Chapter 51 In the spirit of Christmas
Chapter 51: In The Spirit of Christmas
Golden didn't have to bother about running into Allan at school. He had somehow decided to make himself scarce.
She knew he was around. She felt his presence every now and then, but he never showed up in front of her.
Sometimes she felt she was being watched and she knew it was him.
Even Linda had suddenly gone quiet and AWOL.
So much wasn't happening in school anyways so it really didn't matter.
What seemed to have changed though was the way people now looked at her.
Some were kinder and even smiled at her when they passed by. Even Fab was begining to get attention.
Golden walked into the cafeteria with Alex and they sat down to have their meal.
They had both decided to have a Ceaser salad and a cup of Greek yogurt.
“Is it just me or are people acting a bit strange?” Golden asked as she ate her salad.
“What do you expect Gigi. You are one part of Newest Billionaire Power Couple.
So of course people will treat you differently.” Alex responded like she was casually commenting on the weather.
“And here comes your better half” Alex said smiling as Fab entered the cafeteria.
They saw some girls walk up to Fab. They were smiling shyly and tried to get him to sit with them on the platform.
“Oh o. Incoming. Gigi, some girls are trying to snatch your man.” Alex said chuckling.
Golden raised her head and looked towards Fab.
“He looks like he's seconds away from fainting.” She said laughing.
Fab looked in her direction at the moment and smiled and turned to the ladies blocking his part.
“Sorry ladies, but I have to go now. My girlfriend is waiting for me” he said and signaled towards Golden.
They followed his gaze and saw Golden smile at them. They snared and walked away.
“Someone seems popular with the ladies” Alex smirked. “What was that about?”
“Gosh! I miss being an unknown nerd. The guys want to jump me and the ladies suddenly want to connect with me on whatsapp.”
“Those two over there wanted me to sit with them on the platform even though they know I have a girlfriend ” Fab said rolling his eyes and adjusting his glasses.
Golden and Alex burst into laughter.
“That bad huh?” Golden asked.
“Blame Linda for this fiasco ” Alex said.
“Yeah let's blame Linda” Fab nodded in agreement.
School finally closed. It was officially a week to Christmas.
Alex had moved back home. She had stayed at the Estate long enough and as much as she enjoyed living with Golden, she needed her own space.
The streets were full of decorations. Every corner had red, green and gold ribbons.
Christmas garlands were hung on the doors of every shop.
Reindeers and small gnomes sat pretty on peoples front yards and Christmas lights lit up the whole place.
Carolers paraded the streets singing Christmas carols and sharing the Christmas spirit.
Golden slowly drove home and saw children dragging their parents into stores but couldn't smile.
While everyone basked in the spirit of the season, she shrunk, wishing that the season will pass quickly and silently without so much fanfare.
Christmas for her represented a dark time in her life where she lost something she can never recover.
Every year while others got into the festive mood and celebrated, she locked herself up and silently wished it was over.
Just as Golden got home, she received a group call invite from Fab.
She smiled. Alex and Fab were the only good things that had happened to her this year.
She got to her room and connected her phone to her laptop before picking the call.
“Hey Fab what's up.”
“Hi girlfriend I'm good. What's happening with you?”
Alex also joined the call. And as if planned, Golden and Fab said:
“Hi bestie!”
They all laughed.
“Hold up Alex, are you gardening?” Fab asked as he tried to peek from his screen.
“Yeah? So?” She responded as she added more soil to a potted plant she was holding.
“Since when do you garden? I never pegged you as someone who would be willing to get her hands dirty.
Alex the gardener. Who would have guessed that part.” Fab said amazed.
“Girl, tell me the truth, why are you suddenly gardening? You've never touched a plant at the Estate let alone plant a whole flower. What's really going on?” Golden asked.
“Not you too Gigi.” Alex wiped her hands on her apron then picked up a glass of water.
“Well the truth is Nana planted a garden the last time she came around and she made me promise to look after her flowers.
I totally forgot about them while I was at the Estate. She called yesterday and asked if I took care of her babies.
She's coming to Florida in two days time. So yeah, I am gardening.
Trust me I would rather plant flowers than receive my Nana's wrath.
“Wow! Please when do I meet your Nana?
Anyone that can put the mighty Alex in place deserves an award.” Fab said laughing.
“Anyways, girls can we go to the mall tomorrow? I need help picking out gifts for my nephews and nieces.
They are spending Christmas in Florida this year and my mum has tasked me with the gifting.”
“How many are they? Alex asked going back to her planting
“They are six. Four girls and two boys. The boys I have an idea what to give.
But I'm lost at what young girls like.”
“How old are they? I mean the girls?” Golden asked.
“They are around ages 11-15. Really I don't understand girls that age.”
“Well I will have to take a pass. I have Nana Chen's garden to worry about.” Alex said.
“How about you Gigi? Please say you will come?
Besides I trust your judgement more.” Fab begged.
“Hey what's that supposed to mean?” Alex asked.
“I should be offended, but surprisingly, I am not. So you may proceed with your begging.”
Golden didn't know how to refuse Fab's request without offending him.
How does she tell him she didn't like Christmas and everything that comes with it without opening old scars.
Merely thinking about it was triggering panick and lockdown mode.
“Please Gigi. My mum will kill me if I don't get the perfect gifts.
In the past, I had just sent their parents money to buy them whatever they needed.
But now I actually have to wrap gifts and put under the tree.”
“Gigi, just accompany him okay. I can't stand his whining” Alex said.
Golden not wanting to be a killjoy finally agreed to go. Maybe she would survive the whole Christmas spirit without shutting down.