When Love and Blood Meets.

Aurora's point of view. As I stood under the mistletoe, the soft glow of twinkling lights enveloped me, and I felt a warm breath on my skin. "You look a bit familiar...have we met before?," he whispered, his voice low and husky. I felt a flush rise to my cheeks, and my heart skipped a beat. “That voice rings a bell, but where exactly? I muttered. The sounds of the Christmas party—laughter, clinking glasses, and happy faces scattered throughout the hall. It was just two days until Christmas, and everyone was already enjoying the moment. "Who are you?" I asked, trying to sound calm despite the uncertainty that disturbed me. The stranger let out a smile, his dimples visible and his chiseled jaw upright; his sleek black suit matched perfectly his muscular stature. Then, his mask slipped back into place, and he offered a slightly guarded, charming smile. "I'm Alex," he said, his voice low and smooth. "And you are...?" “That name sounds familiar.” I nodded with a conspicuous look. He stares at me the more, words failing my lips. As I swallowed hard hesitantly, unsure how much to give out, Alexander's eyes tilted at the edges as he leaned in, his voice a hint of mischief. "Let's just say, I'm glad I stumbled into you under the mistletoe.” “What is he even saying?” I muttered, with arched brows. My heart skipped again as Alex’s words sent shivers down my spine. It looked like I was beholding an illusion at every passing moment. My gaze pierced into his blue eyes. I took a deep breath, trying to break free from whatever spell he must have deposited in me. "I'm Aurora," I managed to stammer, my voice a light whisper, whilst trying to maintain a cool demeanor amidst the imposing surroundings. Alex's smile widened. “Just as you said Aurora, my name looks familiar, and so do yours, Hmm…. just maybe we would talk about that after now outside or something, but for now let's not ruin the moment, common all eyes are on us now.” I looked at him, then glanced at the surroundings, and he was right; we were already at the center of the mistletoe. I grind my teeth, stiffing the anger in me. “You're just so stubborn Mr Random.” I let out my voice, a harsh whisper. “And I guess you fell for this Mr.” He teased, curling at his lips. He cupped me from behind, his touch shivers down my spine as we lurked eyes together. "It's lovely to meet you, Aurora. With my hand placed on his shoulder, I responded. “Well…., Mr Random, just be calm, and don't celebrate yet,” You can't woo me!” I said with a dashing eye, and he laughed softly. “Relax…, you're getting all feisty and it's ruining your gorgeous makeup, My Chihuahua.” He teased me. “Hmm!, I stiffened, pressing my lips together. “See, look here, you dare call me a dog, you better be careful! I smacked, grinding my teeth, as I pretended to be dancing, but my fist was just set, eager to throw a punch. “Look at those noses,” he pointed, "they are like those of Chihuahua,” he smiled, and I frowned. He continued, “You know something, those species of dog can be really nice but they are quite a handful.” He laughed, and then I frowned again. I couldn't help but stare at those dimples. I blushed the second time, and he smiled, but I needed to toughen up so he wouldn't see me as a loose girl. “You're just so impossible, and after now, you've got a lot of explanations to do, so don't you think it's over.” I clenched my fist, and my brows furrowed. “Would you like to grab a cup of champagne with me and escape the chaos of this party?” My gaze ran into his, but before I could respond, he steered me toward the bar, his hand still clasped around mine. I felt a sudden jolt of electricity, my curiosity picking at every slight moment. He asked his first question as we sipped our drinks outside the cozy resort. “Could you tell me a little bit about your school, from elementary to high school and all the rest.” I frowned. “Why is he being all nosy?” I whispered. “You go first, remember I already asked you inside.” “Okay, okay, You win, You know Chihuahuas always win amongst other dogs.” He teased me, and I laughed so hard. “Just go on, you joke around a lot.” “I attended Georgia Elementary School and Patricia High school before relocating to Canada to further my College School.” “Wait a minute, I also attended the same.” I raise my hands and brows in surprise. “So which means you were that little girl that never eats her plantain so I had to help her eat them during lunch.” He teased me, and I brushed him on the chest. “Stop already!.” I frowned, “Growing up, I never loved plantains so I didn't eat them.” My head fell as I explained. “Yes I remembered vividly, you were in Elementary one while I was in Elementary two, we share the same balcony in school. I wanted to talk to you especially those times you always come to our mini disposal bin to sharpen your pencils when they are blunt, I would just stay in my seat, steal glances at you even when my teacher was teaching.” I chuckled, tilting his forehead backward a little. “Silly boy, Well…. I also had a crush on you; wait! don't celebrate yet but that was in Elementary three, but you were already busy with Sofia, so I had to let go.” “Oh really, hmm! That's interesting, but that means you aren't innocent either. “So what should we call this?, he raised his brows, “A reunion where a kind and caring Mr Random meets his Pain ass long gone Chihuahua.” “Gosh! You're so funny, my ribs are literally hurting, stop it already.” I chuckled as our gaze deepened even more. “Honestly, while in Canada, I had to change my name, but my surname was still intact; my parents and families decided to start calling me Alex, which is why you probably couldn't recall. “So what would you say about mine? Why couldn't you at least recall my name when I told you.” I pressed, giving a cartoon character facial expression. “Well… it's been a couple of years, I mean since high school, and you know I left at our early stage of high school so that's why… but now we are together we hope to stay together.” As our discussion grew momentum, I couldn't feel myself anymore; it was as though the more I looked into his eyes, the more I became completely swallowed in thought like I had passed out from the surface of the earth. He tapped me, and I bounced back into reality; my first line came out without thinking. “I'm here to give my ex fiance a second chance.” “Really?...you have finance?.” He stressed the last phrase; his eyes widened as he drew closer to me. Tears rolled down my eyes as I nodded Yes to him. “I remembered how my ex-fiance and I completed college together and even did our Masters in Fine and Applied Art. He taught me how to take aesthetically pleasing pictures and made me the photographer I am today. He actually helped me harness it, but he cheated twice in one week.. with my best friend a few days before our wedding ceremony.” I sobbed. “He hurt me so badly that I fled. I said as I raised my head slowly. “Yes, I fled, never to have anything to do with him, creating room to embrace the full pursuit of my career.” Alex brought out his handkerchief as he dabbed my face and eyes, his hands on my cheeks, but my tears came unending. “Hmm…” I sobbed; that was the second time. “But after a couple of months or thereabout, I got his mail,” I nodded, allowing the last tear to fall. “Hmm.. He was pleading that we meet for Christmas and make things straight; he assured me he was going to set things straight and apologize for every harm he caused me,” So that's why I'm here, and I know that's why you're here as well, for that lovely person in your life who you want to bond with this Christmas holidays.” I swallowed hard as I took heavy gulps of wine from my straw. “Aurora, you're special,” I hear him say to me. “You don't deserve to be treated this way; I mean, look at you; you're so beautiful..,” See, I'm not here for any lover…because I have none.” My heart skipped a beat, but I remained calm. “I'm only here to reunite with my family, just as every other family is here. As you know, this is a five-star hotel with a resort, and it is very spacious to have as many families as possible. Today is just the 23rd day of December, tomorrow is Boxing Day, then the Eve before Christmas, so there will probably be a fuller hall by then, so relax. We still have a couple times to share. “I mean to keep you company.” He shrugged. He whispered to my ears as he reached for my hand on the table and placed his on mine, holding me tightly. “Trust me, I knew there was something about your aura,” He paused. “ I came into the hall, everyone had a partner, but you were the only one alone, probably waiting for him so I decided to fill in that gap which I know was never a coincidence because something actually drew me to you and that was because a part of me knew you from somewhere.” I swallowed hard. “Yes Alex, I thought as much as well.” “So when will he be coming?" “Tomorrow evening, I said, “Boxing Day precisely.. so fingers crossed.” Alex shrugged. “Okay, that's fine. I'm the CEO of my father's company as the first son, so I had less work to do for the holidays. My eyes widened at this reveal. “Welcome CEO.” I greeted. “Oh!, stop the flatters, you now see you need to respect your big boss.” “Hey you ! You know I could take weird pictures of you and publish them online right, so you better not test me…” I said with a playful grin. “But hold on a sec, what's his name?” “You mean my fiance? “Yes.” with a piercing look. I stared back uncomfortably. “Peter Franklin.” I let out, and a loud gasp erupted from his mouth. “Peter Franklin! My half brother?!..”