Chapter 3 Greg

The man sitting beside her was older, maybe in his mid forties with silver streaks in his dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His eyes were sharp but kind, and his smile was disarming.

"long days." she replied cautiously, trying to stop herself from blabbing to the good looking older man by her side.

He lifted his glass in a casual toast.

"To surviving those days, then."

Serena hesitated, then clinked her glass against his. The gesture was small, but it eased some of her tension. Something about this man seemed to captivate her interest.

"I'm Greg, what about you, long days? " he said, his voice low and smooth, carrying a calm sense of humor she found herself smiling to, it seemed impossible to believe that just a few minutes with this stranger put her more at ease.

"Serena," she replied, her voice softer now.

He smiled genuinely, "So what are your plans for the holidays?"

"Oh, me... I haven't really thought about that. Just came here to experience an early Christmas, you?"

" I'm a workaholic, my secretary pressured me into taking a break..."

She tucks her hair behind her ears,

"I could guess that."

He laughs opening, his line like eyes becoming even smaller.

"It's a trait that is written all over my whole body, Isn't it?"

"Definitely." she says attempting to drink more of her liquor but in a swift movement, he switches her glass with one he had ordered for her.

"No more liquor for the young lady. Have some Negroni."

She scans him for a bit then sips it slowly. It tasted amazing, how come she had never tried it before.

"I swear, I really am obsessed with the taste? Do you always drink this."

"Yes. Sometimes though, I prefer to have champagne or a classic Martini."

It was quiet for a moment till he spoke commenting on the Christmas decorations,

"You ever notice how these holiday decorations escalate every year? Last year it was a modest string of lights, and now their house looks like Santa's sleigh crash-landed in Vegas."

Serena laughed for the first time in days and for the first also, she didn't think of Jayson and Christina. Their conversation ran on for hours and she found herself laughing all through.

As the night wore on, she found herself relaxing in a way she hadn't in days. There was something about Greg-his steady presence, his calm demeanor-that made her feel like she could let her guard down, if only a little.

Marcus smiled listening, his expression softening as he watched her speak about how she was currently in college studying Business administration. Soon, she stops, feeling a little embarrassed.

"it's just that I tend to talk a lot when I venture into my course. I'm sorry, did I bore you?"

"No... If anything, I was intrigued. You're an ambitious young woman..."

Her eyes wandered around as blush covered her cheeks, she loved the fact he saw the real her. Soon, her eyes land on the Christmas themed clock.

"lord have mercy, it's 3am." she observed.

He chuckles, "They say time runs fast when one's enjoying one selves."

He took a little dip from his glass,

"My suite just around the corner, and it's view is to kill for."

Serena hesitated. It wasn't that she didn't trust him enough, even if she wasn't supposed to, she didn't know him that well. The idea of going to a stranger's place seemed rather impulsive.

" That was unexpected. "she commented.

Marcus smiled, his expression softening as his eyes move scanning her then he notices the hesitation in her eyes.

He took a small step closer, his voice low but confident, as if he understood the battle within her.

"Sometimes," he said, his words measured and thoughtful,

"the best things are the ones we least expect."

His gaze met hers then, those sterling blue eyes showed so much sincerity that it was undeniable, a quiet invitation to trust him. She detected no pressure in his voice, soon, she decided within herself to trust him and step out of her carefully and rigidly constructed walls.

"OK, I am really in the mood for some sightseeing. " she chuckles softly.

Marcus smiled, a quiet, understanding smile, and led the way.

---

The walk to Marcus's suite was peaceful and beautiful, her eyes roamed digesting the view of soft outdoor lighting that made the snow shine brightly like rare gems. The winter air was cold but she couldn't feel the bites against her skin.

Soon, they arrived at the suite, it was everything she'd had imagined and more. It was on a slight hill, with a modern yet extremely beautiful and warm structure. its large glass windows offered a stunning view of the valley below.

The interior was just as inviting though more extravagant, with overpriced furniture that exalted comfort and a dashing fireplace that cast a golden glow over the room.

"You weren't kidding about the view," Serena said, stepping toward the windows.

Marcus chuckled softly. "It's the reason I bought it and I keep coming back here in my free time. There's something about it, it puts things in perspective."

Serena nodded, though she did not really under him. It didn't bring her perspective; it had only amplified the noise in her head.

Marcus poured two glasses of cocktails, Martini to be exact and he handed one to her. She accepted it mouthing a thank you then took a little sip. She definitely preferred a Negroni to Martinis.

"This place suits you," she said after a while, surprising herself with the observation.

Marcus smiled faintly. "And what about you? Does it suit you?"

Serena thought about it, her gaze drifting back to the windows. "I don't know yet."

It was silent for a while and then she realized she did not know much about Greg. She took a sip from her Martini, really wishing she had a good Negroni to substitute it for.

"So what do you do?"

"I'm a business man, into a couple of small businesses here and there, nothing extraordinary."

Serena didn't believe him, small businesses? And he owned this? He was being too humble.

Soon, he changed the topic speaking softly, almost as if to himself, his eyes drifting to the distant peaks that loomed against the sky.

"The mountains," he began, his voice steady with so much affection,

"they've always been my refuge. When things get tough, I hate solace in the way they stand so still, unaffected by the noise of the world below.

Up here, it's like you can breathe again...

There's no deadlines, no rush, no distractions. Just the wind, the trees, the quiet hum of life in its simplest form.

It's a kind of peace that doesn't come easily in the chaos of everyday life. You can lose yourself in it, just for a while."

His smile was soft, like the mountains held more than just a place in his heart-they were a part of him.

That statement rang in her head through out, it was so deep. They spoke till the darkness finally came to an end, Greg walked her back to the main resort, the snow falling gently around them.

"Good morning, Serena," he said as they reached the lobby doors.

"... ," she chuckles.

"Goodbye, Greg." her voice sounded softer than she intended.