My CEO Boss Is A Masked Internet Sensation-Chapter 210: The Christmas Feast

(Arata)

Not even the Christmas spirit fazed Karsten. He wore his usual black, but Camilla forced him to don a maroon jumper to give the holiday feel.

But his eyes widened when I walked down wearing the dress and ruby earrings. I couldn’t wear heels because my ankle was still in the process of healing.

"Arata! You look amazing." Camilla embraced me, showering praises.

"Thank you!" I politely said while Karsten offered me his hand. I placed mine in his, having to play the part, and he pulled me closer. His warm hands coiled around my waist.

"You look gorgeous," his sensual voice collided with the shell of my ear, making goosebumps coast all over my body.

Slowly, I lifted my eyelids to glance at him and his hungry eyes. Without even wanting, I drowned in those inky pools.

"Allow me to?" he asked, firmly holding my waist as some random Christmas Carol played in the background.

I wasn’t even sure what he was asking, but I didn’t want to pull away. The feeling was so strange, and I even wanted to hate myself for desiring someone who didn’t want me.

He could be vile and rotten, but that mellow organ in my chest refused to agree.

"Kiss her already. I will check on the food, Ranold will be here anytime," Camilla chuckled before moving away towards the kitchen. I knew she was trying to give us privacy.

Seeing her gone, Karsten should have let me go, but he just held me, his forehead resting against mine. The tip of his nose barely grazed mine as he closed his eyes and just let out a slow breath.

There was such heaviness behind his actions that I couldn’t even push him away. We just stood there, frozen in time, feeling the burdens of our hearts.

Clearing of the throat shattered the moment.

I turned my head to find Ranold standing there, holding presents, his coat and woollen cap dusted with snow. And that ever-present smile of his spread wide.

A red reindeer sweater could be seen peeking through from under the open-breasted coat of his.

"Merry Christmas! Lovebirds."

Unwillingly, Karsten let me go and turned to face his friend.

"You are one tough bastard. You even made it in the snowstorm." Taking long strides, he approached his friend and they hugged.

Camilla returned from the kitchen, and Ranold spotted her.

"I would have made it here by every means, just to meet my favourite lady." Pushing the gifts into the hands of Karsten, Ranold delightedly drifted towards Camilla.

"Oh! Rali. Here you are." Camilla raised her hands in joy as she received Ranold. He hugged her as if they were best friends.

"I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. Even the storm couldn’t stop me from coming to see you," he cheekily said, and I swear Camilla almost blushed. The heat danced on her cheeks.

"You always know how to say the perfect words." Camilla squeezed his shoulders, returning his smile.

Karsten dumped the gifts he had brought on the sofa and glared at Ranold.

"Okay, that’s enough. Stop flirting with my mother," the icy devil didn’t look pleased at his friend’s actions. So here was another woman he felt annoyed over, where his best friend was concerned.

"Loosen up, Snowman. You know Camilla is my favourite. Right, Camilla." Ranold winked, making Camilla giggle at his antics.

His eyes then wandered towards me, and some of that smile faded, replaced by worries.

"How are you, Arata? I heard you twisted your ankle?" Ranold asked in concern.

"I am much better, Ranold. Thank you for asking." That deliberate take on his name was just to spite Karsten, but it certainly made Ranold extremely happy.

Karsten’s face, on the other hand, had hardened like the block of ice in the freezer. His possessive eyes found me, and I simply tilted my head at him.

"Glad to hear that." Ranold began to take off his coat, cap and gloves. Karsten took it from him so he could hang them.

"Come, let’s talk over the Christmas feast." Camilla took Ranold’s arm and led him away towards the dining table, leaving me with a fuming Karsten.

"So both of you are on a first-name basis now?" Karsten questioned once both of them were out of earshot.

I turned my head to watch his restraints falling apart, and nonchalantly said.

"None of your concern." I followed them to the dining hall with Karsten’s heavy steps sounding behind me.

The temporary staff Karsten had hired helped lay out the table and all the food. A proper feast had been laid out, and the mouthwatering smell made my stomach rumble.

I was hungry as my eyes took in all the different dishes.

Roasted ribs and stuffed goose, mashed potatoes and gravy rich with cheese, gingerbreads, eggnog, Christmas pudding, strawberry cake, lasagna and grilled fish.

"A feast for Christmas. Now that’s what I am talking about." Ranold rubbed his hands together as his eyes sparkled, seeing all that food.

Karsten pulled out a chair for me, so I could sit while Ranold helped Camilla into the seat.

Once everyone was settled, Camilla said grace and asked Karsten to serve the meat to everyone as per their traditions.

Silently, Karsten picked up the long knife and began to carve out the goose and ribs, placing large portions on everyone’s plates.

I loved meat, but as soon as Karsten placed it on my plate, the wish to eat it just evaporated. It smelled strange.

Not to be rude, I stayed quiet and just placed some mashed potatoes on my plate, piling them up with gravy from the gravy boat.

Soon, the dining room was a clatter of knives and forks.

"How did you make it here amidst the snowstorm?" I asked Ranold, slightly bewildered that he had arrived when we couldn’t even step outside because of the howling winds.

"Well, I own a special vehicle. It can move through any storm as it’s built like an indestructible machine. Seriously, it wasn’t difficult at all." He winked at me, and I had to shake my head.

Ranold and his tactics were just to get under Karsten’s skin.