Christmas Present

Ivaylo returned to the Outskirts apartment straight from his parent's house. The condo in the City Center was basically abandoned. He needed to get into contact with Paetyn. Every evening, for several days he went to stalk Kay's bar. It came the Christmas Eve. His parents invited him back for a celebration but he excused himself because he had "urgent work" to do.

For a "Rose Reason", he also turned off his phone notification. He couldn't block her since it would bring up suspicions in his family. That annoying Beastwoman! Why can't she just leave him alone? He was straightforward with his feelings towards her.

Paetyn appeared on the street and this time he didn't wait. He rushed over, before she could enter, grabbed her hand in a gentle manner, swirled her around, and pulled into his arms. She tensed up in his embrace. Ivaylo didn't care and just hugged her. "Please, give me the chance to explain..."

Ivaylo bent over and took her into his arms. Despite her protests, he carried Paetyn to her former apartment. Inside, he put her down, personally took off her shoes and coat, and pushed her further into his home.

He did lock the entrance door, so she wouldn't escape. Paetyn noticed it and worries crept into her mind. What was this all about? Why did he drag her here? Does he need a maid so much? Why her? He could find any human woman he would like...

Ivaylo walked to the bedroom and brought his blanket from the bed and without saying anything he made a burrito out of her. Then just stood there and looked into her eyes. What the...?! Paetyn was confused.

Her phone vibrated and she wanted to pull it out of her handbag which, lay on the Kotatsu table. Ivaylo beat her to that game and took it. He looked at the screen. His eyes glowed menacingly turquoise and a frown appeared on his eyebrows. Kay... Ivaylo turned off the phone and placed it on the highest shelf, so she couldn't reach it without help.

Paetyn was mortified. Why was he doing all of this? He didn't even speak. Internally, Ivaylo was contemplating, what to say exactly, how to explain. He ran different scenarios through his head these past weeks, but with her standing in front of him, his mind went blank. He didn't want to make any mistake and drive her away.

The doorbell rang and Rose's voice could be heard through the door. Paetyn's heart sank. Did he do that to appease that Beastwoman? Should she be gifted as a Christmas Present for that crazy beast female? What will Rose do to her?

Ivaylo pulled her into his arms and she looked up. He gestured to Paetyn to keep quiet. They waited, till they couldn't hear her. After, he went to check if Rose left for real. He could see her through the peephole still lingering on the stairways with a bunch of bags. Annoying!

Rose was disrupting his plans. He had no other place, he walked over to Paetyn, grabbed her again by the hand, and led her to the bedroom silently closing the door, so Rose wouldn't hear him.

Paetyn standing inside, noticed the Christmas tree under the window sparkling in all colors and boxes under it. Ivaylo pushed her toward it. He led her closer and sat by the tree with her. "I bought all these, for you... You should open them." She was confused.

He planned a lavish feast, presents, and a heart-filled apology. Instead, he could just give her the presents because Rose didn't want to leave the building and he couldn't bring attention to him with any kitchen sounds. About the apology... he felt insecure.

Paetyn came out of her blanket cocoon like a night butterfly. "Please, let me go." She whispered. She can't leave now! He can't let her go! "Rose is still outside. You don't want to run into her." At least, for something she was useful, Ivaylo thought.

"Why did you kidnap me again?!" Ivaylo protested and showed more emotion in the last hour than the whole time they lived with each other. Sadness, remorse, and worries, all were plastered on his face.

"Those things I said and didn't do when Rose appeared... all those were lies. My parents are not fans of humans and she knows my family. I was worried, that she might spill the truth to them. I don't see you as a maid, I don't hate your scent, in reality, I love it." Ivaylo hid his face in the palm of his hand to not show her, how embarrassed he was and that his face was now red like a tomato.

"I didn't bring you here, to do stuff for me, instead that day I was about to apologize for disappearing on you, also for my horrid behavior, and since I didn't write down any phone number, I couldn't contact you. What's more, Kay and Marsh tried to keep me away from you..."

Ivaylo faced Paetyn, taking her hands into his. "I honestly want to apologize to you and ask for forgiveness. I will do everything to better myself and to protect you from now on." He knew a simple sorry wouldn't make his wrongdoings right, so he prepared all those extra things.

She looked down on his hands. His claws were still short. "Did you trim them again for this meeting?" Ivaylo smiled at her. "I kept them like this the whole time, since I didn't know when I get the chance to see you again, and also I know, how terrifying they are for you. I decided to keep them like this."

Ivaylo did a 180 in his behavior. She couldn't recognize him. Paetyn never knew, he had this sincere side to him. She could tell, that he was telling the truth and saw the remorseful face pleading for forgiveness.

Paetyn could feel, he was honest about his apology but that couldn't be forgiven in just one day. She pondered about it. Ivaylo pushed her to the presents under the tree. "Please, take them... open them."

Paetyn sighed and obliged. She opened box after box. A beautiful dress, handbag, jewelry, and candy with coffee... Those presents even fit her. How did he know? He was observing her with a satisfied gentle smile.

Paetyn felt guilty. He got all these fancy, expensive things for her, yet she didn't have anything for him, slowly lowering the dress to her knees. "I can't accept them. I don't have one present for you..." The sly Ivaylo had an answer for that...

"A kiss... Just, gift me a kiss. That's all, that I wish for this Christmas."