A Billionaire's Mistletoe kiss

Mia's P.O.V

"I'm so...so...sorry," I stuttered, staring up at the most enchanting pair of emerald green eyes I'd ever seen in my life. He stared back with eyes sparkled in mischief.

And oh my God! Was he handsome?

He had a perfectly chiseled face, a Greek God nose and his lips...this man was an embodiment of perfection.

I looked down to his chest and saw a tag on his suit. I froze as I read his name with my inside voice.

I just spilled a drink on the most aloof human on earth according to Lily.

CEO Ethan Caldwell was Lily's boss of whom I've heard so much about.

Did my clumsiness just get the better of me again?

Looking at the fruit stained suit of the man standing in front of me, I will take that as a yes.

Suddenly I realized my hand was resting on his briefs.

I hadn't initially minded where I rested my left hand, but realizing it was on this gentleman's genitalia, I snatched it off immediately feeling embarrassed and sorry at the same time.

I cursed myself inwardly.

I apologize again for the mess I caused trying to hide my embarrassment.

CEO Ethan had a smirk on his face as he watched me keenly.

"I said it's fine already, just quit with the unnecessary apology." His tone and mannerism didn't betray everything Lily had said about him.

Cold and rude.

Although I still felt terrible as I watched him wipe his suit with his handkerchief.

Our distraction didn't let us realize that a small crowd had gathered around us.

"Kiss, kiss, kiss," they chanted.

I looked around in shock, trying to understand what was going on.

It was then it dawned on me that we were standing directly under a mistletoe.

A holiday emblem.

My nervousness increased as the crowd's chanting grew wider.

I could feel my face burning with embarrassment.

Ethan, however, seemed to be enjoying the situation, his smirk growing wider.

"Kiss, kiss, kiss," The crowd chanted closing in around us.

I tried to take a step back, but my feet felt rooted to the spot.

Ethan sensing my hesitation, took a step closer, his eyes locked on mine.

"I think we've given them enough of a show, don't you think?" He asked in his deep husky voice that seemed to complicate the situation even more as I could feel myself getting drawn to him.

My reply got stuck in my throat.

I know the romantic tradition of mistletoe. Two couples have to kiss under the mistletoe and refusing to kiss is considered bad luck, and we are not even a couple!

I shivered and I think he saw it.

Without warning his hands went to my lower back as he pulled me into him, my chest resting on his.

He looked at me for a second then brushed his lips against mine.

My whole instinct was on pushing him off me, but somehow, the strength to do that vanished.

I stood like a statue in his arms, eyes popped out in fright.

My knees buckled, almost losing balance, he caught hold of my waist just in time.

"What's this feeling?" I thought to myself.

It's like I'm floating on cloud nine and I can't feel my legs.

The crowd erupted in cheers, but I was too stunned to react.

He pulled away from me after the kiss and I instantly felt pink on my cheeks.

We gazed at each other for a brief moment.

"We'll meet again," Ethan said to me before he left.

The surrounding crowd had dissipated, so I found a quiet place to think.

I just kissed the most eligible bachelor of Brooklyn!

I couldn't believe it!

And I couldn't blame Lily, my best friend for dragging me to this Christmas gala hosted by her boss, but she was partly responsible.

I'm not really the social type, but Lily was persistent and quite annoying at the same time.

"Come with me to the Christmas gala tomorrow, I need you there," Lily begged, making an exaggerated sympathetic face.

"No lily, you know I don't like parties, besides I have to make a grotesque, I just got an inspiration for it," I said, earnestly trying to avoid going out.

"You can do that when we get back. Do this for me, please!" She said with pleading eyes.

"There are high possibilities of networking with influential people, which can help improve or provide insight to your artwork. You never know," Lily said, smirking with raw enthusiasm.

I sighed in exhaustion.

She was getting to me like she always did.

"Just think about it Mia," she said grinning, knowing fully well that she was shaking my resolve.

"You know how to use your words, don't you?"

"Yes I do, I'm not a PR for nothing babe," she replied laughing, and I laughed along with her.

"Okay, but I don't have a dress suitable for the event."

"We will go to my favorite thrift store down the street, they have everything you need and what more...It's quite affordable."

As agreed, we went to the thrift store to get a dress for the occasion. I got a red knee-length gown that fitted my body perfectly.

"My goodness Mia, you look so alluring and hot. I could kiss you right now," Lily exclaimed with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Thank you," I replied shyly, "you don't look bad yourself," I complimented her.

Lily has been my only friend since seventh grade. She is a social bee, and has always found it easy to make acquaintances with people.

I, on the other hand, was the perfect opposite.

We left the thrift shop to get some other necessities.

The day for the Christmas gala finally arrived.

After putting on a light makeup styling my long dark hair to fall over my shoulders, we left our apartment.

We arrived at the Caldwell Enterprises for the Christmas gala just in time.

Our invitation cards were verified by the security before letting us in.

The venue was spectacular.

It looked too sophisticated and perfect.

From the beautiful, and giant chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, to the art works on the walls, to the antique vases enclosed in glass cylinders.

"This place is magnificent!" I exclaimed in awe.

"I don't know if I made the right choice by coming to this gala. I feel so out of place Lily." I whispered to my friend.

"You are doing just great, you look gorgeous tonight. Trust me," she said, reassuringly.

Her reassurance did not help. I was still nervous and she noticed it.

"Okay let me get you something. A drink will help your agitated nerves," she said winking before excusing herself.

After a few moments I saw something that caught my eyes, a real Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci. I was shocked beyond words.

How did they get hold of this painting? I thought it was kept in the museum for appreciation.

I was mesmerized by the beauty and had to see it from a very close distance.

I was so focused on getting a clearer view of the Leonardo da Vinci art that I did not realize I had missed a step colliding with someone and that was how the story of my Christmas Eve kiss began.