Scrooge

22. Haylee

22

HAYLEE

I watch the lights of the city outskirts, exhaustion nipping at my body.

“You alright?” Alex asks from beside me. His car is so warm and cozy, and with the snow still falling outside, the ground now coated white, I feel secure and safe after a whirlwind afternoon.

“Yeah. I’m just so glad we found her,” I tell him, my eyes glued to the streets, wondering how people even survive out here in this weather. “Thank you, Alex, really, for everything.” He looks straight ahead, concentrating on the road, but I know he hears me.

Today was so busy that I am only just coming to terms with everything that happened. Us arriving at the shelter, Alex bundling Deloris into his car and taking us all to the hospital. But not just any hospital, the private VIP entrance, the one that celebrities and high-profile people access, where his personal doctor was waiting for us. Deloris and I were in so much shock when we arrived, we both walked inside willingly, mouths agape, following the kind nurses and doing everything we were told to.

She’s now in a private room, on antibiotics for an infection, as well as fluids due to dehydration caused by influenza. She should be there for about a week. But she’s bathed, with new clothes, being fed and catching up on sleep. All in all, she’ll be walking out of there feeling like a new woman.

“I think Deloris will be well looked after,” he says, nodding to himself.

“That is an understatement. The fact that she can get chocolate pudding anytime she wants just by hitting the call button will make her day. I think those nurses have no idea who they are dealing with.” I huff a laugh, knowing that Deloris will be safe, warm, and well-fed for a while, all thanks to the man next to me.

“I had no idea people lived like that.” The words are spoken quietly; he seems deep in thought as he rubs his lower lip.

“I guess unless you are around it, you are oblivious. Most people wouldn’t understand the living situations of others until they see it.”

“What happened to Deloris that she ended up where she is?” he asks, and I take a breath, touched and impressed he wants to know.

“She married young. She was in love, she told me, couldn’t wait to marry the guy, and start living with him. But turns out, he wasn’t so nice behind closed doors. He used to beat her and push her around. She didn’t have a job, wanted to become a housewife, but he drank a lot, to the point he drank away all their money, and then he up and left her. She had nothing. Her family was embarrassed that she didn’t make her marriage work and wasn’t there for her. So, she had no one. No money. No job. No shelter. Turned to the streets and has been there ever since.” I give him the shortened version; he doesn’t need the full details.

“She couldn’t get a job?” he asks, glancing at me for the first time, his expression one of confusion, yet trying to understand. So I delve into her story a little more.

“She had nothing, really, apart from the clothes on her back. She had no place to live, where she could shower and dress for interviews. Had no support. She tried to get some money to turn things around. Unfortunately, she attempted stealing and got caught, and then with no other choice, turned to prostitution for a short time, hoping that it may get her the funds she needed to get herself out of the situation she was in. But it didn’t. She was robbed, beaten, assaulted. I think after that, she totally broke and decided to live solo on the streets, and that was that.”

“Jesus,” Alex murmurs, a wave of emotions probably running through him from the tone of his voice. I feel the same sadness for her.

“Yeah. She never really had a chance,” I whisper just as he pulls up to my house and cuts the engine.

The lights shine from behind the curtained windows, my family all waiting for me. “Let’s get you inside,” he says, jumping out of the car, and he quickly walks around to my door and opens it for me. Yet another thing my ex never did, and every time Alex does, I swoon a little more.

“I bet you have never had a Thanksgiving quite as eventful as this one?” I ask, looking up at him as he grabs my hand, and we walk up the garden path to the front door together. I feel so much gratitude for him for today. The outcome would have been so different if he wasn’t there. Whether it was because of his money, his profile, or connections, or just him making things happen, Deloris is now so well looked after, I think her fear of hospitals will be alleviated.

“No, this would be a first for me.” He smiles. Snow glitters his hair, the flakes brushing over his shoulders and chest. Our boots slip a bit, although the ground coverage isn’t deep, and not enough to make snowballs.

“I’m sorry if it wasn’t the day you were expecting,” I tell him as we come to a stop at my front door, under the porch light. He turns to face me, taking my other hand in his.

“This was the best Thanksgiving I’ve ever had,” he says sincerely, and I hold my breath.

“Mine too.” Feeling the ring on my finger, I know it is all for show, but I’m starting to feel the connection between this man and my heart start to strengthen. “You didn’t have to help. I mean, you could have just dropped me off at the shelter and kept driving. I appreciate it so much.” I need him to know, to understand that he gave me such a gift today.

“Didn’t have to? I wanted to.” His eyes sear into mine, searching.

“Why?” I ask, wondering why this city billionaire, who is nicknamed Scrooge, wanted to help today.

“Why? Because Deloris needed help, and she is important to you. And if she is important to you, then she is important to me. I know she is your friend. You were not going to turn your back on her, and I’m not going to turn my back on you.”

I swallow as my heart start to race.

“But I—” I start to say how thankful I am again, but he cuts me off as he drops my hand and moves quickly, cupping my jaw. He leans forward, pulling me toward him, and his lips lower to mine. He is warm, and I lean into his hold as his other hand sweeps around my back and pulls me closer. I close my eyes as our lips move effortlessly together, my body now melting into his as I open my mouth and feel the first sweep of his tongue. The instant shock has worn off me, and my body temperature increases as I run my hands up his arms and loop them around his neck, pulling him to me as our kiss turns more passionate. The street is quiet, the streetlamps on, no one else around as the snow softly falls and our bodies mesh. Our breathing becomes one, and my knees almost buckle from how good it feels to have his lips on mine. He pulls back slightly, our noses nearly touching, our breaths mixing and creating puffs against the cool night air.

“There is no one here. No media. No one can see us,” I say breathlessly, my heart literally jumping from my chest. That kiss felt all too real. Everything has today. His hold on me, the little hair kisses. The way he was so proud to call me his fiancée.

“I know,” he says, his eyes never leaving mine.

“We kissed…” I say, like he doesn’t know as I bring my left hand to my mouth and feel my lips that are still tingling. The diamond on my finger dazzles in the light, and I see him look at it quickly before looking back at me and stepping back.

“You should get inside. It’s cold.” He slowly lets me go, my body feeling bereft without him.

“Do you want to come in?” I ask. It’s silly, but I’m already hopeful for another kiss like that.

He shakes his head. “I have an early morning at the office. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Sunflower.” Stepping forward, he kisses my forehead before he starts back toward his car.

“Get inside. You’ll freeze.” He almost growls that command, and I huff a laugh. Smiling in return, he doesn’t stop watching me until I open the door and step inside, and I wait at the door until I see him get into his car and turn it on, only closing the door once he leaves the street. With a grin taking over my face, I lean my head against the back of the door and take a breath. Today was the best Thanksgiving I have ever had too.