Christmas' Misery

Chapter twenty eight

[Carlos]

I found out Christmas sitting on the edge of the old fountain here in the courtyard. The fountain doesn't have a water anymore since our situation gone wrong and even the house adjusted in the changes. It seems the house died since she is gone but now she is here, it is still not alive.

“What are you doing here?” asked of Christmas, looking on my way.

“I came here to see you,” I replied and walked closer to her, “I just want to apologise about last night.” I sat beside her.

She grimaced. “Forget about it.”

“Are you mad?”

“What do you think?” she asked sarcastically.

“You are mad.” I laughed. “After this we are goin–”

“Are you going to take me back?” she cut me off.

I grimaced. “No, not yet.”

“So, where are we going then?”

“You'll know later. So, start fixing after you had your coffee.” I stood up and faced her.

“Can I use the clothes in the closet?” she asked.

“Yes, of course you can. It is yours anyway. It still yours even you can't remember.” I smiled a little. “By the way, thanks for making me this.” I said pertaining to my coffee. “I appreciate that you still care after all.”

She averted her eyes somewhere. “It just a peace offering for slapping you last night.” She replied.

“But still thanks,” I said, “I'm going now at the garage to prepare the car we are going to use. You better hurry there at your coffee.” I added and left her in the courtyard.

My plan today is to bring her in Santa Monica Pier where we used to go together. Every weekend we are there to spend time together till it became our favorite place. I will show her what we love to do there and I'm hoping that it will help her to remember even single a piece of us. I know sooner or later Christmas will remember everything.

After I prepared the car outside the gate, I headed to the room where I stayed last night to settle my things together of myself. When I'm already done, I goes out in the room wearing my blue Hawaiian shirt that has a printed of coconut tree together with a denim short and I matched a flip flop as my footwear. I knocked first to the door where Christmas is while holding my bag before I head downstairs.

Knock! Knock!

“What?” she answered from the inside.

“We are going to a beach so you better match your attire!” I said loudly for her to hear me, “Bring some clothes as well and there is a bag in the closet that you can use.” I added.

“Okay.”

“I wait you downstairs,” I said and headed downstairs.

“Where you two are going?” Lili asked as I goes down, vacuuming the floor here in the living room.

“We are going at Santa Monica Pier,” I answered and placed down my bag in the couch.

“Hmm, I hope you enjoy together there.” She smiled.

“Yea, I hope she enjoy later.”

“She will, Carlos, just do what makes her happy and I assure you Christmas will remember sooner,” she said and passed me to change place to vacuum.

"I'm done, now what?"

As I heard Christmas's voice in my back, I turned to face her. She was wearing a floral crop top together with a floral skirt that is almost on her feet may matching with a toe-post sandals. The slit on her skirt showing off her legs that made me frowned in annoyance. I want to demand to change her clothes but it seems I am not in the position to do that now.

She crossed her arms. “Hey! Are you just going to stare at me?” She glared. “I can't find any clothes in the closet that is for the beach that's why I wear this.” She explained.

“Oh, it's okay. Did you brought enough clothes? We are going to stay in there for two days.”

Her forehead knotted. “Where are we going anyway?”

“We are going where we use to go,” I replied.

“And where exactly it is?”

I smiled. “I told you, you'll know later. Let's go?” I took my bag.

“Yea, whatever,” she replied and passed me.

We walked through the gate and I opened the door of the passenger for her. I'm glad she entered and didn't go to the backseat like what she did last time. She putted her bag in the backseat as I closed the door and head to the driver seat. I putted my bag also there and start driving the car.

“Do I really used to wear like this before?” she suddenly asked, “I saw all the clothes in the closet and it really far on how I wear clothes right now.” she added.

“Yea, you used to wear like that even you knew it's annoy me.” I grimaced.

“So...” She paused. “Where is my parents if I was her?” She asked, looking outside the window.

“They died in a car accident when you are ten. That is what you told me when I asked you the same before,” I answered.

“Th-they are dead?” She faced me.

“Yes they already dead,” I replied, “Do you want them to visit in cemetery before head on the beach?” I asked.

She shook her head. “Maybe in some other time.” She answered.

“Okay, if it's what you want.”

We didn't talk anymore that filled the atmosphere with our silence. I didn't drive straight the car to the beach and headed first in Sea Blue Hotel which is five minutes to walk only in the Santa Monica Pier. As I parked the car, I goes out first to opened the door for her.

“I thought we are going to the beach?” Christmas asked, arching her brow.

“Yea, we are just going to walk there but first let's book a room to stay in tonight,” I replied and took our bags in the backseat.

“Are we going to stay in a one room?” she asked.

“Yea, but don't worry I will choose a room that has two bed. We are not going to sleep in a one bed,” I answered and turned my back on her.

“Okay, give me my back. I can carry it.” She was about to get her bag on me but I didn't give it to her.

“I know but just let me to carry it.”

We entered inside the hotel to get us a room where we can stay in with two bed. The woman in the counter gave me the key and we headed first in our room to leave our things there before heading in the beach. The room is big enough for us both and there only two bed with one bathroom here inside.

“Wait,” I called her before we could leave in our room.

“What?”

“There is something missing to you,” I said when looking at her.

Her forehead knotted. “And what is that?”

“Let's go.” Before she could react, I already hold her hand and goes in our room.

“You don't have to hold my hand,” she said while we are walking with the people like us who is going at the beach.

“I just don't want to lose you again,” I replied and take at the hat store I saw.

“Are you going to buy a floppy hat?” she asked while I'm choosing a best color for her.

“Yea,” I only replied while keeping myself busy in choosing. As I saw a white floppy hat with a pink ribbon, I took it and wear on her. “The missing thing is in your head now.” I said and get a money on my wallet. “How much is this?” I asked the vendor.

“It's $22.00, Sir,” answered of the vendor and I gave her 25 because I don't have any change.

“Just keep the change, thank you,” I said and we walk away now in the store.

“I thought you are going to by for yourself,” she said, fixing the hat on her head, “You don't have to buy me this.”

“Why can't you just say thank you instead of saying that I shouldn't bought you that.” I chuckled.

“Okay, thank you,” she said seems I just forced her to do so.

I hold her hand and brought her here in the side way. “ Can I ask you a favor?” I asked, looking at her eyes.

“What is it?”

“I know the situation is hard for you but can you just act like you are really my wife, like before?”

Christmas averted her eyes in her side. “How can I pretend if I don't know I am before to you?” She faced me.

“Act how you acted to Duke. Maybe it's enough for you to pretend while we are together. I believe it will help you to remember.”

“Okay, I will try.” She smiled.

I suddenly hugged her and didn't mind the people who will see us. “Thank you.” I whispered. “Please, try to remember, Christmas. Try harder if needed. I miss you so much and even you are here I'm still missing you.”