Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
The mall comes to life this time of year—all the kids running around and the smell of cookies and pine in the air. The only thing missing is snow, and I’m praying for it. The weather said it was going to come, and I know if it does, it will cheer me up tonight when I get home.
“I love it,” Nancy says, coming around the counter and giving me a hug. The smell of sugar wraps around me before she pulls away. “I better hurry up and close. My honey is waiting for me, and I still need to wrap all the presents for the grandkids.”
I give her a small wave, wish her a merry Christmas, before I head back to my office area. Almost everyone is long gone. The Christmas lights are already turned off, and a feeling of sadness washes over me. This is the time of year when I miss my mom the most. Even though it was just the two of us, we always celebrated big. I fight the melancholy threatening to take over and keep a smile pasted on my face as I walk.
It felt like Christmas went so fast this year. I blinked and the holiday was over. I always get a little sad when each holiday comes to an end, but Christmas always hits me the hardest. Going home to an empty apartment to spend the day alone makes my heart sink. It’s the only day of the year the mall completely shuts down, so I don’t have work to distract me. Even on Thanksgiving we’re open in the evening.
Rounding the corner, I take the back hallway to my office area to grab my keys. I see my manager Krista sitting at her desk still, and I’m confused because I was sure she’d be long gone by now.
“Hey, what are you still doing here?” I ask, setting down the box of cookies.
“I need a favor,” she sighs, looking up from her computer. I don’t know how she stares at that thing all day. I love being around people, and I love making people smile even more. It’s why I enjoy this job so much. I get to do all the holiday decorations and events at the mall. I love seeing people’s faces light up with excitement when they get to see Santa or even the Easter Bunny. Their smiles are infectious.
“Anything,” I tell her, making her lips pull into a smile as the worry lines on her face fade away.
“I need you to go to an event tonight.”
I pause, then look down at my outfit. I’m still dressed up as one of Santa’s little helpers. I love it because it makes me feel super festive, and because I made it myself. I couldn’t find anything that fit me right, so I pulled this together. But somehow, I feel that this might not be appropriate for something Krista wants.
“I’ll have to run home and change. Do I have time?”
“No, I need you to go like that. It was requested.”
“It was requested?” I ask, wondering what that means.
“It was, and so were you.”
“Oh,” I say, and feel excitement start to bubble inside me. I don’t have to go home yet. I can go to a Christmas party. The stirrings of happiness start to fizz in my tummy at the prospect of something to do other than wallow in my own self-pity. “I was requested personally?”
She nods and smiles. I must have made a really good impression on someone if they want me to come to their Christmas party. I wonder if I’m a guest or if I’m working.
“What do I even do?”
“It didn’t really say. Just that they wanted you, and to dress like you do when you’re Santa’s helper.”
I clap excitedly, but Krista doesn’t seem to have my enthusiasm.
“Why so glum? This sounds like fun!”
She shakes her head, stands up from behind her desk, and comes around to the front of it. She leans up against it and looks at me. “It’s at Nicholas Light’s mansion.”
That makes me pause, but not because I’m scared. I’m curious. I’ve only heard rumors about him. He owns everything, or so they say. I know for a fact he owns this mall, and I’m sure a dozen others.
“I didn’t think anyone was ever allowed at his house.” It’s another rumor I’d heard, along with the one where he never leaves his home and never lets anyone in. They say all kinds of things about him. That he’s mean and broody, and I wonder if it’s all true. I also wonder if I could make him smile. It sounds like a challenge, and I love a good one.
“I’ve worked here five years and I’ve never seen him. I’ve also never received an email from him, either. Until today.”
“This is exciting.” I can feel myself smiling so big it almost hurts.