Christmas ornaments.
1529 Words
Betty.
The early evening air was crisp as I stood in the bedroom, clutching my phone. My fingers trembled slightly as I reread the message from Harrison for what felt like the hundredth time.
*I’m waiting for you in the car.*
The words made my heart skip a beat, and I couldn’t help but smile. I glanced at the mirror, smoothing my sweater over my hips and fussing with a stray strand of hair. My reflection stared back, wide-eyed and flushed, anticipation written all over my face.
“Get it together, Betty,” I whispered, taking a deep breath to steady myself. But the butterflies in my stomach didn’t care about my attempt at composure.
When I stepped outside, the sight of a sleek black car waiting in the driveway brought me to a halt.
It gleamed under the glow of the villa lights, a striking contrast to the modest houses on my street back home. As I approached, the window rolled down, and there he was—Harrison.
“Ready?” he asked, his deep voice warm and smooth, like the feeling of slipping under a thick blanket on a cold night.
I nodded, unable to form words, and slid into the passenger seat. The interior was as luxurious as I imagined—soft leather, the faint hum of the engine, and the lingering scent of his cologne. It was intoxicating.
“You’re driving?” I asked, surprised as I glanced at his hands on the wheel.
He shrugged, his movements effortlessly casual. “I like driving. Besides, I wanted this to be just us. No distractions.”
*Just us.* The way he said it made my cheeks flush. I couldn’t look at him, so I focused on my hands instead.
“Did you miss me?” His voice broke through the silence, catching me off guard.
I hesitated, my heart racing. I had missed him—far more than I should have. But how could I say that without sounding ridiculous?
“I asked you a question, Betty.” His tone was teasing, but his eyes were serious as they flicked to me.
“Maybe… a little,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Just a little?” he challenged a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “Could that be because I haven't given you a reason to,” he teased, mischief dancing at the corner of his lips.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Okay, maybe more than a little.”
“Now, that’s better,” he murmured, his voice wrapping around me like a warm scarf.
As we drove through the city, I let myself relax. The streets were alive with twinkling lights, and cheerful decorations adorned nearly every building. The festive atmosphere was infectious, and I found myself smiling without realizing it.
When we pulled up to a quaint Christmas shop, I hesitated. It looked like something out of a holiday postcard, with its wreath-covered door and fairy lights strung across the windows.
“Are you sure this is where you wanted to go?” I asked, unsure if the cozy, slightly cluttered shop was what he had in mind.
“Why not?” he replied, stepping out of the car and opening my door. “Even millionaires need ornaments to make their homes feel like Christmas.”
His words made me laugh nervously as I followed him inside. The air was warm and fragrant with the scent of pine and cinnamon, a stark contrast to the cold evening outside. Shelves and tables were crammed with sparkling baubles, delicate figurines, and every kind of ornament imaginable.
“I just figured… someone like you would hire a designer for this kind of thing,” I said, glancing at him.
Harrison raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. “And miss out on the fun? No way. Besides, I thought it’d be better to do this with you.”
My heart fluttered, and I turned away quickly, pretending to examine a display of handmade ornaments. A glass star caught my eye, its edges dusted with gold.
“This one’s beautiful,” I said, holding it up to the light.
Harrison stepped closer, his presence so near I could feel the heat radiating from him.
“It is,” he agreed, though his eyes weren’t on the star. “But I think you’re drawn to it because it’s simple and stunning, like you.”
I froze, my breath hitching. “I don’t think anyone’s ever compared me to a Christmas ornament before,” I said, trying to laugh it off.
“Then they weren’t paying attention,” he said, his smile soft and genuine.
Flustered, I placed the ornament back on the shelf. “Let’s find something else,” I said, my voice unsteady.
He followed me to another section, where rows of colorful baubles hung from hooks. Picking up a whimsical snowman ornament, he held it out to me.
“What about this? A little fun, a little quirky. Kind of like you.”
I laughed, my tension easing. “Now you’re just making things up.”
“I mean it,” he said, his tone softer now. “You’re refreshing, Betty. You don’t try to be someone you’re not. You’re just… you.”
His words caught me off guard, and I turned to face him. “Harrison… I’m just a cleaner. You’re—you. This doesn’t make sense.” I blurted out.
He stepped closer, his eyes locking onto mine.
“It makes perfect sense to me,” he said firmly. “I’ve spent my life surrounded by people who only see my money. You’re the first person who sees me. That’s worth more than anything.”
I didn’t know what to say. His gaze was so intense, so sincere, that it left me speechless.
“You’re really good at this, you know,” I said finally, trying to lighten the mood.
“At what?”
“At making a girl feel like the only person in the world.”
“That’s because you are,” he said simply.
My response made my breath get caught in my throat. Was he saying this because he meant it, or was he saying it because he figured it might be what I wanted to hear?
The shopkeeper’s cheerful interruption saved me from having to respond. Harrison handed over the snowman ornament and arranged for us to see their selection of Christmas trees.
We found the perfect one—a snowy-green fir that smelled like childhood memories. Harrison insisted it was the best tree he’d ever seen, and I couldn’t help but smile as we packed it up alongside the ornaments.
The drive back was quieter, the silence comfortable. I stared out the window at the softly falling snow, my heart full in a way I couldn’t quite explain.
When we reached his Villa, Harrison carried the tree inside, setting it up in the corner of his living room.
“Perfect spot,” he said, stepping back to admire it.
“It's beautiful,” I said softly, my chest tightening.
“yeah, it is,” he responded, his eyes on me.
“How about we fix the ornaments on the tree,” he asked,
“Sure,” I replied
I unpacked the boxes of ornaments, and we began to place them on the tree; it was such a wonderful moment as we talked about our past Christmas memories.
When we were done fixing the ornaments, he unboxed the Christmas lights and wrapped them around the tree.
It was fun watching him set up the Christmas tree. He was completely different from the boss I knew back home. He was playful, joked about everything, and would laugh wholeheartedly whenever I said something funny.
“Are you ready, he asked as he was about to switch on the Christmas light.
“yeah,” I nodded with a smile.
He did a countdown of five to one, and when he reached one, as if on cue, he pushed the button on the remote. Just as the lights came on, his lips gently took mine in a possessive yet tender kiss that mediately charged my entire body.
“Thank you,” I said when he broke the kiss.
“for what? He asked.
“For making this feel special,” I said in all honesty
He turned to me, his expression unreadable. “Betty, you don’t have to thank me. I should be the one thanking you.”
“Me?” I asked, confused.
“For reminding me what it’s like to just… be. To enjoy the little things.”
I swallowed hard, my emotions threatening to overwhelm me. “You’re really good at this,” I said again, my voice barely above a whisper.
“At what?”
“At making a girl dream big,” I admitted.
“That’s because you deserve to,” he said, his voice just as soft.
And as we stood there, the glow of the Christmas lights dancing across his face, I let myself believe him.
Just for tonight, I let myself dream that this holiday could be the beginning of something magical.
- Writer
