(About a month later)

"Seriously, Brent, I've been working for you for nearly an entire month, Christmas is next week and I couldn't have less of an idea of what to get you," Maisie continued to argue as they made their way from the elevator to his office doors. "Exactly, Maisie," Brent joked, "a month would have been plenty of time for you to figure something out." "Are you kidding me? You are the most confusing person I have ever met! I mean, what do you get the man that literally already has every tangible thing a person could own?" "You see, I tend to have that issue around this time of year. There never really seems to be a thing to get the man that already owns everything, even my mom yells at me for this same topic every year." "That's it! I'll just go to your mom, I bet she'll have an answer!" "You don't even know where my mom lives! And, even if you did, how would you get there?" "Oh, see, that's where you're wrong, Brent. If you would recall, that's where I had my first meeting about this job with her. And to answer your second question, not only do I have this thing called a license, but you also have a chauffer and about fifteen cars, so I think I've got the whole transportation thing figured out." Continuing what she was saying, Maisie went on, "Even luckier for me, your mom wanted a meeting with me today anyways. Speaking of which, I'm going to need to leave an hour earlier that usual today." "Well, I'll just come with you, then." "What? No, Brent. This meeting is about you which means you can't be there!" "First off, Maisie, it's my mom, maybe I just would like to see her. Secondly, I bought her that house, I am positive that there is plenty of room for me to wander off to while you two have your meeting. And to add onto an already good idea, we'll leave at lunch time, Hollier Inc. can start its Christmas break a little early this year."

....

They actually ended up leaving after dinner, apparently Brent had 'serious business issues' that needed to be taken care of. Maisie was so very positive that he used every colorful word that he could think of when he closed the door on her so he could 'deal with things'. And since they had such a late night, Brent insisted that they spend the night at her house, not taking 'no' for an answer. The hour ride to the home in which Mrs. Hollier lived had so far been silent, as they both expected it would be. Maisie had taken to Google multiple times that day, hoping for an answer on what to get the man that sat beside her. Maisie leaned forward in her seat to talk to Jeffery, the chauffer, "Um, Mr. Jeffery, would it be possible for you to take me to the post office sometime tomorrow, I've got a few packages to mail to my family for Christmas." "Oh, of course, dear, you just tell me when and I'll be ready," he quickly answered. "Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!" Just as their short conversation ended the finally reached the end to her outrageously long driveway. As soon as they stepped out of the car, Mrs. Hollier ran down her front steps to hug and kiss her son, only to turn and do the same to Maisie. "Mrs. Hollier, it's so good to see you," Maisie said, her surprise evident in her voice. "Honestly, honey, please just call me Peggy, I insist! Now, both of you get in here, it is far too cold outside!"

Maisie wanted to waste no time so she sat down to begin their meeting as soon as she set foot in the door. "Okay, Brent, you go wander around somewhere and let us talk for a few minutes, won't you." Giving a slight bow of his head and a smile, Brent set off up the stairs to their left. "Right, Maisie, where should we begin?" "Uh, well, I have this notebook I've been writing things down in, we could go off of that if you'd like."

Finally making it to the end of their meeting, Maisie assured Peggy for what felt like the hundredth time, "Yes, ma'am, he is surely approving. Whether it be a microscopic step or a major improvement, he has gotten better everyday." For the sake of Christmas spirit, she decided to leave out the frequent one-step-forward-and-two-steps-back days. "Oh, I'm so glad to hear this! I'm glad I've finally found somebody that has been good for him. I do hope that you aren't planning on going anywhere anytime soon!" Taking a brief moment to recover from her compliment that she had never expected, Maisie finally answered, "No, I don't plan on leaving until I'm made, I assure you! Now, I actually had a question to ask you, if that's okay?" "Well, of course it is, dear, go right ahead!" Deciding to get straight to the point, Maisie asked, "What are you supposed to get the richest man in America for Christmas?" "Maisie, honey, I honestly ask myself that every year, the man already has everything he could ever want. My only advice to you would be to give him something with meaning instead of value, that's all I can possibly think of." Not really having gotten any further than she had liked, but would settle for something and figured that she'd sleep on it and ask more questions tomorrow, Maisie asked if she could be shown the room in which she would be sleeping in for the night. Peggy called Brent down, to bid them both off to bed at the same time and to have Brent direct Maisie to her room for the night because, according to Peggy, "My room is here on the first floor and I am far too old to be going up and down that many stairs if I can help it".

"So, Miss Maisie, did you get very far in the present department tonight?" Brent mocked. "No, Mr. Brent, if you must know, I didn't get very far but I did get something, which is better than nothing," she answered in a tone that matched his. "Well, I do feel very sorry for you considering I literally have the best present for you, like, ever. I doubt you'll be able to live up to it, honestly." "You know, Brent, I sure am glad that you have such faith in me," she answered, her words full of sarcasm. "I'm just stating the truth. Anyways, this is your stop, goodnight, Maisie, and the best of luck to you." "Night, Brent. And just you wait, whatever I finally decide to get you will most definitely knock your socks off, I promise you that."

....

Everyday for the past month Brent Hollier had never failed to run around Maisie's mind before bed, and it wasn't even in the way she would have liked. Before when she would think about any man, it'd give her butterflies in her stomach and she was probably reminiscing on a wonderful date she had just had. Not with Brent, though. She did, however, think about him every night, but it was mainly about how much she worried about him or the progress he had made that day. Tonight, though, she purposely worried herself about him to get her mind off of the sadness she couldn't help but feel about not being able to see her family this year for the upcoming holiday. She was just as determined to keep her promise to Brent, though. She was surely going to knock his socks off with whatever she eventually got him.