WHEREVER /JJK

Chapter 20 - Merry Christmas

A/N :  Hello! In the spirit of merriment, I thought we'd take a trip down memory lane and see how Jia and Jeon spent their first Christmas together. This is the time they were already good friends but their attraction to each other was still something they kept to themselves only. I hope you will like this chapter as a break from the main storyline but will nevertheless give you more insights on the dynamics of their friendship.

Merry Christmas everyone! Please stay safe and merry :)

December 24, 2015 – New York City

It was Christmas eve, the first time Jeon would be spending Christmas away from his family, but arguably his best Christmas yet. Every year since he got to NY, Jeon's family would spend Christmas with him here. This year though, due to a mix-up in their travel arrangements, the family ended up having to forego their US trip. They were not booked for any flights to the US but were booked instead for the UK. By the time they noticed the error, it was too late to get the tickets changed.

As far as Jeon was concerned though, no harm done. He spent all Christmases with his family, but this was the first time he would be spending it with Jia alone. He knew that she usually celebrates Christmas alone in her dorm, saving up on her allowance instead of spending it on a trip back to Seoul to be with her family. Tonight, he asked her to get packed and spend Christmas with him at the Renaissance Hotel. His parents booked a room for the holidays there, and since they couldn't come over, he wanted to use the room and give Jia a treat. Much to his surprise, she said agreed to come with him.

"Jeon, this must be so expensive." She was admiring the posh suite with its soft gray interiors.

"Don't worry, it's already paid for. I reserved this suite for my parents way back, but there was a mix-up in their plane booking so they won't be coming this Christmas."

"Oh, that's too bad."

"It's ok. We can use the room till the new year if you want. I'm happy I can finally spend Christmas with you."

"Thank you for thinking of me Jeon."

"Are you hungry? Do you want to go down to eat?"

"Can we just order room service? I always wanted to do that."

"Room service it is."

They ordered steaks, Aglio olio pasta, and cheesecakes for dessert. Jeon also ordered a bottle of white wine,  cold cuts, and cheese. It delighted him to see how Jia was excited about this experience.

"Ahh, Jeon I feel like I'm in a movie."

"It's nice isn't it?"

"Yes but only for special occasions like this. I wouldn't want to be rich enough to afford luxuries like this regularly."

"Why?"

"I'm scared of money changing me. Having so much money can do that to people. I'm working work hard now to have enough for whatever I need later on, but I don't want to be wealthy. I get the feeling that wealthy people have bigger problems, sometimes problems that money can't solve."

"Hmmm. You have a point there."

"Average-income people with money problems are usually those who lack it or who cannot handle it well. On the other hand, rich people usually have problems that stem from money. Like those families feuding over the division of properties, or sons and daughter being married off to people they want to combine assets with. I don't want that kind of life."

"Damn you're so smart."

"Not really. I've seen enough Kdramas to figure that out. Wait. Did I offend you? I'm sorry I've been shooting my mouth off."