Chapter 269: The Holiday Spirit
Hayley’s POV:
I returned to my room and opened the suitcase I had brought. Inside was a sketchbook. Flipping it open, the first page revealed a design for a wedding gown. I had drawn it a year ago, and though it was a casual sketch, I was pleased with the style. I thought to myself, It would be nice if I could wear this someday. But even as I thought that, I closed the sketchbook. When the time comes for our wedding, I’ll wear the dress I designed myself. For now, though, this is just an engagement, so I’ll settle for something simpler.
Benjamin’s POV:
It was evening when I finished work and returned home. As I walked into the foyer, my steps slowed. The living room had been redecorated and filled with the festive spirit of the season, warming my heart. Just then, Hayley came down the stairs. Seeing me, she smiled and called out, “You’re home! Come over here and have dinner together.” Her smile was soft, like a wife waiting for her husband to return, and it filled me with a deep sense of warmth, as if I were truly home.
I quickly composed myself, trying not to let my emotions show too much, and handed my briefcase to the servant. When we reached the dining room, I asked, “Do you need any help?” Hayley glanced at the neatly arranged dishes on the table and said, “No, everything’s ready.”
I sat down at the table, eyeing the delicious spread before me. My stomach growled in anticipation—I couldn’t wait to try it. “Christopher said he has a special Christmas show to record tonight, so he won’t be home for dinner. Henry also called to say he won’t be back. Looks like it’ll just be the two of us tonight,” Hayley explained as she took a spoon from the butler and began serving me. “Try this, Lista made it. It’s really good,” she said, smiling.
I took a bite under her expectant gaze and nodded in approval. “It’s delicious.”
“Lista said this is your favorite. Looks like she knows you well.”
I looked up at her and casually asked, “How about we go somewhere for Christmas? Maybe take a trip?”
Hayley looked at me, surprised. “What do you mean?”
“Let’s go skiing in Smuilia,” I suggested gently. As I met her gaze, I felt a sense of peace, as if my inner wolf was content.
“I—I’ll think about it,” Hayley said, looking away.
I didn’t give her a chance to decline. “I’ll have Tyrone prepare everything. We’ll leave later.”
“But…” Hayley started to protest. I raised an eyebrow and asked, “Is there a problem?”
She shook her head. “No, it’s just there’s something I want to talk to you about.”
I set down my fork and knife, focusing on her. “Go ahead.”
She took a deep breath. “About the engagement—you mentioned before that you wanted it to be simple. I think it’s a good idea to just have a small dinner with our families.”
“Is that what you want?” I asked her.
She nodded.
“Then that’s what we’ll do. Do you need to invite anyone else besides your grandparents?”
“No, just them. We’ll invite others to the wedding.”
“Alright, we’ll stick to your plan. After the New Year, we’ll make it happen.”
Hayley agreed, and we both reached an understanding.
Hayley’s POV:
Benjamin agreed to keep the engagement simple, and I felt a sense of relief. Every girl dreams of a perfect wedding, but with George’s recent passing, I wasn’t in the mood for an extravagant celebration. I wasn’t ready for a showy wedding yet.
After dinner, I returned to my room. I sat alone by the large window, gazing at the night view, and wondered what it would be like once I officially became Benjamin’s Luna. Just then, there was a knock on my door.