"Okay everyone twenty more minutes until we exchange Secret Santa gifts." Barbra announced from the front of the office. Miranda rolled her eyes causing my hand to smack her in the stomach. She nearly spit out the eggnog she was drinking. I chuckled shooting her a look.

"Maybe you should be nicer." I tried to give my best motherly look, showing her I was disappointed in her actions. I couldn't help but break the facade with a smile. I wasn't really that concerned with Miranda's actions. We both laughed before raising our drinks, taking a sip of the thick liquid.

"Hey, you are going to coal in your stocking for hitting me so much. You realize that right? That's not the nicest Amber you can be." Miranda egged me on making me want to hit her again. I waved her off taking another drink.

"Yeah...yeah...yeah," I looked around the room taking in all the decorations. I wasn't sure who spent all the time to place everything so delicately in it's spot. Christmas lights started in the middle of the room attached to the ceiling before connecting to the edges of the room like a spider web. They all twinkled flickering between a gold and white color. They were stunning tying everything together perfectly. The table at the front of the office had been converted into the perfect gift table. My gift sitting next to Miranda. I had panicked just grabbing a random book that looked interesting. I wasn't very good at buying presents for people.

On the opposite side of the room another table had been set up with Christmas cookies, eggnog, and plenty of other treats and drinks. Red table clothes were ran on both tables making them feel like every other decoration in the office. Fake snow was scattered across the floor leading to a Christmas tree decorated with gold bows in the corner.

"What did you end up getting for Mrs. Landing?" I lean to talk to Miranda. Both of us stood by ourselves listening to the Christmas music bring everyone together. People brought their families, little kids running around the tiny work space pretending to have snowball fights in the fake snow.

"I just went easy and got her some perfume." Miranda had done the same thing I did. Just a simple gift that wouldn't matter too much. Like getting a businessman a tie, though no one in this office really ever wore one, and we were lawyers. Miranda shifted as a small child came running past her tugging at the bottom of her dress. She looked down at the little girl holding the edge of her dark red ensemble.

"Your dress is very pretty ma'am." The girls hair was curled tightly into little blonde ringlets bouncing around as she hopped away from Miranda.

"Okay that was the cutest thing I've ever seen. I'm ready to go home now. I don't need any presents... that was enough." Miranda was beaming as she spoke. Clutching at her heart like she was dying from cuteness overload.

"Come on, it's almost time for Secret Santa and then we can leave." As soon as I had said the words Miranda pretended to straighten back up, as if she had been revived.

"Okay, I'm good now." She chuckled heading over to the treat table to grab another sugar cookie. Barbra stood in the middle of the room once more clinking a metal fork against her glass.

"Alright everyone, it is time for the gift exchange. One by one I want you guys to come up and search for your gift. Once everyone has there's, we will all open them." Barbra threw her hands together nearly spilling her drink. She took a step forward grabbing a large bag with a snowman on the outside of it. Jonathan went next grabbing his small round present off the edge of the table. One by one everyone in the office stepped up to get their presents. Eric went right before me, grabbing the bright green bag I had placed on the table. I watched awkwardly as he fiddled with the little card I had written.

It was my turn now, and as I walked to the table it looked like there was nothing left. Nothing but a little note sitting alone in the middle of the table. My heart sank, but jumped at the same time. I was disappointed I didn't have a gift that I could open like everyone else, but what did that note say?

We were getting awfully close to Christmas and this little escapade had to be coming to a close soon. I quickly snatched the paper before heading back to my spot between Miranda and Eric.

"1...2...3!" Shouted Barbra as everyone began tearing apart their presents. I carefully unfolded the note. I watched for a moment before pulling the card out of its envelope.

Day 10

Only two more notes

Are you excited?

I'm getting nervous.

Sorry this is a horrible present

Your real one will be delivered tomorrow

If I gave it to you, then someone close to you would know too much.

I'm getting excited, I can't wait for you to see what I have planned.

I looked around the office searching for someone who was looking at me too. Everyone was engulfed in their presents. Eric with the horrible book I had given him, about politics. Miranda stared lovingly at the earrings she had received. Even Mrs. Landing seemed pleasantly surprised with the small bottle of perfume Miranda had gotten her. I glanced down at the note again searching every line for a clue.

Miranda had to know something. Even if she didn't know she knew something she had to. That's what he must have meant by not being able to give me the gift now. I shook Miranda's shoulder trying to draw her away from the beautiful emeralds she held.

"Do you know who this is from?" She glanced at me before taking the note in her manicured hand. She read over the lines carefully before looking around the room knowingly. She did know something.

"No, I have no clue who is sending these. But look at how cute my earrings are!" She was changing the subject so she didn't say too much. She wasn't good at lying and I knew it.

"Tell me!" I whined trying to keep my voice down before too many people were staring. A few were; Eric, Barbra, and Kyle had all seemed to take notice in our conversation. My face flushing red as I placed the card in my pocket. I had to drop this before I embarrassed myself too much. I searched the took intently heading over to the drink table for another eggnog.

As I reached for a new glass I was interrupted. "Thank you," I turned around to see who it was. Eric stood in front of me holding the book I had purchased for him. I smiled, still feeling embarrassed by my little outburst.

"You're welcome," I mumbled before covering it with a sip of eggnog. I was trying hard to hide my disappointment. Eric hadn't done anything wrong.

"I've been looking at buying this for a while." He reached behind me grabbing himself a drink. I tried to replace my solemn expression with a smile. At least he was trying to make me feel better about my crappy gift.

I glanced around the room not really sure what to say. I honestly just wanted to go home. I found myself leaning against the table just enjoying someone's company. That was until a little boy came running around the corner of the table going too fast. I tried to get out of his way, I was unsuccessful though as he crashed into me spilling his hot chocolate all over my green dress. I looked down at the liquid seeping in the material defeated.

"I'm so sorry!" The boy squealed before running to his mother across the room. Eric dove into action grabbing a handful of napkins, helping me dab the stain off the bottom of my dress.

After the mess was most of the way cleaned up I thanked him. My face turning an even brighter red than before. He brushed it off throwing his hand behind his head. While doing this he glanced up freezing for a moment. I searched for what he was looking for realizing we were standing underneath a mistletoe. I took a quick step back not trying to be rude. He chuckled it off taking another sip of his own drink.

"Don't worry, I'm going to head out anyways. Try to uh..." he paused morning towards the area around us. "To to avoid over here." He smiled before filling his cup and walking away.

I couldn't help but smile as he walked away. I was sure to follow his advice. Making it easy by heading home myself.