His Redemption: A Holiday Romance

Christmas was always my favorite holiday. From the time spent with family, the food, the traditions, seeing all the beautiful decorations and lights. It was always just a magical experience. Especially Seven years ago when I met Ethan. My father had hired him as our family lawyer after my brother had gotten into some mishap. I remember seeing him approach our home, he was so handsome. the air was frigid outside and he managed to make a long black trench coat look sexy. I knew the minute I saw him, I needed him. I always saw myself as average. I have big brown eyes and long auburn hair, I am a petite girl but not like those beautiful Victoria secret models. I always envied how they looked. In my eyes Ethan would never fall for a girl like me. I never wore make up and always just let my hair fall down or wore it in a messy bun. My father tries to get me to enhance my looks since I am the heiress of Starly enterprises. I just truly have no interest in the family company. I want to live a simple, humble life. I feel like Ethan could give me that. As Ethan entered our home I rushed to the foyer to greet him. I just wanted to see his face up close. He removed his coat and I saw his muscles bulging through his suit. I felt my heart start racing. His eyes looked like an inviting ocean in the Bahamas so crystal blue. He had dark slicked back hair and kept his face clean shaven. You could tell he put a lot of effort into his looks unlike I did. he immediately reached out his hand for mine to introduce himself. I placed my hand in his and he did a gentle, almost royal handshake and spoke, "Good morning, my name is Ethan. You must be Jennifer, your father speaks very highly of you heiress." I just nodded completely stunned at how deep and hot his voice sounded. My brother immediately turned the corner and just laughed as he turned around. I bet I looked stupid standing there with my hand still in his staring deeply at him. I wanted to soak in this moment for as long as possible. Ethan smiled and slowly removed his hand from mine and asked where my father was. I pointed to the room down the hall saying, " he's in his office, I'm sure he wouldn't mind you going in there, he's been waiting for you." Ethan left and gave me one more passing smile as he passed by me. He smelled like Fresh cut pines and aftershave. it was a wonderful mix. After his lengthy conversation with my father he began to prepare himself to leave in the blistering cold. I was sitting on the stairs watching him put back on his coat and scarf. Before he left he turned around and approached me. My face lit up brighter than the lights that hung outside of our house. I was so excited. He smiled with an out stretched hand. "Here's my card, if you need anything feel free to call. my cell number is on there too." He said, almost flustered. I took the card and placed it next to me trying to act uninterested. "thank you." I softly spoke. He smiled one last time before heading out the door. He had no idea what he had just done. I was fan girling over this man. I immediately ran upstairs and twirled his business card in-between my fingers, wanted to text him and ask so many questions. Like what's his favorite color, His favorite food, did he find me attractive like I did him? that would be too bold. instead I picked up my phone and typed in his number to add to my contacts. I started at it for a while before deciding to send a simple text. "Hey Ethan, this is Jennifer, just so you have my number too Incase you need anything at all" I shut my eyes and pressed send. immediately flinging my phone across my bed. I felt giddy almost, and anxious anticipating a text back. After sitting there for 3 hours and no reply I felt stupid for even sending it. Maybe he truly doesn't think I'm attractive. Maybe he's already taken. I shouldn't have texted him. The next morning my phone chimed with a text notification and woke me up. I Jumped up and grasped it in my hands almost shaking. "IT'S ETHAN!" I screamed in my head I quickly punched in my passcode and read the message. "Thank you Jennifer, I do need one thing, can we meet up for lunch? 1 P.M. Antonio's Diner downtown." the biggest smile came across my face as I texted back, "Sounds good. I'll meet you there." I jumped up and began getting myself ready even though it was only just now 8:15 A.M. I heard my father shout from downstairs, "JENNIFER! breakfast is ready. I have to go don't let it get cold, Sylvia will be upset." Sylvia is our maid. After my mother passed my dad quickly realized he couldn't raise my brother and I alone with how busy he frequently was. Sylvia quickly became a mother like figure to me. I was 5 when my mother passed so she didn't have a chance to teach me many feminine things. I hauled what I was doing and rushed down stairs to eat. "Good morning sweetie, I made both of your favorites." Sylvia almost whispered. She didn't want to wake my brother Josh. He was not a morning person and had a horrible mean streak if woken up before noon. I thanked Sylvia and ate the wonderfully prepared food in front of me. 2 over easy eggs, 4 Vermont maple sausage links, 2 blueberry and strawberry waffles with whipped cream and a glass of orange juice on the side. Sylvia knew my mother used to make me this once a week and it became almost like a comfort food so I eat it almost every morning now. Sylvia noticed my face seemed flushed so she asked softly, "Jenn, Honey, you seem different this morning.. anything you want to tell me?" my mouth was stuffed with waffles and I took a big gulp almost choking. "uhm.. well you know that lawyer, Ethan, that dad hired..." I said sheepishly. She just nodded and smiled. "well he asked me to meet him for lunch today downtown at that new Italian restaurant." I continued. Sylvia's eyes widened with excitement. "I was wondering when you would take interest in someone!" she shouted, quickly covering her mouth spatula still in her hand. she then whispered, "You're 17 now! Go, Go get ready and have fun." I quickly ate and smiled at her as I excused myself from the table. I began with a simple shower, shaved every piece of unpleasant body hair my eyes could see. After getting out I decided I would "enhance my appearance" as my father would say. I put on a beautiful dark maroon dress and sleek skin colored stockings so I wouldn't be too cold. I put on my mother's prized emerald necklace and began curling my hair and pinning back my bangs. I felt different. Pretty. I looked at all the make up my father had gotten me on many different occasions but especially Christmas. I was assuming that was the gift I'd be receiving from him once again in the next few weeks. I decided to just stay simple, eyeliner, mascara, and plucked and did my eyebrows. I looked so different. Finally 12 o'clock hit and I rushed down the stairs to put my shoes on. I decided on my black slip ons as they were comfortable and I hated wearing heels in the snow. I'm no fashionista but that has got to be uncomfortable and cold! As I was walking out Sylvia approached with my car keys in her hands. "Remember, have fun! don't be a recluse. you are beautiful." she said handing me my keys. "thank you, I will." I responded. I grabbed my coat and headed out. after a 45 minute drive I got to the restaurant. I took 4 deep breaths and looked at myself in the mirror to chant my mantra. "You are beautiful and you can do this." I walked to the two huge pull doors in front of the building but before I could open them Someone rushed behind me and pulled them open. "Please, let me." a familiar voice said. It was Ethan. I couldn't stop a big smile from forming as I saw how nicely he dressed up for this. "Why thank you!" I said flirtatiously. He walked me in and put two fingers up signaling to the receptionist. she grabbed our menus as we followed her to a table located by a window. Ethan pulled my chair out for me and gestured for me to sit. Oh my heart please be steady. After we were seated and placed our orders Ethan gazed deeply at me. "I wanted to see you again, I need to tell you something." Ethan blurted out.