Disclaimer: This special episode is set in a modern time where Arius is just a normal human being. It is also not connected to the main story so what happened and will about to happen here would not affect the plot in anyway. The following episode contained scenes that may not be suitable for young audience. Reader's discretion is advised. Merry Christmas!⛄

Eleanor woke up to the busy sounds coming from the kitchen and the addicting smell of the coffee being brewed. She groped around the bedside table while her eyes are still lazily shut until she finally found her phone to check the time.

"December 2X, XXXX. 6:45 am."

She slackly get up from her bed and sat on the edge of it as she still feeling drowsy. She had to work an overtime yesterday with her promotion as a manager at the new branch of their company and she finished too late. She spent a few more minutes just staring at nowhere before she decided to roused from her seat and clumsily slid into her pink, cotton, slippers.

She fixed her bed and went into her bathroom sink to freshen up and gargle.

She carefully wipes her face gently with the white face towel hanging in the corner. After that, she decided to finally get out of her bedroom and went towards the kitchen where the delicious smell of something being cooked has been spreading throughout the whole house.

When she has reached the kitchen, a topless Arius in his gray sweat pants has been preoccupied chopping some onions and carrots into cubes.

She went over his side and hugged him from behind. Arius turned his head and gave him a smile before putting down the knife and turning around to face her. He hugged her back as he leaned towards her to give her a kiss on the forehead.

"Good morning, baby." His soft whispers on her right ear made her feel ticklish. He guided her towards the bar island of the kitchen and pulled a seat for her.

"Did you sleep well?" Arius asked her and she just smiled and nodded.

"Sit down first, I'll just finish this." He gave her another kiss on her temple before going back to what he was doing.

Eleanor just sat there and stare. She couldn't help but shot a few glances once in a while to Arius' back muscles that flexes as he chops. She decided to look away from the temptations so early in the morning.

"Baby, I'm going to be out early from work but I have to attend a company dinner." Eleanor said that got Arius' attention.

He looked at her while holding the knife and pouted, "But it's Christmas eve later."

Eleanor surpassed the urge to jump on him and just bury her face on Arius' chiseled face. She shook away her dirty thoughts by shaking her head.

"Cute." She groaned and murmured under her breath.

Arius was still pouting while looking at her and waiting for a response.

"I know. I'm sorry. I'll try to be home before eight o'clock so we can spend some more time until Christmas eve."

Hearing this, she saw how Arius' face lit up. He nodded at her and cheerily said, "Okay!"

He then went back to what he was doing and finished it up.

Garlic fried rice mixed with carrots and sausages with sunny side up egg on top, along with a sweet, black coffee with two teaspoons of sugar has been placed in front of Eleanor.

The aromatic smell made her mouth waters.

"Eat well, baby." Arius sat beside her with his left elbow place on the bar island countertop as he supports his chin with his left hand and stared at her intently while smiling.

He was waiting for her to give him some compliments.

She first took a spoonful of fried rice along with a few sausages. She masticated it carefully to avoid being bloated after.

Arius was still looking at her with expectant eyes.

"It's delicious. Superb." She said as he faces him and even give him two thumbs up, seeing and hearing this, Arius' smile grew wider.

"I did well, right?" He said as he leaned his smiling face forward towards her but still maintaining a good distance.

"Yes, very well." She agrees and nodded.

"Then give me a kiss as a reward."

"Pfft. You're like a cute puppy wagging his tail to his owner." She teased as she ruffled his tousled morning hair.

She pull him closer using her hand on his chin and gave him a quick kiss but Arius wasn't satisfied and pull her closer again for another one.

The kiss started slow and steady, until Arius decided to deepen it by thrusting his tongue inside her mouth, tasting every corner of it. She found his other hand slid into hem of her shirt as he gently caresses her small waist and with his other hand holding her nape, making sure she won't turn away.

The dizzying snog is making her intoxicated even without touching an alcoholic drink. The mint from Arius' mouthwash even left a sweet aftertaste as he continue to poke her tongue with his, not letting their lips part for even a moment.

She tried to push him away a little by putting her hands on his chest but he caught it easily. She decided to tap out by using her legs and nudging his' a little, only then Arius let her go. He even naughtily lick his lips a little after the kiss as he reach for hers using his thumb to wipe some saliva off as she was still gasping for breath.

"Thank you for the meal, baby!" He said with his duchenne smile, his eyes even wrinkles and folded like a beautiful crescent moon.

She just shook her head with his naughtiness and enjoyed the breakfast he had made for her into her heart's content as he sat beside her with a satisfied look on his face.

****

Arius quickly took a shower after Eleanor left their apartment. He offered to drive and drop her off at her work but she refuses because the traffic would probably be heavy and congested as it was the holiday season and he has an important schedule for today.

It has been 7 years since they had started dating but only been two years when they decided to move in together. They say couple who had reached this milestone would likely experience the so called "seven-year itch", so he has been so anxious since celebrating their 7th year together last weekend.

So today, he'll set the plans he has been making for the past year into reality. He'll propose today at Christmas eve. Everything needs to go smoothly for Eleanor to say yes to him. He can't wait to tie her down and officially keep her all to himself.

A lot of pests and flies has been hanging around Eleanor for years, although he managed to keep them in check everytime, he didn't know until when he could effectively do that. Especially that guy from Eleanor's work named Caelen!

Just hearing the name is enough to ruin his mood. He composed himself and breathe out. Today should only be filled with positivity to keep away the bad lucks. He hummed his way out from the bathroom and just put on the shower robe.

He picked up his phone as he dry his drenched hair with a towel. He then dialed a number. It only took a couple of rings because someone from the other line picked up.

"Yes, director?" The man on the phone answered.

"Mr. Andrev, I'm going to propose today. Help me set up everything."

"Understood, Sir."

He ended the call and excitedly marched towards his big walk-in closet and took out a small red box from one of his suit pocket and opened it.

It was a customized engagement ring that was made from a 24 carat gold with a huge diamond stone in the middle. Inside the ring, a a latin phrase, "Ad infinitum" is carved, meaning "to infinity" or "forevermore".

It's much better if they work for the same company. But Eleanor decided to become independent first and work under the other company than to just take over their family business like he did.

He likes to experience attending company dinners with her or the forbidden office romance like they have on the dramas. He can even went down towards where she was with the excuse of observing their works just to take a quick look on her whenever he misses her.

Thinking like that, his happy expression turned glum and his cheeks puffed as he pouted.

But the things he was looking forward more was the kids who looked like Eleanor happily running around their dream house that he started constructing half a year ago. It was nearly finished to be on time with this proposal. He just needs to make sure Eleanor would say yes.

How should he charm her? Acting cutely doesn't always guarantee a good result. Should he try to seduce her then? How? Should he put some ribbons on and says he was her gift for Christmas? If she still says "no" despite trying everything, should he just take her to a deserted private island and keep asking her until she said yes?

Arius spend an hour thinking of some crazy ideas on how to make Eleanor say "Yes".

****

Back at the company dinner of Eleanor, the party just seems to be starting despite it being already eight o'clock. The clinks of shot glasses, the loud laughters of everyone in the restaurant, and the sound of the background music all mixed together made her headache.

She kept checking her watch. She couldn't find a good timing to excuse herself and go home. She even promised Arius they'll celebrate the Christmas eve together. He was probably waiting for her.

"Manager Ellie, I heard you're in a 7-year relationship?" She looked up to see who's speaking to her.

It was her fellow manager who always throw backhanded compliments and snide remarks at her and acts friendly in front of other people but when it's just the two of them, was a complete opposite. Because of such question, everyone's attention switched towards her.

"Yes." Hearing her say that, she definitely saw her smirk.

"Really? That's great. When are you going to hold the wedding? Don't forget to invite us." She probed her.

"I don't know yet but sure." She decided to keep it simple avoid the conversation. But this girl won't back down easily. She probably wanted her to lose some face.

"What do you mean you don't know? Don't tell me he hasn't proposed to you?" She asks her again, acting shock but definitely mocking her.

"Why do you care about my love life? I don't want to be rude but whether I get married or not, it was none of your business."

"I'm hurt, manager Ellie. I'm just concerned about you. Surely, your boyfriend isn't a con man of some sort right?"

"Well, thank you for your concern but I don't appreciate it. It would be much better to mind your own problems. I heard your husband has been seeing another woman behind your back, you might wanna put him on a leash."

She had encountered a few people like this. They won't let go once they thought they got you and your weakness unless you put them in their place.

"Hehe, don't be like that guys. Let's just drink." Another manager who is a guy, chimed in and try to extinguish the fire.

After the incident that left the atmosphere with awkwardness, she just decided to continue drinking than to hear the rabble of the people there and to drown away her thoughts.

Although the relationship of Arius and her has been doing good so far in the last 7 years and she is contented on what they have now, she still could not think of marriage with him sometimes. But she never brought it up because she didn't wanna pressure him. They're not young anymore, in three years time her age would be out of the calendar and he was already in his thirties. Isn't it time for them to completely settled down and stop playing house?

Eleanor's mind has become full of negative thoughts. What if she becomes too old for him already? Is Arius even thinking of marrying her at all? She just can't help but be insecure sometimes. Her boyfriend is a complete head turner, other woman voluntarily throw themselves at him.

****

It's almost 10 pm but Eleanor hasn't returned home yet. Arius keeps pacing around their shared apartment while in his dashing three-piece suit and his slicked backed, ginger hair. His proposal wouldn't gone to waste right?

Did someone made her drunk and took her home? Thinking of that, his eyes blazed with fire and the aura around him changed. But before his over-thinking gets the best of him, he heard their intercom system rings and it showed Eleanor standing weirdly on the other side of the door.

He immediately went over and opened the door for her. Once he did, Eleanor cling to his neck with both of her arms and hug him. He immediately smell a faint alcohol scent from her. He pulled away a little to cup her face using both of his hands. Her face has became reddish too but he knee that she wasn't too drunk.

"You could have asked me to fetch you up. It's dangerous to go home alone at night while drunk, baby." He said as they entered there apartment.

Arius tried to stay composed even though his hands started sweating. He was debating if he should go ahead with his plans or just wait until she completely sobered up. But in the end, he decided to go for the former.

He guided her to the sofa and let her seat there comfortably first then he went to fetch some hangover medicine and drinks for her.

After that Eleanor sobered up, he started with his plan.

"Baby.." He started as he held both of her hands while sitting next to each other on the couch.

"Hmm?" Eleanor answered her while closing her eyes and leaning onto the couch to support her back.

"We've been dating for seven years now. We had gone through a lot of joys and struggles together. We have fought and we made up. It's not a very perfect relationship like those on TV but for me it what's make our relationship much authentic and real."

Arius looked at Eleanor who was now looking at him intently and carefully listening to every word he says. It's one of the many things he likes about her, she always hear him out, even his random ramblings.

"I don't wish for anything else other than to have you beside me. To grow old with you, to see your face first thing in the morning everytime I woke up, to go home everyday to you opening up the door for me to eat dinner together as we talk about our day in the office."

Arius stood up and lead Eleanor towards their kitchen and dining area. It was dark in there so that Eleanor wouldn't see anything yet. They stood facing each other beside the dining table.

"Elle, I promised to love you everyday, for eviternity. Please tie me up and make me all yours forever. Please never let me go. I love you, not only your good side but even the most imperfect and vulnerable version of you. Will you marry me?" Arius then got down on one knee and took out the small red box from his suit earlier and opened it.

He heard Eleanor gasped while covering her mouth with both of her hands to surpass her sobs as she cries in happiness and disbelief.

"I will. If you hadn't propose tonight I was thinking to be the one to do it. I don't ever plan on letting you go." said Eleanor in between her sobs and happy laughter.

She helped him got up and as soon as he did, she immediately cupped his face for a quick kiss. She looks very happy while he felt like he won everything good in life. He kisses the tip of her nose and press their forehead together as Eleanor happily look at the ring on her finger.

"But baby, I think I would cry and take you to honeymoon first before the wedding if you're the one who proposes to me." He whispered teasingly.

"Silly goose." Eleanor chuckled.

He leaned over and gently kiss her on the lips. She willingly returns his kisses so he got excited and deepen it. His big hands enveloped her waist as they continue kissing as they walk towards their bedroom.

They never parted their lips even for a second. He carried her and she clasp her legs on his strong waist while clinging her hands on his neck.

He gently placed her on the soft bed as he quickly untie his necktie and unbuttoned his shirt. Eleanor just stared at him as he does it but desire and love could be seen in her eyes.

He hurriedly jumped on the bed and reached out to his bedside table to get some protection. He seductively rip it open using his teeth. He position himself between her long, delicate legs before hungrily claiming her lips again.

Eleanor pushed him down onto the bed and climbed on top of him by sitting on his toned stomach. She kisses him passionately as he runs his fingers through hair long wavy hair while his hands roamed around her fragile, lustful body.

"Let me lead this time." Eleanor whispered between their shared kisses.

Arius bit his lips as he looks at her with great adoration, "Damn, baby. You're really turning me on." He even gently grind his hardened shaft that was still un-tucked from his pants to Eleanor's plump bottom.

****

Arius didn't know what time is it already but he was sure they've been going at it for hours now. Eleanor was still busy working on top of him.

"Ha.. Baby. Ugh. Should we finish up for the day?" He managed to ask between his moans.

The pleasure is making him delirious. This is the first time in the whole seven years of their relationship that Eleanor offered to lead and it surprised him. He didn't know his woman had a monstrous stamina when drunk, he can barely keep up! Is he too old now?

"Hmmm.. ugh, uhh. Ellie." He continue to succumb to this delight despite running out of energy.

"You like it? Ha.." Eleanor asks as she continues what she was doing.

"Yeah.. give me a kiss."