Page 12 of The Office Guest

“Okay, fine. Let’s make a deal,” she says. “I’ll call everyone personally and tell them not to bother coming, and you’ll fire Georgia by the end of today.”

“What did you just say?”

“I wasn’t born yesterday, Dominic.” She glares at me. “You like her and she likes you, but she’s just a crush and a distraction.Wehave the history and you shouldn’t throw it away on some skanky little slut.”

“Georgia is far from a slut.”

“How would you know? Are you sleeping with her?”

“I’ve never even touched her.”

“Do you want to?”

“What I want, is for you to cancel this party.”

“Answer my question, Dominic.” She narrows her eyes. “Do you want to sleep with Georgia?”

Silence.

“Son, you’ve got to see this!” My father shouts from across the room. “These little wooden elves are making me hot cocoa!”

“Look.” Amy softens her tone. “I know how wealthy men are when it comes to commitment, and I know that Georgia is slightly above average in the looks department. She’s…kinda pretty, I guess.”

No, she’s fucking beautiful.I don’t bother saying that aloud.

“Anyway, it’s time for you to shit or get off the pot,” she says. “We’ve been ‘dating’ long enough, and the public expects us to get married soon. You can keep Georgia if you like, but you better do the right thing when it comes to me, or we’ll have a problem.

“Are you threatening me, Amy?”

“Of course not, Dominic…I’m just letting you know that your life will never be the same if we’re not engaged soon.” She steps back, and like a goddamn psycho, she suddenly becomes cheery. “That sounds amazing, Mr. Reiss! Show us those elves and that hot cocoa!”

She wanders into the Enchanted Forest with my father, but I don’t bother joining them.

I’ll check it out later.

I watch one of the golden trains chug its way down Gingerbread Avenue before heading to my office.

As I step off the elevator, a guy dressed in all red jumps in front of me.

“What the hell is up with you man?” he says.

“Man?” I raise an eyebrow. “Who are you?”

“The guy you let go of for no reason.” He pouts. “I thought we had something special.”

“You have me confused with someone else.”

“Dude, we’ve shared several memorable mornings. They were the best part of my day.”

“I’m calling security.”

“Okay, maybe you don’t remember because I’m not wearing my full mask today.” He clears his throat and begins rapping.

“I fucking hate working for you. I hate everything about you. Fuck this job, and fuck you, too.” He throws down an invisible mic. “Sound familiar?”

“Unfortunately.”

“I was looking forward to working a few more weeks so I could buy some last-minute Christmas presents, so um…” He runs a hand through his hair. “Any chance I could perform at a holiday party or go back to our normal morning routine?”

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