"MISS FREYA, I THOUGHT YOU HATED GOING TO YOUR FAMILY'S VILLA," Debora pointed, while packing my pajamas. "Especially on holidays!"
Debora is the best, and she knows me and the way my mind works very well. She's my p.a. since my last year on the MIT. Three years older than me, and she got married around four months ago to my financial advisor, Leopold Montevecchi, who also came with me when I left the US. After all, it would be more beneficial for them to live near me, and besides, they both have links in Europe since their families are both from Italy, which was even more convenient.
"I do. However, when I build the power generators and the solar panels, I did it in a way that if it broke I would be the only person who would be able to fix it. That way, they would be dependent of me, and it would be amusing to watch. So, as the storm broke it all, I'll have to go there and fix it. It's a consequence of my actions. If I don't go, they will get on my nerves for a while, and I don't want that."
She smiled mischievously, "You are so smart, Miss Freya." She's cute, isn't she? Debora is an ENFP, around 3 inches taller than me, with honey straight short hair and bangs, big light brown eyes and have a hint of green on it, tan skin, full lips, curvy body, and a mischievous way to deal with things that I find it similar to my own. And she has a degree in management, which is necessary for her as my personal assistant.
"Of course, I am," I winked at her.
"Will Miss Banks and Mister Montello be going with you too, boss?" A nod. "Do you want me to go?" She said that kindly, but by how she was biting her bottom lip, and knowing her, going is the last things she wants.
I turned to her, with three pairs of high-knee minions-themed socks in my hands, "No, darling. It'll be exhausting, and we are talking about me spending an entire month in Hell. Besides, you've already prepared everything for me to take with me in the truck, didn't you?" An excited nod. "So, as I'm the best boss in the world, I'll give you the entire month free of me. You are still a newlywed, and both you and Leo are 27 years olds, Debby. Take this time to spend together in a lovely mood with your family." Then I gave her a look, "And don't worry, I'll still be paying you both during December, even if you don't work."
Being emotional like she is, she opened her arms, "Can I hug you, Miss?"
Pretending to find it disgusting, I stared at her for a second, than rolled my eyes and nodded. She came at me and gave me a bear hug. "Am I the best?"
She giggled, "You are the best boss in the world."
After hugging for a second, I put space between us and smirked, "I know I am. Now, let's finish with these bags and go shopping, because I have lots of nephews and nieces that might kill me if I don't bring presents for them." Then I thought of something and turned to her again, with a mischievous grin, "Can you call Leopold and ask him to go and buy three bottles of the best and most expensive whisky in Birmingham?"
Debora gave me a all-knowing look, "What are you planning now, boss?"
"I can't come empty-handed when I meet my parents new boss, can I? Besides, knowing my family, none of them will have bought a Christmas present to him, since they are already hosting the Christmas season in the Villa and having him there. However, if I bring such an expensive gift to an expensive guy, or girl, I'll be seen in a better light than all of my family, which will be amusing."
Giggling, she petted my shoulder, "I'll call Leo."
"You are angel, Debby. Oh my God, when I go to take another look in my testament, I'll leave a real state for you and your family," then I winked and left the walk-in closet. "Dove, change the song to Into You by Ariana Grande."
"Yes, Freya!"
Humming and dancing to the song, I went to the kitchen, "Lily," I called my chef. "Can you prepare lots of brownies with peanuts, white chocolate cookies, milk biscuits, and around twenty lemon-flavored and twenty strawberry-flavored cupcakes?"
A nod, "Of course, I can, Freya. Your wish is my command," she came closer and kissed my forehead, since she's a head taller than me. Well, everyone who works for me is taller than me, period. "When are you leaving?"
"Five hours."
"Are these sweets for the kids?"
I smiled, "Yes. They love it. And cupcakes are good for the small ones who are still growing teeth, so make them fluffy and soft."
"I will. Where will you go now?"
She acts like a mother to me. Always worried and taking care of me when I'm at home. Bringing me food and drinks when I'm oblivious working. "Shopping. It's hard to stay as the favorite aunt, you know? I have to buy at least three presents for each of the kids. My reputation is on the line."
Giggling, she nodded, "Be careful."
After nodding I left, going to the underground garage. When I entered my Jeep Wrangler Sahara black, my phone rang and I put it on the speaker of the car. "Bark," I mocked annoyed.
"Oy, don't talk to me like that, sis. We used to have a good relationship the way we could. Don't be so rude," Dean said and I rolled my eyes.
"Until you married my bully. It's all on you, asshole. So, bark. What is it that you want from me? You never call me, and I don't have time for your bullshit right now."
He let out an annoyed breath, "Mom said you were showing your psychopathic tendencies again and saying morbid shit. Come on, Lizzy," he's the only one in the family who always call me that normally. "You know that mother will be disturbed. Can you avoid doing that?"
I rolled my eyes, "Whatever. You know I hate small talk Dean, so, be straightforward. What do you want?"
"I actually called to wish you a happy late birthday. I totally forgot your birthday was last week, so, sorry. Happy 24th birthday, Lizzy. I miss your annoying existence here."
Feeling my face hot, I tried to ignore his annoying words. He really forgot. Dean is also the only one in the family who always remembered my birthday yearly. "It's alright. At least, for you, that's a first."
"Did you spend it with our grandparents?"
"Yes."
"Good. They love you a lot," I know. "So, what do you want as a present? Both for your birthday and for Christmas, because it's almost here. Mom said you will be arriving here soon. I'm glad you are coming, even if it's under the pretense to fix the power generators and the solar panels."
I chuckled, "At least you know the name of them. But yes, I'll leave Birmingham in five hours. You don't need to buy me anything."
He clicked his tongue, "I want to. So, name it."
"Alright, if you insist. Buy me books. Not one, but two long series. You can afford it just fine."
Dean chuckled softly, "Of course, I can. So, send me your wish-list and I'll buy it for your nerd ass. To think you would ask for books at 24 years old. You never change, do you, Lizzy? Still with the same weird taste."
I felt a silly smile taking over my lips, "Don't be an asshole. Besides, the other things I could ask you to buy me are too complex for this peanut-sized brain of yours."
"Did you just call me dumb?"
"If the shoe fits," I said giggling and hang-up on his face. Oh, how I love doing this. It's really satisfying. Then Fallout by Unsecret ft. Neoni began to play and I focused on the road, as I went to the shopping to buy the kids' presents.
𖣔 𖣔 𖣔
Usually when I buy them presents, I always give them at least three, and I have a pattern. A toy that they tend to like such as a doll or something, a big stuffed animal each of them tend to prefer, and a fairy-tale book for their parents to read for them before they go to sleep. And I give them presents in all holidays of the year, and on their birthdays.
Sometimes I also give them clothes, but not normal ones. When I give them clothes it's always a one-piece long-sleeved themed pajama. Kids love it. Not just kids, since I also do, but mainly kids. And when I give them five presents, the fifth is always a second stuffed animal.
I avoid giving them normal clothes and shoes because kids grow up fast and loose those things too fast. So, it can be very annoying and useless. That's a job for their parents, not for the cool auntie here. Besides, kids hate to receive boring clothes as presents.
"You always comes here, Miss Freya, but I never asked how many nieces and nephews you have," Lindsay Dallas, the girl who works in the stuffed animals store asked me with a smile. She's around 21 years old and works here as a part-time job, so we've met many times this year when I came to buy the kids toys.
"Nine at the moment. 3 girls. 6 boys. Alicia, Bruno, August, Amelia, Brandon, Clarice, Dominic, Anthony, and Benedict."
She gasped, "Many As and Bs."
Sigh. "Don't even tell me. My siblings all followed our parents silly tradition of naming the kids in alphabetical order."
"So, are you the 6th child, Miss Freya?"
Oh, it's because she knows me for Freya. "No. I'm the 5th. My name is actually Elizabeth-Freya. However, I don't like the first name, so, just keep calling me Freya."
A nod, "It's a beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Those kids must love you since you constantly comes here to buy them presents like those."
Smiling, I paid for it, "Yes. I hope so. I'm doing my best to keep being their favorite auntie." Then I took all the Christmas packaged stuffed animals. I'll put their names on it when I go home. "Thank you, Lindsay. See you next holiday."
"Come whenever you want, darling," and only when she winked I realized she was flirting with me. I winked back, making her blush, and left the store.
"Cute," I laughed to myself as I went to the parking lot again to put all of the presents in my car.