Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 2: The Christmas Adventure
Betty got out of bed and put on a sweater after hearing the doorbell twice. She was so tired after not being able to sleep all night thinking about the mystery gift and it's mystery sender.
She had called Hilda and Justin asking them if they sent her a gift, and even Christina and Claire, but knew that was a futile effort. She knew the gift was more romantic.
Her mind, though she tried to fight it, drifted to Daniel. She quickly shook that ridiculous thought away. There was no way that was a possibility. They weren't even in communication these days.
She thought about her previous boyfriends over the years and knew it couldn't be any of them, either.
Though she remembered Henry's sweet gifts that first Christmas at Mode, they had been over for quite some time. He had a serious girlfriend last she knew.
And Matt, well, there was no way. He was never really that romantic even when they dated. And Walter, while he had his sweet moments on occasion, his gifts tended to be on the more unconventional side.
She rubbed her eyes trying, ineffectively, to wake up fully as she went to the door, wondering who could possibly be visiting her so early on Christmas Eve.
As she opened the door her sleepy mind was even more fogged, surprised to see no one there. She almost closed the door when she caught something shining and looked down to see a small gift on the floor with a shiny silver bow. Her eyes grew in surprise and excitement, as she picked it up eagerly wondering if this was another gift from her mysterious sender.
As she closed the door and walked to her living room she took a seat, her heart skipping in excitement, feeling much more awake now.
Though it was still very early she called her friend Marissa , knowing she would be just as excited about this new mysterious gift. While she placed the phone down letting the call go through, she started to gingerly unwrap this gift, finding that the wrapping paper was purple and blue foil this time with silver swirls and snowflakes.
Her friend's voice filled the room, "Betty? What on bloody earth? I know you're a workaholic but even this is too early for any human to work" she teased.
Betty rolled her eyes, "Very funny, no, I got another gift, crazy! There was ringing at my doorbell and when I went to see who it was, no one was there except this small gift."
"Oo I'm on my way!" Marissa quickly hung up, causing Betty to laugh and shake her head at her silly friend. Once Betty finished removing the paper, she opened the little box and there was a beautiful carousel inside. Her eyes shone as she took it out and placed it on the table, awed at how pretty and colorful it was.
The top had red and white alternating triangular panels, then into a trim of various colored tiles. She smiled as she looked at all the different animals, a swan, several horses, a polar bear, a unicorn, and even a butterfly.
She admired the details awed at how intricate and stunning each detail and design was, noticing the very top of the carousel was some type of mechanism. She twisted it and beamed as it started to rotate and play sweet music like a real carousel, the colorful banners at the top becoming lights. It was so beautiful.
She stared at it mesmerized, then wondered if there was a note with it. She looked into the box again and saw a small card that had a silver silhouette of a carousel horse printed in the middle.
She picked it out and realized her hand was shaking, butterflies filling her, wondering what this message would say. She opened it and read the words,
On this day as the clock strikes two, use this next clue to find what is waiting especially for you.
Where the Garden and a colorful courtyard meet, you will find a special treat.
As you bring color and light and magic to my world, I hope to do the same for you and treat you like a rare and precious pearl.
As the time ticks by minute by minute, I eagerly await to share my heart and show you I can't live without you in it.
As Betty finished reading it, she realized her eyes were glossy. She wiped at her teary eyes not sure what in the world was going on.
Of course the words touched her deeply, but she was trying so hard to convince herself there was no way this was all meant for her. It had to be a mistake.
Who could possibly go to such lengths to do this for her?
She waved off Marissa's silly suggestion that it might be a secret admirer. She rarely interacted with anyone besides those she worked with and no one had ever shown her any romantic or flirty interest.
Besides she was far too busy working most of the time to even entertain anyone.
As she looked between the note and the carousel, her mind, though she desperately tried to fight it, went to her incredibly handsome and charming blue-eyed friend.
Distant friend, She sighed, reminding herself.
There was simply no way it could be… him. She sighed again in sheer annoyance. Why did Claire have to plant that infuriating seed in her mind? She couldn't seem to turn it away. Especially seeing it was obviously not true. It seemed to make her contemplate it more.
She heard her doorbell distantly, and realized she had zoned out for quite some time staring at the beautiful carousel, her mind swirling, between the gifts, the notes and her own thoughts as she was becoming more and more flustered.
She got up and opened the door, and smirked, her eyebrow raised seeing how Marissa entered without even a hello before she stated "Oh my goodness, I'm so bloody excited, Betty! I forgive you for waking me at such a godawful hour! Now show me what you got!"
Betty closed the door, "well, hello to you, too."
Marissa smirked as she glanced back at Betty, "hello, how are you this fine day?" She teased. Betty rolled her eyes as she came over and took a seat. Marissa laughed but then gasped when she saw the gift open on the table and the carousel. "oO my my, this is splendid Betty! What a magical gift!"
Betty nodded in a daze, her eyes taking in the vibrant colors of it. "I know…" she whispered distantly.
"Have any idea who it might be from yet?" Marissa asked as she took a seat next to her and started to admire the newest gift.
Betty shook her head, though her mind kept coming back to the same thought. "No!" She blurted, trying to convince herself yet again, there was no way.
Marissa glanced at her curiously, but picked up the note and read it, her eyes growing in surprise, a curious grin crossing her face. "Betty?"
Betty tore her eyes away from the carousel to her friend, "hmm?"
"This has to be someone you know!"
Betty shrugged, "what, no. we still don't know it's even for me"
Marissa smirked "mhm, please, don't be daft, love! There is no way to deny it isn't for you at this point. And come on, Betty, light and color? That is totally you, honey!" She said as she gestured with her hands at her colorful, vibrant apartment and clothing.
Betty blushed as she knew Marissa was right, glancing around and down at herself taking in her point.
All the sudden Marissa shot up and pulled Betty up with her toward the door "Now, come on, off we go."
"What? Where are we going? It's only 6!" Betty stated in confusion.
"Let's figure out where the heck your next surprise is! "Marissa laughed as she pocketed the note in her jacket and said, "you woke me up out of my comfy bed on this snowy Christmas Eve morning and I need coffee to help you solve this mystery!"
Betty let her hand slip away, smirking, "can I please change, first?"
Marissa rolled her eyes teasingly "I suppose, but hurry!"
Betty pushed her causing her to laugh. Betty shook her head, fighting a smile as she quickly got changed, her heart starting to race as she pulled on her dark denim jeans and a red shimmery sweater, surprised that her Christmas was turning out to be very interesting.
As she walked to the door, she picked up her coat from the hook and put it on, and saw the smirk crossing her friend's face as she tied the belt, who was looking at her with a raised eyebrow, as she checked out her outfit.
Betty glanced at herself taking in her colorful flowery embroidered coat and rolled her eyes, "fine! Ok, so, maybe the gifts are for me, afterall."
Marissa laughed, "I adore you, Betty. I can see why you have cast a spell on this mysterious love you have. You're one of a kind. I'm so glad we're friends."
Betty blushed brightly, her stomach in flutters. "Hurry, before I chicken out and change my mind."
"Oh, no you don't!" Marissa practically shoved her out her door, "We are definitely going to find out who your mystery love is!"