Chapter 1 Christmas Eve

• ~ New York City, 2002~
• It was Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year! New York City's streets were decked out with stunning lights and plants.
• Stephanie stood in front of the Rockefeller Center plaza, marveling at the gorgeous Christmas tree. Thousands of light bulbs were used to ornament the tree, which was capped with a new Swarovski star.
• Stephanie's wavy black hair flowed loosely on her shoulders as she gazed up and stared at the star with a big smile on her face.
• She kept her arms crossed under her Beige sweater to keep warm.
• A red turtleneck and white palazzo trousers were worn underneath the sweater. She accessorized her look with a Saint Laurent medium sunset shoulder bag and a Saint Laurent lace-up boot.
• Water vapor streamed out of her nostrils as she breathed out. She let out a big exhale, and more water vapor from her mouth. As she stared at the lightbulbs, she became lost in thought.
• Her mind drifted back to her most recent Christmas Eve in New York City. Owen, her first lover, had stood in this very area with her.
• Owen was her boss when she met him at work that year. Owen thought Stephanie was the most gorgeous girl he had ever seen, and things between them quickly heated up. Stephanie, who perceived Owen as a charming and compassionate boss, made things simple for Owen. They were infatuated with each other and became couples in no time.
• Stephanie began to observe some odd tendencies in Owen as time went on, such as him being angry and paying little or no attention to her. When she tried to figure out what had gone wrong, she realized Owen was married to a lady from another nation.
• Their relationship came to an end because she was heartbroken. She lost touch with Owen and moved on from her previous job.
• Stephanie had vowed to never date another man since that time.
• She always convinced herself, "I adore the single life."
• *
• Stephanie inhaled and exhaled deeply and checked her wristwatch on her left wrist; it read 10 p.m. She needed to get home so she could rest and prepare for the next day. Her family would be paying her a visit.
• She heard a euphonic voice behind her as she was going to walk away.
• "You've been staring at that star for 40 minutes; I'll get you one so you may stare at it all day."
• Her cheeks flushed, and she turned around to see who was speaking in such a pleasant tone.
• She noticed a young, attractive man with golden brown hair and an ivy league cut. He was dressed in a black round-neck shirt beneath a white wool overcoat. His black jeans were paired with brown boots. He stood 5'9 in height. Because Stephanie was 5'4 tall, he stood taller than her.
• In his hands, he held two reusable coffee cups, one of which he extended to her.
• "This is for you,"
• As he spoke, he exhaled water vapor and smiled contagiously. Stephanie's cheeks flushed with a smile.
• "I appreciate it," she said as she collected the cup.
• He sighed and turned to face the tree's star.
• "It's absolutely lovely."
• Stephanie shifted her gaze back to the tree, and the man was beside her. Both of them fixed their gaze on the star.
• "It's late,"
• People were already leaving as he looked around.
• "I was ready to walk away when I heard you talk behind me."
• "I'm really sorry for sabotaging your plans." Sebastian is my name. What about you, pretty one? What's your name?"
• She guffawed and bowed her head as he gazed at her.
• “Stephanie.”
• "Wow, that's a beautiful name." Stephanie, it's a pleasure to meet you.” With his eyes locked on hers, he drank coffee from the cup.
• "It's also a pleasure to meet you." She brushed her fingers on the cup in her hand.
• "Drink it before it becomes cold."
• She bowed her head and looked at the cup.
• "Sebastian, thank you for the coffee and your time. I'm going to leave now."
• "Are you going home or are you going out for the night?"
• "I don't know where else to go, so I'm going home." Sebastian, nice meeting you once again."
• She walked away, turning her back on him. Sebastian wasn't going to let her slip through his fingers, so he chased her down and spoke to her once more.
• "I'll give you a ride home."
• Stephanie grinned and shook her head as she stared at him.
• "Don't worry about that; you've already done enough for me tonight."
• "I insist, Stephanie," I say. "Believe me when I say that you will like this ride." Stephanie let out a sigh and a nod of her head.
• “Okay.”
• Stephanie laughed as Sebastian excitedly leapt and punched the air. He struck her as a fascinating individual.
• "Wait right here. I'll be back with the ride immediately now."
• Stephanie folded her hands and waited for him to return with the ride as he hurried away.
• She drew her head down and fixed her gaze on her boot. With her foot, she was busy drawing things on the paved ground.
• She soon heard the rumble of a motorcycle approaching her. When she looked up, she noticed Sebastian was riding it. He came to a halt where she was standing. He was riding a Ducati 998.
• “Wow.”
• "Do you think it's good?" She nodded as he handed her the helmet.
• "I'm amazed; this is the Ducati brand's newest model."
• “Wow. You're an expert in bicycles. I'm blown away... "Come on, let's get this party started."
• He used his head as a signal while wearing his helmet. Stephanie put on her helmet and climbed aboard.
• She leaned forward in her chair, holding him. His scent entered her nostrils as she did so, and she closed her eyes to savor it.
• She adored the way he smelled.
• "Hold on tight... you're in for a long ride."
• "It can't be that far; my house isn't far away." "It's the second house from here on the third street."
• "First, I'd take you on a tour, then I'd drive you home."
• He cranked up the engine of the motorcycle and sped away. Stephanie drew him closer to her, her eyes closed. Her hair started to fly in the air as the rest of it was let out. Stephanie and he both kept their backs low.
• Stephanie giggled intermittently as he sped down the clean road. Dangerous was amusing to her to some level.
• Stephanie found herself wanting to raise her hands in the air. She gradually let go of Sebastian, and when he realized what had happened, he slowed down his ride. She finally let go of him and raised her arms in the air.
• Sebastian chuckled as he continued to ride after she burst out laughing. She drank from her coffee cup on a regular basis.
• “Haa!!”
• She screamed gleefully at the top of her lungs. She didn't want it to come to an end. She hadn't felt this happy in a long time.
• ***
• As Sebastian came to a halt in front of Stephanie's house, the motorcycle's noise faded. She got off the bike after releasing her hard grasp on him.
• "Wow," I exclaimed.
• She shook her head to rearrange her hair after removing the helmet. He took the helmet and placed it on the bike after she handed it to him.
• "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself... " "It's also good to see your place."
• Stephanie flushed and nervously lowered her head.
• "Sebastian, thank you for today." "You made my Christmas Eve one to remember."
• "Thanks to you, I had a great time." Stephanie, have a good night."
• “Good night," she said.
• Stephanie stepped up to her doorstep with a big smile on her face. When she looked at him, she noticed that he was staring at her.
• He started his bike as soon as she got to the door. She walked into the house after opening the door and giving him one more look, and he winked at her.
• Stephanie grinned as she shut the door as he sped away. She breathed as she rested her back on the door.
• "This is one of the nicest Christmas Eves I've ever had!"