My CEO Boss Is A Masked Internet Sensation-Chapter 209: Christmas Gifts

(Arata)

I was awakened in the morning hours of Christmas by Karsten’s voice.

"Arata!" I stirred and slowly opened my eyes, only to find him standing near me with his black shirt sewn against his broad torso.

The mighty snowman came to wake me up wearing the colours of the fucking grim reaper. He certainly was a smile reaper.

"What?" I asked, feeling annoyed for he had disturbed my sleep.

"Merry Christmas! Come open your presents," he calmly said. There was this serenity around him today. But I felt tired and exhausted for some reason and didn’t want to leave the bed. My ankle was better, and I had started to walk a bit.

"Like this." I sat up straight in bed and pushed my hair back while pointing to my comfy nightwear.

"That’s part of the fun...to open presents in your night suit. Come, Ma will be waiting, you can get dressed later."

Thankfully, I had gotten a gift for his mother and Asbela, the latter had left two days ago for her vacation before the storm hit, so I had already given it to her.

But for Karsten, I had nothing.

Crawling out of bed at the snail’s pace, I slowly put on my bunny slippers.

Karsent watched me with patience, and I didn’t care if he would snap.

I didn’t even bother washing my face as I made my way downstairs, and Karsten followed me.

"I can carry you," he offered, remaining one step behind me, but I just shook my head.

"No, it feels fine now. I should be walking."

We arrived downstairs, and Karsten instantly placed his corded arm around my back. Camilla was waiting for us with a wide smile. The holiday season had really brought out the best in her.

She was all dressed up like one step out of a salon.

A soft, draped blouse in deep cranberry of the finest silk, paired with tailored white trousers.

A cashmere cape shawl rested on her shoulders while a set of pearls decorated her neck.

Her hair was in a grand but sophisticated hairdo. She seemed stunning.

"Merry Christmas!" She spread her arms and gave me a tight hug, kissing the air around both my cheeks.

"Merry Christmas!" I mumbled out, trying not to feel overwhelmed.

"Come, open your presents." She held my arm and dragged me towards the enormous and fully lit Christmas Tree. The base was covered with presents.

"That big red one is yours." She pointed to the largest box with elaborate gold ribbons and ties on it. A smaller black box wrapped in red ribbons sat on top of it.

"The smaller one is from me," Karsten whispered from my side. And I knew his mom would most probably notice that I didn’t get him a gift.

Dazedly, I moved, picked up the boxes and settled down on the sofa.

Unfurling the elaborate ribbon decoration, I opened the larger box first, lifting the lid, I peered inside.

A white dress, and I guessed it was for Christmas. Picking it up from the shoulders, I lifted it to observe it fully.

Consisting of a modified A-line silhouette which gracefully flowed into a slight train. Dotted with red accents in a manner that appeared calming and not overwhelming for the wearer.

A single row of ruby-red seed beads traced the sweetheart neckline, set in a manner that it would propel the others to trace a finger.

A sash of crimson silk tied in a soft bow at the back.

Scattered embroidery of tiny garnet-hued snowflakes covered the rest of the gown.

Illusion tulle long sleeves feature were hand-stitched with red thread.

The bodice was structured with matte silk organza beneath the satin to avoid shine overload, and I loved that about it.

My eyes finally wavered from the gown to the awaiting Camilla, and I breathed out in gratitude.

"It’s beautiful. Thank you so much."

"Oh! Come now, it’s nothing for my future daughter-in-law. Wear it today." Piercing pain erupted in my heart, and I tried not to break the smile or glance in the direction of Mr Ice Mountain.

"Open, Karsten’s too and then change. I would love to see you in this and capture some memorable photographs," Camilla urged, and my shaking hands went to pick up the box containing Karsten’s gift.

Holding the side of the knot and pulling, I let the ribbon become undone all around the box. Pushing it aside, I removed the small lid and was left mesmerised by the ruby earrings resting inside in all their glamour.

In a loop style, they were the kind I preferred. Two weeks ago and I would have died of joy, receiving such a gift from Karsten, now I was just going to pretend to be happy.

It didn’t help because the earrings were so lavish.

I lifted my head and faked a smile.

"Thank you! They are gorgeous."

He nodded, his eyes holding relief.

"Not like this. Where is the holiday spirit? Don’t be shy. Share a kiss now." Camilla propelled Karsten forward towards me, and I simply froze, not wanting to get intimate with him even if it meant a kiss.

I was trying to suppress whatever unhealthy emotions and feelings my heart carried for him, and kissing him would certainly bring back bitter memories.

"I haven’t brushed my teeth yet..." It wasn’t a lie, and I hoped it would be enough for Camilla to drop this notion.

But she so defiantly shook her head.

"Karsten won’t mind. Show your woman how much you love her." Camilla squeezed Karsten’s arm as he stood gawking at my hardening face. I silently pleaded with him.

Emotions shifted on his face, and he turned to his mother.

"Let her get dressed first and put some food in our bellies. Then we can shower all the love on each other," he finally said, and Camilla seemed disappointed.

To ease out and divert the situation, I blurted out while getting up from the sofa and rushing towards the tree.

"I brought you a present too." Picking up the cuboid box from under the tree, I turned and presented it to Camilla.

The smile instantly returned to her face.

"You didn’t have to, Arata, but thank you. I love gifts."

She removed the ribbon and opened the box to extract the diamond bracelet I had bought for her, and hoped she would like it. freewebnøvel.coɱ

"Wow! Diamonds are my favourite and this is so uniquely styled. Arata, you have such good taste," she openly praised me, and I relaxed. I had been dreading that she might not like my gift.

"Look!" She showed it to her son, and Karsten nodded in appreciation. "Put it on me."

I helped put the bracelet around her wrist, and she moved it to show how it rested against her skin.

I turned to Karsten and apologetically said.

"Sorry, I couldn’t get anything for you. I couldn’t go out in the last few days."

Camila’s hand rested on my shoulder as she spoke instead of letting her son speak. This habit of hers annoyed me. I knew I had so many differences with Karsten, but she occasionally snubbed his emotions and wouldn’t acknowledge that he needed to speak for himself.

"It’s fine, he doesn’t like gifts. You don’t have to apologise."

Karsten offered a tiny smile, but I could see the hints of resentment in his eyes.

"Ma is right. Why don’t you get changed, and we can begin our day. Ranold will be joining us for lunch."

And I was left slightly confused.

Ranold? How was he going to come in this snowstorm?