Secret Santa - a Christmas novella with a twist (The Secret Series) by Holly Green

Author:Holly Green [Green, Holly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blue Pier Books
Published: 2023-10-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Christmas Eve, last year

‘Cole, it’s that time of the year,’ Charlie said, sauntering into his office, the space decorated with enormous paintings covered in swathes of bright colourful abstract designs.

A large sculpture of a cow head greeted her as she came in. She loathed it, but was aware it had been a gift from an up and coming artist featured on the front of Charm. It was, she knew, now worth £1m as the artist had won a Turner prize, and that was about the only reason she hadn’t tried to knock the ugly thing over.

For a man who owned a stable of fashion magazines, Cole could have moments of the most grotesque taste.

‘Ah, Charlotte. How are you?’ he swept his hair from his face a little and gave her one of the smiles which used to make her insides melt.

She batted his niceties away with a manicured hand.

‘None of that. You know why I’m here,’ she strode over to his desk and placed her hands down on it, barely a metre from him.

‘Eggnog?’ one of his assistants had appeared out of nowhere and Charlie looked coolly over her shoulder, staring the interloper down.

‘No. And he doesn’t want one either – revolting drink,’ she shook her head as though she’d never heard of anything more disgusting.

‘We’re fine thanks Fawn,’ Cole crinkled a smile at the girl who backed away from the office and scurried away, ‘go on then, get it over with – I’ve got a date to go to,’ he sat back with his hands behind his head, the outline of his biceps lightly straining his shirt.

Charlie was surprised he had a date and tried to hide it. Ever since he'd divorced Kate he'd remained surprisingly single, she wondered who had persuaded him to give dating a go.

Ignoring the feelings trying to make themselves known, she looked squarely at him and tried to avoid looking at his arms, or thinking of the times he would pick her up and take her to bed.

‘I want a raise. I’ve increased the circulation once again, the advertisers are extremely happy with the sales, I’ve brought in more revenue than all of your other editors combined, and quite frankly, I’m owed it.’

‘Okay.’

Charlie stood back, surprised.

‘Okay?’

Cole folded his arms across his chest.

‘Yes, I said okay. You want a raise, I recognise you’re doing well – I’ve said okay. Now, can you leave so I can get ready for my evening?’

He turned his attention to his computer, indicating the conversation had finished.

Charlie stepped back hesitantly turned on her glossy black stilettos and began walking to the door. She’d been ready for their annual interaction. Looking forward to it even. And a date? Who was he going on a date with? Why should it bother her anyway, she had her evening planned.

She turned to tell him how much she…she what? Resented him? Missed him? Hated him?

‘Cole?’

He looked up from the desk.

‘Yes?’

‘Have a Merry Christmas.’

He nodded and smiled at her.

‘You too Charlotte.'

Charlie walked through the door, only to be engulfed in a dark so deep she could feel it.

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