Page 16 of Tis The Season for Secrets
“Excellent. I don’t know where I’ll find another assistant such as yourself, and I’m loath to let you leave, but I’m sad to say that our time together has come to an end.” Ms Baum sighed. “I hope you won’t embarrass me. I expect great things from those who leave my desk. Make me proud.”
Juliet glowed at the first praise she’d received in years. “You won’t regret this!”
“I hope not.” Ms Baum picked up her coffee cup and turned her attention to her computer screen. “Now, I suggest you go and enjoy your holidays before I decide to rescind the offer.”
Juliet didn’t need to be told twice; she practically danced out of the office.
For the rest of the work week, she slept in, caught up on her reading, finished the Korean drama she’d been forsaking, and celebrated Margot’s birthday without having to worry once about Ms Baum calling her into the office. The Christmas season was turning out to be too good to be true.
But even if she’d forgotten about the chest under her bed, she hadn’t forgotten about Will, as much as she tried to.
Dropping her Christmas shopping on the couch, Juliet sighed in relief. She’d never got her Christmas shopping done as early as the 8thbefore. The best part of being off during the week was being able to get her shopping done without crowds and never-ending queues. Even on a Friday afternoon, she’d barely had to queue after finding the perfect gifts for Margot and Beth. Now she just had to hide them from her sleuth friend.
“What scandals need tidying up this week?” she asked Margot, who was in front of her blindingly bright computer screens with her knees tucked under her chin.
“Just finished up with my last client, and then the weekend can begin. His mistress was stealing from his company. I almost feel bad for hacking into her account; I think she deserves a Christmas bonus for sleeping with a man three times her age.” Margot winced, tossing back the last of her long-melted iced coffee. “Also, my Aunt Gabby texted me to say she hasn’t received your RSVP for the Christmas Gala tonight.” Margot set her fluffy-sock-covered feet onto the corner of her desk. One ofthe things they had in common was that they’d never mastered being able to sit at a desk ‘properly’.
“I didn’t get the invitation. They usually go to my dad, and if he hasn’t requested my appearance then I’m not going to remind him.” Juliet shrugged, relieved he hadn’t called to force her to attend this year. The last four years had been painful enough.
“Strange that you haven’t heard from him by now.”
“Please don’t jinx it.”
“Not attending again this year?” Juliet asked, wondering if she’d escaped this year or if her dad was just waiting to pounce last minute. Invitations were only extended to the esteemed parents and their eldest child of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the country. Throughout the dinner, everyone boasted about their achievements and that of their precious darlings. The event made the Met look like a public affair.
“No, Dad still isn’t talking to me for not joining his security firm so he’ll probably take one of my brothers.” Margot plaited her hair over her shoulder, as she did when she was anxious. “He doesn’t want me stealing any of his precious clients, and even if I’m technically invited, I’d probably be turned away. No one wants to fall out with him.”
“What about your aunt? I’m sure she’d bend the rules for you, since she helped you get your business started.” Juliet took her shopping to her room.
“She would if I asked, but I’m sure the others on the invitation committee wouldn’t accept it.” Margot’s voice travelled down the hall.
“I wish you could go in my place in disguise. Although you’d have to deal with my stepmother trying to match you up with someonesuitable. I think she believes marrying me off will get me out of the family once and for all. Then again, what wife wants the illegitimate child hanging around?” Juliet ranted.“And if being made to feel like prized cattle isn’t bad enough, theworstpart of the evening is the whispers from those who think I shouldn’t even be there because I was born ‘out of wedlock’ and to a woman nobody knows anything about. As if I even want to go!”
“I’d be surprised if Gillian tried to set you up again this year– not after last year’s scandal.” Margot smirked as Juliet flopped back down on the couch.
“Don’t start. The jerk deserved it. A prince should know to keep his hands to himself.” Juliet winced, remembering how she’d slapped the Prince of Maldonia when he had groped her during a dance. She left the room again, in search of a sweater and to avoid the conversation.
“The video got over one million hits in twenty-four hours. The media should’ve cut you a cheque– and it did raise awareness for the charity.” Margot chuckled, having been the one to remove it from the internet after Juliet had pleaded for her help. The money raised on the night always went to war orphans, who probably suffered from a war some people at the gala profited from.
“I would’ve preferred if the precious prince hadn’t grabbed my ass at all,” Juliet called, grabbing her warm cream cardigan from the storage box beneath her bed.Oh shit, the box!She had forgotten about her nana’s chest in the chaos of the week. She was about to reach for it when the landline phone rang.
Juliet stuck her head into the living area, where Margot was reaching to pick it up.Who is it?Juliet mouthed, as her friend sat up and pushed away from her desk.
“Mr Frost! I’m afraid Juliet’s still at work.” Margot was well used to lying on her behalf.
Juliet mouthed a pitifulthank you. She reached for her phone to check her messages.
“That’s odd. Her office told you she’s left for the holidays?” Margot grimaced. “Oh, right – I forgot she went Christmas shopping. I’ll get her to call you when she’s back. Yes, sir. I will.”
Twenty missed calls pinged as Juliet turned on her phone. Even her stepmother had tried to call her.
“Why did you turn off your phone? I hate when he shows up when you don’t respond.” Margot shut off her screens from prying eyes, as though Juliet’s dad was about to burst through the door.
“I’ve got four weeks to do whatever I please, and I didn’t want to get caught in my father’s festive plans,” Juliet muttered, picking up a pastel pink blanket from where it lay in a heap on the floor and tossing it over the cream couch.
Frantic, they tidied up the apartment as best they could, covering the dishes in the sink with a wooden cutting board and closing their bedroom doors to conceal the mess within. They both knew there was no way Mr Frost wouldn’t come himself, and he’d report whatever he saw to Margot’s father, his lifelong frenemy.
After twenty minutes, both surveyed the sitting area.Legally Blondewas still frozen on the TV screen from breakfast, and the bookshelves that sat across from Margot’s desk needed a dust, but they’d done their best.
