• F O U R T E E N •

"I need your help.." March whispered in Natalia's ear. Natalia was decorating the Christmas tree with Liana and Alessia with a bright smile and happy glint in her eyes. She looked at March in confusion when she seeked her help.

"Can I help you a little bit late.. I want to complete the decoration.." Natalia pouted with a baby face

March just shook her head in denial "as much as I hate to take away your happiness it's important..."

Natalia pleaded with her eyes for a little while but then she agreed and both walked towards a corner of the house. The house was decorated in a traditional Christmas Eve type. Christmas ornaments, stockings, holiday accents were spread all around the house. The house was covered with flowers and bows all around. The big chandelier was decorated with Christmas wreaths and garlands. The swag, centerpiece and faux florals were decorated on the stairs and pillars.

Natalia had for the first time witnessed such kind of environment on Christmas. She had a childish gleam in her eyes when she talked about how she used to research about it but never was able to do it in real. It was one of her wishes and Ashton did complete it. Like he promised he would.

"Natalia Ashton's dad's gonna arrive.." March said in a low voice

"It's great, Isn't it??" Natalia said in confusion

"No it's not.. They don't get along with each other..."

"Why do all Billionaires don't get along with their fathers.." Natalia murmured, March giggled on her remark

"Well.. None of the billionaire's around you get along with their fathers..."

Natalia chuckled "So what I need to do.."

"Ashton can never deny you.. You just need to convince him to have dinner with the whole family including his father..." March said Natalia's eyes went wide in shock

She instantly nodded her head in no but March nodded in a yes

"He won't agree.." She stated

"He will.." She was sure. If in this entire world someone was able to convince Ashton David Cross, than it was Natalia and before her it was Nicholas.

Natalia was terrified beyond words. She couldn't belive her own ears. She can't be Ashton's weakness but a little part of her was happy to know someone in the world was there for whom she will be mattered. But that little part of her was still unknown to her.

Alessia announced Mark, Ashton's father won't able to make it to the dinner due to an emergency in hospital. Natalia sighed in relief with the news. The family walked towards the dining area to have dinner. Aaron and Austin sat beside each other, being the best buddy ever. March and Allen sat across them. March and Austin stole some glances which didn't went unnoticed by Allen but he kept num. Aaron on the other hand was busy discussing the dish Alessia cooked for the dinner. Being a chef, food has always been his weakness.

Ashton and Natalia sat beside each other in an awkward silence. The tension between them grew thicker than they thought. They ate the food in silence. Liana saw the discomfort when ever their arms brushed against each other. She thought of clearing the air and make things easier for everyone.

"So Ashton, tell us about your women.." Liana said feeding her a spoon full of brown rice

Everyone's head snapped in Ashton's direction. His friends had a worried look on their faces while Natalia's body stiffen when asked about her. Alessia too waited for the answer. Ashton opened his mouth to say something but then they heard a voice from behind and his mouth went dry.

"I'm sorry I'm late.. Finally I made it.." Mark said appearing in the dining area with a pleasant smile on his face. He roamed his eyes around the table and his eyes landed on his son and the women beside him. Ashton didn't spare a glance at his father. He had a stony face and anger bursting out in eyes. He clenched his fists in anger.

Alessia initiated the conversation trying to lower the tension in the atmosphere. "I thought you won't be able to make it.." She said hesitantly signalling mark to sit beside her.

"You lied mom.." Ashton gritted teeth, his jaw clenched and body stiff.

Everyone around the table knew there wasn't any emergency at hospital for Mark. If they wouldn't had lied Ashton would have been gone by now. They wanted a perfect family dinner. Mark was trying hard to get Ashton back in his life but Ashton can't just move on like his father did. The memories of his part haunt him and he can do nothing just get colder day by day.

Ashton rise from his seat but Natalia held his hand. She looked at him pleading with eyes and gave a half smile. His heart fluttered when she smiled. He could figure out there was a storm in her eyes. He instantly looked at March angrily and she just pointed her finger towards Allen. Allen immediately in act of saving himself pointed his finger towards Austin. Austin hurriedly pointed towards Aaron but Aaron didn't looked horrified.

"Dude sit.. Your women's saying it.." Aaron said cheekily while others tried to hide their smile

"Natalia can we have dinner at home.." he asked and Aaron chuckled

"Since when did you started asking.. I thought you used to only order.." Aaron said raising an eye brow while Natalia blushed lightly on the comment

"Please..." she said in a low voice and he without thinking twice sat down. Liana and Alessia gasped on his act. There's no women can bend Ashton David Cross but damn she did.

"Dida do you want any other confirmation..." Austin asked while the old lady was still in dazed. Not just Liana, Mark and Alessia but even Natalia couldn't belive herself. She had the power to hell bend Ashton David Cross.

What's the thing destiny playing this time with her...???

"So what about the marriage.." Mark asked and Natalia swallowed. She felt by marrying Ashton she's cheating on her dead lover Nicholas. She felt like she is cheating their love.

"We'll get engaged on New Year's Eve and within another week we'll get married.." Ashton said with a clenched jaw.

"why so soon... Is she pregnant or something...." Allen, Austin, Aaron including March and Natalia chocked their food while Ashton looked at his grandma in utter shock

"Geez!! No!! I feel like I've finally found my match.." He justified And Alessia giggled

"Where does she lives??" Liana asked

"at my penthouse..." he replied curtly he knew where this conversation was leading too but he needs to be calm. These were going to be frequent questions.

"With you.." Alessia questioned teasingly

"No.. I be at my Mansion.."

"Where are Natalia's pare.." before Mark could complete Ashton cut them "she is an orphan.."

Natalia swallowed hard her entire meal. The food felt like poison to her throat and the question were like knife. Each question about her made her more ashamed of herself. She lived under his roof, he saved her life giving away a large amount, even every month he give another large amount. She was an orphan in true sense. No parents in the world sell their own daughters but her mother and father, god knows who he is.

After the dinner came the gift distribution. Laina, Alessia and Mark gave their gifts to Natalia along with their blessing. Natalia felt overwhelmed by the love showered on her. Never in her life has she been showered by this much amount of love by an elder.

Aaron, Austin, Allen and March too gave out their gifts to her. She felt so much happy but at the same time she felt embarrassed she didn't even had a penny to buy gifts for any of them. Tears stung in her eyes but she refused to let them down. Few seconds later what she heard just stole her breath.

"there are gifts for everyone by Natalia too.." Ashton announced ".....Grey get the gifts from my trunk.." he ordered the servant and Natalia looked at him with greatfullness in her eyes and he shot back a nod.

Grey appeared with few bags in his hand and handover it to Ashton. "the gifts are from her don't dare think it's by me.." He said in a icy tone and others just rolled their eyes

"Learn to give gifts..." March said and snatched the bags from Ashton. She thanked her for the gift and started unpacking it.

"We should leave it's quite late..." Ashton said and others nodded their heads.

The drive back to penthouse was in complete silence but still there were lot many unsaid emotions washed on their faces. They reached quite early then earlier the traffic didn't be a hurdle this time.

"Thank you..." Natalia looked at him with gratitude

"No need..." he said nodding his head

"Even for the gifts and everything you did today... Yet my another wish came true.."

"I promised I'll fulfill all your wishes, didn't I???"

"I know... Thank you so much!!" she said and open the door but it didn't open she looked at Ashton. He had a gift in his hand wrapped with a yellow gift wrapper.

"This is for you.. Christmas gift" he said and passed her the gift she felt warm water hit her cheeks she took the gift while tears accompanied her

"You know santa gives gift and fulfill wishes of everyone on Christmas and you are my Santa..." she said wiping her tears

"I'm honored to be one... I'm honored to be your Santa until you want me to" she looked at him her forehead ceased in confusion

"You couldn't complete your studies earlier so after we get married you can join college and in future if I feel like your capable enough to take care of yourself or you have fallen in love again with someone else then I'll let you free. But only If I feel like.."

"What if I don't find any?? What if I never be able to take care of myself then..."

"then you are tied to me till eternity..."

"why do you love me so much??"

"When I'll find the answer to this question I'll definitely let you know..." he tried to said it with humor but couldn't

"I can't love you back Ashton.. Don't love me this madly..." She whimpered

Again his heart broke into Million pieces

A/N: Hello Lovies!!! Bang Bang I'm here with update.. Bang Bang here is another heartbreak lol!! The lyrics are worst but please let me know did you guyss like the chapter. The chapters getting longer and longer but I'm not alive until you vote and comment and I bet the odds against it all. Please Vote Comment And Share.