A Christmas to Remember

5: Em

A heavy breath left my lips as I looked at the reflection staring back at me from my full-length mirror. Once again, I let my gaze travel over my body, taking in the suede-heeled boots that reached just above my knees, revealing only a small strip of pantyhose before the blood-red skirt that adorned my thighs. The skirt flowed gracefully, folding in a way that accentuated my hips. Above that, I had chosen a cream-colored sweater with a folded collar and an off-the-shoulder style, showcasing my slender throat. My light blonde hair was twisted in a low bun at the back of my head, with a few strands framing my face. I had gone light on makeup, aiming for a more classic look, using just a subtle eye shadow to highlight my crystal-clear blue eyes, along with mascara to frame them. The blush on my cheeks made me look more alive, a much-needed touch amidst the stress of exams, and the light pink gloss on my lips added a final bit of shine.

I turned, trying to see myself from all angles. He should be pleasantly surprised. I had a great body, thanks mostly to my love for walking and listening to audiobooks. A slim waist, slightly wider hips, and a decent chest; the only thing I actively trained was my lower body, and it really made a difference. It was amazing what a few squats, hip thrusts, and donkey kicks could do for the glutes.

“You can do this, Em,” I mumbled, watching my lips move in the mirror. “You’re gorgeous, you have an amazing personality, and he’ll be lucky to have you for an entire year,” I said, trying to give myself a boost of confidence.

Mrs. Smith hadn’t called back with any further instructions. She hadn’t given me a name or even a hint about what kind of attire would be suitable. So I had settled on something casual, something I would wear on a regular day, adding just a touch of class with the pearl studs in my ears and a small gold necklace with a butterfly pendant.

“Besides, the money can pay for my postgraduate education,” I reminded myself, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach and stop my palms from feeling so sweaty. “Maybe he’s like Robert, and maybe this could be a way to make connections with a firm.”

I had to look at this from a positive perspective. It was just like when I met Robert for the first time. I’d nearly thrown up in a trash can right outside the office, but after I saw him and realized what a kind, reassuring man he was, all my nervousness vanished. I could be myself around him, and I was able to show him that I was a smart and charming young woman.

Normally, I was fantastic at meeting new people; it was almost second nature, and I rarely got nervous. But this was different. I would be meeting a man I’d have to pretend to be in love with for the next year, and though I trusted Mrs. Smith, I was still nervous about the type of man he’d turn out to be.

Pulling on my jacket and packing my handbag with essentials, I picked up my earmuffs and gloves before locking the door behind me and heading out into the snowy streets of New York. As the fresh air filled my lungs, I couldn’t help but take a deep inhale, feeling how the cold air helped me regain my composure. It made me feel grounded, and I found comfort in the bustling people around me, all hurrying to get through their day.

Hailing a cab, I arrived at the building with fifteen minutes to spare. Mrs. Smith knew me well enough to know I’d never be late, always preferring to be fashionably early. After paying the driver, I entered the building, quickly stowing away my gloves and earmuffs in my bag. I spotted my reflection in a large mirror near the reception desk in the lobby and made sure my hair and makeup were still just the way I wanted before heading to the elevators.

Pressing the button for the twenty-first floor, I stepped back from the control panel and clutched my bag close, trying to take up as little space as possible. Elevator music filled the cabin, and I let myself sway subtly to the rhythm, hoping to calm my nerves. I caught the eye of a woman across the elevator who was watching me in the mirror; she gave me an encouraging smile, like she was happy to see me enjoying myself in the elevator. I felt a slight blush rise to my cheeks as I smiled back.

When the doors finally opened on my floor, I was greeted by Claire behind the front desk, a large sign hanging behind her that read Disclosure. I couldn’t believe I was doing this again—putting myself out there like this. It felt just like arriving on a blind date, but instead of having the option to call a friend for an escape, I’d be committed to my “blind date” for the next year.

“Hello, Claire! Merry soon-to-be Christmas,” I greeted her in a sing-song voice.

“That’s a bit early, don’t you think, Emmeline?” she laughed, even though a Christmas decoration already sat on her desk and festive music played softly from the speakers.

“It’s late November, Claire; it’s not early at all,” I smiled. “I hope I’ll have time to go to Christmas karaoke with my old dormmates,” I sighed. “Last year was so much fun.”

“That sounds amazing,” she grinned, clearly enjoying my enthusiasm. “I’ll call Mrs. Smith for you, dear.”

“Thank you; I’m a bit early,” I apologized, but Claire waved it off and spoke to Mrs. Smith on the phone.

“She’ll be right out,” she said with a smile, and I nodded, turning to look over the rows of cubicles where people worked hard to keep the cover firm, Disclosure, running smoothly.

“Miss Slater,” I heard Mrs. Smith’s greeting. I turned to see her coming towards me in her usual pantsuit, her hair in its customary tight bun atop her head. “You look absolutely lovely today,” she smiled as she offered her hand.

“Thank you, Mrs. Smith, you look stunning as well,” I replied with a smile. “Is that Ralph Lauren?” I asked, admiring her brilliant black pantsuit.

“You know, Miss Slater, I’m not supposed to say, but I think you’re my favorite,” she grinned, linking our arms as we started walking toward her office. “This situation is a bit different from what you’re used to,” she began in a hushed voice. “With Mr. Kingsland, it was all about salvaging his public image, showing the media he could stick to one woman for a while. But this is very different.”

“Different how?” I asked, eyeing her office door as we approached. Was he inside? Robert had been there when I met him.

“This time, it’s not the media that will be your biggest challenge. This man needs his family off his back, which means you’ll need to be the perfect girlfriend at family gatherings,” she explained, and I nodded to show I understood. “You’ll be traveling with him to Vermont for Christmas. He’s a very family-oriented man, but his parents won’t give him any peace until he brings home a woman.”

“Age difference?” I asked, since clients who could afford Disclosure’s services were often older and established.

“Sixteen years,” she answered honestly. “His parents have seventeen years between them, and his siblings’ age gaps range from twelve to eight years. It seems age differences are the norm in this family.”

“And he knows my age?”

“Yes,” she replied.

“How did he react?” I asked as we stopped just outside her office door.

“I probably shouldn’t have told him while he was drinking coffee,” she grinned, and I couldn’t help but grin back. “Fortunately, he’s the type to keep spare clothing in his car, so I’d say he was lucky.”

I nodded, looking at the light brown door leading to the next year of my life. “Do you think I’ll be as lucky as I was with Robert?” I asked, still looking at the door.

“He seems like a gentleman,” she reassured me. “He’s not looking for love, Miss Slater, so be careful with your heart.”

I cleared my throat. Robert had never explicitly said he wanted a romantic relationship; we’d simply grown close and found we made better friends than lovers. But here was a man I hadn’t even met, already ruling out any future between us.

It shouldn’t matter to me. It shouldn’t affect the way I would act around him. Did I even want love at this point? At twenty years old, did I already want to settle down? No. I wanted to avoid just that. I wasn’t going to get married right out of college or become a wife and mother just yet. I wanted to become Em Slater— a cutthroat lawyer and, maybe one day, a judge. Who knew? I wanted to keep all my options open.

“I’m always careful, Mrs. Smith.”

“Good,” she nodded. “Shall we meet him?”

She opened her office door, and I stepped inside. My gaze moved to the seating area of her office, where a man was in the process of standing up, slipping his phone into his pocket.

I froze, allowing Mrs. Smith to close the door behind me. I knew him. Jackson Hudson was everything a young woman could want, and here he was, standing in Disclosure’s office, seeking a woman to pose as his girlfriend for an entire year, wanting me to join him for Christmas. I couldn’t believe it.

He exuded wealth and confidence. His dark brown hair was brushed back, with just a hint of gray at the temples. His dark brows framed intense amber-colored eyes that were fixed on me. His tall, broad figure was clad in an expensive designer suit—probably Brioni—and a crisp white shirt with no tie, accessorized with a dark brown leather belt and shoes. He was every bit the image of the perfect, sophisticated man.

And the most astonishing part? He was checking me out, too. His eyes traveled over my body, and from the slight raise of his right eyebrow, I could tell he wasn’t disappointed.

“Mr. Hudson, may I introduce Emmeline Julie Slater,” Mrs. Smith began. “Miss Slater, this is-”

“I know who he is,” I interrupted, stepping forward and offering my hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hudson.”