Page 57 of Mine

“Good,” Charles reached across the desk and picked up all the reports. “You need to shop for them.”

“We aren’t doing big gifts,” Annabel scowled.

“Think of this as acquiring a new business,” Charles handed her coat to her. “Go find them something they’ll like.”

“I can shop online,” Annabel said. “I don’t know their shirt or pants size.”

“Go to a sex shop and get them edible underwear or cock rings or custom condoms with their names on them,” Charles suggested as he tugged her out from behind her desk.

“Can you do that,” Annabel asked. She frowned as she put her coat on.

“I have no idea. Can’t you put a name on almost anything? You buy stuff for people all the time. Why are you so resistant to gifts at the holidays? You do for all the staff.”

“Do you know how many bad gifts I’ve gotten,” Annabel scowled in memories.

“Yes, and you’re the most gracious and kind person to not snap people’s heads off for giving you stupid things,” Charles said. “You can’t judge these two by your previous lovers.”

Annabel sighed and closed her eyes. “Fine. If this goes horribly wrong, I’m firing you. No. I’m demoting you to drudge and paying you a quarter a day.”

“Nice threat,” Charles laughed. “We both know you’ll be lost without me in half an hour.”

“Besides the point,” Annabel frowned. “Charles? What if I fuck it up?”

“Gifts? Do you know them?”

“Yes. I know Andrew likes to drink after sex and Ryan likes to nibble… on food,” she pushed him when he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “I know the music they both like. I know the food. I already got early copies of three cookbooks Andrew wanted. Ryan’s been eyeing up this new designer. So, I got him some clothes from the line which isn’t out yet. I’ve got some for them.”

“Olivia’s done? Go have a little sexy fun,” Charles said. He handed her a slip of paper. “This is the address for the two best sex shops in town.”

“What if someone sees me going in there,” Annabel thought of Gerald Montgomery and his nastiness.

“Are you afraid of the media?”

“Yes.” She sighed. “But they won’t stop me from being me. Fine. I’m going but don’t think you can boss me around.”

“I know who the boss is,” Charles winked at her.

“Yeah. Michael,” Annabel cupped his cheek and smiled.

“Go on, you hussy. Find some toys for your boy toys,” he laughed as he walked out with her.

“I’m buying Michael a punishment paddle for you,” Annabel threatened.

“Oooh, get one with glitter,” Charles grinned.

“Did you see the write up,”Andrew murmured as he sprawled on the couch.

“Bastard,” Ryan complained. “I’d like to get him in a back alley.”

“Mom won’t allow that,” Olivia approached from behind them. “If you’re talking about Gerald Montgomery, the little worm, we should collaborate on the destroy him plan.”

“She was having lunch with a business associate,” Andrew said.

“She demolished the man,” Ryan grinned. “You can tell from the video she’s giving him a dressing down.”

“I was firing his ass,” Annabel strode in barefoot and carrying three gifts. “He sexually harassed women in his department. I gave him the option to resign or be fired and have the ‘me too’ movement on his tale.”

“Bet he took the resigning option,” Olivia said.

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