by T. J. Quinn
“It’s not snowing anymore,” he pointed out, walking to the kitchen window.
“Yes… the storm finally faded,” she added, trying to hide her sadness.
Now that the storm was gone, nothing was holding him there. Leah knew he had hacked into her cell phone to make it work during the storm, so, now that the snowstorm was over, he could easily call someone to pick him up.
“Are you going to look for your truck?”
She sighed. “Yes, I should. The longer I leave it out there, the harder it will be to fix it,” she said, shrugging. Her truck was the last thing on her mind.
“I can call a helicopter to take us into town. You can call a tow from here and arrange for its repair,” he suggested.
She finished preparing the chicken sandwiches she had been making and handed him one. “That’s too expensive. I can use the sleigh with the Huskies to get into town.”
“Not for me, and if I’m using it, I can certainly give you a ride,” he insisted.
“I’m not sure it’s a good idea to go into town these days. Christmas will be in a few days, and though I don’t really care about it, most people do, and I won’t find any tow willing to pull the truck up from the bottom of the ravine,” she explained.
“Right… I had completely forgotten about it,” he said, taking a seat at the table in front of her. “Either way, we can try.”
“I guess…” she said, without making any compromises.
“Why don’t you celebrate Christmas?” he asked, curious.
He knew it was an important celebration for a lot of people on Earth. People changed at Christmas time, something he had had a hard time understanding when he had first arrived on the planet. Now, he was one of the millions of people that celebrated the event.
Since he was alone on the planet, he started to invite some of the friends he had made along the way, throwing a big party on Christmas day. It had become a tradition.
She shrugged as if it didn’t have any importance, but he could tell, by the pain hiding in her eyes, it actually had. “My parents were always busy and never seemed to have time to celebrate anything.”
“Not even your birthday?” he asked, with a slight frown, confirming his suspicion that he wouldn’t have liked Leah’s parents.
“No, not even my birthday. But that’s no big deal,” Leah assured him, finishing eating.
But it had been. When she was a child, it had been very hard for her to accept her parents didn’t want to celebrate anything with her. As far as she recalled, the only thing they celebrated was their wedding anniversary and nothing else.
With time, Leah had learned to accept it and to not give it any importance.
“Well, perhaps it’s time for you to start celebrating things.”
She snorted. “It’s a bit silly celebrating anything by myself.”
“That’s why you’re coming back with me to Seattle. I always offer a Christmas party to a few friends, and I want you to be with me,” he suggested.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I have animals I need to take care of,” she pointed out, killing the tiny light of hope insisting on shining in her heart.
Going to Seattle with him would be a huge mistake. She would be out of place and whatever enchantment had made him feel attracted to her would fade away in the cold light of reality.
She wasn’t sure she could take that, seeing rejection reflected in his eyes.
“We’ll board them while you’re away. I’m sure your animals will be well taken care of,” he proposed, determined to overcome all her protests.
“That would be too much trouble,” she assured him, walking to the sink to wash what she had used to prepare their midnight snack.
“Of course not.” He closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her, laying small kisses all over her neck and bare shoulders. She was wearing a strapless top that for once, clung to her body like a second skin. “I want you with me. I can’t stay here any longer, but I’m not ready to say goodbye, Leah,” he whispered in her ear, burying his face in her hair, inhaling its floral scent.
“And will you be ready in a few days?” she asked, in a harsh tone, stepping away.
“No, I doubt I will ever be ready to say goodbye to you… but I can’t tell the future. I leave that to the gods,” he said, in a calm tone. “Will you come with me? Give us a chance, Leah, please,” he asked her, letting his heart out.
She walked towards the window and watched the moon, shining lonely out there. She had often compared herself with the moon, a solitary woman eager to find someone to keep her company.
She knew Zorban was offering her more than that, but she feared the future. She was afraid she would fall so deep for him she couldn’t ever get over it when he decided it was time to say goodbye.
But then, she remembered her resolution to take whatever he was willing to give her, and the decision was made for her. “Very well, I’ll go with you,” she finally told him, turning to look at him.
With a couple of strides, he was next to her, hugging her tight and blowing her mind with a passionate kiss. “Thank you. I promise you won’t regret it,” he said, interspersing the words with small kisses.
She smiled but didn’t say anything.
He finally released her and grabbed her phone, starting to arrange their way out of there.
Chapter Fourteen
By the end of the following day, they were on his private plane, heading towards Seattle. She had no idea he was that rich and that knowledge didn’t do anything to calm her nerves.
The plane even had a small bedroom at the back, and as soon as they reached cruise altitude, he pulled her into it.
“This is too decadent,” Leah protested with a slight hint of sarcasm.
“Yes, you’re probably right,” he admitted. “But, it’s also very convenient,” he assured her, locking the door behind them and pulling her into his arms.
They spent the whole trip making love, and when the plane landed in Seattle, Leah was so tired, she could barely keep her eyes opened. She had never been to Seattle, and she really wanted to take a good look at the city, shining under the winter sun’s light, but she fell asleep the moment they entered the limo.
She was still sleeping when they reached the building where he had his two-story penthouse, not far from his office, a six bedroom apartment, big enough for a whole family to live in. But Leah didn’t see any of that.
She was so tired she didn’t wake up when the car pulled over at the building’s front door, and Zorban came out of the car with her in his arms. He carried her straight up to his apartment and his bedroom, and after tucking her in, he came back down to talk to his housekeeper, Mrs. Benson.
“Ah, Mr. Thalia, have you installed your guest comfortably?” the old woman asked, with a kind smile.
“Yes, she’s sound asleep,” he replied, with a smile. “How are the preparations for the Christmas party?” he asked, taking a seat at the kitchen table, in front of the cup of coffee the woman had poured for him.
“Everything is going as planned. Mr. Matthew has confirmed their presence. They decided against going to visit any of their families, considering this is their first Christmas as husband and wife,” she explained, with a smile.
“That’s great news. Have all the guests confirmed their attendance?”
“Yes. They’re all coming, as usual. The decorating team has already brought the tree and installed the lights on it so you can decorate it whenever you want. I’ve set out the decorations by the tree,” the woman informed him.
“Good, I’ll get started as soon as Leah wakes up,” he replied with a smile.
“Is she a family member?” Mrs. Benson asked, curious. She had seen him take her up the stairs.
“No, she isn’t. Why do you ask?”
The woman shrugged. “She has your same colors… they are so rare I thought she might be part of your family,” she explained.
“Yes… I guess you’re right,
but no, she’s not my family. Where I come from, my colors are quite common,” he assured her.
“Well, let me know when she wakes up. I’m sure she will be hungry,” she said with a smile.
It was the first time her boss had brought a woman home, and she was curious about it.
“I will, Mrs. Benson.” He jumped out of his chair. “I’ll be at my office resolving a few details.”
Despite Leah’s disbelief, they had been able to find a tow to go get her truck, and he wanted to know how damaged the car was before she did.
“I’m surprised either of you is still alive after that crash,” were the man’s first words. “Fixing that truck would cost a lot more than buying a new one, and I’m sure the insurance company will say the same thing.”
“That bad?” he asked, a bit surprised.
“Yes, that bad, I’ll send you some pictures for you to judge for yourself. I have to say I’m astonished you were able to come out of that ravine in that storm.”
He frowned but didn’t comment. “Yes, please, send me the pictures. We’ll get in touch with the insurance company, and I’ll get back to you,” he informed the man, who was also one of the few mechanics that were still working that time of the year.
“Sure thing. Have a Merry Christmas, Mr. Thalia.”
“You too, Mr. Johnson.”
A few minutes after he ended the call, the pictures started coming in. No wonder the man was astonished. The truck was a real mess, with a huge hole in the windshield on the passenger side and completely smashed all over. It was a miracle, Leah had been able to come out of that wreck, well enough to look for him.
Johnson had also sent a few pictures of the truck still in the ravine making him wonder, not for the first time, how the hell she had been able to take him out of there.
He was still looking at them when he heard her come down the stairs. He turned off the phone and went to meet her.
“Hey sleeping beauty, did you have a good nap?” he asked her, pulling her into his arms when he met her at the bottom of the staircase.
“Someone kept me up all night… I was entitled to a good nap,” she grumbled, trying not to look around and notice his luxurious surroundings.
He chuckled and grazed his lips over hers in a sweet kiss. “Are you hungry? My housekeeper is waiting to make us a generous brunch.”
“Haven’t you eaten?” she asked surprised.
“I was waiting for you,” he explained, taking her towards the kitchen, down the hall. “Mrs. Benson, allow me to introduce you to Leah, my guest.”
Both women shook their hands. Judging by the smiles on their faces, he knew they liked each other.
The older woman prepared them a copious brunch, and when they finished, Zorban took her to the living room where the big tree awaited to be decorated.
“Wow… that’s a huge tree,” she mumbled, taking a deep breath.
“It’s a big room,” he said, shrugging.
Indeed it was… she was sure her whole house fitted that room.
“Will you help me decorate it?” he asked, with an alluring smile.
“I’ve never done this before.”
During the years she had lived on the college campus, she was always alone for the holidays, so she had never even tried to pretend she had something to celebrate.
“After what I saw you do at that chapel, this is a kids’ game for you,” he assured her. “Just follow your instinct. I’m sure you’ll do it fine,” he added, handing her a box full of decorations.
Leah looked at the box filled with little angels made of the most beautiful crystal, along with all kinds of colorful ornaments, feeling a bit lost. She looked up at him and saw him already working on the tree. With a deep sigh, she decided to give it a try.
He had Christmas carols playing in the background, and though she had never been a fan of them, that particular group was amazing.
After a while, she realized she was actually enjoying the whole thing. Zorban was a fantastic partner, sharing all kinds of funny anecdotes about the years he had been decorating his own Christmas tree.
“During my first year in town, I hired a decorator to do the work. The tree was quite beautiful, but it felt as if I had gone to a store and bought the one they had on display. Somehow, it felt wrong,” he told her at some point.
“Do you put your heart into everything you do?” she asked him, with a smile.
The man was a perfectionist, and he devoted himself to all he did.
“I try,” he confessed. “Otherwise, what’s the point of doing them?”
“Right… more people should think like that. The world would be a better place to live in,” she said.
“Perhaps… it only takes a small group of people to ruin a perfect place. There are enough examples in this planet’s story,” he said, with perhaps a bit too much bitterness, making her think he was talking from personal experience.
“I know that… but it’s Christmas time… we’re supposed to be cheery and happy,” she said, with an impish smile, closing the distance between them and kissing his cheek.
He chuckled and captured her in his arms. “You’re right… it’s no time for trying to save the world,” he agreed, cradling her face and stealing a kiss from her lips, making sure to take her breath.
Chapter Fifteen
The sound of someone clearing a throat broke them apart. Mrs. Benson was at the door with a small tray. “I thought you might enjoy some hot chocolate and fresh from the oven cookies,” she said, putting the tray at the small table in front of the fireplace.
Zorban smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Benson. We could use a break,” he said, picking up one of the cups.
The woman looked at the tree and sighed. “I don’t know how you do it, but it gets more beautiful every year,” she said, delighted.
“I’m being helped by an artist. It had to be better,” Zorban said, gesturing at Leah with his cup.
“No way… this is all your doing. I just followed your lead,” she assured him, picking her up and taking the first sip from it.
“Either way, it’s amazing,” Mrs. Benson said, smiling. “Will you be home for dinner?” she asked Zorban.
“No, not tonight. I’m taking Leah for a small tour around town, and I made reservations for the SkyCity restaurant.”
“Good idea, no visit to Seattle is complete without that,” Mrs. Benson approved. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Benson.”
“That’s the restaurant on the Space Needle, right?” Leah asked, curious.
“Yes, that’s right. You’ll love it. It’s a touristic place, but the food is good, and the experience is worth waiting in line for it,” Zorban assured her.
“I’m sure of it.”
They continued decorating the tree for a few more hours until it was done. Zorban handed her the star that went at the top of the tree and invited her to put it on.
It was a special star. It actually looked a lot more like a snowflake than a star, and it was made of a material she thought she recognized, but that was impossible.
She had never created the star she was holding and yet she could swear it was made of ice, in a unique way that made it last forever. With a slight frown, she looked at him. “This is an amazing star. Where did you get it?” she asked, unable to hold back her curiosity.
“It’s some sort of family heirloom,” he said, sounding a bit uncomfortable.
“Do you know what it is made of?”
“No… I’m afraid not, but I could ask my mother. She should know,” he offered.
“Your mother? I didn’t know your mother was still alive,” she said, finding it strange he had never mentioned it.
“Both my parents are still alive. I haven’t seen them in a while, but I talk to my mother once in a while,” he explained.
“Then… why are you here and not with them for Christmas?” for some reason she had been sure he was an orphan, just like her.
&nb
sp; “They don’t celebrate Christmas, and I haven’t spoken to my father in a long time. Let’s say we don’t see eye to eye in a few vital things.”
“Oh… your mother must miss you.”
“We make video calls, so she sees me enough.”
“You can’t compare those to the warmth of a hug.”
“No, you’re right I can’t, but then again, my mother was never one of those hugging moms,” he said, shrugging. “So, will you put on the star?” he asked, changing the topic.
“Yes, thank you,” she agreed, smiling.
She had seen enough Christmas movies to know the star was the most critical piece on the tree. To be allowed to put it on was considered a special honor.
She climbed the ladder they had been using and put the star at the top of the tree, making sure it was in place.
“There… we’re finished,” she said, jumping to the floor, with a pleased smile.
“It’s my best tree ever,” he assured her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer to him. “Thank you for helping me with it, it’s a lot more fun to do when you have company.”
She nodded. “Some people have a party to decorate the tree,” she said, remembering what she had heard from a few girls that went to high school with her.
“That’s a great idea. I’ll keep it in mind for next year,” he said, kissing her forehead. “You have just enough time for a quick shower before we have to leave. I would hate to lose our reservation,” he warned her before he kissed her, grazing his lips on hers, on a sweet caress. “I would offer to wash your back… but we would never leave the room if I did,” he added, with a mischievous grin.
“That’s not such a bad idea…” she tempted him, smiling back at him.
“Yes, it is… I want you to know all Seattle has to offer,” he replied, gently pushing her out of the room. “I’ll meet you here in one hour,” he told her.
Chuckling, she went upstairs to the room where she had awakened, determined not to make him wait. She would shower in a few minutes, but her long hair would need a bit more time to be tamed into anything that looked decent.