Billionaires Under The Mistletoe

[DAPHNE] I hate the holidays. Don't get me wrong. It's a season to be with family after a rollercoaster year, but not for me. My singlehood is going to be shoved in my face as always, and now I'm approaching my 30s, it's going to be even more brutal this year. “Daphne, when will you bring a man home for the holidays? You're not getting any younger,” my mum and aunt will always say. I'm so not ready for that. And worse, the holidays start in two week’s time. “Arrgh!” I let out an exasperated sigh. “Good morning miss Daphne,” my assistant's voice broke me from my thoughts. “Yes?” “Your mum. She's been calling since morning.” Speaking of the devil. I've been avoiding my mum's calls since the beginning of December. That's when her pressure usually starts coming. I plastered a fake smile. “...and what did you tell her?” “The usual.” “Good.” Now this is one reason Amanda is a competent assistant. Always knowing how best to get mum off my back at the perfect time. Then she continued, as if startled to talk. “...but, your sister, Nicki. She wants to see you.” I waved my hand dismissively. “Discharge her as well.” “Ummm.. she's.. already waiting at the reception area.. like for an hour now…” Amanda's voice held a hint of fear in them. “Oh, no..” I muttered, exhaling deeply. “It's alright.. I'll go see her now.” I barely managed to step into the reception area when Nicki jumped on her feet running to me with a tight embrace, squealing like a mouse. “Eeeek. Big sister. I'm so glad to see you.” I rolled my eyes. ‘Definitely I'm not’. But I didn't say that. Instead, I lied with my perfect fake smile I'm used to, thanks to my kind of job. “Same here, Nicki. What brings you here?” “Well, it's Christmas, duuuh.. I want you to join me for lunch. Let's have family time as usual. Besides, there's someone I want to introduce you to.” “Okay,” I let out an exhale. “I'll join you in 20.” “Alright. Remember it's Tasty Tom.. just down the street.” I nodded. Soon, I was standing before Tasty Toms. The snow and Christmas lights decorating the entrance only added to my Christmas phobia. Taking a deep breath, I stepped in, my eyes falling on Nicki, who was waving at me and someone - a guy sitting beside her. She ran towards me, holding my arm. “I'm glad you could make it. He's here.” Leading me to the table, now I got a better view of this guy. Oh my God. I paused. My heart raced. It felt like the world had tilted in its axis. Damon. My Damon. My first love. The man I've been searching for years. He looked better than he did years ago before he traveled abroad. Those chiseled jawlines and stubble. Oh my god. Those eyes that get me on my knees every time. They still do now. And just like that, after a while, we lost contact and here he is? If this is a dream. It better stop and someone should wake me up this instant. “Daphne, meet Damon, my fiance. Damon, Daphne, my big sister.” My mouth felt like the cold from outside had sealed my lips together from speaking. I could also see the same reaction on Damon's face. His eyes held that hint of utter shock as if he wanted to explain but no way I'm letting this get to me. I shook my head off from my haze, stretching out my arm to Damon for a handshake. “Damon, it's nice seeing you.” The moment he took my hand, I felt electric shock shot through our hands just like the first day we met in high school. His hand held mine for a while too long as if he's lost in thoughts as well. “Nice meeting you too, Daphne,” he said, his voice low, with a hint of disappointment etched in his eyes. “Sooo…” Nicki's shrill voice broke the moment. “Now you two have met. I was thinking of announcing the bigger news.” I tightened my jaw hoping I wouldn't break the cup in my hands. “I would want you to plan our wedding.” “What?!” The spoon dropped off my hand. “Yeah. You're good at this Daph. I've seen the events you've been planning so far and I want mine to even look better.” My eyes drifted from Nicki as she kept talking animatedly about her expectation, then to Damon and I noticed his eyes had been locked on mine as well. So, now, I'm not only facing the heartbreak of Damon marrying my sister but planning their wedding? I just couldn't wait for this meeting to be over and done with so I could go home and cry out the tears left in my system. After the work day was over, I barely managed to pull off my shoes in my apartment when my phone rang. Looking up, I saw it's Sandra, my best friend. “Hi, Sandra.” “Daphne. You won't believe it. I got the best holiday gift ever.” “Wow, tell me about it.” “Raph just proposed. I said yes!” My lips quivered, my heart shattered into pieces. This wasn't jealousy, but a feeling of being left out. “T- that's wonderful. Congratulations babe,” I managed to say. “Thanks girl. I'll see you soon. We not done celebrating.” “Alright Sandy. Have fun.” The moment the call ended, I collapsed onto the nearby couch and let out all the tears I've been holding since today. First my sister is marrying Damon and now, Sandra is engaged. My cries became louder this time. I'm gonna grow old, single and lonely. “Meow.” I looked down to see Peaches wagging her tail looking up at me with those cute big eyes. “Peaches, I guess it's gonna be just you and me now. We'll grow old together.. just you and me…” The realization hit me hard and before I knew it, I’m crying louder. The door click opened and Beatrice stepped in with an excitement in her face. “Daphne! You won't believe what I have to tell you..” The moment she saw my face, her excitement immediately disappeared. “Daphne, what's wrong? Why…why are you crying?” “I just found out Damon is Nikki's fiance and…” my voice became shaky. “..and Sandra just got engaged. Everyone's moving on with their life and I'm just stuck here. Alone, single.. with just a cat.” Peaches meowed. “Thanks peaches.” I let out another loud cry. Beatrice's mouth gaped open, then she placed a gentle hand on my back. “It's okay Daphne. You don't need to feel that way. I mean… there's still next year, since this year is over. Stop thinking you won't find someone.. okay?” I dragged my nose, my voice already shaky. “What did you want to say before?” Beatrice's face softened and she wore that fake smile I've known too well. “Nah, it's nothing important. It can wait later.” “Don't tell me you're getting married too?” “Oh.. no.. not at all.” I felt relieved, but I'm a terrible person for feeling this way. “What's it?” “Uuh, Richard told me to move in with him.” “I.. I am h-happy for you..,” I managed to say holding back my emotions. But then, my lips quivered by the new reality that hit me as my mind created a taunting statement inside my head. ‘Ladies and gentlemen. I present to you Daphne, the cat lady who’ll grow old, single and grumpy with lots of cats.’ I blew my nose on the handkerchief crying out more. Who'd want me? Am I that terrible of a person? Beatrice placed a soft pat on my shoulder offering her comfort but the moment was shattered when my phone rang again. My emotions were all over the place that I was too tired to check the ID before picking up. “Hello,” came the voice on the other side. “Mum?” “Daphne dear. I've been trying to reach you for days. Good thing it didn't go to voicemail today.” “What's it, mum?” “I wanted to know when you're coming home for the holidays.” The exact conversation I've been avoiding is right before me and I couldn't escape anymore. “Umm, likely 20th, the Saturday before Christmas. Why?” “Okay, that's fine. Nicki will be here on the 19th so I just wanted to beg you to release your room for Nicki and her fiance. He's spending Christmas with us.” I sat up abruptly. “What? In our home?” “Yes darling..you see, Nicki's bed is quite small for two people. Since you're single and not coming home with a partner, how about you release your room for Nicki and Damon.” I instantly felt like screaming at the top of my voice. Nicki’s taken my dream man and now, she wants to take my room? No way. “No, mum. I won't accept.” “Why darling? Be considerate for once.” I didn't think straight as my emotions got the better of me. “I.. I'm not coming home alone. My boyfriend is coming as well.” I lied. There was a pause before my mum's voice broke the silence. “Wow.. I'm so glad to hear this darling. Finally, I knew this day would come. Okay. I'll talk to your father to make provision for Damon. This is really wonderful news Daphne..I can't wait to finally see your boyfriend. Good night love.” I dropped the phone back on the couch as reality hit me. “What did I just do?” “You went way overboard Daphne,” Beatrice commented. “Oh no.” I began pacing round the sitting room feeling the regret of my action. “I'm seriously thinking of calling her back to say it's all a lie.” “Well you don't have to. You can hire a gay friend or any random guy to be your boyfriend for the holidays?” “Beatrice? Can you just listen to yourself? I don't have a gay friend and the perfect person to have played the role would've been Ryker but since we're no longer together, where am I gonna find one before Christmas eve? And if you're thinking of tinder, I'm done with it. Not ready for another drama.” Beatrice rolled her eyes. “You can check out your company's artists portfolio then. You could pick anyone who's interested to play the part.” “You want me to check my artist’s portfolio? This is…Crazy.” “Your choice Daph or you call your mum back and tell her it's all a lie and Nicki gets your room.” “No way!” I sank back on the couch, my mind racing. The thoughts of what Nicki and Damon will do on my bed almost made me nauseous and not just that, the humiliation I'll face with Nicki displaying Damon all over my face will be unbearable. It won't hurt to get cover right? My mind finally came to a resolution. “Okay.. I'm doing this. I'm hiring a boyfriend for the holidays.”