Snowed In with the McCallisters

The clock on my desk ticks past 6:30 PM, and the hum of fluorescent lights above is making the office feel suffocating. "So, are you ready for the holidays?" Jenna asks, leaning over my desk, her voice light and playful. "Ready? Maybe. I don’t even know what to expect," I mutter, my fingers slowing as I stare at the screen. The never-ending emails and last-minute tasks have turned this season into a blur. It’s like I’ve become a robot stuck on repeat, managing deadlines instead of enjoying the holidays. Jenna laughs, oblivious to my stress. "You should be. The holidays are supposed to be fun, you know?" Her desk is adorned with holiday decorations—tiny snowmen, twinkling lights—that she insists are her way of bringing the festive spirit to the office. "I don’t know. Feels hard to get in the holiday spirit when there’s a million things to do," I admit, forcing a smile. I glance around, the buzz of the office leaving me feeling trapped in a never-ending work cycle. “Well, you should take a break. No one’s going to care if you take a day or two off," she suggests, leaning back in her chair and glancing at the clock. I laugh lightly, shaking my head. "Yeah, that’d be the dream, right?" But the pile of unfinished work weighs heavily on my mind, making it feel like any free time is a luxury I can’t afford. When the clock finally hits 7, I grab my coat and grab my purse, eager to escape. "Catch you tomorrow," I wave to Jenna, making a beeline for the door. The cold night air hits me as soon as I step outside, and I pull my jacket tighter around me, grateful to leave the confines of the office behind. The city is just as gray and dreary as I feel. The streets bustle with people preparing for the holidays, but I’m just… not there yet. I get into my Audi Q5, a sleek, midnight blue SUV that’s the perfect mix of luxury and practicality. It’s a smooth drive home, my thoughts swirling as I navigate the traffic. It’s not that I’m unhappy, but something’s missing. My financial stability has provided everything I need—an amazing car, a spacious apartment—but it all feels… off. I pull into the parking garage beneath my building and make my way to my apartment, a modern one-bedroom on the top floor with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a view of the city skyline. The open-concept space is sleek and minimalist, with neutral tones of grays and whites accented by touches of dark wood. The kitchen island is a place where I eat quick meals when I’m too tired to cook. The walls, though decorated with some art pieces, still feel empty, much like the rest of my life at the moment. The apartment is a reflection of what I’ve built—successful, stylish, but emotionally disconnected. I lock the door behind me, strip off my jacket, and head to the fridge. A bottle of red wine catches my eye. I grab it, twist the cap off, and pour myself a glass. The deep, rich color swirls in the glass as I settle onto the couch. I close my eyes for a moment, letting the silence wash over me. My phone buzzes. It’s Rachel, my best friend. "Alright, what’s wrong now?" she teases, her voice always a welcome relief. I let out a breath, sinking into the cushions. "I’m drowning in work. The holidays feel like a distant dream, and I just can’t seem to get excited about them." Rachel chuckles on the other end of the line. "You’ve been saying that for weeks now. You need to stop working yourself into the ground, Liv. It’s Christmas. Take a break. You deserve it." I shake my head, my tone light. "Maybe. But nothing feels special this year. Like I’m just going through the motions." "That’s because you’re staying in that apartment with your chaotic mind," she teases. "Will you come home with me for Christmas? I’m the only girl here with the guys. It’ll be boring without you. We need to balance out the testosterone." I laugh, picturing Rachel’s family—her father, Richard, the strong and stoic man who runs the family estate, and her brother Finn, the mischievous, charming flirt. "Are you sure? I mean, your family’s—well, your family." "Exactly," Rachel responds. "And you’re coming, because if not, it’s going to be so dull." I pause, tempted. "Are you sure? I mean, I don’t want to—" "I promise," she cuts me off, laughing. "It’s going to be perfect. Trust me, you’ll enjoy the escape." I take another sip of wine. The idea of spending Christmas at Rachel’s family estate is exactly the change of pace I need. "Alright, I’m in."