On the next day, they decided to eat breakfast at one of the local cafes in downtown Aspen.

The coffee shop they entered had classy and unique decor. White walls, pastel-blue color tiles, and dark-green plants decorated the space. What ultimately convinced Eliana to stay was Santa Tell Me by Ariana Grande playing in the background.

Eliana convinced Rafael to try Frappuccino and he made a face like a five-year-old who was forced to eat Brussels sprouts after he tasted it. Well, at least his dignity wouldn't allow him to spit it out.

She won't try to convert him to flavored coffee anymore. She decided as she was sipping on her rose-flavored Frappuccino with whipped cream topping sprinkled with crumbled vanilla cookies. Rafael ordered black coffee, no sugar to cleanse his tastebuds.

For breakfast, he opted for a simple sandwich with salami, fresh tomatoes, and arugula. Eliana got for herself chia pudding with mango puree. When she looked outside of the window her gaze stopped at the huge building on the horizon.

"Look there's an ice rink right there!" Eliana said pouting outside of the window with an excited voice.

Yes. That was her sport. She absolutely loved skating. The ice rink was outdoors so the beautiful view of the mountains made the experience even more amazing. There were glowing Christmas lights decorations surrounding the area, which made a magical touch to it.

"You know we're going there? Right?" Eliana wanted to make sure.

"I've never been ice skating before" Rafael admitted.

But Eliana's enthusiasm did not wither on the contrary it grew.

"Never?! Oh. That's excellent" she said, pleased with the turn of events.

"What's excellent about it?" Rafael asked amused with her reaction.'

'Well, Mr. Perfect. It means it's my turn to be better at something than you are" she sent him a grin.

"Oh, really? I don't recall agreeing to go there yet" he said in a stoic manner.

"C'mon" with Eliana's pleading look Rafael "Please"

"If everything could be solved with please we wouldn't have any need for money in exchange for goods and services" Rafael pointed out as he took a sip of his coffee.

"You won't make me give up my shares again, right?" She asked dryly and he chuckled.

"Not this time. But I do expect a payment" he said in his business mode but there was unmistakable for Eliana sparks of amusements that were playing in his dark eyes.

"Then how about this I will cook a romantic dinner for you today?" She suggested.

His eyes curved into a smile and he said "Now you see that wasn't so hard"

When they left the coffee shop according to Eliana's wish they went skating. Rafael with fascination discovered how beautiful Eliana could move on the ice. She was gliding and twirling on the ice in fairy-like movements as she was dancing to Last Christmas by Wham.

She gave up on teaching Rafael since he was a very uncooperative student. He had zero interest in skating watching her do it was far more entertaining.

Brisk air made her brown hair flow in the wind, the glowing lights sparkled in her green eyes full of happiness.

Eliana skated towards Rafael to ask. "Are you sure you don't want to try again?" Eliana asked.

"I'm quite certain, yes. Don't roll your eyes at me" Rafael responded, his hands were resting on the barrier.

"A few months ago I would say sorry sir and tried to escape" Eliana recalled.

"Now you should say sorry sir as well just without escaping" Rafael advised, amused by her confession.

"What if I just escape without saying sorry?" She asked with curiously getting better of her.

"That would get you in trouble" he replied.

"Maybe I want to be in trouble?" She taunted, smiling suggestively.

"And why is that?" He asked intrigued.

"I'd love you to punish me with a kiss again" she purred recalling the moment it happened. She was so shocked when he kissed her for the first time.

"And what punishment would that be if you're shameless with me now Mrs. Vincenti? If you want it it's no longer a punishment but a reward" he responded, the corners of his lips lifted.

Eliana rolled her eyes again, involuntarily. When she was skating away she heard him say "Ok that settles it then. No Christmas gift for you this year"

Eliana's protests only made him laugh.

❤️❤️❤️

Around noon Rafael was in his study because even on holidays he had to do some work.

Meanwhile, Eliana was in the kitchen preparing dinner, as promised. She loved cooking and made a mental note to do it more often, she was a little worried if Rafael will like her food all he was used to five-star chefs preparing him meals.

Nevertheless, she wouldn't let it discourage her. Cooking was relaxing to her and she was just enjoying the moment. Jingle Bells by Frank Sinatra and dancing while moving around the kitchen. She was wearing a wrap dress made from powder pink chiffon, the waist was tied with a ribbon.

"What are you doing?" He asked, hugging her from the back. She was in the kitchen currently mixing flour with cinnamon and apples.

"A strudel with apples that's gonna be a dessert after the cabbage rolls are done baking"

"Cabbage rolls? How romantic" he mocked.

"Shut up," she said, her face becoming beetroot red. "It's romantic because I'm doing it with my heart" she mumbled quietly but he heard her well enough with his sharp hearing.

He chuckled lightly and apologized for his joke. The music changed. Now she could hear the soft voice of Mariah Carey's version of Sleight Ride.

"Who taught you how to cook?"

"Casey's mother. She was Polish so expect a ton of weird dishes for tomorrow's celebration" Eliana warned. Sometimes she felt a pang of guilt that she missed Casey's parents more than she missed her own. But the truth was she just remembered them better. Eliana's biological parents were always busy.

"And what's that?" He asked looking at the dough prepared on the counter right behind him.

"I will be baking gingerbread cookies" Eliana explained.

"You managed to do all these prep in two hours? Lorenzo should hire you" You should work at food production"

Eliana snorted "I already have two full-time jobs"

"The first one is being CEO what's the second?" Rafael asked.

"Making sure Casey doesn't come up with anything stupid. Rafael nodded in understanding.

"I guess that makes us coworkers" he pointed out.

She titled her head when she felt him kissing her on the neck, she melted into his arms. Then she could feel his strong hands grabbing her by the waist and pulling from the kitchen counter what is it, Rafael?

"Dance with me," he asked taking her hand gently.

"Food is going to get burned" she warned but she followed him nevertheless.

"Only one song" he promised.

Oh, and it was a good song. The moment Baby It's Cold Outside started playing Eliana melted into Rafael's arms. The living room had a huge A-shaped window so she could see the beautiful panoramic views of the mountains. It was snowing.

They were swaying gently to the rhythm, her arms wrapped around her neck his hands wrapped around her waist.

At some point, he lifted her chin with his hand and placed a deep sensual kiss on her lips. Then there was a ring to the door.

Rafael cursed quietly.

"Oh, I think it's a Christmas tree we ordered today!" Eliana said with excitement.

She was right. The huge pine tree entered their house, it was standing now proudly naked in the corner of the living room. Meanwhile, Eliana remembered about the food and jumped towards the oven.

It was a wonderful evening that night. And tomorrow Casey, Remi, and Milo would come.

Dear Readers,

Just wanted to let you know that there are 2 chapters left. Thank you for staying with me so long.