With Love From Santa.
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The alarm buzzed for the second time, this time bringing Malcolm back from his journey into dreamland. He grunted on the bed after he had switched off the alarm and turned to see his wife staring at him. He couldn’t really understand what was happening or why she was smiling until she climbed on him and kissed him good morning.
“It’s our anniversary today” she said with a grin, revealing her fine set of teeth. It was so evident how happy she was, maybe she had been anticipating this day for Lord knows how long.
“Oh my, you look familiar. Do I know you?” Malcolm started with a smile spread on his face.
“Mmhmm, I’m the lady you met at the store 4 years ago and now, luckily for you we’ve been living together for 3 years now”
“Wow, looks like I’ve been blown away for longer than I thought” he flipped her over and was now above her “Happy Anniversary Ms. Vanessa McGuire” he said bending over to kiss her, she threw her hands over him, holding on to his hair with quite a firm grasp as his hands toured her fine curves.
“One of us should be expecting a query at work if we continue” she whispered unwillingly as she gasped.
“Then how about we adjourn this case ma’am” he replied with a charmed look, warm air escaping his lungs and his lips teasing hers.
“7 O’clock, The Stemond Place. You don’t want to be late” She replied with a cute smile as she brushed off a streak of his auburn hair.
“You little rebel, how long have you been planning this assault?”
"Trust me” she said, her lips brushing over his “You don’t want to know” He finally gave in to her charm as he trusted his head lower to get a feel of that beautiful inviting lips.
Time rolled with every second seeming too long. Unlike yesterday, his day had been going quite well, he had gotten to the subway just in time to meet the train; the office had been decorated to have that Christmas feel with red paintings piling up the hall way and jingle bells all about the mall and the huge Christmas tree which overlooked the children store was definitely inevitable. The Mall where he worked as a sales reporter was often very very busy with people flooding in and out and now that it was Christmas, the work load was bound to double up with new orders coming in from mini malls and individuals and a whole lot of purchases being made. He had been here for the past 2 years but despite the little time frame, his impact had been definitely felt- the Chairman had personally told him that. It was almost noon when his phone buzzed, the caller’s ID made his heart stop for a split second, it was Mr. Watson.
The glass door felt heavier than usual as he forced it open; this wasn’t his first time in this office, as a matter of fact, he had spent his break time here yesterday and it didn’t look like coincidence being at the same place, same time but on a different day.
“You called for me sir” he said stopping in front of the thick cedar table that separated him from his 200Ib light skinned Michigan native boss who could be easily confused for Denny Crane.
“Oh yes Malcolm, have a sit” he said, pointing to the seat opposite him. He sat quite uneasily; the warmer had quite an effect in here. “What’ll you want? Coffee, Tea…”
“No, I’m fine sir” he replied with a slight smile carved on his lips.
“I got your message from my secretary, you asked to see me.”
“Uh…Yes sir” the words came slowly; he swallowed hard finding it hard to believe that the time had finally come.
“Well?” was the simple reply that came from his sexagenarian boss in his raspy old voice.
“Mr. Watson, I’ve worked pretty hard for the last 2 years just to make sure this company doesn’t… drop” he paused for a moment, trying to mince his words. Mr. Watson on the other hand had hardly moved an inch from where he sat. “Mr. Watson, I’m really not sure if I should be doing this but then… I was hoping for a raise”. He could feel a gust within him once the last word dropped.
“A raise” Mr. Watson whispered more to himself than aloud before bursting into an arcane laughter, only then did Malcolm notice the red Santa Claus cap that had been forced into his boss’ head with the fluffy ball at its end dangling about as his head which swung in tune with this puzzling laughter.
“That was hilarious I’d have to give it to you, what was that? Your Christmas joke?” Mr. Watson said, reaching for his kerchief to dab the tears that had broken loose and trickled down his chubby cheeks. Malcolm on the other hand remained dumb, did that come out hilarious? It couldn’t get worse than a sack letter, he thought to himself
“Now back to business Mr. Malcolm,” Mr. Watson had returned to his normal straight faced bent-on-profit persona. “Why I called you here. It’s Christmas as I suppose you already know and I’m obviously sure you know we’re behind.” Mr. Watson started as he stood from his seat and walked over to Malcolm, “After thoughtful consideration, I’ve decided to throw in a bit more Christmas feel… for the kids anyway, that way we’re bound to get even more visitors” He sank into the chair next to Malcolm making the hair on his back become quite erect.
“How do I fit into this story sir?” Malcolm blurted.
“You would be… our Santa Claus” Mr. Watson ended with an eerie smile plastered on his face. Now Malcolm wasn’t really sure, opting out was no option here- it was Mr. Watson’s policy, instructions are obeyed without ‘Complains’- so it would all amount to nothing if he even tried protesting. He was dumbfounded here as he simply gave Mr. Watson an absurd look.
“And as for your raise, we’ll look into that- hopefully” he added as Malcolm stood to leave.
Fast-forward time hours from then and here he was, sitting in an exquisite restaurant with a gorgeous blonde lady all dressed in a red dinner gown with Christmas charms printed on it.
So tell me again, you actually get to act Santa Clause?” Vanessa probed, for the umpteenth time.
“Let’s just skip that part, please!!” he replied with a sharp heave following his words.
“Come on honey, its Christmas. Thought it was all about sharing the love” she paused, giving him that heartwarming smile “And you do well with kids”
“I want my own kids too honey, I’m still not sure why they’re not coming” he spoke with a heavy heart; surely he had been burdened with the thought but had done a good job in keeping it to himself. The words hit Vanessa really hard; her lips trembled as she tried hard not to let the tears that had suddenly welled up in her eye break.
“They’ll come honey, they’ll come.” She sniffed, watching Malcolm nod gently. “It’s our anniversary, we shouldn’t be in this mood” she said with a grin, Malcolm smiled back getting a grip of her hands.
“You’re right,” he said, flashing a look of anticipation at her “How about we get done here and finish things off at home!”
“And what’s so special about home?” She teased, filching off a streak of her hair which had gone out of place.
“We’re talking birds and the bee here” he raised an eyebrow, sending the message across clearly. The night sure did hold a lot in store, enough to look forward to as he drew up his scheme for this assault in his head. The cold night, the loneliness, that awkward silence that often enveloped the apartment, he was letting go everything tonight just to savor this moment, this feeling which felt brand new to him- to them. Tonight, he was going to be the best she ever had, “call it an early Christmas gift” he had told her...