Chapter 123: Christmas Play

Chapter 123: Christmas Play Athena’s day has been filled with making appreciation calls, sending appreciation gifts, and playing around with her children and Gianna. She didn’t even waste a second thinking about Ewan. There wasn’t even room for that, as calls had poured in from everywhere, especially from her patients and associates wishing her a beautiful Christmas season—Kendra and her aunt, Stella, among them. Athena couldn’t help but feel a bit fulfilled. Right now, she was on a video call with Chelsea and Areso while Gianna and the kids lounged around her on the bed, talking and laughing as they stared at the phone screen. "We are so happy that the plan worked," Areso was saying, but Athena felt more than happy. Even now, hearing her friends—who only knew bits and pieces of her story—speak, she was almost moved to tears. Crying had become a recurrent feature for Athena today; her emotional restraint was extremely low. Ordering and sending thoughtful gifts had been emotional, just as playing with her kids around the Christmas tree had been. She wished the day wouldn’t end, and she had her circle to thank for it. She would always be grateful to them. When the call with her two friends ended and her children retired to the floor with Gianna to play some games, Athena removed her phone from its stand to check for another call, stopping when a message popped up. When she noticed it was a credit alert, she hurriedly checked her socials to see who had sent this one. She had received so much money—some from people she didn’t know, some from hidden senders. Athena wasn’t in need of money, but it felt good to be remembered today. However, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion when she saw a message from Ewan tainting her inbox. Breathing deeply for control, she opened the message, sneering when she saw its contents. "Since you won’t accept my gifts, then accept the money. If you won’t use it for yourself, then use it for the kids. Put it in your account or something; you don’t have to tell them." The amount of money he sent was several thousand dollars. Did he think she was in need of money? Athena wondered. Without giving it much thought, she sent the money to a charity organization, screenshotted the transaction as evidence, and then sent it to him. When she was sure he had received the message, she blocked his number. "Mom, is anything the problem?" Nathaniel asked, noticing his mother’s pinched expression. Athena shook her head. "Not at all. Just saw a confusing app on my phone." She checked the time. It was a few minutes past four PM. "It’s almost time for the Christmas play. Won’t you all be getting ready? Gianna, are you coming?" Gianna nodded. "Of course. What else do I have to do with my time?" She stood up from the ground where she had been playing LEGOs with the children and led them out of Athena’s room. A couple of minutes later, everyone was ready to leave for the Christmas play. Athena and Gianna made sure to dress well for the occasion, donning Christmas-themed dresses, complete with red hats. The kids were no different; they were excitedly donned in festive costumes ready for the event. In their backpacks were their costumes for the party. Nathaniel had been picked to act as one of the wise men, and Kathleen as the Virgin Mary. Now, Athena could see the mixture of excitement and nervousness brimming on their faces, and she tapped their heads fondly as they waited for Jake to drive the car out, from the garage. "You both will do marvelously well. I know it," She assured them. Kate and Nate smiled widely at their mother and nodded, determination shining in their eyes. "We promise to make you proud," they chorused. Athena chuckled. "I would rather you promise to have fun while acting." "We can do both!" Gianna laughed, just as Jake halted the car before them. "Of course you will." When they arrived at the school, the institution was teeming with children and their parents, all hurrying toward the large auditorium designated for the Christmas festivities. At the entrance, they all stood in line as a security guard, wearing a festive Christmas hat, ushered them in, checking student profiles and the identities of their guardians. Since the kidnapping incident, the security-conscious school had increased its protective measures tenfold. However, when the security guard saw Athena, he didn’t check her in. Instead, he called another guard and informed him to take her and her family into a special section of the hall. Athena exchanged glances with Gianna, aware of the murmurs going on behind her. Why the special treatment? "Why the preferential treatment?" One of the parents dared to ask. The guard shrugged his shoulders. "She is the city’s most renowned doctor, even more popular than a celebrity for her good deeds. Why wouldn’t we give her the preferential treatment?" The other parents kept quiet, suddenly realizing the differences between Athena and them. Although Athena didn’t like this separation, she nodded and took her ticket from the guard, following the second guard into the hall. When Athena entered the auditorium, her breath caught in her throat at the sight before her. The expansive ceiling was draped with cascading strands of twinkling fairy lights, creating a canopy of twinkling stars that seemed to swirl in slow motion, mimicking the night sky. Each light flickered softly, bathing the hall in a warm, inviting glow. Lush green garlands adorned the edges of the stage, skillfully intertwined with rich red ribbons and sparkling gold tinsel. Each garland was punctuated with clusters of shiny ornaments, ranging from deep red to bright metallic, glimmering under the soft light. The walls were decorated with large wreaths made of fresh pine, adorned with berries, pinecones, and golden bows, infusing the air with the scent of cedar and cinnamon. A magnificent Christmas tree stood in one corner of the hall, its towering limbs draped with strands of shimmering lights that wrapped around its majestic form. The tree was an explosion of color, decorated with a medley of ornaments—some classic, deep burgundy balls and glistening golden stars, while others sparkled in bright greens and silvers. Atop the tree, a brilliant star of crystal reflected light in every direction. Underneath, neatly wrapped gifts of various sizes, each adorned with extravagant bows and vibrant wrapping paper, created a sense of anticipation. Scattered throughout the hall were wooden tables dressed in crisp white tablecloths, each adorned with a centerpiece of glittering candles surrounded by clusters of holly and berries. The soft flicker of candlelight danced across the room, casting gentle shadows that invoked a sense of warmth. The stage was framed by festooned lights that hung like gentle snowflakes, illuminating the backdrop where children’s drawings of winter scenes and holiday cheer were showcased. Enormous candy canes and oversized ornaments dangled from the ceiling, giving the ambiance a playful, whimsical feel. Seating areas were carefully arranged, each chair adorned with festive red covers and golden sashes that mirrored the colors of the season. The atmosphere resonated with soft Christmas melodies playing in the background, enhancing the sense of holiday magic that enveloped the gathering. As Athena walked further in, she saw groups of children, dressed in colorful costumes, buzzing with excitement. Their laughter softened her heart, making her feel connected to the spirit of the season. It was a scene straight out of a storybook—an enchanting space where joy and celebration intertwined, filling her with a sense of wonder and nostalgia. "Wow..." She breathed in awe at the same moment as her children and Gianna. "Doctor Athena, please this way..." The second guard indicated, cutting their appreciation short. Athena nodded and followed him to the best section of the hall, which had only a handful of rows of seats and provided a spectacular view of the podium. There were just a few parents there, and when she finally reached the row with only one person present, she shrunk back as she noticed who it was. Ewan.