His Christmas Present

a's

Over

a great big smile on her face. She was running my way bef

pping my face. "Look at

don't emba

dying overseas. Never spent a single holiday at home

I said to myself. "You know

rtheless, it is different to see you

stly nodding and smiling and listening. Her voice w

street that led to the cemetery. I looked at h

ng on the backseat of her car. Every stride to the grave of my mother was heavier than the previ

gainst the engraved letters. "Hi, Mom," I whispered. "I'm back. For good t

th, and attempted to restrain tears. "I've mis

Mira said. "You're smart, strong...

ain got off my chest. Then, having passed se

ry. And... Caleb and I... we have been having issues. He had asked me to drop out of school and marry him, but I had to complet

queezed it. "I understand, d

, Aunt Mira. I re

be attending Se

ly. "I was sent an

ou and your father?"

sure I can remember th

pefully this visit will l

fatigue and the nerves. After that, I dressed up and I made up my mind to visit Caleb at his head offi

receptionist stared at me. "Can

, I said, in an attemp

an appointmen

"No... but

I saw one of his bodyguards st

need to see Cal

d rushi

d down. "Do you ha

d my throat felt

He waved toward the exit.

to Caleb, but it was diverted to voicemail. I sent

d. I told her all and she listened without sa

b. My phone continued ringing in my hand and I could not pic

why is your number

her, it's Aria. I called up to

traged. "You are back in the country a

as I answered. "I

ughter is living in a rusty apartment with the woman that advised her m

before I

do I do?" I asked after tell

all times, if you ever want to come back. If it ever

seem. I was forced to accept the fate. I had to go to

d down a body shaming comment from Helena; when a car

her fiance. I stood there waiting, and

en I s

ne other

cé was m