Claimed By My Boss

Chapter 7

Mulled wine, hot chocolate topped with marshmallows, fairy lights, snow, Christmas songs, and the giant Christmas tree in the centre of the square. This is the makings of a perfect evening, and to be here with Sophia and her boys makes it all the better. Henry, Stephen, and Jake are beyond excited, and seeing the wander and awe on their little faces reminds me of the magic that Christmas is when you’re a child. So enchanting, so unreal. Seeing them excited makes me excited.

“You’re lucky, you know.” I nudge Sophia as we stroll behind the boys. We let them explore, stopping at the stalls that interest them. I’ve already bought them a couple of gifts each!

“I know. They might drive me to the brink of insanity, but how dull my life would be without them. You’ve never talked much about children. Do you want to have your own?” Sophia links her gloved hand through my arm.

“Yeah, some day. At least two, it’s not fun being an only child, even when you get all the attention.” I think back on how lonely I felt at times, and how much I would have loved a sibling to play with. “Just not at the same time.” I laugh.

We come to the train ride and the boys beg in unison for a turn. There’s no way they’re letting us leave here without them having a ride. Sophia pays for them to get on and they join the queue. We take the opportunity to sit on a nearby bench. We sit in silence as we drink our hot chocolates. My phone beeps and my heart jumps when I see Elijah’s name on the screen. I quickly turn it away so that Sophia doesn’t see. How could I explain that one away? I open the message discreetly.

How is your triple date going?

I smile. It shouldn’t be, but it’s nice knowing that he’s thinking about me.

Jealous? I reply, sucking in my cheeks to stop from smiling too broadly.

A hundred men couldn’t make you feel what I can. Will.

Cocky prick.

Nausea, you mean?

I should put that lying tongue to better use.

I blush fiercely, thanking the Gods that my cheeks are already rosy from the cold. My core clenches as my imagination runs wild. I put my phone back in my pocket. This isn’t a conversation I should entertain in public. At all, probably. I get a shiver down my back that travels through my whole body. I hug my hot chocolate to my chest. The boys are on the train now. Sophia and I beam as they ride around with cheesy grins on their faces, waving at us every time they pass by. Each one of them has dimples. Adorable.

“Did I see Elijah at work today?” I balk at Sophia’s sudden question.

“Um, yeah, he came in for a bit.” I shrug.

“I saw you coming out of his office. Is everything all right?”

“Yes.” I sound too defensive. “He just wanted to go over some files before the end of the year.”

“Didn’t mention why he wasn’t in all week?”

“Why would he tell me?” I start feeling paranoid. Like I’m being interrogated.

“Just asking. Are you all right?”

“Sorry, I’m fine. He’s just… annoying. Been asking for files then not looking at them. Usual d**k behaviour and I’m ready to have a break from it.”

“Sounds about right. Let’s hope he gets laid this Christmas so he’s less miserable in the new year.” Sophia huffs.

“Yeah.” I agree. But the mention of him getting laid has me feeling jealous. As if he actually belongs to me. As if he was mine. I can’t imagine Elijah being in a relationship with anyone. He might be handsome, rich, and successful, but he is miserable, grumpy, and hard to please most of the time. The flirting we’ve been doing has been fun and exciting, the kisses - out of this world, but I’m not stupid enough to think it would ever be anything more. In reality, I should be shutting this s**t down, less I lose my job. Getting fired by Elijah for being inappropriate with him. Now wouldn’t that be ironic!

“Mom, mom. Aunty G, can we please go get a toffee apple?” Henry pleads, his brothers smiling sweetly beside him in unified sentiment.

“Fine, but that’s the last thing. You boys will be up all night with all this sugar!” Answers Sophia.

They only squeal in response and run off through the crowds. We rush to keep up with them. They’re too fast. I treat myself to a toffee apple and enjoy the rest of the markets, finishing off with a Christmas carol show. By the time we’re finished and we reach Sophia’s house, her boys are crashed out in the back of my car. Yes, I finally went to collect it after work. It’s even better than I imagined - a gorgeous white SUV with maroon leather seats. So fancy. I hadn’t thought to come up with a lie about it when Sophia asked where it came from; so I blurted the truth but kept the rest of Elijah’s gifts a secret. She didn’t seem too surprised, only swore that she was going to work her ass off next year so hopefully she could get a car too.

“Merry Christmas!” I hug her boys after helping to usher them inside. They squeeze me in a group hug then run up the stairs to get ready for bed.

“See you tomorrow, hun. Thanks for coming with us.” Sophia squeezes me next.

“I had a great time.” I say good night and drive the short ride home. The SUV has heated seats. So divine. When I park at my house, I stay in the car for a while, enjoying the luxury. You wouldn’t imagine the explaining I had to do with my parents about this car. They seemed surprised; but also quite accepting of the fact that my boss would just give me a car.

“Grace, come here, Lovey.” Mom calls out from the kitchen as soon as I step inside the door. I can never come or go unnoticed. Next year. Next year I will get my own place.

I trail into the kitchen after taking off my coat, boots, beanie, and gloves. Mom is standing by the sink, her hands gripping a glass of wine. Her face looks worried. I look to my left and see my father clutching a glass of whiskey like it’s the only tether to this house, to reality. But it’s not my parents that worry me the most. It’s the other person sitting at the dining table across from my father. Sitting there, looking as relaxed as a fat cat, is Elijah.

“What’s going on?” I manage to squeeze out.

“Sit down, Grace. There are some things we need to discuss.” My dad speaks up. I don’t move.

“Dad?”

“Listen to your father, Grace!” I frown at Elijah speaking to me like that in my home in front of my parents. But they don’t seem as shocked as me.

“I don’t want to sit!” I snap back.

“Sit down!” Elijah’s voice booms, the power of it surprising me into obedience. I sit beside my dad, directly across from my boss. What the f**k is going on?