The Most Confusing Holiday of the year

I woke up at 6:00 am on Christmas Eve 2020. Today marks my first year living on my own, I’m 19. I didn’t have any boyfriends as a kid or teen so I didn’t have anyone to move in with. I woke up early so I could go for a run, despite the holiday I still wanted to continue the day as normal. I turned the alarm off and sat up. I went to youtube on my phone and started playing some workout tunes. I threw the device back down to my bed after I stood. I made my way to the closet and grabbed my shoes from one of the shelves, set up inside. They were simple black sneakers with a red stripe down the middle of each side. I slipped them on and switched my tee for a plain dark gray muscle shirt, I also changed my PJ shorts into black sweat pants. On my way out of the master bedroom, I picked my phone off the bed, popped in earbuds, and left the house being sure to lock the house as I left. There had been a lot of thefts in the area lately. I made a plan to jog 2 miles out and then jog back, normally I would do 3 but I needed a break, the holiday was a great excuse. As I went I noticed that it had snowed last night, right as I made this realization I slipped. I closed my eyes and braced for impact, but to my surprise never hit the ground. A minute had already passed, so I opened my eyes to the man who had caught me. Surprised I said, “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, can you put me down?” Half sarcastic. He laughed and helped me back to a standing position.

Once I had recollected myself, I looked him up and down. He was handsome, not irregularly but normally handsome. He was sweating and also had earbuds in so I assumed he was also on a run. Finally, I remembered what he just did for me. Quickly I said, “Well thanks for catching me, I guess I should have been more careful.” He laughed again, “Your welcome… I’m sorry what is your name?” He scored a few points for laughing at my “jokes” so I told him, “It’s Carla, and you?” He smiled, pretty I thought, “I’m Jack, nice to meet you, Carla.” He put his hand out, clearly wanting to shake mine. I thought for a moment and shook it, now smiling too. He cleared his throat and murmured something I couldn’t understand. Confused I asked, “What?” He cleared it once more and said only a little louder, “Will you, uh, marry me?” Unable to believe my ears I questioned again, “What?” Clearly annoyed he went down on one knee and loudly answered, “I said, Will you, Clara whatever your last name is, marry me?” I stumbled once more, but this time I caught myself and, pissed off now, said, “No, Jack, I will not marry you, and since it seems to be my turn to ask a question, what on earth are you thinking asking a stranger to marry you?!?” I knew it sounded a little hysterical but I was very confused. He stood, I could tell he felt a little bad although frankly, I didn’t care. “I get that’s a lot but hear me out, why don’t we go over to that bench,” He pointed, “and I’ll explain everything. Okay?” He said this calmly, which only got me more worked up, but I decided to agree. The only thing I hated more than random questions, was lacking answers. “Fine, but make it quick.”

He led me to the bench and we sat down. He quickly explained. the gist is this he wanted me to pose as his fiance at a Christmas party tonight. He wasn’t ready to tell his family that his real fiance and him had broken up, not yet anyway. I refused almost immediately after he had finished, and stood. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help. For one I barely know you and two it’s Christmas eve I have plans.” Jack also stood up and said, “Thanks anyway.” He stuck out his hand wanting to shake again, and putting my hand in his for one final goodbye I said, “Good luck!” I smirked, winked, and turned away. Starting my music again and jogging home. 

I returned as quickly as possible, running into my closet to grab the pantsuit for my interview, then making my way to the bathroom for a shower. I rinsed off and washed my hair as fast as I could. Next, I dried off with my towel and blow-dried my hair. I tied my black waves up into a high ponytail and hurried out to my car. By this point, it was around 8 am and I had an interview, at a large corporation, at 8:30. The place I was supposed to go to was about 20 minutes away. I wanted to be early so I left immediately. I hopped into my brown PT Cruiser and, following the speed limit, drove to HU Corp. According to others, I’m a good driver, but I have a lot of anxiety about it and don’t like to drive further than 30 min. 

I arrived at 8:27 and hurriedly left my car, purse, and résumê in hand. I rushed into the large corporal looking building and went straight to the front desk. As soon as I was close enough to touch the counter the receptionist asked, “How may I help you, Miss?” I smiled and responded, “Hi, I’m here for an interview. I’m applying for the executive assistant position under the CEO.” She nodded and looked down at the sheets of paper scattered across her desk. “Take this,” She handed me a welcome packet, “And have a seat. The interviewer will be with you shortly. What’s your name?” “I’m Carla Retsick.” She nodded again and waved me off dismissively. I got the message though she was busy and I was supposed to be waiting. I smiled at her once more, doing my best to make a good impression, and then went to a seat. 

5 minutes later some guy in a suit came out of one of the many doors around the lobby and called my name, “Carla Retsick,” I stood and stuck my hand in the air, he spotted me and waved me over. I made my way there quickly without seeming too rushed or too lazy. “The board is in there, you can go in and take a seat in the empty chair.” I nodded, “Thank you, sir!” Trying to be enthusiastic and professional. He smiled, I returned it and then followed his instructions. As far as I could tell this was going very well so far. The room was empty besides a desk and two chairs, one on either side of the table. I went over greeted the man that sat in front of me and shook his hand before sitting down. He didn’t acknowledge this gesture though and went straight to business. “Why do you want to work at HU Corp?” “Oh I have been looking for a desk job with good pay, this is also one of the only places hiring, and the best if I might add.” Flattery was tacky but he was making me so anxious I couldn’t stop myself. I facepalmed internally as he said, “Hmm, I see.” Then marked something down on his clipboard. “In that case why did you choose to apply for the CEO personal assistant position instead of something different? All our departments are hiring.” This question was easy, “Oh I’m better at organization and keeping up with others, than really anything else.” “Ok, and what credentials do you have?” “I have a bachelor’s degree in business and I’ve had 2 office jobs in the last 6 years, for around 3 years each.” He only nodded this time, I had a feeling I was utterly botching this. “That’s all please wait in here and I will go get the results. You are the last interviewee.” “Okay!” I smiled, as he left. As soon as the door closed I physically facepalmed. 

He came back around 10 minutes later but didn’t sit back down. I got the impression I was supposed to stand too so I did. “You have got the job, Carla! You can start on Monday and I will email your schedule over to you tonight, Congratulations.” I smiled, visibly relieved, “Thank you, sir! But I have a question when will I get to meet my employer?” For the first time he smiled, it was light and hidden but I still caught a glimpse. “I am the CEO, and I have a question for you?” I tried to hide my shock and responded, “Oh, I’m sorry sir. What did you wanna ask?” He laughed and suddenly confetti exploded into the room, in all the chaos I barely noticed him kneel. I thought to myself, this better not happen again. “Carla, my secretary must also be my contractual fiance so will you marry me?” This time I laughed. He was surprised at my maniacal reaction. “No, absolutely not, and also I withdraw my application for the position. Good day!” I hurried out of the room and then the building and sped away. 

I turned my head, only for a moment, to make sure he didn’t follow me. But when I looked forward once again I slammed into a parked car. The airbag went off and I heard a distant scream I thought it was me, but I made sure my mouth was closed. I maneuvered around the bag and got out to assess the damage. The fenders were slightly damaged on my car, but it wasn’t me I was worried about. I looked at their car up and down and when I looked up again I was face to face with Stacy. She was my best friend in high school but it came out that she liked girls and my parents forbid me from seeing her. They were pretty old-fashioned, part of the reason I moved out right away was Stacy. She seemed scared at first but the moment she recognized me we hugged. I smiled, needing a win after such a long day. “Stacy! I’ve been searching for you since I moved out last year!” She giggled and smiled too. We sat for a long while and caught up with one another. 

After an hour of chatting she said, “Hey Clara, I need to go get something from inside. Wait here, okay?” I nodded and she ran off. She back rather quickly with a small box in hand. I pointed to it and asked, “What’s that?” As she sat back down. “It’s for you. A little gift for not caring about what gender I like!” I smiled truly touched by the sentiment alone. She put it in my hand and gauded me to open it. As soon as I did I dropped it, It was a fake diamond ring. “W What is this... Um for? I stammered as I tried to get answers. She began talking, “People always say your partner should be your best friend. You’ve always been a great, caring, considerate, person. Your funny and nice, and… Well Clara, will you do me the great pleasure of being my fiance. I screamed out loud. This was the third proposal in one day I knew Christmas eve was romantic but these three were taking life too seriously. “No, I’m sorry but I like guys, and honestly I’m a little peeved you would ruin our friendship like this. Text me when you’re over me or just send me the bill for your car.”

I stomped away furious and jogged home. I stopped on the way to call a tow truck to get my car, then ran as fast as possible to the seclusion of my apartment. I was expecting and that was as good a reason as any to avoid this chaos. I got a few texts on the way 2-3 from each suitor but ignored each one. I made it inside my building and up to the third floor without running into a single soul. But as I went down the hallway to my apartment I saw a delivery man outside my door. My package is here! I thought excitedly to myself. I ran up and immediately noticed how handsome my delivery guy was. He had short wavy brown hair and a very muscular build. I smiled, “Is that for a Clara?” He nodded and looked up at me from his clipboard. I guess he liked what he saw because he asked, “Are you Clara, Miss?” “Happens to be my name. Yeah. You are?” “Oh, I’m Blade, a pleasure to make your acquaintance Clara.” He answered flustered at first. Then he snapped back to reality and realized he needed a signature. “Oh, can you sign on the dotted line, Please?” “Sure can!” I responded taking the clipboard from him and signing. Despite the hectic day Blade was like a breath of fresh air. For the first time, I understood why Jack, The CEO, and Stacy had been so spontaneous with the proposal. I guess they felt what I was now Love at first sight. “Hey this TV’s gonna be a little heavy would you mind helping me take it in?” I asked trying to keep him here no matter what. He said “Sure, why not. You were my last delivery for the day.” We smiled together for a moment each staring deeply into the other’s eyes. I snapped out of it first and with a shake of my head pick up one side of the box. Then we carried it in together. 

After we had put it down in the Living Room I led him to the kitchen and said, “Coffee?” “Yes, definitely I love coffee.” “I’m learning so much about you already. We should trade numbers you look like a great guy to hang out with.” I was careful not to call him a friend, I may be a noob at dating but I knew a few things. We spent some time talking and by the point, we stopped it was around 4 in the afternoon. Blade was great and this time I was hoping my “luck” with proposals would work on him too. “So Clara,” He said when he had come back from the bathroom. “I was wondering…” “Yes” I smiled, “Would you marry me? I know we just met but I feel a real connection, and just because we’re engaged doesn’t mean we have to get married. We can just treat it like dating. What do ya say?” His simple but compelling voice and manner made me want to say yes but I knew better. “Let me think about it,” I answered instead. “Why don’t we exchange numbers and I’ll give you an answer by New Years’, at midnight.” He agreed. So he gave me his number and I gave him mine. Then he left.

I had a date tonight. The reason I wanted time is so that I could date other people and if I still felt like this by then I would say yes. I smiled at my rationality then checked my watch. It was 4:45 on the dot. I rushed to take another shower style my hair, and find a good dress, and matching shoes. It was 5:58 when I finished everything and our date was at 6 pm. I heard a knock at the door one minute later, I waited till the second knock before answering. Which backfired because Blake almost hit me in the face. “Oh my god, Clara are you okay! I didn’t hit you did I?!?” I put my hands on his shoulders and said in a calming tone, “Calm down, I’m fine, you didn’t hit me.” He took a moment to breathe and then we went to the restaurant. It was a nice place called Justdoe Chàflur. It was a French restaurant and I was quite excited to eat a souffle for the first time. It was fantastic, we were seated inside but right next to this large window that showed all the snow outside it was clean and amazingly covering these bare trees. I was mystified. So much so that the whole meal passed without me knowing, and the next thing I know I’m biting into a souffle. The conversation was none existent. He looked quite bored but I was so busy enjoying dessert I didn’t care. Suddenly he gave me a crazed grin and said, “Madam may I ask your hand in marriage.” This time I didn’t bother to hide the facepalm I just did it. “Blake was it? Absolutely not! Let’s just finish our meal and I’ll take a taxi home, k?” He laughed creepily, smashed my souffle with a fist, and ran away, sticking me with the bill, and killing my poor poor dessert. 

New Years’ came around quickly. I had gone on 50 dates every single one of them a dud. So that night at 11 pm I called Blade and told him yes then I said, “Come over tonight and we can spend the new year together.” Even though no one saw I couldn’t help but smile when his voice came through the other side of the line.