Chapter 6 - A Christmas Morning Call|
Christmas morning arrived with a gray, overcast sky and a light dusting of snow over North Knoxville.
In a cramped one-bedroom apartment above an auto repair shop, Hannah sat on the edge of her sagging mattress, staring at her phone on the nightstand. She hadn't slept a single wink. Every time she closed her eyes, she envisioned the security guards escorting her out of the building with her final paycheck in a white envelope.
On the floor beside her, Ellie was happily playing with a clean plastic tupperware container and an empty wrapping paper tube, completely oblivious to the financial ruin looming over their heads.
"Merry Christmas, Peanut," Hannah whispered, leaning down to kiss Ellie's soft hair.
At precisely 9:15 AM, her phone began to vibrate against the wood. The screen displayed an unknown corporate number from Whitmore Confections.
Hannah’s stomach plummeted into a cold abyss. She wiped her palms on her sweatpants and answered with a breathless, shaky voice.
"Hello?"
"Hannah Mercer?" a deep, resonant male voice asked over the line. It wasn't her shift supervisor, nor was it the HR manager. The voice possessed an unmistakable authority that commanded absolute quiet.
"Yes," Hannah stammered. "This is Hannah."
"This is Ethan Whitmore."
Hannah went completely motionless. The air left her lungs in a sharp, painful hitch. "Mr. Whitmore... sir. I am so, so sorry about last night. I left a note on your desk—"
"I read your note, Miss Mercer," Ethan interrupted softly. His tone wasn't angry, but it was impossible to read. "And I found the music box."
"I know I broke the rules by bringing my daughter," Hannah rushed out, tears springing to her eyes as she squeezed her phone tightly. "Please, sir, Marlene had nothing to do with it. She tried to tell me no, but I begged her. If you have to fire someone, please just fire me. Don't punish Marlene."
There was a long pause on the other end of the line. So long that Hannah wondered if the call had dropped.
"I am currently in my office," Ethan said finally. "I would like you to return to the building today at two o'clock."
"Today?" Hannah blinked, bewildered. "On Christmas Day?"
May you like
"Yes," Ethan replied flatly. "Use the private executive elevator on the east side of the building. My security guard will let you through. Bring your daughter."
Before Hannah could ask another question, the line went dead.
