Ch.54
The snow outside fell thicker by evening, blanketing the city in soft white. Through the restaurant's wide glass windows, the view of the Swiss Alps shimmered under the moonlight so breathtaking, almost unreal.
The Valens had reserved the entire top floor of the Mont Blanc d'Or, one of Switzerland's most exclusive fine-dining restaurants. Its chandeliers glowed like captured stars, and the quiet murmur of classical music drifted through the air.
Selene adjusted the cream coat around her shoulders as she walked in with her family. Every head in the room turned slightly she looked effortlessly elegant in a white turtleneck dress and pearl earrings, her hair neatly tied back.
But someone else was already there waiting and standing by the table, dark coat on, sharp in his posture, eyes unreadable.
Jaxen...
He had changed into a black suit and turtleneck, looking like he walked straight out of a luxury magazine. His presence was commanding, quiet yet magnetic.
When Selene's grandmother entered, Jaxen immediately stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Grandma, you look radiant this evening."
"Oh my, such a sweet-talker," her grandmother said, blushing slightly while her husband laughed heartily beside her.
"Ah, this boy again," her grandfather teased.
"No wonder the girls in Zurich keep asking if he's taken."
Jaxen only smiled, his gaze slipping briefly toward Selene.
"I suppose I'm... focused on one thing right now."
Her grandfather smirked knowingly.
"Focused, huh? You sound like a man with a mission."
Selene's father cleared his throat from behind, his expression unreadable.
"Let's not turn dinner into a matchmaking event."
"Yes sir," Jaxen said politely, his tone respectful yet laced with quiet charm.
"I'm just here to enjoy dinner with everyone. Especially with Mr. and Mrs. Valen, and of course, Grandpa."
Her grandfather grinned, clearly amused.
"Don't worry, you have my vote."
Selene's father sighed deeply while her mother tried to stifle a laugh behind her wine glass.
"At least he's polite," she whispered.
As dinner began, warmth filled the air soft laughter, the clinking of silverware, and the scent of roasted truffles and wine.
Jaxen sat beside Selene, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
She didn't protest... though her heartbeat did.
While he barely spoke to anyone else, his attention to her was undeniable. When her drink ran low, he refilled it quietly. When the waiter brought soup, he gently adjusted her napkin before she could. When a draft of cold air passed through the hall, he subtly shifted his chair closer to block it.
He didn't say much, but his actions spoke enough... you're the only one I care to protect.
Selene, composed as always, glanced sideways.
"Can you stop what you're doing?"
"What did I do?" he replied softly, turning his head toward her.
"Just stop, I'm warning you."
"But I liked warnings." Jaxen said simply.
Selene blinked, momentarily at a loss for words. She quickly sipped her wine to hide her flustered expression.
This guy! Really?
Her grandmother caught the small interaction, smirking behind her glass.
"They look quite good together, don't they?"
Her grandfather nodded approvingly.
"Like two characters from a painting."
Her father, meanwhile, muttered, "Like two people who are sitting too close."
"Let them be. They're young." Her mother chuckled softly.
Later that evening, after dinner, the family moved outside onto the restaurant's private balcony where fairy lights twinkled above and the city below sparkled like starlight.
Selene stood quietly by the railing, watching the snow fall in slow, graceful flakes.
It was peaceful... too peaceful until a familiar voice spoke beside her.
"Cold?" Jaxen asked, his tone calm but carrying that teasing warmth she'd gotten used to.
"I'm fine," she replied quickly, even though her breath puffed visibly in the air.
Without another word, he slipped off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
Selene blinked, startled. "You didn't have to—"
"I wanted to," he said, flashing that easy grin. "Besides, you look better in it."
"You're so full of yourself!" Her heart gave an uninvited jump.
"Maybe," he said, leaning on the railing beside her.
"But I'm also right."
Selene rolled her eyes, trying to hide the smile forming on her lips.
"Do you always talk like that!?"
"Only to girls who pretend they don't like hearing it."
She gave him a glare the kind that usually scared her classmates but Jaxen just laughed softly, unfazed.
"You're so annoying," she muttered.
He tilted his head, pretending to think.
"Hmm... that's one way to say you missed me."
"I didn't!" she blurted out, cheeks heating.
"Sure," he said easily, grinning wider. "Keep denying it."
"Stop flirting with me old man!"
"Handsome old man," he teased, "I'll stop once you stop looking cute when you're mad."
Her jaw dropped a little, half flustered, half offended.
"You— ugh!"
He only laughed again, clearly enjoying every second of her frustration.
"You're cute when you're mad. Reminds me of that time at the car."
Her eyes widened.
"Jaxen!"
"See? Just like that."
Before she could throw another comeback, her grandfather's voice called from behind.
"Oi, lovebirds! We're taking pictures!"
Selene groaned.
"Grandpa, seriously—"
But Jaxen was already grinning ear to ear.
"Guess that's our cue, babe."
"Stop calling me that!" she hissed, shoving his arm lightly.
He leaned closer, his voice dropping playfully.
"Can't help it, babe."
That night, as the Valen family laughed and posed for photos under the falling snow, Jaxen stood beside Selene his hand brushing hers once, just barely, as the camera flashed.
And though Selene told herself it didn't mean anything...
Her flushed cheeks and shy smile told another story.
The next morning, the pale sunlight streamed through Selene's window, spilling across the cozy wooden interior of the Valen family's private villa. Outside, the Alps stretched endlessly white, pristine, and dazzling under the soft winter glow.
Selene yawned and stretched, still wrapped in her thick blanket. When she finally peeked out the window, she gasped a little. The world outside looked like a painting snow-capped peaks, glimmering frost, and a few birds perched on the fence.
A knock sounded on her door.
"Miss Valen," came one of the maids.
"Your grandfather said everyone will be going skiing today."
Skiing.
Selene's excitement quickly turned to nervousness. She had never tried skiing before.
By the time she came down, wrapped in a pale beige winter jacket and earmuffs, her family was already outside, talking and laughing as they prepared the gear.
And there, by the snowmobiles in a black turtleneck, ski jacket, and messy hair from the cold wind stood Jaxen.
The moment he saw her, that teasing smile appeared.
"Well, well. Look who finally decided to grace the snow with her presence," he said, walking over.
"Don't start. I'm in a good mood, don't ruin it." Selene warned, already sensing trouble.
"I'm not starting anything, babe." he said innocently, eyes glinting.
"I'm just saying, I didn't know you'd actually ski in that outfit. You look too pretty to fall face-first in the snow."
"Then I won't fall," she replied with a raised brow.
"And last warning! If you keep calling me in that name I will kick your head in between. Got it?"
"Not this, babe!"
"One."
"Okey! Haha. I'll stopped. But, I won't let you fall— I promise."
He chuckled, picking up a pair of skis and kneeling in front of her to adjust the bindings.
"What now?"
"Wait, hold still," he murmured, fingers brushing lightly against her boots.
"Wouldn't want you slipping before you even start."
Selene felt her heartbeat stumble.
"I can do that to myself."
"I know," he said softly, looking up at her. "But let me help."
Their eyes met, his gaze warm despite the cold air. For a moment, she forgot to breathe.
What on earth is this guy doing! Selene's thought.
"Jaxen! Stop flirting and teach her properly!" her grandfather called out from afar, laughter in his voice.
Jaxen just smirked.
"Yes, Grandpa," he replied, deliberately loud, making Selene's cheeks burn.
When they started skiing, Selene's first few attempts were clumsy. She kept losing her balance, flailing her arms. Jaxen was always there steadying her waist, catching her before she fell.
"Relax," he murmured near her ear.
"Lean forward a little. Don't fight the snow~ flow with it."
She tried again, more focused this time. But when she accidentally turned too sharply, she stumbled backward straight into Jaxen's chest.
He caught her instantly, his arm wrapped tightly around her waist.
"See?" he whispered, voice low and amused.
"Told you I'd catch you."
Her heart was racing, her face so close to his that she could see her reflection in his eyes.
"Y-You can let go of me now," she stammered, trying to look away.
"I could," he murmured, "but I'm quite comfortable."
"You!"
He laughed, helping her straighten.
"Fine, fine. You're adorable when you're mad, you know that?"
She glared again, but this time her lips curved up slightly.
"Keep talking, and I might 'accidentally' push you down the slope."
"I'll take my chances."
They spent the rest of the morning like that laughter echoing across the snow, Selene slowly improving, Jaxen always nearby to guide her.
When they reached a quiet slope overlooking the valley, Selene stopped to catch her breath. The sky was bright, snowflakes glittering around them like tiny stars. The silence was peaceful, the only sound coming from the distant wind and the crunch of snow beneath their boots.
"Not bad for your first time," Jaxen said, standing beside her, his voice low but warm.
Selene smiled proudly, cheeks flushed from the cold.
"Told you I wouldn't fall."
"You didn't," he said, his tone softening. "But I did."
"You what?" She turned, brow furrowing.
He chuckled under his breath, brushing a few snowflakes off his jacket.
"Nothing."
But before Selene could reply, her ski tip caught the edge of the snowbank. She gasped, losing her balance.
"Ah—!"
In a blink, Jaxen reached for her his arm wrapping around her waist as he pulled her close. Their combined weight made them stumble, tumbling softly into the snow.
The world seemed to spin, then stilled.
Selene blinked, realizing she was pinned beneath him, his face just inches away. His breath fanned across her cheek warm, steady, laced with the faint scent of mint and winter air. The tip of his nose brushed hers, and for a second, time froze.
Her heartbeat thundered in her chest. His gaze flicked from her eyes to her lips, lingering there a silent question hanging between them.
Neither of them moved.
"Old man..." she whispered, voice barely audible.
He leaned in ever so slightly, his tone low and teasing, "Maybe you did fall... just a little."
Her lips parted, her face heating she couldn't tell if it was from the cold or him.
And just when the world seemed to fade into white silence—
"Selene! Jaxen! Lunch time!" her grandmother's voice echoed from below.
They both froze.
Jaxen exhaled, a half-suppressed laugh escaping him. Selene's face went crimson as she quickly pushed him off.
"We should go— I mean, lunch—" she stammered, brushing snow from her jacket.
He stood, offering his hand with that infuriatingly confident smirk.
"Next time, I'm choosing the timing."
"Dream on," she muttered, ignoring his hand and trudging off down the slope, though her ears were bright red.
Jaxen just chuckled softly, brushing snow off his gloves as he followed her. His smile lingered in amused, warm, and just a little lovesick.
Her blush were enough to melt the coldest Swiss snow.
By the time Selene and Jaxen made it down the slope, her cheeks were still flushed half from the cold, half from something she didn't dare admit.
The family was already gathered at a cozy mountainside restaurant, the scent of melted cheese and roasted meat filling the air. The place had a panoramic view of the Alps and a sunlight streaming through the glass walls, the snow outside glimmering like diamonds.
"Finally! The lovebirds arrived," her grandfather announced the moment he saw them.
"Grandpa!" Selene protested, glaring lightly as she slid into her seat.
But her grandmother raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with her attempt to hide her embarrassment.
"Lovebirds indeed, look at your faces! Red as roses."
"I— It's just the cold," Selene stammered, fumbling with her gloves.
"Sure, sweetheart," her mother teased, sipping her hot chocolate with a knowing smile.
Across the table, Jaxen only smirked, utterly relaxed.
"She almost fell again," he said casually. "Good thing I was there."
Selene snapped her head toward him, narrowing her eyes.
"You're enjoying this too much."
"I'm enjoying you not falling," he said smoothly, leaning back in his chair.
Her father, who had been quietly observing, gave him a sharp look the kind that said, I'm watching you.
But even he couldn't entirely hide the corner of his lips twitching upward.
Grandfather Valen chuckled heartily, slapping his cane lightly against the floor.
"Good reflexes, boy! Maybe you'll make a fine skiing partner for our Selene after all."
"I'd like that," Jaxen replied with a polite nod, though the teasing glint in his eyes didn't go unnoticed.
Selene groaned softly, burying her face in her scarf while her family laughed around her.
Even she couldn't hide the faint smile tugging at her lips.
When New Year came, the whole family traveled down to the city to join the winter festival. The streets were alive with lights, music, and laughter. Fireworks burst above the snowy rooftops, painting the night sky in hues of gold and red.
Selene stood with her family, bundled in her scarf, watching the lights reflect in her eyes. Beside her was Jaxen, hands in his pockets, smiling softly as he glanced her way.
"Another year," he murmured, his voice barely audible under the fireworks.
"Maybe next time, I'll make a wish too."
Selene tilted her head slightly. "And what would that be?"
He smiled faintly, eyes never leaving hers. "You'll find out soon enough."
Before she could respond, her grandfather pulled everyone in for a family photo full of laughter and chaos filling the air.