A NOT-SO-MERRY CHRISTMAS

Chapter 2: Lunch Breaks

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the Crawford Corporation headquarters. Inside his expansive office, Henry Crawford sat behind a grand mahogany desk, its polished surface reflecting the golden light filtering through the windows. Across from him stood Mary, who had been summoned for a personal meeting.

Henry greeted her with a professional nod, leaning back in his chair. “Ms. Crawford,” he said, his tone formal.

Mary couldn’t suppress a small smile. Her father’s insistence on maintaining a professional relationship within the company had always been one of his quirks. He believed respect should be earned, not given freely, even to his own daughter.

“Mr. Crawford,” she replied, matching his tone as she took a seat across from him.

For a moment, Henry studied her, his expression softening. “You’ve done exceptionally well, Mary. The past year alone has shown everyone here what you’re capable of. Your dedication and vision—there’s no one else as competent to lead Crawford Corporation as you are.”

Her heart swelled with pride at his words. “Thank you, Dad,” she said, allowing the familiarity to slip through for just a moment.

He gave a faint smile, then leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “However...”

Mary’s stomach tightened at the shift in his tone.

“There’s been some... discussion among the board,” he continued carefully. “While they recognize your accomplishments, they feel that leadership isn’t just about skill. They believe that you need to demonstrate other qualities—stability, family values, responsibility. They think it would help solidify their trust in you as the future head of this company.”

Mary blinked, the pride she’d felt moments ago evaporating. “What are you saying?”

Henry sighed. “They want you to show that you’re grounded, Mary. A relationship, perhaps. Someone by your side.”

She stared at him, disbelief clouding her features. “But you just said no one else is as competent as me. You said I’ve proven myself!”

“You have,” Henry said quickly. “And I believe in you. But the board’s opinion matters. They see this as a necessary step.”

Her hands clenched in her lap. “So, what? All my hard work means nothing because I don’t have a boyfriend? That’s absurd!”

“I know it’s unfair,” he admitted, his voice heavy. “But this is the reality we’re dealing with. And if you want to take over, this is the only way forward.”

The room fell into silence. Mary’s chest tightened, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. She wanted to argue, to push back against the ridiculous notion, but her father’s tone left little room for negotiation.

Finally, she stood, her movements stiff. “Is that all, Mr. Crawford?”

Henry looked at her, a flicker of regret in his eyes. “Yes. That’s all.”

Without another word, Mary turned and left the office, her mind swirling with emotions she couldn’t yet untangle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mary spent the rest of the day in a haze, her father’s words echoing in her mind. The idea that her future depended on something so superficial was infuriating. Her mood was sour, and it didn’t take long for her colleagues to notice.

As she navigated the hallways, lost in thought, she rounded a corner and collided with someone.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed, looking up. To her surprise, it was Jonathan.

“Mary?” he said, steadying her with a hand on her arm.

“Jonathan... I didn’t see you there,” she admitted, brushing her hair back nervously.

“It’s alright,” he replied, his expression calm.

A beat of silence passed before she spoke again. “I wanted to thank you for helping me at the party the other night. I didn’t get a chance to say it properly.”

Jonathan waved a hand dismissively. “There’s no need to thank me.”

“I owe you for that,” she insisted, her tone sincere.

“You don’t owe me anything,” he replied, a small smile tugging at his lips.

But Mary shook her head, determined. “I insist. Please, let me repay you somehow.”

Jonathan hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. If it’ll make you happy, then fine. But only because you insist.”

“It does,” she said, a faint smile breaking through her otherwise gloomy demeanor.

As she turned to leave, Jonathan stopped her. “Mary...”

She paused, glancing back at him.

“You don’t seem like yourself today. Are you alright?”

Her smile faltered, and she quickly shook her head. “I’m fine. Just... a lot on my mind.”

Jonathan studied her carefully, as though he could see through her words. But he didn’t press. “If you ever need to talk, I’m here,” he said simply.

Mary nodded, grateful for his understanding. “Thank you.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By the time lunch break arrived, Mary still hadn’t left her office. She wasn’t in the mood to face anyone or engage in the usual chatter in the breakroom. The minutes ticked by, and she remained at her desk, pretending to focus on work.

Thirty minutes before the break ended, a soft knock on her door pulled her out of her thoughts.

“Come in,” she called, expecting one of her assistants.

To her surprise, Jonathan stepped inside, his demeanor casual but purposeful.

“You didn’t leave for lunch,” he observed.

Mary blinked, caught off guard. “How did you—”

“I noticed,” he said simply, leaning slightly against the doorframe. “I thought you could use some fresh air.”

She shook her head, leaning back in her chair. “I’m not in the mood, Jonathan. But thanks for checking in.”

Jonathan crossed his arms, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You’ve been holed up in here all day. A walk will do you good.”

“I said I’m fine,” she replied firmly, her tone making it clear she didn’t want to be pushed further.

He studied her for a moment, then his expression shifted. “Alright,” he said casually, starting to turn away. “I guess I’ll just have to use that favor you owe me. You know, the one you insisted on repaying?”

Mary frowned, narrowing her eyes at him. “That’s not fair, Jonathan.”

Jonathan laughed, the sound light and teasing. “Fair? You were the one who insisted you owed me, remember? I’m just taking you up on your own words.”

She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing with a hint of amusement. “That was for saving me at the party, not for dragging me out of my office like this.”

Jonathan raised an eyebrow, his smile unwavering. “I don’t recall you specifying the terms of the favor. I believe the deal was open-ended.”

Her lips parted to argue, but she found herself at a loss for words. He wasn’t wrong. With a sigh of defeat, she stood, brushing imaginary dust from her skirt. “You’re impossible.”

Jonathan stepped aside, giving her space to walk past. “And yet, somehow, I always win,” he quipped, his grin widening.

Mary shook her head as she moved toward the door, her reluctant smile betraying her irritation. “I hope you know this means the favor is officially paid in full.”

“Noted,” Jonathan said with mock seriousness, falling into step beside her. “But I’d say it was worth it if it gets you some sunshine and fresh air.”

Mary rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a quiet laugh. As they left her office, she found herself wondering how someone so infuriating could also be so disarmingly thoughtful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After a short walk to a nearby café, Mary and Jonathan settle into a quiet corner, the clatter of dishes and the murmur of conversations blending into the background. The warm, comforting atmosphere of the café begins to put her at ease, and for the first time that day, she feels a little less tense. As they sit down with their lunch, Jonathan watches her with a quiet intensity, his gaze thoughtful but not probing.

“So, what’s really going on?” Jonathan asks, his voice low enough to be drowned out by the surrounding noise.

Mary’s eyes flicker to him, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her cup. “What do you mean?” she replies, feigning indifference, but he can see the exhaustion in her posture, the subtle downturn of her lips.

Jonathan leans back slightly, studying her. “I’m not blind, Mary. I know you didn’t want to leave your office earlier, and I can tell there’s something more to it than just the usual stress. Something’s bothering you.”

Mary sighs and leans back in her chair, her arms crossing in a familiar defensive gesture. “I’m fine, Jonathan,” she says, her tone sharp and firm. Her face hardens, but Jonathan doesn’t budge.

His gaze softens slightly, but his voice remains steady. “You know, that stern face or mean tone doesn't really move me. If it did, we wouldn’t be here right now, having lunch instead of being stuck outside your office.”

Mary’s eyes narrow slightly, but she can’t help the tiny, reluctant smile that tugs at her lips. “You always know how to push my buttons, don’t you?”

“I’ve learned a thing or two,” Jonathan says with a light chuckle, leaning forward slightly. “But seriously, if something’s bothering you, it’s okay to talk about it. You don’t have to pretend everything’s fine.”

Mary looks away, fiddling with her napkin as the weight of his words settles in. She could try to dismiss it again, but Jonathan’s calm, unwavering presence makes it harder to brush him off this time.

She takes a deep breath, then looks back at him, her voice quieter now. “It’s just... my father. He’s great, really. But... I’m starting to wonder if it’s ever going to be enough. The board doesn’t think so.” She pauses, glancing at Jonathan, searching his face for any sign of judgment, but there’s nothing but understanding in his gaze.

“What do they want from you?” Jonathan asks softly, his voice tinged with something close to concern.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mary meets his gaze, her frustration clear. “They want me to show... I don’t know. Family. Responsibility. A relationship, I guess.” Her voice hardens with disbelief, and she shakes her head. “It’s ridiculous, I can’t have the CEO position unless I have a boyfriend? After years of working my ass off”

Jonathan nods, his expression understanding. “You don’t have to prove anything, Mary. You’re already doing the work. Just make sure it’s for the right reasons.”

Mary exhales, feeling some of the weight lift. “I guess you’re right. It just feels like I’m always trying to prove myself.”

Jonathan gives a small smile. “You don’t have to. You’re doing enough.”

Mary nods, grateful for his support. The conversation shifts to lighter topics, and as they finish their meal, she feels a little more at ease. When they stand to leave, Jonathan holds the door for her, his smile genuine.

“So,” he says, stepping aside. “Ready to face the rest of the day?”

Mary laughs, the sound lighter now. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”