To those who did not know him well, Brad Tyler might have come across as a bit of a Scrooge, a Grinch. Of course, those were people who did not know him well. Were the truth to be told, that was as far from an accurate description as saying Antarctica is a tropical climate.
Brad was one of those rare individuals who got the true meaning of the holidays -- giving of yourself. All of the employees at Tyler Chemical got a week off at Christmas time --
with pay
, something his father had started several years ago. Christmas bonuses were also very generous. He threw a wonderful Christmas party for his employees and one for their children as well, one in which each child left with a present.
He just didn't enjoy the holidays personally. It had never been a happy time of the year for him, nor was New Year's a time of rejoicing.
Brad was an only child and he didn't celebrate the holidays with his family, not any longer. His parents were now retired and his Brazilian mother didn't much care for the cold, so they spent a large part of the year in Brazil. He had no surviving aunts or uncles in North America and no cousins, friends tended to flock around family at Christmas time. Brad's holiday season had been too lonely, too long for years.
Despite his rugged good looks, romance and marriage had never come to Brad either. Love had managed to succeed in eluding him, much to his dismay. His parents were going to be married for 45 years in June. Long-term committed relationships were not something he knew anything about.
Brad had it all and then some. Spencer James, one of his two assistants, was constantly telling him that. He was tall (6'4") and broad-shouldered, he dressed the way an executive should dress, in Brooks Brothers suits. He was witty, charming and debonair. His hair was dark, but flecked with gray, giving him a distinguished appeal. His voice was strong and rich, Spencer had often told him should he have wished to go into broadcasting, he would have excelled in that endeavor. Brad Tyler was a made that would have been a success in any field. Why had romance been so elusive?
Spencer couldn't figure it out and neither could Emily Smoak, the only other person who had worked for Brad longer. The 28-year old thought the sun rose and set on her boss, as did Spencer. Of course, both women were biased. Their love and devotion towards Brad was visible with every bit of extended effort they put into their jobs.
Spencer and Emily both had unrequited love towards the handsome executive. Spencer's had been noticed by Brad and they began a brief, tempestuous affair. Spencer discovered for herself that it wasn't his sexual prowess that was keeping the women from making a commitment towards their boss. "He's the best lover I've ever had and I've had my share," Spencer told Emily over a late lunch. That wasn't hyperbole, because Spencer had a bit of a -- reputation. It never troubled her. "I'm a sexpot," the cuddly, curvy blonde confessed to her co-worker. "Some might call me a
slut
, let them -- I don't mind. I could spend my days off doing nothing but fuck, in fact, I've done that. Sex is the greatest invention ever, why shouldn't we take all that we can?"
Spencer and Brad ended their relationship amicably, knowing that they were at different points in their lives. Once enough time had passed, Emily decided to make her own play. Her poor little heart went pit-a-pat every time Brad walked into a room, she wanted to take the chance to see if she could win his affections.
Emily was a polar opposite to her colleague. Despite their being best friends, Spencer was gregarious and somewhat brazen. She dressed to show off her curves and her luscious boobs. That wasn't Emily's style. She dressed in a professional manner, her hair was often up and she wore glasses. She was gorgeous and her co-workers noticed that, you couldn't miss her gorgeous legs in the heels she liked and there was a wiggle to her walk that a blind man couldn't have missed. There was just one small matter that limited Emily's success -- she was almost
always
the smartest person in the room. Her IQ was staggering, the reason for her graduating MIT at 17 and Brad hiring her at 18. Whereas Spencer was the public face of the company, Emily was the brains behind every major discovery. She was invaluable to Tyler Chemical and her salary reflected that.
Just because Emily wasn't outwardly as daring as Spencer, it didn't mean she couldn't be a partner with a lot to offer. In bed, the kid gloves came off, as Brad discovered one night after a celebration involving a bit too much to drink for the both of them. Emily made her intentions known and followed through. Brad got to see a wholly new side of his most resourceful Gal Friday.
Emily had also been a gymnast in school and was very -- flexible. She put him through a vigorous pace during their time together; the leggy blonde tested the very limits of his endurance. As it had with Spencer, his relationship with Emily ended, although their committed friendship endured. Both girls regretted the pink-slipping of their great sex lives with Brad, although they had since found other partners. Emily was with Barry, a great guy who got her in every way. Spencer had hopped over to the other side of the fence and was involved with a gal named Tiffany, from the accounting department. She was constantly teasing Emily that they should all get together or switch for a night, which made Emily laugh, although she wasn't sure if she was ready for that -- yet.
Today's luncheon with the two best friends was all about Christmas gifts for the best boss
ever
and other such matters.
"What
do
you get for a man who has it all?" Spencer groaned over a much-needed Martini. "Come on Ems, you're the brains in this friendship -- think!"
The diminutive blonde scrunched up her face and pushed her glasses up on her nose as she always did when in deep thought. She looked over at Spencer, her best friend and wished they could both come up with an idea, but thinking was not Spencer's strong suit. She was the one that put Tyler Chemicals into the news with her personality, which left little time for deep thoughts. "Too bad that we can't get him a makeshift girlfriend," Emily sighed as she slumped back in her chair. "I hate to think of him all alone at this time of year."
"Yeah, wouldn't a cute girl be something to put in his X-Mas stocking," Spencer teased.
"We could hire him a sexy Call Girl," Emily smiled. "I think everyone would chip in and we could do it discreetly."
"We wouldn't want it getting out and the results could embarrass him," Spencer responded. "Now who isn't thinking?"
"You're right, you're right," Emily nodded and sipped her Mai Tai. She slumped back in her chair again. "Y'know, it's just too bad that we don't know someone who has a lot of
our
best qualities -- your personality, my brains and ..."
"HOLLY!" Both girls shrieked at the same time.
"Oh yes, she's perfect!" Emily grinned as she sat bolt upright in her chair. "She has everything that Brad news, but ..."
"But? But NOTHING, this is a great idea!" Spencer retorted.
"How do we know Holly is single or would be interested in Brad in -- that way?" Emily questioned.
"I know she's single because like you, she intimidates people. I know she'd be interested because she isn't afraid to flaunt herself, like me and she's told me she thinks the bossman is hot," Spencer answered. "You're right, we'd have to ask her and try not to make her uncomfortable, but somehow, I don't think it will be a problem."
"Are you sure?"
"Hot boss, remember?"
The girls cornered their co-worked the next day and apprised her of their idea. She was all-too keen to participate.
Hollis Daye, usually nicknamed Holly for obvious reasons, was a very unique girl. She didn't like it when anyone made assumptions about her. She was brainy and sharp, with an IQ that quite nearly matched Emily's. She held several doctorates and was quite accomplished. She was also gorgeous, the kind of woman that attracted instant attention when she entered a room. Beautiful and leggy, she didn't mind flaunting herself a bit, yet she wanted to be respected for her achievements. Still, when she was sexually interested in someone -- and she wouldn't be pigeonholed into choosing between sexes -- her interest led her to be very open-minded. Holly let her friends fill her in on their scheme and then, she added a few twists and turns of her own.
Early on the afternoon of December 24th, Brad's doorbell chimed to announce a visitor. He found that odd as he wasn't expected anyone. He opened the door to discover a young woman standing on the other side of the door. He didn't recognize her and her manner of dress was provocative, although certainly seasonal. She was wearing a red, faux-fur trimmed coat with a hood and high black boots. "Yes, may I help you?" Brad asked the young woman. He couldn't help notice her stunning face and cafΓ©-au-lait skin, dark expressive eyes and great legs. The rest, he left up to his imagination.
"Merry Christmas from your secret Santas," Holly piped up. She gave him a quick once-over and knew things were going to work out
just fine
. Brad and she had never met, although she was well aware of the hot young multi-millionaire. From this moment on, she had to take control and make sure every detail of their plan went off without a hitch.
"Excuse me?" Brad said as the young beauty entered the apartment, her high-heeled boots clicking on the expensive hardwood. "I don't understand, has there been some sort of misunderstanding?" Someone so drop-dead gorgeous was not an unwelcome visitor on this heretofore dull afternoon, yet he didn't want her delayed if someone else might be expecting her.
"Oh no, there's no misunderstanding," the young woman said as she set down a large basket. She was working both the Christmas and Red Riding Hood theme simultaneously. "My name is Holly and I'm from
Maid to Order