Due to growing up with a deadbeat drunk father, Anaya Flores has always despised men.
When a mysterious woman who scams corrupt wealthy businessmen seeks her out for a job, she gladly accepts.
It isn't until she meets her latest assignment; an und...
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White snowflakes descend rapidly from the sky as they eventually blanket the entire ground beneath me. I watch the winter wonderland from the window as the first snow of December falls on Christmas Eve.
I managed to get a small tree in the living room and decorate it along with the rest of the house. Growing up, Christmas was one of the few nights when I felt like the whole world was united and all our problems just seemed to fade away in the name of spirit.
When the oven timer beeps, I hurry over and pull out some cookies that I made early in the morning. Mariah Carey plays on low volume as I bite into the warm filled sugary dough and sigh in comfort. I go to wash my hands after I'm done cleaning up but stop when I spot a festive invitation card crumpled up in the trash. I open it to find that it's from a woman named Eva with family inviting Zayn to her annual Christmas party tomorrow. I'm assuming this is his mother.
"Anaya," Zayn calls my name from behind me and I quickly turn around. He picks up a cookie and takes a bite before raising a brow.
"What's that?" He asks.
"Nothing," I say.
"Let me see." He smiles and I slowly show him the card. His smiles fades once he recognizes it. "That belongs in the trash."
"Are you sure you don't want to go?" I ask.
"Positive." He frowns. "I'd rather spend Christmas here with you."
"Are you just saying that because you don't want to see Killian?"
"No." He says and I can tell he's lying. "I don't want to see any of them. It's just better that way."
I wrap my arms around his neck pulling him close. "I think you should go. At the end of the day, they're your family and you should give them a chance."
"No way." He scoffs. "They're all fucking crazy."
"I used to think that way about my mom. If I didn't suck up my pride and let her explain herself to me I would never have the relationship I have with her today. Family is everything, especially on Christmas." I tell him, and he sighs before shaking his head.
"Are you sure you won't feel uncomfortable?" He asks me.
"Don't worry about me." I chuckle.
"I guess we'll be going to the upper east side tomorrow." He groans.
