FF14: Christmas Party

"A Christmas party won't be complete without Santa Clause. Both kids and adults enjoy his presence and presents." - FF14

🍁💨🍁💨🍁

Yrrah just took a quick shower, blower dries her hair, applied a face powder, and lip tint. She wore a royal blue off-shoulder cocktail dress, paired with a silver stilettoes sandals.

Aeron was already waiting in the living room. He's dashing on his emerald green long-sleeve polo and Barbie on his red short-sleeve polo designed with The Grinch. They went to their backyard.

There's fifteen 10-seater round table, covered by the white table cloth. Each table with a sleek glass flower vase with a red rose on it. It's probably the roses that Arron gave her. It's almost fully occupied by families of their employees. Both adults and children were wearing their Sunday's best clothes. She couldn't believe how their five housemaids not including her yaya, driver, gardener, and two security guards have big families. It seemed to have more than 100 people on their backyards.

The trees around the backyard were designed with colorful lighted star-shaped parol and Christmas lights. Closer to the kitchen backdoor, the u-shaped buffet table was set up with a lot of foods on it on the middle, different drinks like juices, soft drinks, wine, and beer on the right side, and desserts of different varieties on the left side. They also built a small stage where's there's a 7-foot Christmas tree and a lot of wrapped gifts for all the kids and for game prizes. The table in front of the stage was reserved for her, her yaya as she didn't have any other family member, and her friends. Christmas songs also add a warm ambiance to their party.

Cez, the emcee, announced her name when she spotted her. The guest stood up and welcome her by clapping their hands. She walked to the stage with Aeron guiding her. The emcee gave the microphone to her for a welcome speech.

"Good evening, everyone. Hi kids! It's an honor joining you once again after more than a decade," she started. After mother died, she only attended that Christmas party once and she never joined the following years.

"I'm actually happy seeing each one of you with a bright smile on your lips. I hope you will enjoy this evening and filled your heart with blessings as we celebrate the birthday of our Savior Jesus Christ. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a bountiful New Year. Let's enjoy the food after Yaya Fe says the prayer." She passed the microphone to her yaya and she led the prayer to bless the food.

Each table was numbered also to be organized in getting the food. It started with them. She was actually surprised by how beautiful the buffet table was set up as well as the food. It seemed that it was prepared by a professional chef not just their cook, Manang Eva.

"Yaya, did Manang Eva cooked all these foods?" she asked her yaya who's in front of her.

"No. Some foods and desserts were brought by each family. It's always potluck. But it's just extra special this year as we've been helped by someone to organize it," her yaya explained.

She just nodded and got a spoonful of each kind of food to taste it. There's even some baked salmon and lobsters, which are her favorite. When she tried it, the taste was so delicious and familiar to her but she couldn't remember in which restaurant that she actually had it.

While they're eating, the emcee asked the children, "Kids, who do you know who is our special guest?"

The kids answered in unison, "Santa Clause!" She remembered that their gardener, Lolo Aries, played Santa Clause before as he's a huge man with a big tummy. He's probably in his sixties now. There are probably around 30 kids from newborns to teenagers present on the occasion right now.

"Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!" The kids cheered when Santa came out from the kitchen backdoor, shaking a tambourine, to catch the attention of everyone. He's tall, with a big tummy, red hat and suit, white eyebrows, and long white beard. He waved when he stood up the stage.

"Ho! Ho! Ho! Kiddos, have you been good all year?" he asked.

"Yes!" the kids replied.

"Raised the hands of those who've naughty?"

The kids raised the hand.

"So, then you don't have any gifts for you! Ho! Ho! Ho!"

"No, Santa! We're good kids!" the kids' complaint, then giggled.

"Let's see if you're on my list then." He got a roll of paper in his pocket. The kids laughed as it's been so long. Then, sat down on the big chair in the middle of the stage.

Yrrah also chuckled with Santa's act. It's been a long time since she spoke with Lolo Aries and his voice seemed different from what she remembered. But she knew that he's quite a joker.

Cez called the name of the kids and her husband handed Santa the gift to be given to the kid. The kids sat on his lap and the parents took a picture.

A genuine smile on Yrrah's lips was painted since she saw Santa. Her heart was filled with joy seeing the happy face of the kids and adults alike. Christmas is always her favorite holiday, no matter what.

After all the kids received their gift. The emcee called her to join Santa on the stage. She stood up beside Santa. He actually offered her his seat but she refused with respect.

"Thanks but no thanks, Santa," she whispered to him.

The emcee called the name of their employee and their family will join them on the stage. Yrrah handed them a red envelope. It's their Christmas bonus and Santa gave them a huge basket full of groceries. They also took a picture with her and Santa.

When each family has been done. Yrrah was about to go down the stage when Santa spoke on the microphone.

"Do you think our señorita here had been good this year?"

"Yes!" everyone yelled. Yrrah giggled like a child.

"Why don't sat on my lap and whisper me what you want this Christmas, Señorita?"

"I'm not a kid anymore, I might be too heavy for you, Santa," she said as she gave him a glimpse.

"Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa is strong. Do you agree, kids?"

"Yes! Señorita, he can carry you!" the kids shouted.

Yrrah giggled and she felt her cheeks heat. She didn't want to be kill joyed on this occasion and she thought it's probably fine without malice. He's like her grandfather anyway. "Okay, you win," she told the kids.

She sat down on lap sideways, fixing her dress, and Santa wrapped her arms around her waist to support her. She looked up to him to meet his glances, and the sweet smile suddenly vanished from her lips like bubbles that popped before our very eyes, when she met his whiskey-colored eyes.

Her heart skipped a beat and she could hear it pounding like a drum roll. She also froze on her spot as if the wizard cast a statute spell on her.

Santa's reddish lips widened for a mischievous smile. "Our senorita said she wanted a kiss from Santa. Should I grant her wish?" he asked the people.

Both kids and adults alike laughed and yelled, "Yes! Kiss! Kiss!" Except for Aeron who unconsciously stood up to protest.

Yrrah eyes widen in disbelief and before she could react, she felt his lips touched her skin.

🍁💨🍁💨🍁