Christmas Construction

Chapter 5: Christmas Bonus

Brian

What the actual hell?

Jason, the tool with expensive taste and irrational timelines that was putting the lobby project at the most risk, looked genuinely taken aback. "Really?"

Audrey's fingers dug into his waist. Somewhat recovering from the shock, he quickly assessed the situation. Used to Jason Grant's antics, he would have expected nothing less from him than a slur against his blue-collar status. The man obviously thought himself a cut above the rest, though his personality was garbage. But Audrey, jumping to his defense like he needed protection? It basically reinforced that she felt the same way as the tool did about blue-collar workers. He didn't like it one bit.

However, his dislike of Jason far outweighed his discomfort at the woman he had only just met stereotyping him, "Really," he said flatly, placing his hand on Audrey's waist, careful not to touch her anywhere inappropriate. Cozied up by his side, he felt rather than heard Audrey's nearly imperceptible sigh.

Brian could see the gears turning sluggishly in Jason's mind. He wasn't a very bright individual, and he had no poker face whatsoever. "Well, hard to say which one of you is slumming it, huh?" Jason finally said with a crooked grin, trying to play it off as a joke.

"Nobody is slumming it, Mr. Grant," Audrey said sharply. Brian felt his eye twitch. She really didn't have to try to protect him like that. He was a big boy, and Jason's words were the last thing he was planning to take to heart.

"Pshh, it's just a joke, Ms. Peters," Jason said, waving at her dismissively. Next to him, Audrey's ears went pink. Oh. Maybe she wasn't protecting him, after all. Not completely, anyway.

"Jokes at other peoples' expense aren't funny," Brian said, his voice going ever so slightly deeper to reinforce the subtle sternness in his tone. It was a tone he didn't use often; he usually didn't have to. But Jason required a firm hand to keep in check.

Sure enough, he saw Jason's face go a couple shades paler. He was used to everyone silently accommodating his rudeness; he had caught him off guard. "Apologies, Brian."

"It's Mr. Taylor, actually," Brian said mildly. "And I'm not the one that needs an apology."

Jason's expression hardened ever so slightly. Still, he was trapped by faux-pas, and by the person with the power to delay a project that would result in his personal glory, no less. "Apologies, Ms. Peters," he mumbled, barely sparing a look at Audrey. She nodded gracefully in acceptance, but Brian felt her grip tighten even more around him. She was tense as she could be.

Jason clapped his hands together. "Well, then! If your ankle has been doctored enough, you should return to the party, Ms. Peters. As I was saying, I'm about to make the Christmas bonus announcement!"

Next to him, Audrey frowned, a small wrinkle appearing between her brows. "Is there a reason why I have to be present?"

"Because it's exciting!" Jason said, beaming. But something about it looked slick. He was definitely hiding something.

Audrey seemed to think so too. "This is within budget, isn't it?" she asked warily She glanced up at Brian, her face giving away her apprehension to be discussing company affairs in front of him.

"Well within budget, Ms. Peters," Jason said, his tone pandering. "I think you'll be quite pleased! Now, let's all go back to the party! You too, Brian! Work can wait for one evening, can't it?"

"I was finished for the evening," Brian said flatly. Making small talk here was one thing, but attending a Christmas party as the fake boyfriend of an executive was another.

"Yes, Brian was just about to head out," Audrey said, patting him on the back. "I was thinking of leaving with him."

"Nonsense! You can't miss the end of the party! We haven't even served the cake yet!" Jason said. Obviously having recovered from the earlier awkwardness, he steered them through the construction zone toward the elevator bank. Audrey's hand slid from around his waist down his arm, clasping his fingers tightly. Her feet padded silently across the floor, still without her shoes. "Just stay for a slice of cake, I insist. It's red velvet!"

"Ugh," Audrey said under her breath. Nevertheless, she allowed Jason to nudge her into the elevator, towing Brian along with her. The doors slid closed behind them with a quiet thud.

He felt a growing sense of dread settle in his gut as the elevator rose to the third floor. How did he get roped into this? He never interacted with any of the employees here, ever. He knew nobody but Jason, and he only tolerated him because this job would look great in his company's portfolio. Even Audrey, his now so-called girlfriend, was someone he had only spoken to once before, and it was a measly two words that went unnoticed due to her distraction at the demolition of the lobby taking place all around them. How was he supposed to pull this off?

Too soon, the doors opened again and they were thrust into the party. Brian whistled and squinted his eyes against the flashing Christmas lights. "Wow,"he murmured. There was definitely a lot going on.

"I know," Audrey muttered flatly.

"Wait here," Jason said, gesturing to a tall table right next to a low stage. Audrey grabbed a glass of some kind of bubbly alcohol off of the tray of a passing server, her face grim. Brian took one too and sniffed. Sweet bubbles made his nose prickle. Sparkling cider, maybe. Personally, he preferred a good stiff scotch.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Jason boomed into a microphone. Audrey jumped, and Brian automatically held out his hand to steady her. "Happy holidays to you! Who am I kidding? Merry Christmas!"

There was a small smattering of applause. Brian looked around. Most of the smiles looked strained, some even downright sarcastic. Jason was clearly not well liked by most of the employees.

"Now, I'm sure you're wondering what's in store for this year's bonus," Jason continued, spreading his hands out. "You've worked hard, and you deserve a little credit! We here at Grant Enterprises want to express our thanks to you, both with this amazing party, and with a small end-of-year gift. This is the time of year for giving back, and we, as a company, have been so blessed that we want to provide blessings for those less fortunate.

"So, after much thought and deliberation..." Jason paused, wiggling his pointer fingers up and down in the imitation of a drum roll. Please. "Grant Enterprises has sponsored the building of several wells and farms in a village in Africa! And all of you wonderful people get all the credit!"

Behind Jason, the screen that had been displaying a giant yule log video on a loop switched to what looked like stock photos of farm animals and impoverished homes. "We will be tracking the success of this village for years to come! Give yourselves a hand!" Jason said grandly, clapping loudly. "I must admit," he boomed into the microphone after only a few people—mainly old guys in suits—joined in on the applause. "I must admit, I don't think I would have come to this decision on my own. But our very own CEO, Ms. Audrey Peters, inspired me to see what we could do to give back, be ethically and socially responsible, and, above all, stay within the budget! Let's give Ms. Peters a hand, too, folks!"

The room was silent. Brian glanced over at a seething Audrey. CEO?