Alpha Steel: Kidnapped For Christmas

Chapter One - Tinsel, Lies, and Green Olivia's Point of view. The bells on my elf hat jingled every time I moved, which felt fitting, considering my life had officially become a holiday-themed joke. I couldn't believe that there was a time that I genuinely derived joy from this , being Santa's helper …walking up and down Santa's village and dealing with loud , ill mannered,impatient kids and their Karen parents. My fingers tightly grabbed on the thin fabric on my thigh as I slowly pulled on the inappropriately short green skirt just wondering how none of the parents had complained about the low key sexy elf uniforms we had been given. A sigh left my lips as I silently told myself things could be worse. My eyes zeroed in on the gift boxes under the Christmas tree as my mind silently wandered off to the moving boxes I had left piled up in my apartment. The bells on my elf hat loudly jingled once more, further annoying me and overall felt deeply personal—almost as if the universe was mocking me in surround sound. My hand immediately found my buttocks as I flinched away from the instant stinging pain “Ouch!” I bellowed out as I struggled to massage the pain away all while giving the goofy i***t next to me a d*ath glare for having the audacity to pinch my a*s before proceeding to look up at me with a childlike wonder and innocence . “Stop frowning Liv, Smile for the kids you're looking like the grinch!” Bella whispered beside me , like seriously… how does she expect me to smile like she didn't just pinch me for frowning. Note to self *get new friends* As much as I was annoyed, tired and frustrated ,I still managed to force out a smile. Of course I did. Because that was the job. Smile. Wave. Spread Christmas cheer. Even when your feet ached from standing for six hours straight, green tights cut off circulation to your thighs, and your boyfriend hadn’t bothered to text you back all day. Oddly very specific, I know but that's just the job description. I annoyingly adjusted the red-and-green collar of my elf costume and leaned closer to the fake snow-dusted counter of Santa’s Workshop Village. The air smelled like cinnamon, plastic pine, childlike wonder and overheated dreams…if that makes sense. “Next , awww!” I chirped followed but a high pitched screech as I turned into a very firm chest. The pain didn't even register to me as I focused on the strong arms around me. “Ummm , sorry…I just turned way too fast , I'm not really that clumsy,” the words awkwardly left my lips before I could even register what I was saying. I knew that I should probably step back and create some distance between us but I hadn't been held in so long and his arms felt so safe . “I didn't know Santa overworked his elves so much, it must really be demanding to bring Christmas cheer and look so damn sexy while doing it ,” I heard him, I actually heard him …like I heard his every word but for some reason my mind could not process it as I felt my face heat up in embarrassment. A low chuckle left his lips as I awkwardly took a few steps back effectively creating an appropriate distance between us. That was when the noise around me seemed to dim. Something felt different and I suddenly felt hyper aware of my surroundings . My eyes almost could not believe what they were seeing as I blinked once ,twice and three times just utterly surprised. I shyly looked down a bit to prevent myself from reacting because damn he is one fineeee specimen. My eyes slowly looked up at the odd picture before me , combat boots, motorbike helmet in hand and dark demeanor. The kids that had been noisy and impatient for their turn to meet Santa suddenly had perfect behaviour as they looked up at the scarily handsome man before them and I couldn't blame them. He stood there like he didn’t belong in this world—tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a black coat that looked more suited for a winter war zone than a Christmas market. Dark hair brushed his collar, and his eyes filled with mischief, mystery and suspense. His green orbs stared right into mine, almost taking my breath away . The green seemed to be enhanced by his all black outfit and perfectly matched well with the green decorations in Santa's village. Ohhh what beautiful dazzling eyes , I thought to myself. They locked onto me, sharp and intent, as if I were something he’d been searching for, far longer than tonight. My stomach flipped as I felt my cheeks grow rosy . “Hi,by the way” I managed, my voice suddenly less festive. “Welcome to Santa’s Workshop. Are you… looking for something?” “Yes.” His voice was deep, accented in a way I couldn’t place. Controlled. Measured. “A gift.” I blinked. “Great! For who?” He tilted his head, studying me like a puzzle. “For myself.” That earned a laugh out of me before I could stop it. “Well, that’s honest. Any idea what you want?” His gaze didn’t leave my face. “Not exactly. I was told I would recognize it when I saw it.” Heat crawled up my neck. *Get it together, Olivia.* “Well,” I said, gesturing to the display behind me, “we’ve got ornaments, scarves, novelty mugs, hand-carved figurines—” “No.” One word. Absolute. His eyes darkened, something feral flickering behind them. “It isn’t here.” Disappointment hit me oddly hard. “Sorry about that.” For a moment, neither of us spoke. The pull in my chest grew stronger, unfamiliar and unsettling—like gravity had shifted its focus as his scent drew me to him . Damn he smelled too good. His Colognes undertones were incredibly soothing and somehow seductive. A part of me wanted to ask what cologne he used just so I could spray it on my pillow and cuddle up with it just to sooth myself. “Ummm, is everything okay there?” His voice broke my enchantment as I awkwardly opened my eyes, noticing his arched brows. My embarrassment doubled ten fold as I saw his teasing smirk and I just knew for a fact that he saw me literally smelling him ,eyes closed and swooning like a psycho. “Well , ummm …i actually-” I was struggling to find the words to say when “Liv, your break’s in five,” My coworker Jess leaned over, grinning like she’d just spotted a Christmas miracle. Relief flooded my system like I was a building on fire as Jess came to my rescue as per usual. Her eyes flicked from the man to me ,then back to him again “Damn. Santa’s been lifting.” I groaned. “Jess.” The corner of his mouth twitched—not quite a smile, but close. “It's a shame that I have to leave empty handed but I’ll return,” he said, stepping back. “Soon.” Before I could respond, he turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving behind a strange stillness—and the undeniable feeling that something important had just brushed past my life. Jess let out a low whistle the second the crowd noise swallowed the man whole. “Okay,” she said, nudging my arm, “tell me I did not just hallucinate Christmas Batman.” I exhaled, my pulse still doing something embarrassing. “You saw him too?” “Oh, I *felt* him,” she said dramatically. “But wow, Liv. You went full deer-in-headlights.” I groaned and dropped my head against the counter. “Can we not talk about him? I already feel unhinged.” Jess’s teasing smile softened as she studied me. “That bad?” I hesitated, then sighed. “It’s Ethan. He’s been… weird lately. Distant. Distracted. He barely texts, cancels plans last minute, and when I ask what’s wrong he just says he’s ‘busy.’” Jess’s eyes widened, then immediately lit up. “Wait. *Weird* weird? Or secretive weird?” “What does that even mean?” She grabbed my arm, excitement vibrating through her. “Liv. I saw him earlier. At the mall.” My stomach dropped. “Today? He told me he had work today” “Yeah, I saw him at Tiffany's,” she rushed on, grinning. “With flowers. Big ones. Like, apology-or-proposal-sized… he also had an awfully small jewelry box.” The world tilted. “…Tiffany’s?” I echoed. Jess clapped a hand over her mouth. “Oh my God—no—no, no, no. I just ruined it, didn’t I? I'm sorry i told, i kinda just stalked him when i saw him because i remember you telling me how busy he's been and how he couldn't join you for lunch today as planned” My heart began to pound for an entirely different reason now. “Jess.” “I’m so sorry,” she said quickly. “I just didn’t want you stressing. And—you’ve always talked about a Christmas proposal. Like, *always*.” Heat rushed to my cheeks as something fragile and hopeful bloomed in my chest. “I mean… yeah. I guess I have.” She squealed then, unable to help herself, bouncing on her toes. “I knew it! That explains everything. The distance, the secrecy—it’s all making sense.” Before I could respond, Bella slid in beside us, eyebrows raised. “Why does Jess look like she’s about to combust?” Jess didn’t even pause. “Ethan’s probably proposing.” Bella gasped so loudly a nearby kid flinched. “WHAT?” I tried to hush them, but it was too late. Bella grabbed my hands, eyes shining. “Liv, oh my God. This is huge. I’m so happy for you.” My smile felt shy, uncertain—but real. “It’s just a theory.” “A *very* good theory,” Jess insisted. Bella laughed, pulling me into a quick hug. “Guess I’ll miss you when you move out.” I couldn't help but roll my eyes. “Girl don't be dramatic, my boxes have been packed for days now and you know that I'm moving in with him, proposal or not?” “Well, yeah,” she said like it was obvious. “If he proposes, you’ll move in together more legitimately like an engaged couple. It all fits.” The idea settled over me slowly. Moving out. A ring. A future. It felt fast—too fast—but also warm and intoxicating. I was finally going to get my Christmas proposal and hopefully build my own family. That night, I floated to my apartment like I was made of tinsel and hope. I replayed every moment with Ethan, every smile, every promise. Still, a small voice whispered doubt. *It’s only been a few months,* it said. *Isn’t it too soon?* But I laughed it off, shaking my head as I unlocked the door, a small gift bag swinging from my hand. “Get it together,” I murmured, smiling to myself. Then I stepped inside. And the world shattered. Bella was sitting on the kitchen counter. Ethan stood between her legs. Their mouths were locked together. The fresh bouquet of flowers laid on the kitchen floor, Bella's eyes closed ,her head tilted back as Ethan kissed her neck with such passion it froze me in place. Her boobs laid exposed in front of me as I watched my boyfriend fingering her as he sucked on her with his fingers in her . It was almost as if everything was happening in slow motion as her moans felt like a knife going deeper and deeper into my heart just as his fingers went deeper and deeper in her . The two seemed to be in a world of their own , not noticing me and for some reason I just couldn't move or react Time froze. My lungs forgot how to work. The bag slipped from my fingers, hitting the floor with a dull thud that echoed far too loudly in the sudden silence. They pulled apart. Bella’s eyes went wide. Ethan turned—and the guilt on his face told me everything before he even opened his mouth. Tears blurred my vision, hot and unstoppable, as the last pieces fell into place. Tiffany’s. The flowers. The distance. Not a proposal. A goodbye I was never meant to see.