Damaged Before Christmas

Chapter Six

I was still fuming when I got home from speaking to my sister and trying to get her to see sense on the woman who was working with her today in the bakery. I rubbed both hands over my face before dragging them through my hair.

I have been replaying the grocery store scene over and over in my head which was starting to annoy the living daylights out of me. Yes, she was attractive and the outfit she was wearing today clung to all the right curves and pieces of her hair had fallen out of the ponytail framing her face.

When I walked past her to talk to Holly I smelled her perfume which had made my feet want to stop and talk to her, but I forced my legs to carry on walking in the direction that I was going. I went into the little office and paced waiting on my sister coming in. I could tell that this woman had managed to get my family to like her and feel sorry for her.

Holly came in not long after I had entered the office looking like she was in a mood. Her face had frown lines in her forehead and I could tell that she didn't really want to be talking to me. She folded her arms as she sat down in the leather chair behind the desk. She stared at him expectedly as she waited for him to start talking.

"You going to stay mad at me over the fact that I don't want to take over the business?" I asked her as I sat in the other chair that sat on the other side of the desk.

"Well that depends on you and when you see it makes sense that you take over. Dad isn't going to be able to do the deliveries forever you know," she said sitting back in her seat. "I know that you want to want to do other things with your life, but turning your back completely on the delivery business isn't the way."

I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my knees. "It may seem like that but I don't want to turn my back on it but I need to be myself and do what I think is best for me," I said even though they may see it as me turning my back on them.

"So, you would turn your back on everything that you know is right just so you can make yourself better?" Holly asked leaning forward and resting her hands on the desk.

"I'm seriously not turning my back on anything. I hate the thought that for me to take over not only will I only be responsible for the world's happiness I have to also be married before that. I mean that is a lot to ask from one person," I groaned as I put my head in my hands.

"Look at it this way then, from what we have been taught about the deliveries and the work that goes in for that one night then the person who you decide to marry will share the load," Holly said getting restless in her seat as this was the same thing we have been arguing about for months.

"I know what we taught but my concern is what happens if the person I decide to spend the rest of my life with and bring her into the whole Christmas business, she decides that she doesn't want all that responsibility and splits leaving me to keep everything running. Plus what if she decides to tell the world who Santa truly is?" I tried making my sister see where I was coming from.

"Is that the main reason you don't want to take over? I mean yeah that will be a risk that we both have to take when we finally think we have found our futures. But you won't know unless you start dating," Holly said standing and walking around the desk to stand in front of me. "There is a lovely woman just through that door that I think would be perfect for you, but you have to get over your fears to get anywhere."

I knew she would try to fix me up to date that woman. "I don't trust her as far as I could throw her. I mean she's what? been in the town a couple of days and already she has moved into our parent's flat and working in the bakery? Does it not make you wonder what her intentions are? Mum has already tried to get me to talk to her. I will admit she's attractive but we don't know anything about her," I had raised my voice as I ranted about their blind faith in a complete stranger.

Holly's face was turning red as she listened to me ranting before she took a deep breath in before she poked a finger into my chest. "She is a decent human who has fallen on hard times and she needed to know people were still good in this world. I may not know her very well but you know fine well that with the business we are in that we can judge a person by first impressions. Mum saw something in her and when I met her I got the same feelings that mum did."

I opened my mouth to reply but nothing came out so I closed my mouth again and shoved my hands into my pockets. Holly was breathing heavily before continuing with her little rant. "You would like her if you got to know her, but no my i***t brother thinks he's too good for any woman. I mean it's time to grow up, and start thinking about what is important to you. Now if you don't mind I have my shift to finish and let Iona go home."

I just stood there as Holly stormed past me and into the bakery. I left through the exit at the back of the bakery so I wouldn't see either Holly and Iona. I hated fighting with Holly but I wouldn't admit to anyone, is that the idea of dating and especially taking over the business had me shaken to my very core.

I shook my head as I tried to forget about the whole thing as I went into my bathroom which I had decorated in greys and whites with the stand-alone tub that was designed in brushed steel. The sink sat along the pale grey walls made from the brushed steel as the tub. The double shower fitted nicely between the bath and sink. The toilet was, unfortunately, white ceramic which sat in the corner away from everything else.

I stripped off my clothes as I opened the door to the shower and turned the shower on to as hot as I could deal with. I stripped off my clothes and after throwing them into the hamper I stepped under the stinging water. I let the water cascade over my head as I closed my eyes as Iona popped into my head. I groaned as my eyes flew open. I needed to get her off my mind as quickly as possible as she was only going to bring me trouble.

I quickly washed and turned off the shower. I grabbed the towel that was hanging beside the shower and wrapped it around myself as I walked into my bedroom. I grabbed a pair of dark joggers and threw them on before padding through my home to the kitchen to find something to eat as my stomach grumbled in agreement.

I sat at the black breakfast bar as I waited for the pizza I had found in the freezer to cook. I pulled a beer out of the fridge and popped it open while I waited. My mind was a jumble as everything was merging into one big headache. My first problem was the fact that my dad wanted me to let the take over happen. As much as I felt the urge to take the reigns from my dad the urge to make my way was more powerful. My parents sent both Holly and me to a great college where I got the business qualifications that I would need but I just couldn't see myself doing what my dad does.

The timer dinged to let me know that my pizza was ready. I grabbed a plate and cut the pizza thankful for the distraction. I took my plate and went back to sitting at the bar. As I ate the pizza my mind drifted to one of the problems that I am now facing and that was the beautiful Iona. Her amazing eyes were seared to my soul as they were rich brown and dragged you in. I shook my head as the images of her were swarming my mind, and I didn't want to deal with them now or ever. The further away I was from her the less likely I was to fall further than what I have already and I haven't even spent a decent amount of time with her.

I finished eating and washed my plate and threw the empty beer bottle in the bin and headed for bed as I had promised my dad that I would help him tomorrow. I fell on the bed and fell into a fitful sleep. I don't know how long I was asleep but my phone started ringing waking me out of the dream that I was in with Iona. I opened one eye as I reached for my phone. I groaned as I saw that my mum was calling me.

I was instantly alert as I looked at the clock beside my bed. I groaned as it was just past 3 am. I felt the panic start building as she normally never phoned me at this time of the morning. I quickly pressed the button connecting the call.

"Mum? What's wrong?" My heart broke when I heard my mother crying on the other end of the call. "Mum. are you OK? Is it Holly? Dad?" I questioned panic fully set in now.

"Antonio, it's your dad," my mum told me as she spoke between sobs. "He's collapsed and he's not waking up. I've phoned an ambulance but I don't want to leave him. I don't know what to do."

I put the phone between my ear and shoulder as I jumped out of bed and grabbed jeans and a shirt and quickly got dressed. "Mum, have you let Holly know? Is she with you?"

"Holly is with Iona as they were having a sleepover. She didn't answer the phone," my mum said before breaking down into more heart-wrenching sobs. "Please come home, Tony."

"I'm on my way mum, don't worry. The ambulance should be there now. I will go and let Holly know and we both will meet you at the hospital. Tell dad to hang on OK," I said throwing my jacket on and keys before running out of my front door and running to my car.

I screeched the car down the road and abruptly stopped the car in front of my old flat as I opened my door and jumping out. I was fully awake now and frustrated that I had to stop here and pick my sister up from the woman's home that I was hopefully going to be avoiding. I didn't feel the steps leading to the apartment but I was in front of the door before I knew it.

I thumped my fist on the door a couple of times before I heard movement coming from inside the flat. I thumped my hand another couple of times to get whoever it was to move faster. My hand thumped in pain from the force behind my knocking. The door opened slightly and Iona's face peered around the edge of the door.

"What are you doing here?" Iona asked still half asleep. "Why are you banging on my door at a forsaken time for?"

"I need to speak to Holly now," I demanded as I stepped into the door. "believe me I wouldn't be here if it wasn't important."

I saw a glimpse of pain flash over her face before she sighed and opened the door to allow me to enter. "I'll get Holly for you."

I watched her go as the adrenaline pumped through my body as I let my eyes wonder over what she was wearing. Her pyjama trousers were loose and hung low on her hips. Her t-shirt was crumpled since I had woken her up. As she walked to where Holly was sleeping raised her arms to stretch which brought her shirt up a little in such a way that I caught a glimpse of her lower back.

I didn't say anything as Iona reached and gently shook my sister to wake her up. "Holly, don't kill me for waking you but your brother is here."

I clamped my lips together trying to stop from laughing as my sister shot onto her feet as she turned to look at me. "What in the blazes are you doing here?" she huffed folding her arms over her chest.

"I don't want to do this in front of anyone other than family," I said glancing at Iona. "But we have an emergency so get dressed and we can get going."

Holly frowned as she stood still. "What's going on?"

"Dad is in the hospital so grab your stuff and we can get going, I'll explain more in the car," I said turning towards the door and opening it.

I heard Holly say something to Iona but I wanted to get to the hospital and make sure my parents were both still with us. I sighed as I walked down the stairs and headed for the car. I had the car running and warm by the time Holly threw open the passenger side door and climbed in.

"So, what's wrong with dad?" she asked shakily as she looked at me.

"We will find out at the hospital, as I know is that mum phoned me to tell me that dad had collapsed and wasn't responding to her so she phoned an ambulance before calling me," I said as I drove through the streets.

"I hope he will be OK," Holly said quietly turning her attention to the window.

"He will be," I said hoping that I was right.