Lovers of Freedom

Chapter 14- The seasons

Christmas dinner at David's was just as I expected. A lot of Christmas pudding, and a lot of chicken. We were wearing Christmas hats, and we were all together, enjoying it. Nobody expected Mark on that evening. Everyone figured that Peter's attempt to get me back together with Tom had worked. However, they were wrong.

Everybody looked slightly uncomfortable with Mark, but I was happy he had decided to come to the party. Usually, I know they would say he is not my type. My standards of men had been very high all my life, and they knew it.

My new attempt to change was this: to choose a kind person.

The room was loud and full of laughter and enjoyment. Since my long time in England, I had never had such a good time. Usually, it was expected to spend Christmas with our parents, or inner family, but our new tradition was born.

We would spend December together and maybe see our parents later. My mother lived in Venezuela with her husband and my little brother and my father lived in Italy...single, but doing what he pleased with women. Thinking about it: my father was just like Tom.

My skin crawled when I thought of Tom. I had sex with him, we were supposed to be over, and now my body wanted more. I stopped. We were done. I had a new person in my life, and I was happy with my choice!

When Mark left to use the toilet, Alejandra sat immediately by me.

"Well, I like the doctor...what happened with Tom? Peter told us you..." Alejandra looked pretty and expensive in her Christmas jumper. Lui also looked nice. They were wearing matching outfits.

"Nothing happened between me, and Tom. Also, Mark and I are very new so please, don't spill the beans tonight. I don't want him to...

At that moment Matt entered the room. He said hi to everybody and then sat by my side. I looked at the table annoyed. I was told there wasn't going to be a Houben in this dinner.

"We invited Matt. Hope it is fine," said David, I smiled slightly towards him, and then straight to Ale. I mouthed "wtf"

"Hi Annie," he said, I looked away. I am not talking to him.

The night continued, and we drank wine, and we ate. Mark seemed to be enjoying himself, and everyone had accepted him as one of us. We were like a group of nice alcoholics, who played music, and were into films. Mark, of course, was a little bit of a fan-girl over Redhome so he got autographs and pictures with all the guys so he could show his co-workers.

As it was presented time, I saw Peter quickly take away Tom's name from a gift-bag and handed it to Mark. Mark who didn't expect anything for Christmas so he blushed, he opened his present and inside: a pair of my blue Victoria Secret panties. They had been missing for months!

"Well, thank you," said Mark. "I doubt they will fit me though." He said. His entire face was red and he looked at me. I was dying inside. He passed them over to me. "Do you want them?" he asked. I took them away immediately.

"Of course!" I yelled. Everyone had lost it, they were laughing.

"Why is everyone laughing?" asked Mark. Oh, sweet summer child. I just grabbed his hand. "Don't worry about it, they are crazy," I said.

As everyone was handing in some presents I gave the guys mine. I bought Peter a very aged whisky, then David's gift was an automatic tuner for his guitar, and for Barry and Ben: CD's of their favourite bands. Lui was the last, and when he opened it, he almost cried. It was a Gromit mug which would change of colour with warm water. Lui was happy, and it was his dream mug. I remember talking about Wallace and Grommit when he was staying in my home, and he passionately loved it.