It was New Year's Eve. The happy spirit of starting new was in everyone; everyone except Aiden Carson. He thought it was pointless to celebrate the New Year. Aiden was the CEO of Carson's Corporation. After his father's death, he immediately took over. Aiden was a young, good looking man but his heart was colder than the winter weather. People cowered when his presence could be felt. His cold demeanor did attract a lot of female attention but just like dust, he brushed them off. He exuded enigma like no other. Foolish young ladies would follow him like lost puppies and oh how he despised it.
In his grey and pale blue office that was barren of decoration, there stood Aiden by the window. His face showed no emotions as he stared down at the display of a panoramic view of the city that twinkled at night due to the bright lights that decorated the buildings. Snow was falling down from the sky and covered the city. Tonight was the New Year's Eve party that was held in the ballroom located on the first floor of the building. Instead of being there, he was in his dark office which was barely lit up by streaks of light from the moon. The door to his office creaked open as his secretary walked in. Harriet Crystalia has been working for him for two years. She was three years younger than Aiden. She was also the opposite of him. She was always cheery and perky, a friendly young lady that could hold a conversation with a complete stranger. That's why she never understood Aiden's icy behavior but it doesn't surprise her as much as it did on the first day of work. Aiden was like a puzzle to her. A puzzle she's trying to solve. She strongly believes that there was a reason behind his façade. Aiden turns away from the window and points his attention towards Harriet.
"What is your purpose here, Miss Crystalia?", he spoke coldly.
"Everyone is asking about your absence from the party downstairs", she answered.
"Tell them I won't be present. Go back and enjoy your night, Miss Crystalia", he said briefly before turning his attention towards the window once more.
"What is your problem actually?!", Harriet yelled in frustration. Aiden was shocked by her sudden outburst.
"I beg your pardon", he said calmly.
"All you ever do is shut people out of your life. The people downstairs are your family and friends--"
"I have no friends", he interrupted Harriet mid-sentence. It added fuel to her frustration.
"Yes they are! And they care about you. Why do you always solitude yourself?", she continued.
Aiden looked at Harriet with a straight face. It was hard to read him and what he was thinking. He walked towards her, slowly closing the distance between them. When he was a step away from her, he grabbed her by the wrist then whisked her away. He ran out of the office with Harriet in his grip. She was puzzled by his actions but didn't stop him. She followed him obediently. They ran down flights of stairs instead of taking the elevator. He burst through the entrance of the building with Harriet still behind him. The cold rush of air hit against her skin. She had left her coat hanging on the coat rack. She grumbled to herself and at Aiden for not giving her the chance to put it on.
People nearby were curious as they stared at them. It wasn't a daily thing where you see a man running with a lady in his grip . After running for what felt like forever, Aiden finally stopped at the central park. He let go of Harriet's wrist then walked towards a small bridge that went across a stream of frozen water. She followed him from behind curiously. Why did he bring her to central park?
Aiden rested his back against the railings of the bridge. Every breath he let out looked like mini clouds coming out from his mouth. They both caught their breath and were finally breathing at a normal pace.
"Why did you bring me here?", Harriet asked. Aiden kept quiet for a while before speaking up.
"My mother and I used to come here all the time when I was younger. We would come here for picnics or to feed the pigeons. When I was ten, my father chased her out of the house. They would always yell at each other and that day, my father had enough. They lost their happiness. They got a divorce the day after. Growing up without her was hard. She didn't even say goodbye. She just packed her things then left. She disappeared like the wind. After her departure, I didn't want to get attach to people so I would isolate myself. I don't want to feel that pain again. That's why I solitude myself", he looked at Harriet with his blue eyes. They were the colour of freshly frozen water; cold yet fragile. Harriet was speechless. She didn't expect him to tell her about his past.
"I'm... I'm so sorry", she didn't know what else to say.
"Don't be sorry, Miss Crystalia", he half-smiled. "It wasn't your fault she left me at a young age. I'm 27 now. These things happened 17 years ago. I'm okay", he smiled sadly.
Harriet looked at him. He was everything but okay. She stepped forward then hugged him tight. Her mother would always hug her whenever she was feeling sad. Aiden was caught by surprise but he didn't push her away. Instead he placed his hands on the small space of her back. Maybe a hug was all he needed?
Suddenly, fireworks adorned the sky in bright colours. Harriet let go of him then stared at them in admiration. Aiden looked at his watch that indicated it was midnight. It was another new year. He looked at Harriet then cupped her cheek with his right hand. He brought her face closer to his and within seconds, their lips came in contact. He could feel the rush coursing through his veins. For once, he was excited to spend a new year with a fresh start; a new beginning but this time with Harriet by his side. He always knew there was something special about Harriet. All those fairytales where the boy saves the girl aren't always true. This time, the girl saved the boy. Aiden smiled at Harriet. She was his princess charming.
