Note: This chapter is not relevant to the plot. Happy Holidays, everyone!
[ Jameson's Point of View ]
I saw Christmas lights and trees everywhere. I can't believe time flies so fast.
"What are you thinking about?" Ivan asked while we were walking along the snowy pathway to buy ingredients. Bella asked both of us because she wanted to make a gingerbread house.
"I just thought that time flies so freaking fast. The last time I was wandering along the snow was like yesterday, and here we are again," I replied.
Ivan sighed and rubbed his hands. "It's cold, don't you think?" He said and placed his hands inside his coat pocket.
"Yes, it is."
"Hey, Mr. Jameson, doesn't mean that I'm here with you today. We're already friends. I just had to because my girlfriend said so," he said while glaring at me.
I love Bella so much. Honestly, I got hurt when I discovered she was dating this punk. But of course, I have no right to steal her away.
In the end, it's still her choice. I don't see any problem with this guy either. If Bella's happy, then I'm delighted.
I hope she really is happy.
"Right. I won't expect you to be my friend anyway," I replied and walked faster.
"Hey! Why are you walking faster?!"
We went to a grocery nearby. I used to make gingerbread houses with Bella and my grandmother before knowing the ingredients. I hope I wouldn't piss Bella.
"Hey, I don't have any idea what we need to make a gingerbread house. Can't we just order?" Ivan spoke while confusedly looking everywhere.
"Then it would be no fun if we wouldn't make it ourselves," I replied. I almost forgot that Ivan was born with a gold spoon. I remember Bella telling stories about them, and Ivan was literally buying Bella everything he saw. Which is one thing I couldn't do for Bella. I'm not rich, and all I can give her is love, care, and protection.
"Alright. Then I'll go look for chocolates and ice cream for us to eat later. Go look for other ingredients. Make sure you choose the correct one." He patted my back and went to the dessert section.
Geez, I wonder what came to Bella's mind and suddenly wants to make gingerbread houses. Maybe she missed making those. I smiled at that thought.
I can't believe it's been years since we first met each other. I'm glad Bella's character has developed throughout the years.
I just hope that everything will get better. I hope Bella will get better.
"Got them!" Ivan uttered while holding packs of expensive chocolates and two gallons of oreo ice cream.
"Really? Too many sweets will make us sick," I muttered.
"Nah. Bella loves sweets," he said and placed the chocolates and ice cream in the grocery cart.
After buying the stuff we needed at the grocery, Ivan decided to go to a plushie store. He wants to gift Bella a new toy.
I wonder if Bella isn't getting annoyed with all the toys Ivan bought for her. Her room is literally filled with all the stuffed toys from Ivan.
I looked around the store and saw a bunch of animal stuffed toys. Some were big, and some were small. I saw a cute kitten plushie on the side. It's pure black with big crystal eyes. When Bella and I were young, she was close with stray kittens.
"How much is this?" I asked the cashier.
"Oh, that's five bucks, sir," the cashier replied.
I immediately grabbed it and bought it. I'm sure Bella will be happy. I looked at Ivan, who was carrying a gigantic brown teddy bear. Man, he is suffering while carrying that human-sized doll!
As soon as he paid for it, we grabbed a cab and shivered through the cold.
"Bro, why do you have to buy such a big toy?! That wouldn't fit Bella's room anymore," I told him.
"It will. There's still space on Bella's bed. If she missed me, she could cuddle that bear," he said sweetly and blushed.
Seriously?
"What about you? I saw you bought something from the store," he muttered while looking for the kitten toy I would be giving Bella.
"It's nothing. I didn't buy it," I replied. Ivan will create a fuss once he figures out that I'm going to give something to his girlfriend.
I'm not stealing Bella from him. I just wanted to give her a gift.
We went to Bella's dorm, and the guards didn't seem to care if we entered without our IDs already. Maybe he is already sick of our faces, seeing them every single day.
"Hey, wait up!" Ivan screamed as he struggled to carry the big teddy bear.
I knocked at Bella's door, and she opened it immediately. She still has this expressionless face. I wonder what she feels deep within.
"Hi, Bella. We already bought the ingredients we need," I said and placed the groceries in the kitchen.
"Hi, my love, Bella! I bought a teddy bear for you! Here!" Ivan came inside and handed the giant stuffed toy teddy to Bella.
"Whoa, this is gigantic. Where will I put it?" Bella asked.
"Cuddle it if you miss me." Ivan attempted to kiss Bella, but Bella swiftly moved away.
"Stop being such an impulsive jerk, Ivan. I am not in the mood to kiss," Bella replied and glared at him.
I can't help but laugh at Ivan.
"WHY THE HECK ARE YOU LAUGHING?" He asked me angrily.
"Oh, man, you just got rejected for a kiss," I teased.
We started baking the dough and fixed the decorations. I'm happy to see Bella smiling and laughing like a normal person.
I hope she's always like this, happy and joyous.
"Hey, Ivan! That's not how you do it!" Bella screamed and helped Ivan stick the bread walls together.
Watching both of them pains me. What will I do to get Bella's attention?
"Bella? Can you also help me here?" I asked her, and she looked at my gingerbread house.
"Are you doing it on purpose? When we were young, you already mastered that," she uttered and glared at me.
That's right, I can't get her.
As soon as we finished making our gingerbread houses, we tasted each other's creation.
"Yours is delicious, Bella," I told her as she took a bite of my gingerbread house.
"Yours too," she replied.
"WHAT ABOUT MINE?!" Ivan screamed while handing his gingerbread house to us. He is like a child.
"Just from the looks of it, I know it doesn't taste good," I teased and smirked at him. He became more infuriated, grabbed a piece of M&M's, and threw it at me.
Hah! So you want a fight?
I also picked up three pieces of M&M's and threw it all at him.
Until we never stopped throwing M&M's to each other.
"WILL YOU TWO STOP?!" Bella screamed at both me and Ivan.
Ivan rolled his eyes at me, and I stuck my tongue out at him. He really gets on my nerves.
"The both of you are like kids! I don't know why you guys can't just stay still!" Bella screamed again and continued fixing her gingerbread house.
"Alright, I'm sorry, my love," Ivan wrapped his arms around Bella and kissed her nape.
Can't they respect my existence?
I awkwardly walked away and sat on the new couch. I can't see the love of my life acting sweet with another man.
I hope they break up as soon as possible.
Just kidding.
After a few minutes, they came into the living room and brought the desserts and the gingerbread houses we made.
The three of us were up all night while filling our stomachs with sweets. It's Ivan's fault.
We bought one bottle of wine but surprisingly, Ivan got drunk with just one shot. This guy really is weird and creepy as hell.
"Do you believe in Santa Clause?" Ivan asked while his head was on the table.
"No. Of course not," Bella replied. She's eating ice cream.
"Really? Bella, I want to spend the night with you," Ivan replied with a low, drunk voice.
This punk, I'm going to punch him with a chair!
"Stop that! Bella doesn't want you," I told him while keeping myself from attacking him.
"I'm not talking to you. I just said I wanted to spend the night with Bella. What are you thinking anyway?" Ivan asked me.
I'm not thinking dirty. Wait, was I?
IT'S BECAUSE HE WOULD DRUNK TALK ABOUT THOSE THINGS SO SUDDENLY. WHO WOULDN'T THINK GREEN?
I looked at Bella, and she was also looking at me. Ivan eventually fell asleep on the floor.
"Why are you looking at me?" I asked her, and she smirked.
"Nothing. I just remembered the days when we spent the holidays together," she replied and looked away.
Is she blushing?
"Right. Time flies so fast."
Nobody spoke for seconds.
"Happy Holidays, Jameson," she mumbled and smiled at me.
This time, it's a genuine smile.
I can't help but smile back at her. The girl I love is smiling at me! Who wouldn't be flattered?!
"You too, Bella, happy holidays," I replied.
*Knock. *Knock. *Knock.
Both of us looked at the door. Who would knock this late? It's literally midnight.
I slowly walked to the door and opened it.
"Hi, Jameson. Hi, Bella. How sad you didn't invite me to your party. The three of you seemed happy."
I couldn't speak a word. Cat got my tongue.
"Anyways, I just came to drop by. Happy Holidays!"
It was Niana.