Chapter 2 The stranger in the bar

THREE DAYS LATER,

Serena found herself climbing up stairs, each step leading her into the grand lobby of a mountain resort, her phone kept ringing in her jacket, buzzing and shaking but she ignored it, it was either them, the betrayals or her parents begging her to accept them back and right now, she couldn't be bothered with that.

She tried to take her mind off them to the amazing surroundings.

Everything about the place was BREATHTAKING particularly in its wonderful charm, from the massive Christmas tree in the center, decorated beautifully with many shinning balls and other beautiful designs and a massive star at the top, to the roaring stone fireplace surrounded by plush armchairs, dark and classic.

The ground looked like wood, but it wasn't. It was just wood themed Mable. The decorations were too perfectly arranged, from the twinkling fairy lights that clung to the leaves of the tree, some were threadlike following down the window like shinning ropes.

It looked like the type of setting that could have been on the cover of a holiday invitation card, so beautifully enchanting.

The decorations reminded her of Jayson, though it was still the first week of December, they had planned so much for Christmas. She could hear their laughter from the past Christmas, could feel his hands over her waist and his lips drawing lines down the nape of her neck.

The air smelled of roast chicken and cinnamon, a reminder of Christmas, the season she'd loved more than anything in her life. Once, she did but not anymore.

The sights and scents didn't make her feel any warmth in her chest the way they used to. Instead, she felt like they reminded her of the ghosts of something she had lost, and she arched terribly. The ghost of a time when Christmas had meant something to her, it represented comfort, togetherness and love.

Now, the holiday spirit felt gone, extinct from the surface of Earth, disappearing instantly, leaving only anger and filthy rage.

"Welcome to Ground silver,"

the receptionist said, her cheerful smile beaming in its sincerity and happiness. She could relate to the happiness she found on the receptionist's face, once in the past, but no any more.

The receptionist wore a bright red gown, a golden and black name tag pinned neatly to the left side of her chest, Slightly before her arm, her blonde hair was pulled into an impressive bun, the type she used to tie for Christina.

Oh, God, she was sure she was beginning to hate that hair color.

But the sparkle in her eyes could not let that hatred last for long, the blonde receptionist was almost Impossible to hate, she was too bubbly and she genuinely enjoyed her job.

"Your cabin is ready for you. We hope you have a wonderful stay. Is it too early to greet Merry Christmas. "

Serena nodded, forcing a tight smile as she took the keycard. The plastic felt cold and quite unfamiliar in her hand, and for a moment, she wondered why she had come at all.

Though angered and betrayed, she didn't forget her character which was usually nice, she remembered to thank the receptionist, even if it was in a voice that barely rose above a little whisper.

She turned toward the large double doors that led to the snow-covered grounds. The path that led to her cabin was breathtaking lined with lanterns, their warm light flickering against the deepening twilight.

The snow crunched again under her boots with each step, the sound sharp, she ignores the feeling to dance to the jingle bell song playing in the background.

Serena trudged through the snow, her suitcase trailing as it dragged behind her, its weight could not even be compared to the heaviness in her chest.

She thought she'll be better but she wasn't.

When she reached her cabin, it was prefect just as the brochures had promised. A cozy structure with wooden beams, it looked like something out of a winter fairytale, which was definitely not her life at the moment. The windows glowed softly, and a small ribbon adorned the door, it swayed gently in the breeze.

She smiles softly for the first time in days, taking it off and opening her door.

Inside, the cabin was warm and inviting, finally somewhere she felt comfortable at last. It was a clear contrast to the chill of the winter breeze outside.

A crackling fire danced in the stone hearth, and the large windows was transparent as she could see the beautiful view of the snow-covered forest.

It was the kind of setting that she and Jayson would have enjoyed. Not thoughts of Jayson again, she told herself.

Serena set her bags down and sank onto the classic couch, her eyes drawn to the endless white landscape beyond the glass. The quiet was amazing, but it did nothing to ease her stressed out mind.

This was why she'd come-to be somewhere else, somewhere that didn't remind her of Jayson or Christina, or even remind her of all the things that had gone wrong.

But even here, even in the stillness, their betrayal still haunted her.

---

That evening, the quiet became too much, making her think of Christina, by this time, if she hadn't betrayed her, they would have been cooking together and probably gossiping about work...

She couldn't think any more about it. Serena walked into the resort's main lounge, uncertain of what she was looking for. The room was lively filled with the joys of Christmas, Christmas Carol playing here and there, also it was with filled with the low hums of conversation and the clinking of glasses.

People sat in groups by the fireplace, their laughter filling the air, while others chatted at the bar.

Serena felt out of place and alone, but immediately pushed the feeling aside, she didn't want to think about them any longer so she perched on a stool at the bar, keeping her movements careful and deliberate. She meet the bartender's eyes and slowly spoke,

"Give me something strong, liquor perhaps."

The bartender handed her the glass with a polite nod, and Serena took a fast sip, drowning the content in. The liquor tasted bitter but it did not compare to the bitterness in her heart.

One thing it did was warm her throat, but it didn't ease the knots already formed in her chest. She stared into the empty glass, pushing it to the bartender. She had to prevent her mind from drifting back to the thoughts she had no desire to entertain.

"REFILL!" Her voice was loud startling even the bartender. He poured more liquor into her glass which she immediately drowned in.

"Long day?"

The deep voice came from her right, low and masculine. It sounded mature, so full of experience and Serena turned a little bit startled to face the owner.