Early Christmas Present

Confessions

Chapter Eight

Ruth sat at the kitchen table, still holding her plate, but she wasn’t really eating. The warmth from the meal couldn’t compete with the heat that lingered from Dominic’s presence nearby. She finally let out a shaky sigh and looked up at him.

“You know,” she started hesitantly, “I… I’ve never been… lucky. Not really. Things just… never go my way.”

Dominic raised an eyebrow, leaning against the counter, arms crossed. “Is that so?” he asked, intrigued.She nodded, twisting her napkin in her hands. “Yeah… I mean, take my last relationship. My ex… he didn’t just break my heart. He… he slept with my friend while we were together.” Her voice cracked slightly, and she quickly looked down. “I guess… I guess I should’ve seen it coming, but it still hurts. And… I just… I feel like misfortune follows me everywhere. I can’t even catch a break without it backfiring.”

Dominic’s eyes softened, though a small smirk tugged at his lips. “Huh. And here I thought I was supposed to be the only one permitted to be sad in the room,” he said lightly, trying to lighten the mood.

Ruth laughed, though it was shaky and slightly bitter. “You? Sad? Where would you be sad ? Given that you're from the north pole where there is magic and possibilities ” She shook her head self mockingly,she was willing to believe whatever a stranger told her for the sake of not falling apart.

“Even God weeps for his people” he replied, his voice low and teasing. “I am sad because not just you but many don't believe in miracles, magic and even love anymore and honestly... it's hard to watch.” His gaze held hers, steady and intense, and Ruth felt her pulse quicken.

" Ruth, keep your heart kind kind,keep your soul joyful because you don’t go to war or witness how the human distorts on a daily .so please, sweetheart, love love and live life irrespective of what you are facing, " He said while caressing her tear stained face.

She looked down , her cheeks heating up at his closeness. She had no idea when she began crying. “Thank you. Sometimes I feel… invisible, like nothing I do matters. And then I meet someone… and I’m reminded that maybe I’m not completely unlucky. Like… like you showing up here, for example.”

Dominic took a step closer, leaning casually against the table’s edge. “You now believe I’m a miracle? that's fast” he teased, but his eyes betrayed his sincerity. “Ruth, believe me… some things need to stay as miracles.A miracle brought me here . And I plan to stick around, no matter how messy life gets.”

Her breath hitched, her heart thundering in her chest. She hadn’t expected such honesty, such warmth. “You… you really mean that?” she whispered.

I do,” he said simply, stepping closer until just inches separated them. “And I have a feeling… you’re going to realize that maybe… just maybe… A little luck isn’t all you need. Maybe you just need the right person.”

Ruth swallowed hard, heat flooding her face as her thoughts drifted. The right person… Dominic… could it really be him? She looked down at her plate, then back at him, voice small. “I… I don’t know if I’m ready for… for someone to see all this… me… all the bad luck and mistakes.”

Dominic reached out, lightly brushing a strand of hair from her face, his fingers grazing her cheek. “Ruth… I don’t care about the bad luck. I care about you. The real you. And trust me… I’m not going to bring out the best in you.”Her heart hammered, her breath catching. “You make it sound… so easy,” she whispered, leaning slightly into his touch.

He smirked, a teasing glint returning to his eyes. “Easy? Life isn’t easy. But with the right person… it can feel like it.”

Ruth’s lips trembled into a small smile, a mix of relief and longing. For the first time in a long time, she felt seen and understood. And just maybe… for the first time, she felt like she could believe in something more than bad luck.

Dominic’s gaze softened, the heat between them palpable. “You just might be surprised, Ruth. The holidays aren’t over yet… and neither am I.”

Ruth’s pulse raced as she laughed softly, a mix of nervousness and excitement. “I have a feeling… you’re right about that.”