The Arrangement Factor (ARRANGEMENT SERIES #1)

Chapter 50

Mia's POV

The holidays had arrived, and the college campus had emptied out as students returned home for Christmas. I, too, longed to be with my family, feeling the void of their absence deeply. Missing them was like a dull ache in my heart, but I knew I couldn't go back this time. I didn't want to cast a shadow on their festive celebrations. My mother understood, though, and when she called, I could hear the warmth in her voice as she told me it was okay. Sia, my sister, scolded me for missing Christmas for the first time, but even she grasped why I needed to be away, especially from my father.

Alone in my hostel room, the emptiness of the holiday season seemed to engulf me. It was a stark contrast to the joy that Christmas usually brought. Then, like a beacon of light, Daniel arrived to spend the day with me after my exams. He could see the sadness in my eyes, and even though I wasn't ready to share the details of my past with him, he understood that I was feeling alone without my family.

"You know, You don't have to tell me anything if you're not ready, Mia," he said, his caring demeanour putting me at ease. "But what's making you sad right now?"

He is such a caring and sweet man, I can't control my feelings for him.

I let out a heavy sigh. "I just feel so lonely here in the hostel. Everyone's gone home for Christmas."

Daniel embraced me from behind, his warmth providing comfort. "If that's the only thing weighing on your heart, love, consider it gone."

I turned to face him, curiosity in my eyes. "How can you make it disappear?"

Leaning in closer, his lips just inches away from mine, he replied, "By staying with me."

Ge was about to kiss me I asked "What??".

I moved back slightly, trying to process what he was suggesting. Is he suggesting what I am thinking he is? Was it the right time for this? Had I even thought about taking this step? So many questions raced through my mind.

"Mia, don't overthink it," Daniel urged, his gaze intense. "I've wanted to ask you this since the day you accepted my offer. But I wanted to wait for the right time, for you to be ready. Now, I can't wait any longer. You're all alone here, and I'm there. Why not be together and support each other?"

I was hesitant but intrigued. "Daniel, you do realise that this means..."

"Don't dwell on it too much," he interrupted with a reassuring smile. "We're already together most of the time, either here or at my place. Please, say yes. We only have 3.5 months left, and I want to make every second count."

With a hesitant smile, I finally agreed, "Okay."

"Okay?" Daniel asked, seeking confirmation.

"Yes!" I said, smiling back at him. He didn't waste any time; he pulled me into a passionate kiss. It was a kiss that left me breathless, not just metaphorically, as we broke apart momentarily to catch our breath, only to dive back in with renewed intensity. Things escalated from there, and, well, you know how these stories go nobody is a kid here.

***

It had been two wonderful weeks since I started staying with Daniel. Initially, I'd packed my bags for just December, fully expecting to return when my next semester began.

However, these two weeks had been pure bliss. Daniel was turning out to be an incredibly caring man, and I was getting to know him better each day. He even knew how to cook, a bonus that made me appreciate him even more. It wasn't just his good looks that made him every girl's dream; it was his thoughtfulness and the loving gestures he displayed.