Page 14 of The Bonus

Something snaps in my brain. “It looks like you’re being a poser, that’s what it looks like. This isn’t a Calvin Klein runway show, you know.”

“Nobody has a gun to your head to look.” He angrily tips the coffee into his cup. “I think you like what you see, that’s what I think.”

“Oh…you think that!” I yell, horrified that he’s onto me. “I think you’re…hideous.”

“Hideous?” he screams back, infuriated. “You’re hideous.”

Something about my boss standing there in his underpants, yelling that I’m hideous, tickles my fancy and I burst out laughing.

“Nothing is funny about this,” he fumes. “Look away while I dress.”

“Oh please, I’ve seen it all now,” I scoff. “Stop acting frigid, we both know you’re not.” I sit down and open his computer.

“Apparently I’m too hideous to look at,” he mutters as he disappears into his closet.

I smirk as I open his calendar.

Not really.

I take one long last look in the mirror.

This is it.

My last time at Ferrara Media, the Christmas party at the office.

Most people stayed back straight from work, but I wanted to duck home and shower, try to pull a miracle together and make myself irresistible.

I’m wearing a red wrap dress, and I feel as self-conscious as all hell.

I never wear red; I have red hair and that’s enough. Well, it’s not really red, it’s a deep auburn, but you get the gist. It’s out and full, my makeup a little sexier than usual.

The dress has a vee neck that shows a peek of cleavage and a tie around the waist, it feels happy and Christmassy. I wanted to wear something different, he’s never seen me in something like this before, so I wanted it to be wow…not sure if it actually is, but that’s the plan.

I am waxed, fake tanned and moisturized to within an inch of my life, who knew it takes so much work to look hot. I really need to step up my self-care routine when I get on the dating scene in Greenville.

I smile to myself, the dating scene in Greenville.

That’s the first time I’ve let myself consider the possibilities of dating in my new life.

Apart from the leaving Gabriel part, I’m really beginning to get excited. I’ve been saving for years, and with the cost of the house being cheaper than I thought, I have enough money to buy myself new furniture and do up the house exactly how I want it.

I even booked myself a trip to Hawaii, all by myself.

Who even am I?

Right, I collect my coat and bag, let’s do this.

“Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms rings out as the band on stage does their thing.

The ground floor of Ferrara Media has been transformed into a magical wonderland. The Christmas decorations are over the top and waiters are walking around with silver trays of eggnog and champagne.

People are wearing bright dresses and Christmas outfits; laughter rings out as people chatter and the mood is jovial and jolly. I’m glad I wore my red dress now; I feel better knowing that everyone else is dressed up too.

It was the last day of work today, and everyone is pumped for the holidays and celebrating together.

I walk in, and feeling self-conscious, I flag down the first waiter I see. “I’ll have one of those, please.”

He smiles as I take a glass of champagne. “Thank you.” I smile.

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