Page 3 of Holiday Temptation

He rubs his temple. “The expense is extravagant, Mrs. Pearson. Can we truly justify this?”

My heart sinks. I recall my own experiences of corporate holiday parties at past workplaces—the laughter, the camaraderie, the brief escape from the pressures of the job. The idea that the employees here might miss out on that festive joy weighs heavily on me.

Yet, as Dominic continues to delve into the details, questioning the necessity of each line item, I remain a silent observer, scribbling diligently. I notice Mrs. Pearson’s mounting frustration, her grip on her pen growing tighter. She must feel the same way as I do.

“The holiday party is not just about the financial aspect, Mr. Grange. It’s about morale, team-building, and appreciating our staff,” she says, her voice firm.

He leans back, regarding her coolly. “I’m not suggesting we don’t value our staff. But perhaps there are other, more cost-effective ways to show our appreciation.”

“Such as?” I ask boldly, speaking up for the first time. When both pairs of eyes land on me, I gesture to my notepad and stammer, “I mean, for documentation purposes.”

Taking a moment, Dominic replies, "We could consider giving each employee a small gift card or perhaps an extra hour of paid time off."

Mrs. Pearson raises an eyebrow, "An hour?"

He shrugs, "It's just an idea. It's something, isn't it?"

I struggle to keep my face neutral. An hour of PTO? A small gift card? It seems almost laughably insufficient compared to the grandeur of a holiday party. But I swallow my personal feelings, jotting down his suggestions.

"Noted," I murmur, focusing on the task at hand.

The room grows tense, the atmosphere thick with unspoken sentiments. Mrs. Pearson looks poised to argue further, but I can see Dominic’s made up his mind. He’s not one to waste funds, even if the cause seems noble.

When the meeting concludes, Mrs. Pearson leaves, but Dominic and I linger.

“Did you have more to add, Miss Hart?” he asks in a way that suggests my answer should be a firm “no.” But I’ve never been one to keep my opinions to myself.

“I think not having a holiday party would be a mistake,” I say.

He cocks an eyebrow, clearly not expecting my assertiveness. "Really?"

“Yes,” I reply, taking a deep breath. “Look, I get it. The costs are high. But the holiday season, especially a company party, it’s... it’s a breather. A moment where everyone gets to drop the titles, just for a night, and enjoy each other’s company.”

He leans against the edge of the table, watching me closely. “You feel that strongly about it?”

I nod. “I do. A corporate holiday party is about more than just food and music. It’s a reset button. When the new year begins, everyone just seems more... I don’t know, connected?”

His gaze is steady, evaluating. "And you think one party can do all that?"

“It's not just one party,” I emphasize, “It's the one time of year when it’s all about fellowship and gratitude.”

For a moment, there’s silence. Then, spurred on by a heady mix of passion and boldness, I add, “Let me make you a proposition, Mr. Grange.”

He smirks, clearly amused. “Go on.”

“If I can show you the true meaning of Christmas in just three days, would you reconsider the party?”

He seems to weigh my words, then asks, “Three days of what, exactly?”

“We'll immerse ourselves in all things festive. Tree lightings, holiday markets, maybe even some caroling. By the end of it, if you still think the party is just an unnecessary expense, I won't press the matter further.”

His gaze searches mine, and I can almost see the cogs turning in his head. “Three days?”

I nod, firm. “Three days.”

He purses his lips, mulling it over. Then, with a smirk that hints at challenge and amusement, he agrees. “Alright, Miss Hart, you have a deal. But,” he raises a finger, “I'm not promising anything about that party.”

I grin, excitement bubbling within me. “Challenge accepted, Mr. Grange.”

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