"This is Lin, leave a message after the beep. Beep... Lin, it's Chen Hao. Calling to tell you about the Christmas party tonight. Remember yesterday you told me to rain-check? Well, here's the check. Dress code is black tuxedos and masks. Merry Christmas, man!"
Lin rolled over in bed, squinting at his alarm clock. "It's 7:00 AM and it's a guy's voice waking me up," he muttered with a defeated look. Then his eyes went wide. "Wait... 7:00?! I overslept! I'm supposed to pick up Sis and Mom!"
He lunged out of bed and in no time, he was in the bathroom brushing his teeth with one hand while pulling on his trousers with the other. He snatched his coat off the rack, practically fell out the door, and scrambled down the stairs.
He flagged a taxi before his feet even hit the ground.
"Where to?" the driver asked.
Lin paused, gasping for air. I've got to do more cardio, he thought. "Airport! And fast!"
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. His heart sank.
10 Missed Calls: Mom (xoxo)
"Step on it!" he yelled.
The tires screeched as the taxi pulled up to the terminal. Lin didn't even wait for the car to fully stop. He threw a wad of cash at the driver to cover the fare and bolted toward the waiting area. He scanned the crowd, panic rising. "Where are they? Where are they?!"
Holding his phone with a shaking hand, he dialed his mom. A phone rang and it came from right behind him. He turned around. His mom was standing there, looking remarkably unbothered, while his sister stood nearby.
"Where's the car, Lin?" his mom asked, her voice dangerously calm. Before he could explain the taxi situation, he noticed a third person standing behind his sister.
The world seemed to go quiet. The girl was stunning. Her dress was sleek, highlighting every curve, and her skin looked as smooth as milk. Her hair caught the terminal's fluorescent lights, glowing with a soft shimmer.
"Oh, I forgot to mention," his sister said, "this is my friend, Yada. She's joining us for the family dinner."
Yada stepped closer. She smelled like a garden of fresh flowers. "Nice to meet you," she said softly. "I hope I'm welcome in your home."
I'd be a crazy man to tell her she isn't, Lin thought. "Hurry up!" his mom snapped.
They loaded the luggage back into a taxi and headed for the apartment. Yada ended up sitting right next to Lin. She didn't seem interested in small talk; she just put her headphones on and stared out the window. But Lin couldn't focus. She was sitting so close he could feel the warmth of her shoulder, and that floral scent was making it hard to think straight.
The taxi pulled up to the apartment complex. "We're here, ma'am," the driver announced.
They hopped out and began the struggle with the luggage. Just like the days before, the walkway was frozen. Lin walked behind the group, watching his mom and Yada navigate the slippery path. He felt a sudden pang of anxiety.
Why does it feel like something is about to go wrong?
The tension in the air wasn't just the cold; it was the looming shadow of his mother's disapproval. As soon as the apartment door clicked shut behind them, the "something wrong" manifested in a swift, sharp sting.
Smack!
"Ow!" Lin yelped, clutching the back of his head.
"Two hours, Lin! We stood there like abandoned luggage because you were dreaming!" his mom barked, though she was already busy untying her scarf.
Lin rubbed the sore spot, looking at her with a lopsided, apologetic grin. "I know, I know. Merry Christmas to you too, Mom."
His sister, Xai, let out a melodic laugh as she dropped her bags. She scanned the living room with a critical eye. "Wow, Lin. I see you've kept the place exactly the same since my last visit. Same dust, same crooked picture frames. It's like a time capsule of bachelorhood."
"It's called 'aesthetic consistency,' Xai," Lin retorted, though he was already heading toward the kitchen to hide his embarrassment.
In the evening Xai and Yada took over the kitchen, the scent of ginger and garlic soon filling the air. Lin acted as the sous-chef, chopping vegetables and trying and failing not to stare at Yada. She had tied her hair up, exposing the elegant line of her neck.
Then, disaster struck.
Lin reached for a heavy pot of vegetable stock just as Yada turned with a tray. They collided. The pot tilted, and a wave of warm, savory liquid drenched the front of Yada's dress.
"Oh no! I'm so sorry!" Lin stammered, grabbing a towel.
"It's okay, it was an accident," Yada said, though she was shivering from the dampness.
Xai grabbed Yada's arm. "Don't worry, I've got a spare dress in my suitcase. Lin, you're a klutz! Come on, Yada, let's get you cleaned up in the bathroom."
"Hey, Xai!" Lin called out as they retreated. "Don't take too long! The rest of the dinner is going to burn!"
A few minutes later, Xai wandered back into the kitchen to check the stove. Thinking the room was clear, Lin slipped into his bedroom to change out of his own splashed clothes. He took off his damp shirt, tossing it onto the chair. He was just reaching for the button of his trousers, turning toward the bathroom, when the door creaked open.
Yada stepped out.
She was completely naked, a towel draped over her shoulder as she dried her hair. Time froze. Lin's breath hitched in his throat. He couldn't help it, his eyes traced the curves he had only imagined earlier. Her breasts were plump and firm, her nipples a delicate, soft pink against her milk-white skin.
Just as his gaze began to wander lower, his brain finally kicked into gear. He slammed his hands over his eyes, his face turning a shade of red.
"I... I am so sorry!" he shouted, spinning around. "Why... why are you in my room? Xai was supposed to take you to the guest room!"
"The guest room light is broken," Yada said, her voice surprisingly calm, though he heard the rustle of her quickly grabbing a robe. "Xai told me to use this one."
"Right. Right. Of course," Lin choked out, stumbling toward the door. Great. Now she definitely thinks I'm a perv. What's going on with my life today.
By the time dinner was served, the atmosphere had settled. They sat around the small table, the steam from the food rising between them.
"Before we eat," Mom said, "everyone say one thing you are thankful for this Christmas."
"I'm thankful for family," Xai said, squeezing Mom's hand.
"I'm thankful for the hospitality," Yada added, glancing briefly at Lin with a look he couldn't quite read.
Lin cleared his throat. "I'm thankful I didn't burn the house down today."
They began to eat, the conversation flowing as if the "naked incident" had never happened. But at 9:15 PM, Lin's phone buzzed aggressively. It was Chen Hao.
"Hello, don't forget, man! 10 PM sharp. Black tux, masks, and don't be late or I'm telling everyone you're still a virgin."
Lin checked the wall clock. "I have to get ready. I've got a party to attend."
"A party? On Christmas?" Mom asked, narrowing her eyes.
"I want to go!" Xai jumped in. "I haven't been to a real party in ages. Yada, you should come too!"
Yada nodded with a small smile. "I'd love to."
Lin sighed, knowing he couldn't win. "Fine. Get ready quickly." As he turned to leave, his mom called out, "Lin, where is your car? Why did we have to take a taxi earlier?"
Lin paused at the door. "Oh, that? Yeah, the engine decided to retire early. It's at the mechanic."
"You don't take care of anything!" she scolded. "Always distracted!"
"Maybe if the car felt as much pressure as I do from you, Mom, it would never dare to break down!" Lin joked, clapping back before ducking into his room to avoid a second smack.
As he pulled on his black tuxedo and adjusted his bowtie, his mind drifted. A gift. He needed a "White Elephant" gift for the party. His eyes landed on the Lay-mart bag on his dresser the salad bowl and grater.
He flashed back to the store. The crying man with the long hair. The "Get back here, you monster!" scream. He realized with a groan that he still hadn't bought the actual vegetables he needed for his own fridge, but more importantly, he had to go back to that store if he wanted a decent gift.
"I have to go back there," he whispered to his reflection. "I'm going to have to face the 'lady-man' again, aren't I?"