April frowned as she stared down at her phone. Her husband, Harvey, was reading her messages but not responding, as usual. Of course he'd abandon her to deal with hosting the entirety of the Christmas party by herself while he sits on his fat ass in his office.
The party inside was getting louder as everyone started arriving. She turned off her phone and headed inside.
All the others from the office are here, so why can't he?
April thought.
The presents were all placed on the decorative table near the burning fireplace. The others were all chatting amongst themselves, being merry.
April frowned as she thought of her marriage to Harvey. She had only met him when she was only seventeen and he was twenty-three, and they were married just two years later. They were so in love back then, or what she thought was love. As soon as the marriage papers were signed and the honeymoon was over, Harvey changed. His constant working, leaving her behind while he did his own thing. She was always alone. In an empty house.
I want someone new. Someone better than Harvey.
She scanned the party members coming in from the balcony above.
Someone single, obviously. Someone more.
April locked eyes with someone from downstairs.
He was one of the workers that Harvey assumed when he bought out the company over two years ago. His dark onyx black hair was cut short and combed back out of his square face. A pair of warm and welcoming blue eyes shied away behind a pair of dark horn rimmed glasses. He was a tall man, around six feet, as well as a well built man. He didn't look the same weight as her husband, but unlike Harvey who had over fifty pounds of fat on him, this man had worked out. April saw his arms when Harvey asked him and a few others to move some furniture in the office.
Donny waved at her. April felt her face grow hot. He watched as she descended the stairwell.
April always felt his gaze whenever she stepped by the office. He always found a reason to talk to her. Always trying to be close to her. April smiled to herself.
Perhaps it's time for the cat to catch the mouse.
"The presents go on the table nearest the fireplace, Mr. Howard," April said, stepping beside him and taking his arm. She moaned softly at the rich aroma of his aftershave.
"Oh. I was wondering where to set this." He gestured to the red and white striped present in his hand. Donny looked around the room. "You've really outdid yourself this year. It is beautiful."
April smiled. "Thank you."
Donny turned to her. "Of course, not as beautiful as you."
April's face grew hot again. "Why, Mr. Howard, you do love flattery." It's not as though April didn't agree with him. She knew she was a beautiful woman with her creamy white skin and shapely figure, and she knew how to dress herself to make herself more beautiful.
"I sure do." Donny placed the present on the table. "I hope she likes it."
"Interesting decision Harvey made for the secret Santa. Gents buying for the ladies. Ladies buying for the gents."
Donny nodded. "I did find it odd, but I like what I got."
"Who'd you get?"
Donny smiled mischievously. "Now, that would make it no longer a secret, wouldn't it?"
April pouted. "Aww. That's too bad." Then, she smiled. "But that means that you can keep a secret."
"Of course I can."
"Good." She released his arm and stepped around him. "Dinner will be served in just a moment."
"Excellent. I'm starved."
One of the older workers, Mr. Williams stepped beside him, setting his own present on the table. "Hello, Mr. Howard." He glanced down and seemed to fixate on Donny's black belt.
"Evening, Mr. Williams. How are you?"
"Wearing a belt, I see."
"Yes?" Donny arched his brows.
"I'd remove it if I were you." With that, Mr. Williams stepped around Donny and headed for the dining room.
It only took ten minutes for everyone to filter into the dining room, sitting down at the long table. April took her usual spot at the head of the table. Donny sat near her, but not directly beside her. Mr. Williams sat across from him.
"Thank you, everyone, for coming," April announced. "I am so honored that you all chose to spend your time with me. Dinner is ready. Tonight I will be serving pork tenderloin with roasted cauliflower salad, horseradish and sour cream mashed potatoes with white wine and rosemary gravy, roasted mushrooms and radicchio, roasted brussel sprouts, sweet corn with bacon and honey, with sweet potato casserole, herb stuffing, and homemade honey rolls. I really do hope you all enjoy it."
Donny felt his stomach growl. "So what I'm hearing is that I should have listened to Mr. Williams' advice and taken off my belt?"
The table erupted into a fit of laughter.
"I swear, Mr. Howard, I gained twenty pounds since meeting April," Mr. Williams said. Again, the table laughed.
"Carve the tenderloin, please, Parrish," April said to her butler.
"Yes, ma'am," Parrish said, taking up the carving set.
"Where is Mr. Stone, April?" Mr. Williams asked.
April frowned. "I'm afraid he won't be joining us tonight. He preferred work over this grand party."
"Aww," Mr. Williams murmured. "What a shame."
"Yes, indeed," April said. Parrish set two slices of pork onto her plate before she took the bowl of potatoes and spooned some onto her plate. Within a few minutes, everyone had a full plate and began eating.
"I hear Mr. Stone is sending you away to Japan, Donny," Mr. Williams said. "Is that true?"
April gasped. Her fork clattered on her plate. "You're leaving?"
Donny frowned. "Unfortunately. Mr. Stone wishes for me to help the branch in Japan."
Her face fell. Her heart sank deep into her stomach. "When are you leaving?"
"Next month. The 28th."
"When will you be back?"
Donny shrugged. "Not sure. Honestly, I might choose to remain in Japan." April frowned again. She cut into her pork. "Mm. These potatoes are delicious."
April faked a smile. "Thank you. It was my mother's recipe."
"They're my favorite," Mr. Williams said, eating another forkful.
"My only question is," Donny said, "how can Mr. Stone not come home for dinner every night when he has a chef like you?"
April chuckled softly. "I'm not sure. I enjoy cooking for others. I really do."
"The only reason why I cook," Donny said, "is because I'd starve if I didn't."
"Maybe you should come over more frequently," April said. "I'd rather not eat alone."
Donny smiled wide. "Maybe I should."
Dinner continued with everyone chatting amongst themselves and laughing. The games followed after dinner then came the presents. One by one, everyone came up and collected their present when their name was called before they all eagerly tore into the wrapping. One by one, each of the guests started to leave.
"What'd you get?" April asked, stepping closer to Donny.
"Aftershave," Donny answered with a smile. "The kind I use, so I don't have to buy it in a few weeks."
"That's good." April smiled up at him.
"I have a present for you."
"Donny, you didn't have to get me a present. I'm fine." He ignored her words as he fished out a small wrapped present from his suit jacket pocket. He offered it to her. "Thank you." April took the box before undoing the bow and tearing off the wrapping, revealing the felt box. She opened it and gasped. "Donny."
The diamond earrings sparkled in the light.
"You really shouldn't have," April said. Tears brimmed her eyes.
"It's no problem." Donny cleared his throat. "I would buy my mother a nice piece of jewelry every year for Christmas, but she's gone now, and I never see Mr. Stone get you anything.
"I'm sorry about your mother. Are you okay?"
"Yeah. It's been two years. I like getting nice things for people I care about."
April smiled at him. "Thank you, again. Harvey's never gotten me anything like this."
"Well, you deserve to be spoiled."
"Thank you, Donny."
The two of them stepped towards the doorway, but Donny paused when they stepped underneath one of the archways.
"Mrs. Stone, has that been there the entire time?"
April followed his finger upwards to the mistletoe hanging from the archway above their heads. "Oh. I had forgotten about that."
"Would you rather we didn't?" Donny stepped back, not looking at her.
April glanced out the window. All of the cars, besides hers and Donny's, were gone. She turned back to Donny, gently placing her hand on his shoulder. "We are alone, so who's gonna know?" Donny's face grew hot as he stared down at her. "And my husband won't be home for at least another few hours."
Donny stared at her, hesitating. "So long as it truly stays between us."
"Of course."
Donny stepped forward gingerly, placing one hand on her waist and the other cupped the back of her head. He leaned forward slowly. His hands seemed to tremble as he held her in place. April parted her lips as his mouth covered hers. His lips were soft against hers. His body, firm. She moaned into his mouth. Donny pressed his hips against hers, and she swore she felt him grow hard against her. Her eyes opened.
Donny pulled away quickly, hiding his face from her. "I have to go."
"Donny." He rushed out the door without looking back. "Donny!" The door slammed into its frame. April watched as he sprinted to his car and left the driveway just as quickly.
She was still awake when Harvey came home, but he said nothing to her as dressed for bed and promptly fell asleep.
April found herself laying in her bed, staring up at the ceiling, as Harvey snored beside her. Even with her dressing so beautifully, Harvey paid no mind to it. He didn't even say 'hello' when he came into the bedroom. She frowned, glancing over at Harvey.
I can always divorce him. But where would I go?
April stood and went over her dresser and pulled out a lockbox, unlocking it with a key on her keychain. She had already signed the divorce papers. All she had to do was give them to Harvey and ask him to sign them or give them to her lawyer and ask him to do the hard work. She frowned at the papers.
Where would I go?
April returned the papers to the lockbox, locking it and putting it away, before returning to bed. She pulled the covers up underneath her chin.
For weeks, she found every excuse to come by the office, and always found and talked to Donny. They both spoke as if the kiss at the party never happened. April even managed to get Donny's number and gave him hers. She texted him later that evening with casual small talk before falling silent for a couple of days until Saturday came.
"What do you mean you forgot?" April nearly screamed. Her heart sank deep into her stomach. "I told you that we were doing this."
Harvey rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry. I just did, and I made plans with John and Charles. We haven't been fishing in a long time."
"And when's the last time we did anything together?" She crossed her arms.
Harvey huffed. "All you do is nag me."
"Maybe if you just listen to me, I wouldn't have to nag you. We don't do anything together anymore. We don't even have dinner together anymore." Harvey rolled his eyes before he reached for her. She pulled away from his touch. "Do you even love me anymore?"
