Page 417 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
My father sighed wearily. “Despite that little glimpse into last night’s events, I’m glad you’re here, Hugh. We need to go over Chadwick’s social schedule for December and the marketing campaign.”
Hugh lit up like a Christmas tree. “You told him?”
I scowled at the pair of them. “Dad, what’s the deal? Hughie is my assistant, and you’ve had him keeping this from me? For how long?”
“Not long,” my father said innocently.
Hugh avoided making eye contact with me altogether.
My father lowered himself into his desk chair and pressed the tips of his fingers together. “Go on, Hugh. Tell us the events Chadwick is committed to.”
Hugh fumbled with the leather folio under his arm. He unzipped it and let it fall open across his forearms. After flipping back and forth between several pages, no doubt looking for this schedule of events he and my father had been working on for weeks if not months, he finally found the correct document, adjusted his glasses on his upturned nose, and began to read. “In order of events, we begin the month with the lighting of the tree in Rockefeller Center, where Chadwick will make his debut as Santa Claus.”
“The tree-lighting ceremony?” I looked back and forth between Hugh and my father. “That’s tonight.”
Hugh kept his eyes on the schedule.
My father smiled. “Indeed. Carry on, Hugh.”
Hugh adjusted his glasses once more—a nervous habit I’d picked up on within weeks of working with him. “This Friday, Chadwick is expected to attend the grand opening of the Bamford’s Times Square location. He will cut the ribbon and welcome the first customers into the store. On Monday, there is a very important photo shoot for the Christmas marketing campaign. We’re running a week behind schedule, so it’s very important that we get this done as soon as possible so we can turn the content around quickly. Over the remaining weeks of the month, you have the following obligations, Chadwick. The Christmas Market, the VIP Midnight Madness Shopping Spree at the Times Square store, a live interview on TV with more info to come once we hear back from the studio, a toy delivery route for families in need, the office staff party, your father’s retirement party at the Bamford Estate, the annual Fundraiser Gala, the Christmas Eve Gala, and the Santa Claus Parade on Christmas day.” Hugh sucked in a breath to refill his lungs. “You are going to have a very busy month, sir.”
I stared at him with an arched eyebrow and my mouth hanging open. “No shit, Hughie. What an astute observation. Dad, isn’t all of this a bit overkill?”
“Hardly,” my father said. “The last decade of our success is directly linked to our involvement with the community and our customers. Christmas is the season of giving, and you, my son, are going to give the people one thing they can’t buy—your time.”
I rolled my eyes. “This sounds like the start of a shitty Hallmark movie.”
Hugh smiled. “I’d watch it.”
“Nobody asked you, Hughie.”
He pouted and looked at his feet.
My father clicked his tongue. “I’d consider being kinder to your assistant. Hugh is going to be the one to guide you through all of these events. I know how distracted you can be, especially around the holidays. Hugh’s job is going to be keeping you in line.”
“And is he all I get?” I asked.
My father shook his head. “I like your idea of having a companion. An elf, as you said. We’ll see the results of the vote and brief the nominee.”
Already exhausted by the idea of pretending to be Santa Claus for an entire month, I collapsed into one of the lounge chairs in my father’s office and groaned. “Is there no wiggle room with the suit? Look at me.” I gestured down at myself. “Do you know how hard I work for this body? And you want me to cover it up in oversized velvet? Red isn’t my color, Dad.”
“I’m not indulging this conversation,” my father said dismissively. “You want the job? Put on the suit. It is a small price to pay.”
All of this would be easier to swallow if I was permitted to make a single decision for myself. So far, it seemed like my father and Hugh had made all the decisions for me. I needed a sliver of control, and I had a feeling I knew how to get it.
“Let me pick the elf,” I said. “I need someone I’ll be compatible with for the month. Someone who can keep me on schedule and help Hughie because let’s be honest, it won’t be easy. Someone the public will love, and the company already respects.”
My father watched me closely. “It sounds to me like you already have someone in mind.”
I gave him my most charismatic smile. “Dad, come on, there’s only one logical choice here.”
“She’s not going to be happy about it,” my father said.
Hugh looked back and forth between us. “Who are we talking about?”
I shrugged. “I’m not happy about it, but I don’t have a choice. Why should she?”
My father shook his head at me. “That’s the opposite of the Christmas spirit.”
