Chapter 58

**Kapittel 58**

**Allison heaved off** another sigh and sat up on her bed. She looked at the nightstand where laid her lampshade, an empty mug, and of course, the engagement ring that Hades gave her. With pale fingers, she picked up the ring and scrutinized it. Observing its angles and features, admiring its wondrous yet simple beauty. It may be small, but it felt cold in her palm.

'This ring is too much for me,' she thought to herself before getting on her feet and sauntered to the walk-in closet. Since Hades told Brent that he wanted her to keep it, then she's going to keep it and make it a part of her jewelry. She opened her closet doors and went to the area where she puts her jewels. She unfurled a huge velvet box, unveiling her expensive rings, made of gold and silver with different gems, shimmering in proud glory.

Allison looked at the ring for one last time before placing it on the box, making it a part of her collection. She closed the box slowly, painstakingly while staring at the engagement ring like it would be the last time she would see it again. As soon as the box was closed, she heaved a heavy sigh before heading downstairs with a heavy heart. But her heart went light, and a smile formed on her lips when she saw Jojo lounging on the carpet.

"Hey there, baby," she greeted her dog before stooping down and ruffled her pet's thick fur, kissing its snout in the process.

Jojo closed his eyes, snuggled his nuzzle on his owner's stomach, and whimpered in delight. Even though Jojo was a dog and didn't know how to speak, she could feel that he missed her through his actions.

"I miss you, bud," she told him before going to the kitchen, only to find her childhood friend, sweaty and busy cooking something that smelled very scrumptious and special. The breathtaking scent swooned her. She smiled in delight as she wondered what occasion was about to happen.

She pondered, her birthday's on January 30 while Brent's on January 6. Odd. Allison sat down on the stool and faked a cough that startled Brent, attempting to satiate her curiosity.

"Woah!" Brent gasped in flabbergast that rendered her to laugh while his face contorted in irritation as he looked at her. "Well, good morning to you there, Sleeping Beauty," he greeted with his voice laced with uttered sarcasm.

She gave a small smile of apology. "Good morning, Dawson," she greeted back before putting her elbows on the counter and cupping her heart-shaped face. "What's the occasion?" she asked curiously.

His face grimaced in confusion. he looked at her with disbelief in his eyes. "What do you mean 'what's the occasion?'"

She playfully rolled her eyes at him with her lips that turned into a huge frown, pretending that she was upset as she could never be upset with him. "You're cooking something special. As far as I know, neither of us cook anything special if it's just an ordinary day. So, care to share with me what's going on?"

Allison looked at him sharply, giving him a tell-me-or-I'll-gauge-your-eyes-out glare. She anticipated him to gulp in fear and tell her but to her disappointment, he laughed at her, making her frown.

"Try looking at the calendar, hun. You might find your answer there," he told her between his laughter. He's was quite entertained by how oblivious she was right now. She looked like a newborn child who was completely unaware of anything and everything.

Huffing a breath as the thrill was now irritating her, she reluctantly took herself off from the stool and sauntered to the wall where the calendar was hung. She flipped the pages to December and looked for today's date. Her eyes hovered over and saw the number 24 encircled with a red marker. Her eyes widened when she realized what day was today. Today was December 24. Christmas Eve!

"Oh shoot! Dawson!" she shouted at the top of her lungs and ran to the kitchen.

As soon as he heard her shout like a Banshee, he roared a burst of furious laughter. He turned the range off, grabbed a lid, and placed it over the pot before turning in his heel, facing an Allison who looked like a little kid who was very excited to open her presents this Christmas and a constipated teenager ready to throw a fit at the same time.

"Why didn't you tell me?!" she seethed at him before smacking his arm playfully.

Brent just laughed at her response as she pouted. "Argh! I hate you, Dawson! I hate you! I hate you!" she smacked his arm several times, but he didn't stop laughing at her, thoroughly entertained by her reaction.

"Now, what's all the fuss about?" they heard someone grumble with a groggy voice. Allison's frown faltered, and her face softened. She turned on her heel and faced Rebecca, who had just woken up.

"Good morning, Rebecca," she greeted. Even though the latter just woke up, she looked blooming as ever, like a princess. Even though she didn't want to admit that she was envious of Rebecca's incredulous beauty, she couldn't help but raise the white flag.

"Rebecca," said Brent with his voice menacing and worried. "Didn't I tell you to go back to bed an hour ago?" he asked the pregnant woman with his voice like a mother scolding her child.

Rebecca just yawned and squished her eyes before answering him, "I'm sorry, B. I can't help craving for your cookies." She pouted, trying to look cute at her child's father.

He shook his head. "Cookies again? Didn't I bake you some this 5 A.M.? Tsk. Go back to bed Rebe..."

"Please, Brent?"

"No, Rebecca. Go back to bed."

"For the baby?"

He fell stiff for a moment before giving off a sigh of defeat. "Fine."

"Yes!" Rebecca clapped her hands excitedly before setting herself on the stool painstakingly. Afraid to thump her baby bump on the counter.

Allison watched the two bantering, thinking how cute they were deep in her mind.