Todd's Christmas Surprise
by Rob Warr
Chapter 3
The Friday before the party at the Boys' Home, was the night of the company Christmas party, and of course Jeff felt obliged to go. He wasn't much of a party person, but he knew his employees looked forward to the party each year, and he wasn't about to let them down.
Christmas bonuses had already been paid, and most everyone was happy with what they'd received. At Jeff's request, Marylin had added another 20% to her own bonus, bringing it up to five hundred dollars. Regular employees got an average of one hundred dollars while the top three execs would receive a year end bonus based on profits, generally in the five thousand dollar range.
As for Jeff, he had all the money he'd ever need, and the interest on his investments alone was enough to live comfortably on for the rest of his life. He'd never been a money grubber, but he'd realized early on that to be successful it was necessary to obtain wealth. Jeff had proved very capable of doing so, and was often referred to as the Midas of Imports. But money didn't drive Jeff, nor did power, or fame, what Jeff wanted was security, and since that meant having money, he resigned himself to making lots of it.
"Nice party," Marylin said sidling up beside Jeff, "you look nice tonight, new suit?"
"No, new tie, like it?"
"Yes, it's very...expensive looking," she chuckled.
"How they can make a tie worth five hundred bucks is beyond me," he sniggered, "or how they can convince chumps like me to by them."
"It's only money," she chuckled, "and God knows you can afford it."
"Do you consider me to be a rich snob?"
"No, of course not. In fact, if I didn't know you had money, and if you didn't dress like a Wall Street Exec, I would just think you were someone's husband with a wife and two and a half kids," she teased.
"Not in the cards, I'm afraid," he said sighing, "what about you? Don't you want a husband and family someday?"
"I did, at one time, but it never worked out. Now, I'm married to my job and content with my life."
"Bullshit," Jeff scoffed, "no one is ever 100% content with their lives. Not even me."
Marylin eyed him curiously, "What's this all about, is it about Todd?"
"I'm nervous as hell, Marylin. Tomorrow we meet face to face and I'm so afraid I will just blurt everything out and he'll hate me."
"He might be upset or angry, but I don't think he'd hate you. Especially if you want to help him."
"That's just it, can I help him, or will I only wind up hurting him?'
"Do you love him?" Marylin asked point blank.
"What? I don't know. I don't even know him..."
"Doesn't matter. His very existence has stirred something up inside you. Am I right?"
For a moment Jeff just stood there, speechless. Was she right, had just learning about the boy stirred up some deep paternal feelings? Was this boy the chance to finally have a family, something he'd been craving all his life?
"I..." but they were interrupted by the head of marketing who insisted Jeff talk with him about a new idea he had, "We'll continue this discussion, later," Jeff promised, actually glad for the reprieve.
"Frank, how many times do I have to tell you, parties are not for business? See me first thing Monday," he said when the two were out of earshot of his secretary.
"But Jeff..."
"Have another drink and one of those crab puffs and have fun...loosen up, man, this is a party..."
Jeff excused himself to the bathroom then, and was surprised when he came face to face with Dan, the young man who'd done the excellent job of researching his nephew's history.
"Dan, good to see you. Are you enjoying the party? Your first here, right?"
"Yes, sir. It's great. And yes...this is my first year, but I hope not my last."
"Well, if all the work you do for us is as good as that report you did for me, I predict you'll have a long successful future with the company."
"Thank you, sir," Dan said as he began washing his hands, "If I might ask, sir. Have you had a chance to meet your nephew yet?"
"Actually, I'm meeting him tomorrow at the Christmas Eve party there at the Boys' Home."
"That's great. I'm sure he'll be very excited when he finally meets you. Have you talked with him by phone?"
"No, this will be our first meeting of any kind," Jeff said, but he didn't go into detail. He was surprised at the young man's questions, and even more surprised that he felt comfortable answering them.
"Well, I hope it goes well. I'm going to head back out to the party, and sir, thank you for the nice Christmas bonus. It really came in handy."
"You're welcome. I'm sure it was well deserved. Well, enjoy the party. I'll see you later."
Dan nodded and exited, leaving Jeff to do his business and to think about all that had been said that evening, both by Marylin, and now Dan. His stomach knotted up when he thought about what it would be like to be face to face with his nephew, and he wondered if he was truly strong enough to go through with this. But it was too late now. If there was one thing he'd learned over the years it was; that quitters never win, and you don't break promises, no matter what. A man's word was the most important thing he possessed and going back on it was unthinkable.
He washed up and headed back to the party just in time for the first drawing of the evening. There would be twelve drawings before the night was over, and the prizes ranged from gift cards to big screen TV's. Raffle tickets had been handed out to each person at the party, except for himself and upper management, who weren't eligible. The raffles were for the working folks, not the big wigs.
"The first prize of the night is: a one hundred dollar gift card to Target, and the winning number is: J41589, again, J41589. Oh, we have a winner," the HR Manager, Tim Burke, announced, "and the winner is: Margaret Phillips from purchasing. Enjoy, Margaret. And just a reminder, the next drawing will be in ten minutes..."
"Margaret deserves that," Marylin said slipping up beside Jeff again, "she has two kids under ten, and that will sure help with Christmas bills."
"She married?"
"Divorced, why, looking?" she teased.
"Sure, getting married would solve all my problems. Then I could adopt Todd and my wife could raise him while I'm at work," he sighed.
"That's not the only alternative, and you know it. Single guys raise kids all the time, and Todd is 14, it's not like he's an infant. He can fend for himself. Heck, he lived on the streets for a while so he must be tough."
"But he deserves better..."
"Better than you, or better than a group home?"
"What? Oh, I see," Jeff sighed, "any home is better than no home."
"Exactly, as long as it's not a toxic environment."
"Hey, just had a thought, how about you and I get married and we can raise Todd together?" Jeff teased.
For a moment, Marylin was speechless. This had come out of the blue and at her so fast that she barely had time to register the fact the Jeff was just joking around, like usual. Of course it was a joke. No way could he know that she'd marry him in an instant, even quit work if he wanted her too, and raise Todd? That was a no-brainer. Yes, yes, yes."
"Well, I'd expect to be courted first," she said recovering at last.
"We already know each other's deepest darkest secrets," he insisted.
"Not all of them," she hummed softly.
"Oh, holding back on me. Even after I told you about my gay flings?"
"That's different. That was just sex, this is different."
"Oh, a crush maybe?" he teased.
Her reddening face said he'd hit the nail on the head.
"Oh, it is a crush. Who do you fancy, ma'am? Anyone I know?":
"Yes, I'm sure you do..." she said not explaining further.
"Hmm...I never see you with anyone, or...even looking at anyone."
"I'm discreet, as usual."
"Hmm...I'll have to keep my eyes open."
Marylin smiled, If you only knew how close you are to that person right now.
The party was a huge success, but as usual, Jeff did not hang around till the end. By nine o'clock he'd had enough, and after saying goodbye to everyone, he finally found Marylin to extend a personal goodnight to her.
"I'm ready to go, too. Would you mind dropping me off at my place, it's on the way. I Ubered here, but this time of night they're so slow."
"No problem, I could use the company."
"In Jeff's BMW, they rolled out of the parking garage and hit the street. The snow had persisted and covered most surfaces, reflecting the lights of the city and giving it a festive mood. Fortunately, most streets had been cleared, though there was a chance of more snow later that night.
"It was a lovely party. I think everyone had a good time."
"Did you?" Jeff asked.
"Of course. It's nice to mingle with people I only see in passing each day. And the food was very good."
Jeff yawned, "Oh sorry, and before you become offended, you're not boring me, I just didn't sleep much last night."
"Oh, any particular reason?"
Jeff gave her a side eye, "Duh!" he chuckled.
She chuckled as well, "Do what your heart tells you to do. That was what my dad always said to me, and so far it's worked every time."
"Really, so why haven't you done what your heart tells you to do with this crush of yours?"
"That's complicated..."
"Hmm, it always is. But seriously. You're a great gal, pretty, sexy, you have a great personality, and you put up with me," he said grinning, "any man would be lucky to have you."
Except the one I want, she thought bitterly.
"Yeah, I guess, but unfortunately it doesn't always work out, you know? Unrequited love and all that."
"Guy's a fool then."
She giggled, "He's no fool. He's the sweetest, kindest, handsomest man I know."
"Hmm, sounds perfect. But there must be something wrong with him. Oh, I got it, is he gay?"
She laughed, "No, I don't think so. Bi, maybe."
"Hmm, sounds familiar. And you say I know this person?"
"Very well," she said, the two glasses of Champagne she'd had at the party finally getting to her, "very well, I'd say."
"Hey, I just had a great idea, why don't you come to my place for a while and we can talk some more?"
"I thought you were tired."
"My body is, but my mind is racing. What do you say? You can even spend the night if you want. The guest room has never been used."
Marylin thought long and hard before finally answering. If she agreed, there was the danger of her breaking down and revealing her true feelings. And...if she slept over, the thought of knowing Jeff was so nearby, possibly naked, would absolutely drive her crazy. Still, this might be her only chance to ever get this close to him. So in the end, she gave into her basest instincts.
"All right, I'm in," she said trying to sound upbeat.
"Awesome, finally, my first ever sleepover."
"Not even as a kid?"
"Never, and certainly not since. Even my, 'love interests', never spent the night. It was wham, bam, see ya..."
"Wow, that's disturbing, to say the least. No wonder you're soured on love."
"I'm not soured. I'm just disillusioned, that's all."
They arrived at Jeff's penthouse apartment shortly after, and being the polite host, Jeff offered Marylin a drink or a snack, both of which she declined. Then stretched out on his fashionable and expensive couch, the two of them picked up their earlier conversation.
"So...what would your ideal woman be like?"
"Well, looks aren't the top priority, or a sexy body, if that's what you think. I mean, I don't want a fat ugly dog," he chuckled, "but looks aren't everything. I think personality is just as important. I want someone that's smart, and funny, kind and loving, and who enjoys the simple things, like snuggling on a cold winter's evening in front of the fireplace, or just holding hands."
"What about sex?" Marylin teased.
"I'd want her to have a healthy sexual appetite, but not be a nympho," he joked, "I like spontaneity, that sort of thing."
"She sounds perfect. Have you tried any of the online dating apps?"
"Are you kidding? Most of those people are fakes, or just looking for hookups. Hookups I can get, what I want is a relationship."
"I understand, I feel the same way, too."
Jeff looked at Marylin, and suddenly he saw not his capable and loyal secretary, but instead a woman. A young woman in the prime of her life. Pretty, kind, smart, and with a body right out of Cosmo. She was everything he'd ticked off on his list. Well, maybe he didn't know her sexual habits, but he'd almost bet she was a romantic just from the discussions they'd had.
"Someone like you," he suddenly blurted out.
Marylin was confused, "Someone like me, what?"
"What kind of woman I'm looking for. You're all those things I mentioned, and more."
"I...uh, well..."
"Don't be embarrassed. We're friends, right?"
"Yes, friends, but you're also my boss..."
"Ugh, I hate that word," Jeff said, "Big Old Stupid Sonabitch, that's what Boss means," he laughed.
"You're none of those things, you're the polar opposite."
"Anyway, what does that matter? I was just complimenting you."
Suddenly tears began to cloud Marylin's lovely blue eyes, and before she knew it they were running down her cute face and she was helpless to stop them.
"Marylin, are you all right?" Jeff asked with concern, "was it something I said...?"
"I'm sorry," she choked out, "it's not you, it's me. I'm sorry, I know it's hopeless, but I can't help it."
"Help what? I'm confused."
"And dense," she laughed through her tears, "don't you see, don't you get it? It's you, it's you that I have a crush on," she blurted out, then broke down completely.
Jeff sat in shock for a moment then he instinctively wrapped Marylin in his strong arms and kissed her forehead, "Me? You silly girl. Why didn't you tell me? I guess I am dense," he chuckled, "you practically told me who this mystery man was, and I still couldn't figure it out."
"I know it's stupid,?" she sobbed, "but it's just how it is. If you don't want to work with me anymore I'll understand, but I'd really like to continue working for the company. Maybe in another department..."
"Are you nuts? The place would fall apart without you. No, the company could do without me easier than without you. Besides, now that I know how you feel, well...maybe we need to explore things and see where they go."
"You, you mean it?" she said finally sniffing back a few last tears.
"Yes, I mean it. I've always admired you, but you know, employer/employee relationships and all that..."
"But the company doesn't have a no fraternization rule..."
"No, as long as it's kept outside the workplace it's fine. After all, when you spend 40 hours a week in one place you're bound to run across a romantic interest at some point."
"We'd have to be very careful," Marylin said, dabbing at her eyes with the tissues Jeff had provided, "I mean, if you're serious."
"I'm very serious, can we count this as our first date?" he said grinning.
"Well, I suppose, but usually a first date includes dinner..."
"I fed you at the party," Jeff teased, "and gave you Champagne."
"And it was nice, so I guess we can call this a date. But my question is: what's the second date going to be like?"
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