Chapter 29 - Christmas party (1)

On December 22, "Orion Enterprise" organized a Christmas party for employees and partners with a goal to promote networking, and to boost morale. Everyone who came out of town has their travel and logging expenses covered by "Orion Enterprise".

The company organizes two large events a year, one is Christmas party, and second event is company meeting in June. Company meeting is for employees only, and it takes 3 days where they discuss new and future products, listen to guest speakers and organize workshops as well as social events.

For Christmas party, headquarters of "Orion Enterprise" opened doors at six in the afternoon, and guests started coming in shortly after that. Program for this party was short, at 7:30 PM there will be set of speeches starting with number of directors and ending with an address from CEO. Total program is about half an hour long, and the rest is reserved for networking between guests, accompanied by food, beverages, music and games. Two floors of the HQ building are set up for the event. First floor has buffet-style food and beverages arranged on each side, next to the walls, followed by tables for seating and dance floor in the middle of the large area. Looking from the main entrance, at the end of the first floor was a stage with a DJ playing light music, and space from where program (speeches) will be held. Second floor has a variety of snacks and beverages available, seating area and various electronic games with include virtual reality stations, as well as area with games such as pool tables, foosball, etc.

At the main entry, there are several stations where guests check in before entering the venue.

Guests are in high spirits, and chat lively while lining up to check in.

Guest1: "I can't wait to see in person the frozen queen!"

Guest2: "Who?"

Guest1: "The CEO. I heard she is a beauty, but non-approachable. I would like to try approaching her, hehehe"

Guest3: "I also heard she has two sisters, and all three of them look alike very much"

Guest1: "Even better, more for all of us to go around, hahaha", hands in the invitation to check in.

Person who does check in: "Thank you for coming Mr. Shir, please enjoy the event. And do your best not to talk ill about the Boss or her sisters", He gave a warning with a smile.

Guest1: "Oh, thank you. Sorry, sorry, my bad", Nervously goes in

Person who does check in holds a smile, 'Who gives you right to talk sh*t about the Boss? Some people don't know what's good for them', "Next please!"

The employees like Hill family, especially the CEO. They all treat them well, with good work conditions and fair wages. Most companies hold events for management only, but "Orion Enterprise" invites all employees, even the cook from the company café is invited. That makes them all feel like part of the family.

~Orion Enterprise, CEO office~

"How long do I need to stay tonight?", Sarah was not excited about the upcoming evening.

"Party is until midnight. You should stay at least until 10. If possible, bear with it until 11.", Sophia pleaded. "There will be a lot of people, and most of them are just waiting for me to slip and make a fool out of myself. Don't leave early, it means a lot to me to have you here."

JoAnna could not believe what she just heard Sophia say, "I think that by now most of the people realize your value and are supporting you. Don't belittle yourself. Company is growing since you took over, and everyone down there likes to earn more money."

Sophia sighed, "I'm not so confident yet. That is why having friendly faces around puts my heart and mind at ease. So please don't bail out early. OK?"

Sarah and JoAnna nodded offering comforting smiles. They will sacrifice their evening for Sophia.

"It's almost time to head down. It's past 7", Sophia said while taking a deep breath and stretching her neck. Then she added, "Mom and dad are down there since door opened. After the program, they will probably just spend the evening on the second floor in one of the booths chatting with few of their regulars."

"Do you want us to be on the first floor?", JoAnna asked.

"If possible, yes. Second floor will mostly be with groups of people who already know each other. Open networking will happen on the first floor. Tonight, I need to focus on establishing better connections with partners, and most of them will be on first floor.", Sophia explained.

"Do you really-really need us on the stage during your speech?", JoAnna asked Sophia.

"Yes. You just need to stand in the back. No need to say anything. Having your support, will make me feel better. At the same time, I can showcase our triplet styling", Sophia laughed.

Sarah and JoAnna rolled their eyes, and shook their heads laughing. They would prefer to keep a low profile, but tonight, they will support Sophia.

~Orion Enterprise, main floor~

At 7:30 PM sharp, the music faded away, and directors took turns delivering the speech prepared, welcoming guests and wishing everyone to have a good time, mixed in with few words about their departments. Each speech was not lasting longer than few minutes.

After directors finished, Sophia stepped on the stage as a CEO, followed by Sarah and JoAnna. As they took their positions, there was a mix of claps and gasps.

Sophia: "Welcome, honored guests to our Christmas party..."

She started her speech, and no one was able to ignore presence of three sisters on the stage.

Sophia is in front, and JoAnna and Sarah are slightly behind her on her left and right. All three of them look alike very much and are absolutely beautiful. Their stone-cold faces show no trace of emotion. Their lips are slightly curled up, however, neither of them has a welcoming smile. Three of them look unapproachable, like royalty. With perfect facial features, tall, slender model-like bodies, with curves right where needed, people can't help but stare at the genetic perfections. The sisters are wearing matching gowns, Sophia has a red gown, JoAnna blue and Sarah green one. All three gowns have the same cut and style and are shimmering under stage lights. Sisters also have matching light make up, and hairstyles; hair lifted with few lose curls around their face and in the back. During the speech, two sisters in the back occasionally absentmindedly glanced through people below the stage, and then focused their gaze on their oldest sister. Three of them look like goddesses who descended from heaven, and there was no male guest who was not interested in trying to approach them.

…

Somewhere in the middle of the audience, two young men with similar features, obviously brothers, are standing and listening to Sophia's speech. One looks a bit older and is listening to Sophia while glancing through the crowd. He is trying to spot in the audience people he plans meet with that evening, he does not plan to stay long. The younger one is focused on Sarah, his eyes are not leaving her, he can't look away.

"That is Sarah?" He heard the question but didn't answer. "Aiden? Earth to Aiden?"

"Mmm?" Aiden didn't remove his gaze from Sarah.

"Is that Sarah? The one in green dress?" The man next to him asked.

Aiden nodded slightly.

His brother shook his head. As Sophia's speech ended, he turned to next person on his to-meet list. "I'm going to meet some people. Don't cause trouble."

Aiden chuckled, "When did I cause trouble?"

His brother already left in the crowd.

…

The sisters are aware that there are many men staring at them in hopes to approach them. Their stone-cold façade is with a purpose to keep the wishful thinkers at bay. Of course, this approach is not full proof, there are always few poor souls who still approach them, and they are either overconfident or a bit stupid. But they just crash and burn. None of sisters is attending these functions with romantic thoughts.

Sophia's speech ended, and the sisters headed off the stage while guests clapped before heading toward food and beverages.

"Anna, Sarah! My angels, slow down!", they heard their mom calling. JoAnna and Sarah stopped and looked back, fear was showing in their eyes. "You look very nice. I'm proud you are my daughters.", Stella said. JoAnna and Sarah gave her suspicious looks. "There is someone I want you to meet", she continued, and two young women just looked at each other, fear was replaced with desperation in their eyes. "Hey, I see that. I'm right here!", Stella protested with a wide smile. "They are nice young men. Just meet them and give them few minutes. That is all I ask."

"Only if you promise one thing", Sarah said seriously.

"What?", Stella's smile faded.

"That this is the only, and I mean one and only attempt for you to find us nice young men.", Sarah emphasized 'nice young men'.

Stella frowned, then sighed. "OK… For tonight!" Stella cheekily smiled. "I will go upstairs with your dad and will not meddle even if you are all by yourself for the rest of the evening."

"Thank you", JoAnna said, but it was not clear if she said this to Sarah or to Stella.

"Why do I have a feeling you have more candidates for us to meet tonight?", Sarah was suspicious.

"Come, come", Stella ignored her question. "They are right there."

"I thought we got away from this", Sarah whispered to JoAnna.

"Never underestimate mom's power.", JoAnna whispered to Sarah. "Let's just pretend few minutes, until mom goes upstairs."

Sarah gave her an approving nod.

They looked for Sophia, but she was already on the other side, chatting with few people. Two sisters followed their mom while with thoughts how fortunate Sophia is that she escaped mom's matchmaking attempts.

They reached two young men next to the pastry section. "Mmh", Stella cleared her throat to get the attention of two young men. "Good evening, again. I came with my two daughters thinking that you might have a lot in common, and you will enjoy chatting." Stella proceeded with introductions, "JoAnna, this is Mathew. He is 27 years old with a law degree and interest in dog breeding, Capricorn in horoscope." Then she turned to other young man, "Sarah, this is Johnathan. He is 24 years old, currently in pharmaceutical area, with interest in sports cars, Sagittarius in horoscope." Two sisters didn't show any change in their cold expressions, just nodded in greeting. Two young men put their best smiles on, and extended hands. Sarah and JoAnna, in matching slow movements, accepted hands of young men and shook them slightly. Stella was happily nodding in approval with a huge smile but didn't move. Both Sarah and JoAnna turned to look at Stella until she suddenly said, "I'm going to check on my husband. You kids get to know each other, alright?" With that Stella left. Sisters looked at retreating back of their mother, making sure she gets into the elevator... this took at least half a minute, but sisters didn't care that they neglected their newly arranged companions. Only after Stella got into the elevator, sisters turned towards young men who still had smiles on their faces.

Sisters didn't say anything. They just looked at young men without showing any emotions.