Season's Obligations

It was already late into December and before Elle knew it December 23rd had arrived. There were only two more days until Christmas.

Elle's past few days had been blissfully quite and simple. Work was going smoothly, thing's had quieted down since the release. Elle also had time to work on her novel again. It had been a few weeks since she last posted, her fans were happy to have updates going again. Things with Adam were also going well.

Elle had no idea exactly what their relationship was. They were no longer boss and employee, and she wouldn't say they were friends either. They occasionally shared a meal and sometimes Adam would give her rides, but that was the extent of things. Elle wasn't sure exactly what to call the relationship, but she enjoyed it nonetheless. There was something comforting about Adam's quiet company.

It was a sort of company she was sure to miss today. It was a Friday, and usually Elle would be in her office trying to finish all her work before the holiday break, but today her father had pulled her out of work in order to visit some relatives. It was tradition for them.

Elle's father disliked parties and social gatherings, and he didn't often visit any of his relatives during the year. Instead they would visit all their close relatives on the 23rd so they could fulfil their social obligations all in one day.

Elle tagged along every year as they visited relative after relative. This year was no exception. Elle didn't enjoy the family visits either, mostly because they were boring and everyone only ever asked her the same questions; How was her work? Was she seeing anyone? Would she be interested in meeting the successful young boy they knew?

Elle assumed this year would bring the additional discomfort of having to be in close quarters with Jacob for the entire day, but to her surprise Jacob was nowhere to be seen as Elle got into the car.

"You ready?" Her father asked.

"Yea, sure." Elle quickly stuffed all the gift bags into the back of the car before hopping in.

"I can't wait for this to be over." Her father muttered as they set off to their first stop.

Elle smirked. "Let's just try to get through it as fast as possible. If we end up staying at a house for too long I'll text you and you can pretend we got called back to the company or something."

"How cunning. Putting that education to good use I see." Her father teased.

"What's the point of being clever if I can't use it to get out of visiting relatives I have no interest in seeing?"

"Since when have you been so disparaging?"

"Since always. Must be genetic." Elle said with a smirk.

"Hey." Her father said, pretending to be hurt by her comment. "I'm not disparaging."

"Oh please, father. The only person who hates these visits more than me is you."

"That's true, but it's not like I hate our relatives. I just think it's a waste of time."

"See, I told you it's genetic."

As Elle expected, the day went by slowly. They visited house after house with the same routine. Giving them gifts and answering the same routine questions with the same routine answers; how was work? Fine. Are you seeing anyone? No. If you want I can introduce you this nice young boy. Laugh awkwardly and avoid answering. Everything was just the same as every year.

While Elle was busy visiting family Adam was busy avoiding his. His mother had called twice that morning and Adam hadn't answered the call either time. He could think of a few reasons for her calls, and none of them were discussions he wanted to have right now.

Adam assumed eventually she would get the hint, but her calls persisted. Finally, after the sixth time, Adam picked up the call.

"What is it?" He asked with irritation seeping into his voice.

"Is that how you greet your mother?" She scolded. "How many times do I have to call to speak to my own son anyway?"

"Six evidently." Adam said sarcastically. "I'm busy, if this isn't important I'll call you after work."

"Are you returning home tomorrow?"

"No." Adam replied instantly.

"Why not? I wanted us to all have dinner here, you could stay over for the night and we could all have breakfast together on Christmas day."

Adam chuckled. "I'm not a small boy anymore you know. Besides I still have a lot of work to do tomorrow."

"Your father is no fun at all." His mother grumbled. "I thought at least you would come over and keep me company."

Adam let out a sigh. "I really can't make it tomorrow but I'll come over for breakfast the next day, okay?"

"Okay." His mother replied cheerfully. She then quickly made a few calls, making arrangements for their annual holiday party. Adam went back to his work. Little did he know that his mother had a surprise attack planned.