Chapter 1
The bell continued to ring as more customers flooded into Merry land Cherry Decor. The soft tones of Jingle Bells played in the background as families did their daily Christmas shopping. From ornaments to trees to lights, profits were being made and gifts were being sold. Outside the store, a sweet girl dressed in a white puffy jacket and a colorful scarf strolled through the rows of trees and examined each one carefully. From inside the store, a man dressed in all black stood by the door of Merry and Cherry Decor, eyeing his friend as he looked around the store. The man was not a fan of Christmas time, and some even called him a Scrooge. Stepping out of the store, the man lifted his phone to his ear for an important business call but found himself rushing over to the girl in the white puffy jacket as the tree toppled down on her. His phone slipped from his grasp as he caught the tree mid-air before it buried the girl in the snow. The girl gasped, throwing her coffee as she fell backward. The man placed the tree back and was splashed with the scorching hot coffee. He stepped away, taken aback by what just happened. “I’m so so sorry!” the girl exclaimed. The man wiped the coffee off of his suit and smiled disappointedly in return: “That’s alright,” he replied as he helped her up. “I have plenty more suits.” The girl guiltily smiled as they both laughed. She saw his shattered phone on the ground and reached to pick it up. “Your phone. It’s broken!” she cried. “Your phone as well,” he spoke calmly. He reached out to grab her phone; however, as he did, the phone vibrated and caroled out the lyrics to “Santa Baby”. The man read the screen which said Bae and awkwardly returned the phone to her. She took the phone from his hand and pressed the power button. “I’m Blaze,” the man grinned. “See you around,” he said as he winked and walked off. “I’m Katie,” she said as he turned around. Blaze stopped in his tracks, turned his head to the side, smirked, and continued walking. Katie smiled and picked up the tree. She walked to the checkout line and they scanned her card. Her first Christmas purchase was a success.
When Blaze got to his penthouse, he opened his door to his dog, Scout, who greeted him. “Who’s a good boy? Did you miss Daddy?” said Blaze in a high-pitched voice.
A couple of weeks later…
Katie, decked out in a red sweater, white jeans, and stunning snowflake accessories rushed from the subway, up the stairs of a studio and into an open warehouse. Blaze, who was standing in a dark corner of the room, watched Katie model for his mother’s company, Jordyn Jones Modeling Agency. After a couple of hours of watching Katie, he felt the urge to step out and confront her, but by the time he made up his decision, she had already gathered her belongings and left. He ran to the window and saw her rushing across the street and down into the subway station.
A couple more weeks later…
Blaze was watching Undercover Boss on his TV when he got a call. He paused the TV and picked it up. “Hello, this is Blaze Thomas. What can I do for you?” His sister’s voice responded: “It’s me, Blazy! Don’t you have my number on your phone? Anyways, where should I pick you up? The front or the side?”
“Pick me up for what?” he questioned. “For Mom’s yearly Christmas party,” she replied excitedly. “I already told you I’m not going, Bailey,” he responded. “You can’t miss Mom’s Christmas party! She’d be so disappointed in you!” Bailey responded. Blaze took a moment to think. “Fine, but I’m not coming all festive, just so you know,” Blaze said. “Ok! I’ll get you at the front!” Bailey said. She hung up and Blaze headed to his closet. Around 30 minutes went by, and Blaze and Bailey stepped out of the limousine and were welcomed by many cameras and Christmas lights. Upon entering the building, Blaze was greeted by a cheerful lady who placed a lighted necklace around his neck. Hands in his pocket, Blaze groaned and stepped outside onto the balcony where the music was muffled and the decorations were lessened. His silence was interrupted a few minutes later when Katie tapped his shoulder. He turned around, expecting his sister but was found blushing at the sight of Katie in her dress. The sparkling, red minidress stood out from the night sky. “Hey, Katie.” he smiled. Blaze felt as if all his sorrows were shoved away. His masculine, deep voice caught her off guard and his woody scent surprised Katie. “Hi Blaze!” she smiled in return. Blaze could smell the wintery perfume that Katie had put on. And if he was being honest, he kind of liked it. “You look very nice!” exclaimed Blaze as he smiled. Katie blushed as she thanked him. “What’re you doing here?” asked Blaze. “I’m a model for the hostess’s agency. She invites all of her models here annually!” Katie stated. Blaze had never seen Katie here, and maybe that was because he had never been to any of his mom’s parties. “Oh that’s very cool!” replied Blaze. Katie nodded as she smiled happily. “It’s actually cool, I’m the C-” Just as Blaze was going to finish his sentence, Katie’s name was called on the announcer to go up on stage. “Sorry, hold that thought,” said Katie as she ran off. Blaze watched Katie run up as they handed her an award. “Here’s to Katie Spector, for our model who’s been the hardest worker!” said the announcer. Everyone applauded as Katie blushed. Blaze couldn’t help but smile as Katie thanked everyone. After Katie got off the stage, she met back up with Blaze on the balcony, however, the announcer handed the microphone to Jordyn Jones, the founder of the modeling agency. “Hi everyone! I would like to thank each and everyone of you for attending my Christmas party tonight. I would like to call some of the people who keep this agency thriving. My son, the CEO of Jordyn Jones Agency; please come up here!” Blaze awkwardly started walking up to the stage, and as he did, Katie grabbed his arm. “You’re the CEO of Jordyn Jones Agency?!” Katie asked in shock. Blaze nodded and continued walking. When he got onto the stage, he took the microphone. “Thank you everyone for being here, I very much appreciate your presence. I’d also like to admire the countless models that have joined our agency who are hardworking, gorgeous, kind, and most of all, compassionate. Out of all the models however, one has specifically stood out to me. From day 1, I knew our connection would lead this company to great things. Thank you so much, Katie Spector.” Everyone applauded as he waved and walked down. When he got back to the balcony, he saw Katie in tears. She ran up to him and hugged him. He hesitated but then hugged her back, enjoying her embrace. Wrapped in his arms, Katie felt safe and wanted. “Thank you!” was all Katie could say without her voice trembling. Once they parted, she asked for his number in hopes to start a closer relationship. “Don’t you have a boyfriend, though?” he asked. “Well, no. We broke up a week ago.” Blaze then smiled widely and gave her his number. Gleaming with joy, Katie hugged him once again, happy to be closer to the man she admires.
