It is almost Christmas. The holiday season is mostly about family, fun and food. Everyone seems to be in a good mood. I want to have a wonderful Christmas, but I shot myself in the foot.

"Okay, so Laurie, these are the files you will work on during the holidays. I sincerely appreciate your commitment and dedication to the job. You are headed for the top with your positive behavior, that I'm sure of."

My boss, Mr Chris says, dropping about 12 thick files on my table.

"I'm happy to do it, sir."

I smiled sheepishly, digging myself further into the hole of my own making.

"I always knew I could count on you." He smiled at me, turning my insides to jelly before leaving for his office.

"Your siblings are going to be here, your cousins, nephews and nieces too. All the extended family members you have always missed will be present for this year's Christmas. What do you mean you can't make it?"

My mother asked me after talking non stop for about five minutes.

I bit my lip in regret, imagining all that I would miss. My parents were big on family, so growing up, we always used to be around family during the festivities. Aunties, uncles, nieces, cousins, and grandparents. It was always the time to reunite and make merry. This memory brought a smile to face especially when I remembered how much pampering we used to get from the elders.

It's been quite some time since I've been present at this particular family gathering and I missed it so much. Ever since I towed the hustle path after my graduation five years ago, I haven't been able to make the time.

I promised my mother that I was going to come home this year, finally. I just had to be there. I had been feeling homesick and pining to be around family for a long time, and I was finally ready.

If I'm not the most stupid person in the universe, I'm sure I would win the runner up effortlessly.

"I know, Mum, but something came up at work. You think I like the turn of events too?" I tried to defend my stupid excuse.

"Your boss must be a heartless, slave master. Does he not have family too? How dare he stop you from being with yours?"

But, it's not my Boss's fault, this situation was completely by my own design, only I had forseen a better ending. How did I get here?

Mr Chris, my boss was a 35 year old handsome man. He was tall and dark, and if he was an athlete, he would most likely be playing basketball. Now, let me get to the specifics, Mr Chris was broad shouldered and very good looking. His hair was a buzz cut, and God! Even a model couldn't pull it off that effortlessly.

He had piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into your soul whenever he stared at you. He was a gym rat and fitness enthusiast and there was not an ounce of fat in his body buildup, it was all muscle. I have seen some tall guys whom passed the vibe check, but always had a minor attribute that turned me off. That was what made Mr Chris the exception.

He was tall and straight from head to toe and even his nails were well manicured and beautiful. The part I love the most, he could dress. I never met a man who could pair simple outfits together and rock it like a model. The usual shirt and trouser, suit, or even suspenders.

You should see the way all his clothes sat on his model, like an Egyptian God. I could write a whole book about him, and wouldn't repeat the same thing. He's handsome, good looking, dark with flawlessly white teeth and a cocksure demeanor. I don't even want to comment on the way he speaks, he had a deep rich baritone that gets you focused on whatever he was saying at the moment. Not like he even needs to make the effort, his presence alone commands attention.

I was thinking of all these when my Mom shouted into the phone, jerking me back to reality,

"Don't you have anything to say? Why don't you at least come for Christmas, and leave the next day?"

"Oh! Um! I'll see what I can do. I'll call you back, Mom."

I dropped the call abruptly and resumed my daydream.

Mr Chris was every woman's dream man, he's a 10/10, and I ain't even capping nonsense. He was such a gentleman and was always willing to help others. Bonus point, he smelled real tempting while at it.

The first day I met him was the day I resumed my job as an insurance advisor for Trust Assurance company, the most successful insurance company in this country. He was introduced as my supervisor and I learned almost everything I know today under his tutelage.

Imagine my surprise when I learned a year after that he was actually the owner of the company, someone pinch me please.

"You mean I've been crushing on my boss all these while?"

I asked my senior colleague, Funmi who gave me the gist.

"You have, my sister."

"It still doesn't change anything, I still want him."

"You better set your eyes on a more rewarding venture, Mr Chris doesn't date period."

"Really?"

"I tell you, hun."

I sat there for minutes after Funmi left to replay everything I've heard. Was Mr Chris really that out of reach? He was still single and as long as he still is, he's fair game, I won't give up.

"You have really made the company proud, congratulations. Pick up your promotion letter from the secretary."

Mr Chris said, congratulating me on my promotion and stretching his hand for an handshake.

"Thank you, sir."

I worked really hard, I put in my best and went all out to excel at my job. If only he knew I was trying to make him proud. I shook his hand and was about to leave his office when something occured to me.

"I would like to take you out for lunch, sir."

"Why's that?"

He asked staring quizzically at me.

"I just want to celebrate my promotion with you, sir."

"I'm sorry, I can't make the time. Celebrate with your colleagues instead." And with that, he dismissed me with a wave of his hand. I tried to ask him two more times, but got the same response. I thought it was only women that played hard to get. Damn! The sinful, handsome, mouth filling chocolate looking man. The nerve.

I had never asked a man out. I fancied myself too classy for that. It's funny how you think you have standards until you start to lower them yourself for someone.

I backed off since then and focused on my job, I still loved him though, but I was done doing the asking.

You can imagine how happy I was to ditch my earlier holiday plans when he walked up to me two weeks to Christmas and asked,

"What are your plans for Christmas, Laurie?"

Wait! Could it finally be happening? Was he headed where I thought he was?

"I don't have any plans as such. I'm free."

I blurted out before my common sense could intervene.

"Okay, cool. I was wondering if the two of us could do something together for Christmas. Hope you don't mind."

He said smiling at me.

The lord sure does work in mysterious ways. Mr Chris was finally asking me out. I was elated and nodded in affirmation, too excited to reply.

"Wonderful. I want you to work on some files with me. They are due for submission to the board by January. The other members of staff have travel plans, so, it's up to you and I to deliver. You will be paid for your time of course."

I was dumbfounded, not what I was expecting. I had committed myself so there was no going back.

He came with the files the next day and I watched his retreat with a mixture, of anger, resentment and disappointment. To think I threw my family under the bus for this, I was ashamed of myself.

I sighed and got started on the first file. This Christmas, is going to be my worst one ever, with a very unforgettable lesson.

Merry Christmas in advance to the people who get the opportunity to share in the joy of the season. I'm reporting live from my own personal hell. Rotfl.