The Christmas Chalet | ✓

Chapter 1 ❄️ Sophia

Sophia Reymont peered down at the dribble of coffee that had landed on her blazer.

She wasn't upset. Instead, she bit her lip to keep from smiling inside the crowded elevator. It matched the stain on the other side. Small enough that no one else would take notice, and the first stain a reminder of the day she met her best friend.

The same friend that awaited her when the doors opened.

Haley Willows tilted her head when she saw the tray in Sophia's hand.

"You know you don't have to do that anymore," Haley said, a smile in her voice.

"It's tradition," Sophia shrugged, offering the tray to Haley, "and it brings good luck."

Sophia had been marking important days with a coffee run long before Haley had been her boss at the Inspire Manhattan Marketing Agency. They had both studied at New York University. Haley, a sophomore, was assigned as Sophia's mentor in her freshman year. They had been inseparable ever since.

A coffee run before an exam or an interview was now one before a pitch meeting.

They're ready for us in Meeting Room B," Haley said, talking a sip.

"I'll be right there," Sophia replied. She stopped at her office to take her laptop and files, heading for the glass doors down the hall.

A man and a woman stood behind Haley's ponytail. They seemed to be the same age as her father. They had began their conversation, but she was greeted with silence when she opened the door.

"Sophia," Haley greeted her again. "Meet Joy and Tom Kristoff. Joy, Tom, this is our analyst, Sophia Reymont."

She understood Haley's verbal cue immediately. First names were only introduced if the pitch was warm, otherwise clients were addressed with nouns.

"Pleasure to meet you, both," Sophia greeted, shaking hands with the husband and wife.

She noticed that Joy was sporting a ring from the couple's own winter collection. As always, she wondered if the product displays were only for the sake of the meeting, or if the woman truly believed in her brand. She focused on the latter for the sake of her presentation.

Introductions aside, Sophia didn't waste any time. She pitched her research and ideas, encouraged by the clients nodding their heads with each of her statements.

"So, you see," she concluded, "it's not the holiday season that buyers are emulating with their purchases. It's the fact that there's an optimistic event on the horizon, with the convenience of having friends and family already gathered. It's the perfect time to campaign your new line of engagement rings."

"Thank you, Sophia," Haley said, turning to Joy and Tom. "Should we discuss any questions?"

The couple didn't waste any time either.

"What makes you so quick to dismiss the using the idea of the holidays as a marketing tool?" Tom asked, leaning forward across the conference table.

"I wouldn't dismiss the splendor of the holiday season," Sophia said. "But I think we should focus on evoking the subconscious feelings, targeting those that are planning to get married but haven't thought of it as a real option."

"How do you suggest that?" Joy chimed in.

"We introduce the themes of the season, the warmth and the happiness. The time spent with family and friends. But we don't need to suggest the holiday season outright. We'll be lost in a sea of advertisements. We need to distinguish ourselves as a class apart. Not campaigning because it's a convenient time for the seller, but for the buyer."

She saw Tom and Joy exchange a look, and she could see Haley hold her breath from the corner of her eye. Joy gave a subtle nod of her head, and they turned back to her.

"We like you," Joy said first, and she saw Haley's shoulders relax before she composed herself once again. "We'd like to run with the campaign you've proposed with a few minor changes."

"Of course," Haley said, quickly. "We're here to accommodate."

The rest of the meeting passed by in a blur until she shook hands again, a verbal agreement to make the contract official. She heard Haley in the background, discussing legalities, before she shut the boardroom door.

"That was incredible," Haley said to her, "How did you do that?"

"I didn't do anything," Sophia shrugged. "It was the data. People don't want Christmas, they want the feeling it brings."

"That's good," Haley said, holding her finger out, "I need to write that down somewhere."

Haley watched her as she gathered her belongings.

"Hey," Haley said, touching her arm. "You did well."

Sophia sighed.

"I feel like I should be more excited," Sophia said. "I like what I do but it's too easy just to move from one campaign to the next."

"Don't let it get you down, okay?" Haley replied. "Who knows. The next project that comes your way could be exactly what you're looking for."

"It could," Sophia agreed, resolutely.

"And," Haley waited until Sophia faced her, "you have my holiday party to look forward to this weekend!"

"Another fabulous tradition," Sophia couldn't help but lift her spirits.

"See, there you go," Haley said. "Now, come on. We've got work to do. Actually before that, can you please put some decorations up in your office? I can help."

"You know how I feel about them,"

"I know," Haley replied, "holidays aren't your style. But this isn't for you. It's for the clients."

"For the clients," Sophia repeated as her mantra and Haley nodded.

"Thank you," Haley said.

Haley touched the side of her arm again before she left the meeting room and Sophia gathered the rest of her belongings.

She stopped at the nameplate beside her office, one of many on the twelfth floor.

Sophia Reymont, Marketing Research Analyst.

A red flowered was perched on top of the plate, mirroring the others in the building. She ran her fingers along her name.

She looked around the office, unhurried for the first time. Each of the offices in the IM were decorated with their own Christmas-themed decorations. Some in visions of silver and gold, others in the traditional red and green.

She walked into her own space, still bare, trying to focus on IM's new clients.