All I wanted wa

•Ethan Hale• “Take care, baby. Daddy will call you later,” I said and the voice at the other end mumbled something incoherent before the call ended. I got out of my car and walked into my company’s building. I had some documents to sign for the COO before I left the country. Most employees greeted me or bowed slightly as I walked past and towards the elevator. I gave a curt nod or mumbled a greeting. This was the exhausting part of the morning, having to be social. And while I was trying my best, I was still labelled as the grumpy, anti-social boss. It wasn’t supposed to affect me until the words began spreading. According to them, they risked losing their jobs if they said the wrong word to me - which was 100% true by the way - and it scared the shit out of them to say anything to me. And I was a man of prestige and integrity, they were my employees and humans, so yeah they deserved to be treated as such. The company won’t be here without them and I had plans of givin

•Sloane Rivers• “I don’t know. There’s a storm so our flights have been shifted,” Gina said and I frowned. Gina was well… the only friend I had and we both worked in the same firm. Apparently, she was supposed to be on ground today. “Wait. What?” I muttered and I could hear her sigh from the other end. “We can’t be in Switz today, Sloane. And there’s a high possibility of the retreat not starting tomorrow if the storm continues,” she said and I blinked. A storm. Now? Really? “Seriously?” I huffed. I was already on ground and out of the blues there was a snow storm. I’d spent my morning taking a walk and was ready to retire to my lodge before I got a call from Gina. I walked past the receptionist, who looked stressed as hell, with a man standing next to her. I didn’t catch his face because all I wanted was to get to my room. “Miss Rivers?” the receptionist called. I paused and turned to her. She offered a small smile as the man beside her watched me. He wasn’t t