Under the Mistletoe

Dear Friend

I groaned, rubbing my temples as a migraine lurked ominously behind my eyes. It felt like the weight of the company’s impending bankruptcy was bearing down on me. My growing annoyance wasn’t just from the mountains of paperwork that Adaline had someone named Lucy continue to drop on my desk; it was also the fact that Adaline had just left the office to go shopping. She had actually walked out, leaving me to deal with the fallout.

Glancing at the clock, I saw it was already 5:30 PM. I leaned back in my seat and rubbed my eyes, desperately needing a break. I had messaged Rachel to meet at our beloved café for dinner, but now I wasn’t sure if I could even enjoy it with everything swirling in my mind.

With the office growing quieter—only the cleaner still buzzing around—I decided to check Adaline’s office. Maybe there was something in there that could help me understand what was really going on. As I stepped inside, I was met with the sight of mountains of paperwork piled high and filing cabinets crammed full of disorganized files. It was a chaotic mess, reflecting the disarray of the company itself.

I opened the drawers of her desk, hoping to find something useful among the clutter. Instead, I stumbled upon an assortment of nail polish and fashion magazines. My anger flared as I continued my search, feeling the frustration boil within me. What was I even looking for? Answers, I guess.

Just as I was about to give up, an email notification pinged on Adaline’s computer. My heart raced as I quickly opened it, my fingers trembling slightly. The sender was Jennifer, and as I scanned the contents, my stomach dropped. They were planning to merge with Miles & Co. Another half-baked scheme designed to shift some of the financial burden onto them.

The meeting was set for tomorrow at 10 AM.

I sank down into the lush office chair, cradling my head in my hands. What was I going to do? I couldn’t allow them to go through with this—this was a desperate move that could ruin everything. But if I tried to stop it, I risked jeopardizing the company’s future entirely. Growling, I marked the email as unread and quickly left the office.

When I arrived at the café, a wave of longing washed over me. I had missed this place more than I realized. The sign above the door read "Buttercakes Bread," its letters faded and riddled with rust, but it still held a charm that felt like home. As I hurried inside, my heart hammered with excitement.

The atmosphere enveloped me like a warm hug. The café was cozy and inviting, with mismatched wooden tables and chairs that added to its rustic charm. Colourful paintings adorned the walls, showcasing local artists, and the scent of freshly baked goods wafted through the air, mingling with the rich aroma of coffee. Soft, vintage music played in the background, creating a comforting ambience that made me feel instantly at ease.

As I stepped further inside, I spotted Rachel behind the counter, wearing a cheerful apron decorated with playful patterns. Her face lit up as she caught sight of me. “May!” she squealed, her voice ringing with joy. Before I could respond, she raced around the counter and enveloped me in a tight embrace.

“I’ve missed you!” she exclaimed, pulling back to look me in the eyes. Her smile was infectious, and I couldn’t help but grin back.

“I missed you too! It feels like forever,” I replied, feeling the warmth of our friendship wash over me.

Rachel glanced around, her eyes sparkling with pride. “Can you believe I’m working here now? It’s my dream job! And guess what? I just bought my first house!” she said, her excitement bubbling over.

“No way! That’s amazing!” I exclaimed, genuinely thrilled for her. “How did you manage that?”

“I found a cute little place not too far from here. Just a two-bedroom, but it’s perfect for me,” she said, beaming. “And I got accepted into a small university here for health science! I start next semester.”

“Rachel, that’s incredible! You’re doing so well,” I said, feeling a rush of admiration for her. “You’ve really built a life for yourself.”

“It’s all thanks to this little café and the amazing people here. It feels like family, you know?” she replied, her voice warm and sincere. “But what about you?"

“It’s all thanks to this little café and the amazing people here. It feels like family, you know?” Rachel replied, her voice warm and sincere. “But what about you?”

I gave a soft smile. “I finished my degree.” I knew it was a small achievement, but that was all Rachel needed to hear.

She threw her hands up, cheering and doing a little dance right there in the café. I burst out laughing, the sound bubbling up from deep within me. “Let me take this off, and we can grab something to eat. Jeff's out today; his health has been declining, but he should be in tomorrow.”

I nodded, grateful for her thoughtfulness, and watched as she quickly slid off her apron. I placed our order at the counter and led us to a cozy booth tucked away in a corner, the perfect spot for a catch-up.

Rachel joined me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “So, how was college?” she asked, leaning forward eagerly.

“It was long, boring, and lonely,” I replied honestly. “I wished I had just done an online course; then I wouldn’t have missed you so much.”

Rachel nodded, her expression sympathetic. But then, a mischievous twinkle entered her eye. She leaned in, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Did you have a boyfriend? Or are you still holding onto that V card of yours?”

My face flushed with embarrassment. “Rachel!”

She raised her hands in mock surrender, a huge grin spreading across her face. “That’s a no!” she burst out laughing, her infectious joy filling the booth.

I couldn’t help but chuckle along with her, even as I felt heat creeping up my cheeks. “Okay, okay, you got me. It’s been a bit of a dry spell, alright?”

Rachel leaned back, still giggling. “Girl, you need to get out there! You can’t stay a nun forever. There are plenty of cute guys around here!”

“Maybe I will,” I said with a playful roll of my eyes, but deep down, I knew that wasn't me.

“What about you then? Have you got a special someone?” I asked, eager to shift the spotlight off myself.

“Oh girl, nothing permanent, but that doesn’t stop me from getting out and having a little fun, if you know what I mean,” Rachel said, winking mischievously.

My face flushed again, my mind drifting back to that electrifying moment with Ben. Rachel noticed my change in expression immediately. “What’s that look?” she gasped, her eyes widening with excitement. “What happened? Do tell!”

I bit my lip, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and thrill. “I met someone on the last day at a bar. We went to a club, did some dirty dancing, and had a heated kiss,” I admitted, my cheeks burning as I covered my face with my hands.

Rachel let out a loud squeal, drawing attention to our table, much to my horror. “Shhhhh, Rachel! Oh my God!” I hissed, trying to stifle my laughter as I glanced around to see if anyone was watching us.

“Okay, okay!” she said, her voice lowered but still bubbling with excitement. “Tell me more! What does he look like? Was he a good kisser? Did you get his number? Details!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm. “He’s cute—like, really cute. Brown hair, warm brown eyes… and definitely a great kisser,” I said, trying to keep my voice down.

Rachel leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. “Did you get his number?” she pressed, practically bouncing in her seat.

I hesitated, feeling a wave of frustration wash over me. “No. I wish I did, but we didn’t exchange numbers, but I’ve been thinking about him non-stop since then.”

Rachel’s face lit up with excitement. “You little minx! It must have been something for you to be blushing and fawning over someone like this. I haven't seen you act like this since primary school!”

I ducked my head, a genuine laugh escaping my lips. It felt nice to share a moment of lightness amidst everything else weighing me down. “Well, have you tried to find him? Maybe he’s still waiting for you,” Rachel suggested, her eyes sparkling with hope.

“I doubt it. He was on holiday, and I didn’t even ask where he lived,” I replied, feeling a pang of disappointment.

Rachel leaned in, her expression playful. “That’s because you were too busy getting it on!” she teased, her laughter infectious.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help smiling. “Okay, okay, enough with you."

Thankfully, the topic of Ben was dropped, and my mind began to forget the whirlwind of emotions that came with him. We chatted late into the night, sharing stories and laughter, the familiar comfort of Rachel’s presence, making the evening feel light and carefree. Eventually, though, we had to say our goodbyes, and I drove back to my makeshift home, the warmth of our conversation still lingering.

When I arrived, the silence greeted me—a stark contrast to the vibrant energy of the café. No one was there to welcome me home, and the emptiness settled around me like a heavy blanket. I hurried to my room, eager to escape the quiet. After a quick shower, I crawled into bed, but sleep eluded me. My mind was a restless storm, tossing and turning as I replayed everything I had learned the day before, the weight of my families incoming scandal, I knew I wouldn't allow it to go through I just feared the consequences that will await me afterwards.