CH 15
Harmony
She got changed in the ladies‘ room, and was a little surprised by the fit of the dress. It was
actually the right size, and fitted neatly to her waist, then had a long flowing skirt that fell to
below her knee.
She chuckled softly, it was very Christmassy indeed. With all those snowflakes on it and a
Christmas tree in tiny little glittering dots. She turned about as she looked at it, and the skirt swished about her legs; it would be good for dancing, she thought absently.
Harmony put that new necklace on and it kind of just completed the outfit. Her hand touched
it, it was small and simple by design, just how she liked her jewellery. She didn’t know how
Garrett knew all of these things about her, but it felt nice to have a boss that paid attention to
the finer details.
Damien’s gifts had always been bold statements that made her stand out. The one and only
dress he’d bought her had been a white strapless bodycon dress, and though it had been very
pretty, she’d been quite uncomfortable in it. It had fitted her well but was not really her style.
She’d worn it to his father’s New Years party two years ago, as he’d requested her to, he’d gone
on about how beautiful she’d looked in it to all his friends and family, had his hands on her all
the time, slid it over her hip or down her side when talking about the designer of the dress she
was wearing.
She’d thought it was more about the dress designer than her in the actual dress, he was all
about brand names and designer clothing. Though that was the first time she’d seen him be
like that with her, talking constantly about her figure and how the dress showed that off
perfectly. She’d been a little more than embarrassed, and had asked him to stop in the end.
He’d laughed and stated “Why? You’re beautiful, and this dress shows everyone I have the picture–perfect girlfriend, body, looks and brains, the whole package.” he’d told her. Harmony pulled herself from her thoughts and shook them off.
She didn’t mind fitted clothes, but skintight, like that dress had been, made her feel
uncomfortable. He didn’t seemed to care about that. This dress that she was now wearing
was more suited her taste, and the season as well. She really liked it.
Harmony stepped out of the ladies‘ room and smiled as she saw Wyatt, Ryan and Dallas,
Garrett’s CEOs walking down the hallway wearing red and white Christmas dress shirts, and
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red slacks, they all matched each other and the season as well.
“Ah it fits, I see.” Wyatt stated as he looked at her.
“Yes, did you know?” she asked right back, indicating the dress.
“Mm, Garrett had to call his mother about attire for you today. She guessed your dress size.”
“And got it right.” Harmony smiled “I like it too,” she stated.
“That was all Garrett,” Wyatt chuckled. “Wandered about to find the right dress for you.”
She saw Ryan and Dallas both look at Wyatt more than surprised, and he nodded at them, “Do you like Christmas, Harmony?” Ryan asked her.
“Yes.” She answered “I have many wonderful family memories around the Christmas tree. Are you all headed downstairs now?”
“Yes, see you down there.” Wyatt nodded, and she watched him put a hand on both Ryan and Dallas‘ necks and practically march them off down the corridor to the elevators.
She chuckled and shook her head, walked to her desk and placed the box on it, she’d put her suit in there so it wouldn’t be left out for all to see. Her hand hit the desk and the other
pressed against her stomach as she felt pain and cramping in her abdomen. This would be the second time today that had happened.
She had to close her eyes and breathe through this one though, it was a little more on the painful side than the last one. She was standing there taking in long deep breaths when a hand touched her arm. She opened her eyes to find Garrett looking right at her “Harmony, are you alright?” he asked, and she could hear the concern laced in his voice.
“Mm.” she nodded “Cramps, a bit more than normal pain.” She waved him off “It’ll pass.” She stated and then hurriedly apologised as she realised what she’d said. It was improper
conversation for the office.
He waved it off and stated, “As long as your not sick and need medical attention?”
She’d shaken her head and the cramps had eased off, and she finally looked at him and his
attire, “Your shirt matches my dress.”
“I know.” He smiled right at her and his hand fell away as he looked her over “I picked your dress myself.”
That pattern on his shirt was almost exactly the same as the one on the skirt of her dress, and he was wearing black slacks not red like his CEOs. Their outfits matched perfectly, she thought absently.
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“Are you ready to go downstairs for some Christmas fun?” he asked.
“I could use it this year.” She nodded and stepped out from behind her desk, they walked together down to the elevator, and he flicked that bell on her Santa hat “Are you going to wear this all night?” he smiled at her.
“Yes.” She chuckled “It’s the Christmas party, so it’s fitting. Where is yours?” she questioned
him right back.
“I’ll not be wearing it unless mother makes me.” he chuckled as they got in the elevator. “She’s
already got the happy Santa hat photo, I believe.”
Harmony smiled “Mm, I know nothing about that Garrett.” And they both laughed.
She stepped out of the elevator with him and into the foyer of the office building. She’d not had
reason to come down here at all today, and the place was filled with tall bar tables with long
white and red table cloths draped from them with bowls of candy and snacks in the center of
each table.
Many of the employees were already there talking and mingling with each other, drinking from wine glasses or champagne flutes. There was Christmas music playing in the background,
and lots of chatter could be heard. The foyer was fully decorated with big garlands and pretty
baubles of sparkly red, black and white.
But it was the massive Christmas Tree that shocked her completely. It stood at least 15 feet tall. “Oh my goodness.” She gasped up at the sight of it, still un–decorated but amazing.
Garrett chuckled from next to her “There’s more, just wait till the lights go out at seven.”
“What?” she asked, turning her eyes on him.
He smiled right at her. “Go mingle, I’m on tree duty with the boys.” And then he was gone off across the foyer to where his CEOS and parents were standing, she made her way over to where all the tables were, and found the other women she knew from the 12th floor and stood
with them.
Watched as Garrett and his family, his CEOs and a bunch of who she could only think were hired helpers decorate that tree while they all laughed and talked and joked with those around
them.
“Is it always like this?” Harmony asked Kaylie, Dallas‘ secretary.
“Yes, Deidre is big on Christmas, it’s a very festive affair every year here at the company. I believe their home is just as decorated as well. Deidre is big on all holiday events. This is her
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specialty though.”
“I think I’m going to like working here.” Harmony smiled at her.
“Everyone does, it’s a good company and the Owens‘, they look after all their employees. Easter is the other big splash out. They have all the employees‘ children come for Easter egg
hunts up at their estate. It’s lots of fun.”
She smiled and shook her head, but loved it. Declined the glass of wine or champagne offered
to her by a passing waitress, with a slight shake of her head and her words of “I don’t drink.”
And was handed a flute of orange juice instead.
There was plenty going on in this room and many couples danced on the designated dance floor, including Garrett’s parents. There was food brought down to the foyer at 5pm, and she didn’t think she’d ever seen so much in her life. Tables upon tables of all kinds of delicious looking and smelling foods, everything she could think of was there for her to try. And she was
more than hungry, went back for seconds.
There was a lot of laughing, and she got introduced to many more people here at the company
and had her photo taken as part of the groups standing around. She was really enjoying
herself, it was a grand party where everyone was happy.
Then at ten to seven she saw Garrett up at the top of the Christmas tree in a harness, sitting up there smiling down at everyone, as he called their attention to him. The whole place went quiet, and he made a speech from up there, and looked more than comfortable to her five
meters off the ground.
He talked about the year they’d had, and the company’s continued success that he saw for the future, praised all his employees for working hard and welcomed all the new employees.
He smiled right at her from way up there, as he stated that one. Then he placed a large snowflake up on the very top of the tree and the lights all suddenly went out, and there was a countdown going on: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Then that snowflake lit up and to her amazement projected many other snowflakes up onto the ceiling above it, and they all swirled and rotated around.
She gasped in awe, as did many others, it was utterly stunning to look at and the lights down in the foyer started to come back on along the walls but none on the ceiling, giving the entire place what she felt was more of a romantic Christmas atmosphere. She sighed softly to herself as she leaned her chin on her hand on the table and looked up at the ceiling, this company really did know how to put on a show for its employees.
Garrett was standing next to her a few minutes later with a drink in his hand. “What do you
think?” he asked her.
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She stood up and smiled “Amazing.” She told him honestly “How are you going to top this next
year?”
Garrett laughed heartily “You know I ask my mother that every year. She’s the one that manages to outdo herself each and every time.”
“So, this is not you?”
“No.” he shook his head “Mother loves Christmas and I can tell you, she’s likely already
planning next years in her mind. All the company parties and gala’s or charity events held are mothers doing.” He sipped his drink “It was her actual job title when she met my father.”
“She was a party planner?” Harmony asked.
“No, a wedding planner.” He smiled right at her.
“Ah, no wonder she’s itching to get you out there dating.” Harmony nudged him.
“Mm,” he nodded and leaned on the table “Itching to plan her only son’s wedding. Both my sisters are already married, I’m apparently holding out on her.” he sounded amused to her and
there was a twinkle in his eye.
“You’ll get married when you find the right girl or when you’re ready.” She nodded.
“Tell her that.” He stood up “Goddess, here she comes now, and with someone she wants me
to meet.” She watched him down his drink, then he leaned over and murmured in her ear “I’m
outta here.” and was then just gone, off into the crowd.
She chuckled as she heard his mother call out his name after him.
