The Billionaires Christmas Temptation

The Charity Gala

✴ Damien ✴

The grand ballroom of Wintervale's Crystal Lodge was alive with festive splendor. As I stepped inside, I felt as if I had been transported into a Christmas fairy tale. The high, vaulted wooden rafters were draped with strings of twinkling white lights, which cast a soft, golden hue over the entire room, giving the atmosphere a magical glow. Soft holiday music filtered through the air, which added a sense of calm and serenity. Suspended from the rafters were delicate snowflakes that had been carved from crystal and hung like frozen droplets in mid-air. Each one reflected light around it, which created this visual of rainbows that danced across the walls and floor. Even I had to admit that those intricate, frozen, works of art seemed to shimmer with life. Towering evergreen trees stood like sentinels around the ballroom, their deep green needles dusted with artificial snow and adorned with sparkling red and gold ornaments. The trees were quite tall, and the branches seemed to reach toward the ceiling with golden ribbons spirally around them. And of course, on top of each tree was either a star made of crystal or a golden crown.

"Nice,” I murmured as I looked around. Guests in elegant evening attire seemed to glide across the polished marble floor, their movements graceful and smooth. The scent of fresh pine and the warmth of spiced cider and cinnamon filled the air, which only completed the enchanting holiday scene in front of me. I listened to the hum of conversations and the laughter, and even I was impressed. The gala was a roaring success, and it far surpassed even my expectations. The event planners had truly outdone themselves. However, it was not the décor or the turnout that occupied my mind. It was Scarlett. Ever since our initial meeting, I had not been able to stop thinking about her. There was something about the way she carried herself – confident yet unpretentious – that left an impression on me. And tonight, I wanted more. More of her.

“Damien!” I knew that booming voice anywhere, and I looked to my left to see Josh coming toward me. He was dressed to impress with an impeccable tuxedo and a massive grin. “I must say, this is incredible, you have outdone yourself,”

“The credit goes to the team,” I replied smoothly, even though his praise was much appreciated. Thankfully, before he could chatter on about anything else, his attention shifted to someone else. I slowly made my way around the ballroom as I kept my eyes open for the one person I wanted to see more than anything. This sudden obsession with Scarlett wasn’t healthy, but I didn’t care. It had been far too long since anyone had been able to attract my attention the way she had. And then I saw her. Scarlett stood near one of the grand trees, her crimson gown hugged her figure perfectly. Her hair was swept up into loose waves and the way the light caught the beaded details of her dress made her look as if she had literally stepped out of a dream. My dream. I recognized the woman next to her, Emily, and I watched as they laughed at something. For a moment, I simply watched her as I was captivated by the look of pure joy on her face.

“Let’s join them,” Josh suddenly said from beside me and I hid my surprise at his sudden reappearance. However, I nodded as the two of us crossed the room and joined the lovely ladies. Josh immediately offered his arm to Emily, and I wondered if there was something between them. Not that it mattered. Instead, I turned my attention to Scarlett.

“You look absolutely stunning, Scarlett,” I said to her as I leaned in slightly. Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and I grinned.

“You clean up pretty well yourself,” she teased, and I chuckled as I glanced down at my tailored tuxedo.

“I try,” I remarked. For a moment, we stood in silence, the festive buzz of the gala faded into the background.

“This is impressive,” Scarlett then said as she gestured around the room. “Gale Enterprises has certainly enriched us with a true fairytale…bringing the magic of Christmas to life,”

“I cannot take all the credit,” I said. I seized the opportunity to lean in even closer. “But I am glad you are enjoying it,” her smile was genuine, and I was so hooked. “I have to admit, I was hoping to steal a few moments alone with you tonight,” I said as I lowered my voice and leaned in even closer.

“Is that so?” she asked, her eyes bright with surprise.

“Yes,” I confirmed. “There is just something about you, Scarlett…something I can't quite seem to put my finger on,”

“I could say the same about you,” she remarked with a soft laugh. The air between us seemed to crackle, like some sort of tension that neither of us could ignore. I was about to say something more when the band began playing a slow, romantic tune.

“Would you care to dance?” I asked as I stepped back and held out my hand. It was then that I noticed that Emily and Josh were no longer with us. Scarlett hesitated for only a moment before she placed her hand in mine. It felt as if the crowd seemed to part as we moved to the center of the dance floor. The music wrapped around us like a cocoon, and I placed one hand on her waist, and the other held hers gently as we began to sway to the music.

“You have changed,” Scarlett said after a moment, her voice barely audible over the music. I leaned in and pressed my forehead against hers.

“Have I?” I asked as I held her gaze.

“Well, you certainly aren’t the same rebellious teenager I remember,”

“And you aren’t the same shy girl that I remember,” I countered with a smile. Scarlett laughed, and the sound sent a jolt of warmth through me.

“I suppose we have both changed,” she said.

“Some things haven’t changed,” I then said, and she frowned.

“Oh? Like what?” she asked, and I breathed in the smell of her.

“Like the way you make me feel,” I replied before I could stop myself. Scarlett blinked as she leaned back slightly. Her eyes searched mine for a moment before she looked away.

“I did not think you remembered me,” she murmured, and I pulled her closer.

“I may not have remembered your name, Scarlett, but I knew who you were. The girl who always shyly supported me. Or did you think I had forgotten how you and the others used to cheer me on? Tell me, Scarlett…did your father ever find out about you sneaking out of the house at night to come and watch me race?” her cheeks blossomed that adorable shade of pink again and I couldn't stop myself from leaning in and kissing the tip of her nose. “Or did you think I had forgotten the girl that had helped me pass English? I…I am sorry I couldn’t remember your name, Scarlett, but I could never forget you,” but before she could respond, the song came to an end, and a voice called out for her from across the room.

“Scarlett!” it was Emily, and she was frantically waving her over.

“Sorry,” Scarlett apologized as she slipped out of my arms and gracefully crossed the dance floor to get to her friend. And as I stood there, the buzz of the gala returning to my senses, I couldn’t deny the fact that this was only the beginning.