Chapter 12
TWELVE
Avery
Cat’s smile had danger written all over it. She set her champagne glass on the edge of the gas firepit, eyes glittering. “This is the new plan, since we’re scrapping Huntington Gardens.”
I smiled and glanced at Ash, sitting across from me as we discussed the updated plans with Cat on Ash and Jake’s second-story porch, which offered sweeping views of the Pacific and Malibu Beach below.
It was a perfect fall night, just the ladies and me up here, away from the kids.
Our scheming to kick my husband’s ass at this Mitchell family war he’d declared was in full swing.
The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the cool breeze had prompted sweater weather.
Nothing felt more perfect than sitting around the fire pit with hot cider, discussing Christmas décor, and plotting.
“Okay, tell me you came up with something better,” I answered while Ash chuckled.
“He needs to feel the pain of nearly costing himself his reputation within his entire company because of those stupid cheese boards and champagne, trying to call that shit a holiday. Now he wants to play with his planner?”
“And honey,” Cat said with a grin, “now you’re playing with yours.”
“Damn right, she is,” Ash said.
“Okay, so what do you have for us?” I questioned, excited to get this planning started.
“Well,” Cat grinned, “I learned today that Jim is intending to turn the Shrine Auditorium into his personal North Pole. My plan is simple: let him play Santa to try and redeem himself. His event is the day before your party, so on Christmas Eve, we’ll make sure everyone remembers the Scrooge he almost was with his chessboards. ”
“Hold up. The Shrine…where they host the Oscars?” Ash questioned Cat with a laugh. “Can you top that?”
Cat laughed. “Can I top that? Honey, I can top that with my eyes closed and both hands tied behind my back,” she looked at me. “Here is what I know. Jim’s planner is going along with Addy and Izzy’s idea for a North Pole-themed event.”
“Oh, that’s cute,” I said. “Because of the girls, of course,” I laughed.
“Popcorn and confetti,” Cat said, taking another sip of champagne. “We’re going for glitter and diamonds, ladies,” she grinned coyly. “Oh, another important detail is that Jim also plans to hand out the bonuses he almost scrapped on Christmas as well.”
“Well, if nothing else, at least we got him to hand out the bonuses,” I shrugged, thankful that Jim wasn’t being as uptight as before.
“Exactly, which means we don’t need to include the formalities of any of that in our planning,” she nodded in agreement.
“This is why I recommend taking a more exciting route. And since you both are making this a fun holiday family war, I say we go all out to beat him by reminding him how close he came to being viewed as old Ebenezer Scrooge to his entire company.”
Ash let out a laugh. “Oh, I already love this.”
“Well, I can assure you they’re feeling that way about him right now,” I raised a brow. “However, I like this way of affirming that they weren’t far off until he was caught,” I said, taking a sip of cider. “So, how do you plan on making this happen?”
“We rent out Paramount Studios,” Cat purred. “The Dickens backlot. I’ll have fog rolling, cobblestones dusted in snow, old gas lamplights glowing.”
“I love that,” I said. “Literally going into the movie, A Christmas Carol, on Christmas Eve.”
“Precisely,” Cat answered.
“Are we to dress the part?” Ash questioned.
“Most definitely. Jim needs encouragement to get the walking cane and top hat on,” Cat smirked.
“Now, I will have guests arrive by carriage and be greeted by carolers. The shopfronts will be lit up just like you’re walking in Victorian London.
Marquee’s pastries will be in the bakery windows, and of course, roasted chestnuts and mulled wine steaming on every corner. ”
I took another sip of my cider, more than excited to experience this than to beat Jim at party planning.
“The hired actors will weave through the crowd as Scrooge, Marley, Tiny Tim—little vignettes to keep the magic alive,” Cat went on.
“And then,” she lifted her hand in a flourish, “we will sweep them into Fezziwig’s ball.
I’ll have chandeliers, velvet drapes, an orchestra swelling into carols, and a tree dripping in Swarovski crystals.
It will make Jim’s North Pole event look like the Santa photo booth in the mall. ”
I shook my head, grinning. “Okay, it’s dramatic and genius. I absolutely love it. But how exactly are you pulling this off?”
Cat’s smile sharpened. “Studio buyout, set designers, Michelin-star-inspired chefs for the banquets, and a talented singer doing music for the finale. And because I don’t do anything halfway, each hotel suite for employees and company associates will have its own tree fully decorated before they even arrive. ”
Ash nearly dropped her copper cider mug. “Trees. In every suite? Are we talking mini hotel lobby trees, or full Rockefeller knockoffs?”
“Eight-footers,” Cat said coolly. “Aspen spruce. Flown in, dressed, and lit. The tree sizes will complement the rooms and bring more Christmas into their worlds. Also, this is going to be mentioned in the invitations so the guests know they will have a tree for Christmas morning, should they choose to celebrate.”
“Jim mentioned the company’s jets were already booked for Christmas when we got into this silly argument that started this war to begin with,” I said.
“Not all of them,” Cat confirmed. “There were plenty available for the domestic flights.”
“What about the international employees?” I asked.
“We’re using Stonecrest Aviation for international flights,” she confirmed without batting an eye.
“I have to say that this is the first massive event that I’m planning for the company, but shit, renting out Paramount’s lot just for a Christmas event?” I laughed nervously. “Jim is going to put me in Scrooge’s grave.”
“Don’t forget, he’s being charitable alone with who you both are choosing to hire for your events to be brought to life.
And he’s doing this for his employees, just like he did for his medical staff at Saint John’s on the yacht.
But, more importantly,” she flashed a sly grin, “if it makes Jim walk into his party looking like the Scrooge he’s trying not to be? I say it’s worth every penny.”
“I guess that’s my favorite part, teasing him about who he was acting like before I stepped in to ensure his company had their usual parties and bonuses and not cheeseboards.
Right on cue, Jake strolled out to the patio. “I heard the name Scrooge? You ladies must be talking about my brother?” He glanced at Cat, then at me, then grinned slowly. “Go on, ladies. I already like where this is going.”
I looked at Jake, “Are you here to spy for your brother?”
“Never,” he responded. “That dipshit tried to screw me out of my bonus this year while giving me a membership to his lame ass version of the Jelly of the Month Club.”
I narrowed my eyes. “He hasn’t tried to get you on his side with this whole Mitchell Family Christmas war he started?”
“I’m not as easily convinced as your daughters,” he chuckled, sipping the beer he brought out with him and reclining next to Ash.
“That old bird hasn’t even mentioned a word of this to any of us guys.
And if he did? I’d never join the side of the man who had me shitting in the woods last Christmas. ”
“Okay, fine. I have a fantastic idea, then,” I looked at Cat. “Jim will likely use his driver and the Bentley to arrive. He always does for these benefits.”
“You should make him walk,” Jake snickered.
“Even better, and I’m going to need you and Collin for this one, but if you do it, neither of you can utter a word around the girls or anyone else. It can’t get back to Jim.”
“What is it you’re needing?” Cat chuckled.
“I want Cousin Eddie’s RV from the movie, Christmas Vacation. Jake and Collin will kidnap the boss and bring him in front of all the people he tried to screw out of Christmas this year.”
Jake choked on his beer, “You’re shitting me, right?”
I looked at Cat, “Can we get a replica?”
“We can get anything you need, babe,” she laughed, “and I think that little prank is fantastic.”
“I’m shocked you thought of it before me,” Jake said.
“Dear God, this is going to be hilarious,” Ash laughed.
I stood. “Okay, Cat, let’s get shit happening. I’m heading home with the girls before Jim gets there. I’m curious what he thought about phase one when he saw it on his desk.” I shouldered my purse and laughed.
“Phase fucking one?” Jake questioned. “I was hoping for just a party, dinner, and my bonus. What the hell is really going on?”
“You just worry about playing your role,” I eyed him. “I’m a trusting woman, but I trust no one in the Mitchell family when it comes to things like this. Jim can’t know a damn thing.”
“The Scrooge shit?”
“The joke I’ve been teasing him with,” I smiled. “Now, it’s going to be the holiday theme of the event, so I’m not saying anything more.”
“God, woman,” Jake said. “It doesn’t need to be an all-out event.”
“And that’s why I don’t trust you, Jacob Mitchell,” I said. “You’re already acting like Jim would, and before I know it, you’ll be on his side and telling him everything.”
“I would never,” he smirked.
“Bullshit,” I answered. “All right, ladies. Dinner was lovely and fun, but I’m taking off.”
“Love you,” Ash said with a laugh.
“I’ll be in touch,” Cat waved.
I chuckled to myself, thinking about how all of this just got so much better.
I just had to hope Jake wasn’t going to act like his typical self and play both sides.
That would be something he would do, and then in the end, it would be Jim and me both getting punked by Jake.
I wasn’t about to get bamboozled when all I was doing was ensuring my husband’s entire company felt valued by their CEO this Christmas.