Falling for the Christmas Thief

Walk of Shame

Callie stirred; opening her eyes lazily, her vision adjusting to the dark room. She groaned in pain, rubbing her temple to soothe the splitting headache.

“Keep it down, little rabbit.” A low, deep voice rumbled beside her.

Startled, Callie lept out of the bed, falling face first into the thick, soft rug. “Where…am I?” She struggled up, brows furrowed in confusion. ”Who are you?” her voice cracked in fear.

Sebastian reached over to the bedside table, switching on the light. He sat up, ruffling his dirty blonde hair, his eyes lusting after Callie's naked body. “What a beautiful sight to wake up to.” He smirked, his husky voice reverberating through the room.

Callie's face froze as she slowly looked at herself. “Look away, please!” She squealed, ripping off the soft satin bedding from Sebastian's naked body to cover herself. “Oh my God!” She turned around quickly, face pale, as soon as she noticed Sebastian's godlike features.

Sebastian chuckled nonchalantly as he got off the bed, pattering to the restrooms. “So cute!"

“What did I do?” She roamed around the room, searching for her clothes with trembling fingers. She dug into her jeans's pockets for her phone, dialing Rossy's number.

“Rossy, where are you?” Her hushed tone muffled into the receiver as she struggled to put on her trousers. Little snippets of last night's memories haunted her like a nightmare. One moment she was freezing to death on a cold night with nowhere to go after being thrown out by her stepmother for being too old to live under her roof, then she was at Rossy's club crying and drinking over their life predicament. The next thing, she was so drunk, she thought it would be a good idea to impulsively hit on Sebastian because her drunk version decided he was cute.

“Going somewhere?” Sebastian was leaning against the bathroom door, his hair dripping wet against his chest.

Callie froze in place, cutting the call quickly; she turned around slowly, locking her gaze with Sebastian's deep blue eyes. For a split second, the world seemed to slow down as she lost herself in those eyes, deeper than a coal mine. Sober, she could see why she had specifically approached him last night. He was the epitome of a man's beauty, charmingly dangerous. "What...did you do... to me?” Callie hesitated, her teeth sinking on her lower lip nervously.

“I told you not to do that.” Sebastian took slow steps, backing Callie into a wall, his gaze fixed on her lower lip.

"I...asked you a... question?” Callie squirmed, sandwiched against the wall between the man's strong arms. The fresh scent of sandalwood hung thickly in the air, clouding Callie's mind along with her better judgment. She swallowed hard, her thoughts fixated on their kiss. What if she really slept with him? What did that make her?

Sebastian's thumb gently tugged at Callie's lower lip, releasing it from the nervous bite. “It's a question of what you did to me...don't you remember?” He smirked coldly, his teasing eyes flickering with something else Callie could not explain.

“Did…we…?” Callie's voice cracked, wondering if she had lost her virginity to this mysterious stranger. Her cheeks burned in shame, disappointed in herself. One night alone in the street, and she had already made the worst mistake of her life; hot, fresh tears stung at her eyes out of nowhere.

Sebastian's eyes narrowed seriously as he studied her. The oblivious little rabbit was just beginning to realize the kind of danger she had invited on herself. The desperation in Callie's eyes tore at his heart. A cold reminder of Jenny. She had been just as innocent as Callie, naive and oblivious to the world's cruelty. He felt a strong sense of protection towards this girl he barely knew. His eyes flickered dangerously, his smirk tentatively replaced by an impartial expression.

He clenched his fists, stepping back from Callie, wondering if Jenny had felt that desperate in her last moments. If only he was there to protect her.

"I'm a gentleman; you are safe.” His voice was suddenly cold, laced with something bitter. “But I don't approve of your drinking habits, little rabbit. The world is a dangerous place.” Sebastian's back was already turned to Callie. Disappearing into the bathroom.

Callie sighed heavily, her hands tightly squeezing at her thighs beneath her fitting jeans. Who exactly was this man? And what the hell happened last night? A million questions ran through her mind as she slowly put on her T-shirt, her eyes roaming around for her shoes.

She wondered why Rossy was taking so long to find her. As if summoned by her mind, three hesitant knocks came from the door. Callie stumbled to the door, her hand hesitating on the door handle. “Rossy?” She called. The last thing she wanted was to come face-to-face with another man like Sebastian.

“Callie?! Are you okay?” Rossy knocked sharply.

Callie twisted the door handle, embracing Rossy in a tight hug. “Let's get out of here.” She pleaded desperately.

“Wait! Where are your shoes?” Rossy was looking down at Callie's bare feet, her brows furrowed in concern.

“Forget the shoes; let's just go.” Callie was already out the door, pulling Rossy along.

“No… wait.” Rossy pulled her back into the suite. “Where is Sebastian? Did something happen last night?”

Callie placed a finger on Rossy's lips, pointing to the washroom; the shower was running. Her eyes frantically darted between the washroom door and Rossy, who was busy searching the room.

“Don't just stand there. Help me look!” Rossy's arms were up in the air.

Callie bent down, searching under the bed; her ears perked at the sound of the running shower. What did Sebastian mean by the world is a dangerous place? She couldn't help but wonder about the look in his eyes before he turned around to leave. The dark look in his eyes scared yet evoked a feeling of curiosity in her. She thrust her hands further under the bed. Her fingers felt something.

“I found them.” She pulled herself up to find Rossy digging into Sebastian's briefcase. Her mouth hung open as her wide eyes drifted to Rossy's hands. She was stuffing wads of notes in her backpack.

“What do you think you are doing?!” Callie crossed the room to Rossy. “Put it back now, Rossy!” She reprimanded harshly, her voice trembling. She had never stolen anything in her whole life; she couldn't go to jail.

The shower had stopped running; soft steps of Sebastian approaching echoed through the room. Callie and Rossy stood frozen on the spot, exchanging hesitant glances.

“No time, let's just go.” Rossy pulled Callie out of the room quickly. Callie let herself be pulled, too dumbfounded to react. The girls held their breaths as they hurried out of the club into the fresh Los Angeles crisp morning air. “Come on.” Rossy held onto Callie tightly as she flagged down a bus.

Callie sighed once she was safely seated in the bus. “What the hell was that, Rossy?" Her jaws clenched angrily. Surprising herself for standing up to Rossy. She always followed Rossy's decisions without question, believing she was right. But this was out of line. There was something about Sebastian that tugged at her chest.

“We needed it, Callie. I'm coming to New York with you.” Rossy's hard stare was trained on Callie. “I just can't continue working there anymore. It's not simple being a stripper.” Rossy's voice cracked as she stared down under Callie's disapproving look.

“Yeah…but.” Callie's voice faded. Rossy was strong to have survived out there; she had only stayed out for a night, and she was already considering going back to Carlotta to beg her to take her in. Yes, they needed money, and she was wrong to assume Rossy had any. If it wasn't for her decision to kiss Sebastian, Rossy would still be at her job. It was all because of her that they were in that mess. “Did we have to steal from him though?” She bit her lower lip, looking away guiltily; there was no excuse for their actions.

“Don't worry. We'll find a way to pay him back." Rossy leaned closer, squeezing Callie's hands gently. She wanted a fresh start, away from being treated as a prostitute. She would pay him back, she swore under her breath.

“Really?” Callie looked at Rossy, her brows raised for assurance.

“I promise.” Rossy nodded, her eyes trained on Callie.

All they had to do was get to the train station. Sebastian would never guess which way they went. The girls sat silently, each preoccupied with their own haunting thoughts. Only awakened by the honking trains.

“Come on, we are here.” Rossy tugged at Callie gently.

“My head is killing me.” Callie ruffled her disheveled hair as she got off the bus. She squinted her eyes from direct sunlight. It amplified the headache.

“Rossy?” Callie stopped walking.

“Yeah?” Rossy turned around impatiently. “What is it?”

“Where is my luggage?” Callie wished it was not what she was thinking.

"Hmm... we left it at the club. It's just clothes; we'll share mine. Come on.” Rossy was hurrying through the crowded station.

“No. It's not just clothes.” Callie held her head, following Rossy. “All my important documents are in there; I don't even have my ID.” Callie's voice cracked, attracting attention from the passersby.

“It's too dangerous to go back now. Let's just go; we'll figure something out.” Rossy held Callie's arm in comfort.

“No, I'm going back.” Callie stopped walking.

“No!” Rossy's thin lips pursed in disapproval. “We can't. If that man found us, he would kill us.”

Callie's brows were knitted stubbornly. “I have to; it's okay if you don't want to. I’ll meet you in New York.” Callie's voice faded away as she turned around quickly; she couldn't believe she was already at crossroads with her best friend. She clenched her fists, frustrated by how things were turning out.

Life was not as easy out here as she had anticipated. Perhaps she really needed to go back to Carlotta—better the devil she knew than the angel she didn't know. She was deeply engrossed in her thoughts when she bumped into someone. A strong scent of sandalwood hit her nose. “I'm sorry.” She apologized absentmindedly, sidestepping the man, only for her way to be blocked again.

“I said I was so..." Her outcry was stuck in her throat when she lifted her head to find Sebastian Vettel smirking down at her coldly.

“Going somewhere?” Sebastian's glared at her dangerously.

“Sebastian.” Her lips trembled softly, the hairs on her body standing still.

“You took something from me." Sebastian's accusing tone was harsh. He was not the same man that had teased her earlier.

All blood drained from Callie's face as her mouth hung open. “I don't... know what... you're talking about.” She breathed out, shifting uneasily.

“That remains to be discussed. Get in the car.” Sebastian pulled her out of the crowd, heading towards the sleek black vehicle parked a little further away. “You are in deep trouble.” Sebastian's jaw clenched as he pulled the squirming woman away from the crowded station. A dangerous smirk played at the corner of his lips as his eyes caught Callie's friend trailing them hesitantly.