A FIANCE FOR CHRISTMAS

Memories

" Oh my goodness! I'm so happy you chose me over that b***h," Benedicta said joyfully, gaining Jayden's attention.

" I'm also happy I chose you. By the way, thank you for accepting my marriage proposal even though it was unexpected," Jayden said with a smile. He pulled Benedicta into his arms and began to kiss her like his life depended on it. Benedicta struggled to keep up with his tempo.

The attention of everyone was on the couple kissing as if they were alone. Some of the onlookers, took out their cellphones and took photos and videos.

Rebecca stood afar looking at the couple with unshed tears. One could tell that she was deeply hurt by what she saw.

" It's okay. You don't have to pretend to be fine. I mean it's okay to cry if that will make you feel better," Tina said calmly. She had been observing Rebecca since Jayden announced Benedicta as his fiancee. She could tell that she was not fine.

" I'm fine, Tina. You have nothing to worry about," Rebecca said in a quivering voice and walked away before Tina could utter another word.

' Hmmm! So much for being an illegitimate child. I feel pity for her,' Tina thought silently while staring at the retreating figure of Rebecca.

Rebecca stood by the pool behind the hall staring at the sky. She laughed bitterly when she recurred how she met Jayden Anderson three years ago and how lovey-dovey their relationship had been for the past three years.

Three years ago...........

Rebecca Smith was at a cafeteria having her lunch while checking her time every now and then. This was because she sneaked out of her father's company to eat since she had been skipping breakfast and lunch for a while due to how tight her schedules were. Moreover, her stepmother would ensure to give her piles of documents to work on since she was the secretary of her father's company. Rebecca dare not complain. Otherwise, she would be sacked.

While Rebecca was busy eating, her phone suddenly rang. She reluctantly took out the phone from her bag.

'Can't I have a moment to myself?' Rebecca asked herself silently before answering the phone call.

"Where the hell are you? Where is the document I gave you this morning to work on? We need it, now. It had better be ready. Otherwise, you will be joining your mother in the after-life," an angrily Gloria Smith, Rebecca's stepmother yelled from the other end of the phone as son as she answered the call. Rebecca wanted to say something but Gloria cut her off before the words came out of her mouth.

" If you don't get your stupid self here in the next five minutes, consider yourself out of this company and out of the Smiths family," Gloria Smith added angrily and ended the call immediately.

" I need to get going. That witch doesn't make empty threats," Rebecca said to no one in particular. She quickly shoved the remaining food in her mouth and rushed out of the cafeteria with her mouth full. She was so desperate to go back to the company that she didn't see the young man who was coming towards her until they bumped into each other. Rebecca collided with the young man. The force of their collision sent both of them to the ground. Rebecca found herself lying on the young man she bumped into.

Their eyes locked in a staring contest. Rebecca could not deny that the young man she bumped into was very handsome. She was lost admiring his features and imagining what it would feel like to kiss him until a sound from the man snapped her out of her fantasy.

Rebecca quickly jumped off the man's body. Her cheeks were red with embarrassment. She couldn't even look at the young man in the eye. From the corners of her eyes, she saw the young man standing up.

" I'm sorry for bumping into you like that. I was in haste," Rebecca apologized, looking everywhere but the young man before her. The young man observed her silently. It was as if he was searching her soul.

" It's okay. It wasn't entirely your fault. I also wasn't looking," the young man said with a smile.

Oh goodness Lord! That smile melted Rebecca's heart. He had a beautiful smile which made him more attractive.

" I'm Jayden Anderson," the young man said with his hand stretched out for a handshake.

" Rebecca Smith," Rebecca said politely and shook his hand. However, the handshake lasted longer than it should. This was because Jayden Anderson refused to let go of Rebecca's hand. He was fascinated by her beauty.

" It's nice to meet you," Jayden said with a smile, still holding Rebecca's hand like his life depended on it.

" Same here," Rebecca simply replied and tried to pull her hand away from Jayden's grip. But he didn't let go. Instead, his grip became firm.

" Can I have your contact?" Jayden asked with a smile.

'Gosh! That smile will be the death of me,' Rebecca thought while looking at the handsome man before her. She wanted to prove 'hard to get' but her mouth betrayed her.

"Okay, I will give you my card," Rebecca said before she could stop herself. That was when Jayden released her hand. She mentally slapped herself when she realized what she had said.

" Here, is my card,"Rebecca said awkwardly and gave Jayden her card. She quickly took her leave.

" I will give you a call this evening," Jayden yelled after her. Rebecca heard him but she didn't look back or acknowledge that she heard him.

'So pretty,' Jayden thought while looking at the retreating figure of Rebecca. He looked at the card in his hand and smiled before walking away.

Rebecca was lucky to have finished the document her stepmother gave to her that morning before she went for lunch. So, she quickly gave the document to her when she got to the company. Her stepmother, Gloria Smith, was surprised that she was able to meet the deadline. She thought Rebecca won't be able to meet up with the deadline so that she could use that opportunity to kick her out of the company and the Smith's mansion.

" You don't need to be surprised. I'm diligent with my job. You can't find me wanting no matter how hard you try," Rebecca snapped at her stepmother when she saw her shocked expression.

" The fact that you managed to finish this one on time doesn't mean that you are diligent with your work," Gloria Smith shot at her as soon as she recovered from the shock. Rebecca just shook her head and walked away.

Rebecca got home very exhausted. This was because Gloria Smith gave her a lot of documents to proofread and edit. Though she managed to finish them before the close of work, she was worn out by the time she got home. She quickly had her bath and lay down on her bed like a log. Her tired eyes closed in slumber.

However, her ringing phone woke her up. With sleepy eyes, she answered the call.

" Good evening. Rebecca Smith on the line. Please, how may I be of help to you?" Rebecca said as soon as she answered the call.

" Good evening. It's Jayden Anderson. The one you bumped into this afternoon," the person, Jayden said from the other end of the phone.

" Okay. It's nice to hear from you," Rebecca simply said even though she was praying for the call to end so that she could have a good rest.

" Yeah, same here. Tomorrow is Friday. I was hoping we could hangout in the evening so that we could get to know each other," Jayden said from the other end of the call.

" Okay? But why do you want us to hangout?" Rebecca asked curiously.