"So we are very certain that this new system will in no way impact your past or current advertisements," I say to Julian Pratt, our biggest client.

We've been testing out a new design structure that will speed up the ad-making process, giving us, as a company, more time to either take on new clients or to take a breather. It's just a matter of getting our current clients on board.

Julian eyes me warily, his fingers clasped in an upside-down V in front of his mouth. He places them down on the table, and briefly reviews the notes we gave him in the meeting before he turns his head, and speaks to his people in a hushed tone.

Halle and I exchange a nervous glance, and I shift my weight onto my right leg.

As Julian continues to discuss his decision with the others, my thoughts wander off to an unexpected conversation I had on the phone this morning before work.

I received a call from an HR rep for a company called FirstSkin, an all-inclusive intimates brand that donates 20% of each sale to a non-profit in India that is dedicated to helping low-income women and girls attain clean and safe period products.

I read into the company a little more online while I took a late lunch in my office. The underwear and bras they sell are a little on the pricier side, but it's for a really good cause and they've already more than doubled their sales since the start of December.

The HR rep informed me that their CEO, Sofia Mendoza, found my profile on LinkedIN, and immediately knew that I was who they wanted to manage their social media team. I spoke to her briefly, on my way to the office and we seemed to vibe really well together.

The job title is in the same field of relevance to 'Creative Director', not to mention they're based right here, out of Atlanta, it's an all-women company, and it's a pay raise, but there's still so much I'll have to consider.

I'm brought back to the present when Julian Pratt clears his throat, and turns back to face me, his decision made.

"Okay. Deal," Julian agrees with a nod, and I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding in.

After shaking hands with Julian, I wish him a Happy Holiday, and then continue to press forward with my final task for the day, before the office closes for the rest of the week.

"I thought he'd never agree," Halle discloses to me as we head to my office. "Maybe I finally made it onto Santa's Nice List this year!"

"It's way too late for that one, Hal," I say to her with a laugh.

"Yeah, well you're not such a good girl yourself, Ness," Halle smirks, and I roll my eyes with a smile.

"You can say that again."

A familiar tone sounds from behind us, and we both turn in response to it.

I almost don't recognize the man that stands before me; his tall frame is tense, his hands balled into fists at his side. The once clean shaven face I'd grown to know so well, is now bristly with small stubble enveloping his entire jaw. His blonde hair is slicked back in the same way he used to wear it, but his eyes, which were always so kind and trustworthy before, are now wounded and damaged.

"What?" I attempt to ask as naturally as I can, but my voice comes out strained. I've never seen him this way before.

"What exactly is going on between you and Christopher Peters?" Jeremiah questions quietly, his knuckles tightening.

"Jer, I —" I begin.

"No, Vanessa. You don't owe him an explanation at all," Halle interrupts, glaring at Jeremiah.

I ignore her.

"Let's go into my office, and we'll speak about this in private," I say as quietly as possible, since we're still standing in the middle of the lobby.

"No. Let's talk about it here," Jeremiah taunts, his eyes full of affliction.

"We just started dating. It's very new," I tell him, somehow feeling guilty for my actions.

He shakes his head back and forth, and his eyebrows furrow together.

"You've had sex with him. I know you have."

My breath is stolen from me, and not in a good way. I can't seem to grasp what's real and what isn't in this moment.

"Who told you that?" I ask, my voice coming out thick and low.

Jeremiah scoffs.

"So you have then? It's true? You're fucking your boss?!" His tone rises, and I glance around the lobby, noticing several employees stopping in their tracks to watch the scene that doesn't seem to belong in my life, begin to unfold before me.

"It was after I filed. You know what? I'm an adult. I can date other people. You're clearly moving on," I interject.

I look back at Jeremiah, and for an instant, just a small millimeter of a second, as I look into his gold-speckled, blue eyes, I find myself wanting to take back everything I've done.

"I don't care if it was after you filed! You can't fuck your boss! Isn't that against company policy, anyway?"

And, as quickly as it arrived, the moment is gone.

A small crowd is gathered now, my life being displayed like a neon light for everyone to view.

"Jer, please. Just come into my office and we can speak about this in private," I plead with him once more, in hopes he'll gain a smidge of respect for me and my job.

"V, I can call security. Jeremiah's testing my patience right now," Halle interjects, and Jeremiah glares at her. She ignores him, and walks to the front desk anyway.

"So what, now you're embarrassed to be seen with me? Maybe you should've told me that you fucked your boss!" Jeremiah growls, and this time low murmurs and whispers surface from the employees of Blue Sky.

My cheeks redden in response.

"Why would you keep this a secret? Why not just tell me? Don't you think the father of your child should know these things?"

I knit my eyebrows together, my jaw tensing as I prepare to put him in his place. Who is he to scold me on my life choices? He's the one that cheated one me! He wanted a different life, without me! I shouldn't be the one getting yelled at in the middle of my place of business!

"No, I don't! You didn't communicate with me when you had an affair, and you still didn't even when I found out. By the way, the last time I checked, we are divorced! So none of this actually concerns you."

He seems to be silenced by my response, but I can tell the anger he harbors is still there. He glances around the room, his gaze stopping on one individual and I know exactly who it is.

His nostrils flare, and he raises his arm to point an accusatory finger at the man in question.

"That's him, isn't it? Big shot CEO? Nice, Vanessa. Sleeping your way to the top, I see. Who else have you slept with in this office?" Jeremiah yells, looking around at everyone with his arms outstretched.

Chris strides toward us now, and I close my eyes in preparation of the shit storm that is inevitably headed our way. When I open them back up, Chris stands in front of me, a shield of virtue defending my honor.

"Alright, I'm going to have to ask you to leave now. Security is on their way," he tells him, his voice authoritative.

I can see his jawline tensing, as he attempts to keep his composure.

"I don't take orders from you," Jeremiah sneers, and I can automatically tell the look that he has in his eyes.

Protective.

"No! Jeremiah, don't!" I gasp, but it's too late. Jeremiah's fist connects with Chris' jaw, and Chris staggers back a couple of feet.

He gains his footing back, and opens his mouth a few times, stretching out his jaw muscles. Jeremiah takes this moment of slight hesitation and runs with it; he swiftly advances towards Chris and tackles him to the ground like a wild predator.

The crowd gasps, and the two men wrestle and scramble around the floor for a minute or two before Chris gains the upper hand, and lands a punch to Jeremiah's nose. He reels his fist back again, and lands another, knocking his head against the marble floor.

"Chris!" I cry out.

With his fist in the air, preparing to make another blow, Chris turns and looks back at me. His face seems to soften, and he lowers his arm just as two security officers appear from the elevators.

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As my gift to you on this Christmas Day, I leave you with the latest chapter of Chrinessa's relationship!

Leave your feedback and reactions in the comments! Also, don't forget to VOTE ⭐️ and Happy Holidays! 🎄