The snow was deep under my feet. I tried to take smaller steps. I knew Daniel would be really upset by the time of my arrival. Still, I thought my presence would overlap his valiant feelings. At least, just for that night. It was my favorite time of the year. The Christmas light guide my way from the road and through the forest. I knew I was getting there when I looked up to see the white house Daniel and I loved so much. The lights were on. I knew he and the family had set up a beautiful Christmas ball.

Therewith, I wish I could have been there.

December 1st

As I drove around the city, I realized I've never seen Christmas lights set up so early. Usually, as December went by, New York would light up, street by street, tree by tree, along with it. It was the night before December 1st that Kate decided we had to meet up for dinner. We weren't together for that long, but it still felt like we haven't been together at all. Every year, when this time arrives, things at work would get so out of hand that I barely have time to brush my teeth in the morning. It has always been like that.

And to be quite honest, I still haven't found something worth the change.

-Emma. – She grabbed my hand.

-Yes, Kate?

-I'm glad you could meet me for dinner. – Her sharp voice said. I knew she wasn't glad at all by seeing me.

-I'm sorry I haven't had too much of free time. It's the Holidays. It makes everything crazy. – I tried to save myself.

-You know, Emma... I haven't had enough time to say that I really like you. You are amazing. I knew, from the moment we met, that the one to win you would be beyond lucky. – I am sure my eyebrows were so frowned I almost made a face. How could she even compliment me? – And I think you need someone capable of really loving you… And I think I'm just not that woman. – I chuckle.

-Uh, I'm sorry?

-You are beautiful, and smart, and I know that deep inside you there is a woman capable of great love. But I don't bring that out in you. – She babbled.

-Are you breaking up with me? – I'm sure, at this moment, the woman in front of me has no idea where the smile I gave her came from.

-Actually… I…

-Thank God.

-What?

-I actually thought you were proposing. – I got my glass of wine and took a great sip.

-I know this may seem sudden… But it's something that's been happening since the beginning…

-And you're tired of dating someone who hasn't learned how to love.

-I never said that. –She babbled.

-Alice did. –I had my mouth on the delicious meal I had ordered before this really awkward situation. –My college girlfriend. Jay called me her phantom girl. It was cute, until it wasn't.

-So you've heard this before?

-Hmn, yeah, lots. –I ate a big slice of the chicken. –But you know, I'm not gonna pretend to feel something that I don't. And you're right. I… Don't. –Kate's dessert seemed so delicious. –Are you gonna eat that? –I asked, before I took her place and placed it in front of me.

-Hmn. –I moaned when I took a slice of it.

December 2nd

-Zelena Mills finally died. – John threw a pile of files into my desk. I have always been a sucker for hard work.

-And Good morning, John. –I said, taking a look at the papers.

-It was. Visions of my Caribe vacations were throwing a party in my head till I got these news. Guess what I don't want to think about during my Caribian vacations? –Hmpf, that's easy.

-Zelena Mills? –John smiled.

-You're impressively quick. I knew there was a reason I'd come to you first.

-I also never have Christmas plans. –I chuckled.

-That too. –He said. –It's a simple execution of her will, mostly.

-How many assets?

-Just the one big one. –I looked up to him with frowned eyebrows. –Come on. –He said, gesturing for me to follow him.

-Storybrooke Inn. Nice, huh? –He said. The iPad in front of me had a big picture of a white mansion. I appreciated the vintage style. Number 108.

-Charming. –I said. –Who gets it?

-No heirs. So to the trust it goes, and they want it sold quickly, before they get hit by taxes.

-By?

-End of the year. –My eyes widened.

-That's in three weeks!

-I know. –He smiled. –Between you and me, Joyce just got a new gig in Toronto. That means the Senior Associate position here will be up for grabs. –That's basically what I've worked for my entire career. –And while I can't do no guarantees, I can go to bat for you over Kirk.

-That's… - My eyes were sparkling. I got way too excited. – Thank you, John.

-We both know it's totally selfish. You work harder than anyone here and that makes my life easier. –I breathe in, knowing I don't really care what the man says.

-Okay. –I breathe out. –I will have the business evaluations done right away, review the books, hire a local appraiser- -

-That's strangely not as easy as it seems. –He said, looking down to a paper he's got in hands. My head's gotten a little bit closer, so I could see if I could read something. –I've already hired two companies. Both failed. –He handed to me the paper and I didn't know if laughing was the actual right approach. So I frowned.

-Oh, come on.

-I know. –He said, firmly. – 45% of the population still believes in ghosts, and as of right now, so do one hundred per cent of our appraisers. –My head had started working its ass off. I had to solve that.

-So we'll hire someone else. –I said, trying to be as quickly as I could.

-Already have. Mr. Murray will be at the Inn on the 10th and so will you. –He pointed. I couldn't actually believe it.

-You want me to hold his hand? –I ironized.

-Basically. –I rolled my eyes.

-You'll knock this out in no time. You always do. –I smiled.

I looked down at the big picture of the white mansion again. The structure seemed fine, but old. But not at all haunted. Probably old systems and pipes.

I would get that promotion and no ghost or haunted house would stop me from doing so.