Chapter 1 Christmas party

"Come here Ira"

Mr. Revostov called his daughter who was standing near him talking to some executives of their company.

Ira turned her head to the right side and saw her father standing with a handsome guy whom she didn't know. She excused herself from the group of people she was having a conversation with, and slowly walked towards her father. Her father and the unknown handsome guy were talking leisurely while sipping high quality wine.

She came near them and said, "Yes, father."

Mr. Revostov nodded his head and said, "I need to introduce you to someone."

"Ira, meet Mr Giovanni Knight. He has recently come back home from USA and would be talking charge of his father's business "Knight Corporations". He is a nice gentleman. You should corporate with him. You both can get to know each other. Who knows you guys may click and become friends"

Ira scanned the guy standing in front of her subtly and put forward her hand for handshake.

Giovanni knew this woman. He had carefully studied evey powerful and rich person in this party before coming here. This woman's beauty and her accomplishments had intrigued him. He looked at her with his dark eyes took her hand in his hand and carefully raised it towards his lips and placed a light kiss there.

"It's my pleasure to meet you Miss Ira"

Ira shivered slightly and tried her best to repress her growing anxiety.

Sensing her uneasiness,a certain subtle glint flashed in the eyes of Giovanni which he hide in a second.

Ira coldly looked at him and said indifferently, "likewise."

He smiled seductively and said in his deep voice," Miss Ira would you please give me the honor to dance with a beautiful woman like you at this Christmas party?"

Few seconds passed. Ira kept staring at him expressionlessly. Her father coughed lightly and said, "That would be awesome. Go Ira. Enjoy the party"

Ira nodded and started walking towards the dance floor. Giovanni followed her behind. Their presence was so overwhelming that it was attracting the attention of every person present at the Christmas party organized by Revostov family.

Both reached the dance floor where other people were dancing together. They waited for the current music playing in the background to end.

When the new music started, Giovanni took her hand in his hands and placed it in his shoulder and slowly put his hand in her waist. Only Ira knew how difficult moments like this one were for her. She desperately wanted to push this guy away, but she couldn't.

She could feel countless stares on her of people around her. Men were feeling jealous of Giovanni, who was dancing with the cold Princess of Revostov family. In their eyes she was the epitome of perfection. Ira Revostov aka Ice Princess.

Women were jealous of Ira who was in the arms of a handsome billionaire Giovanni Knight.

These two people were what they wished to be but could never be.

Ira looked around her. Today was 24th of December. One day before Christmas. Just like every year this year too, Revostov family held perfect luxury Christmas party in thier castle. Only few people were invited to this party. These people were the cream of their countries. Only Revostov family had the power to gather all these powerful people in their castle.

In front of Revostov family they were nothing, it would not be wrong to say that currently Revostov family had the ability to overpower the government of several countries. They had their businesses in several countries and had shares in top successful companies.

Giovanni had his all attention on this woman who seemed so unapproachable even though currently she was in his arms. Ira was deep in her thoughts when the song added. She quickly shook his arms off her and took a step back. She slightly nodded towards him and slowly walked off the dance floor.

She walked to one corner and called the butler who was attending the guests but was aware of Ira. Butler John came near Ira and said, "Yes, Miss!"

Ira said, "Where's the gift I prepared for father?"

"I've placed it under the tree, Miss."

Butler John pointed towards the gigantic decorated tree placed at one side of this ballroom.

"Okay"

Ira replied, and walked out of the ballroom. She went towards one of the guestroom located in the east side of the castle. She opened the room's door,slipped in and locked the door behind her.

She carefully removed the diamond pins from her hair and entered the bathroom. She placed her hand under the tap and slowly scrubbed her hand with handwash. She scrubbed it furiously untill her white skin turned red.

"Leeches"

She slowly mumbled under her breath.

She washed her hand thoroughly and dried it. She walked out of the bathroom and entered the walk-in closet. There was a white robe hanging inside a cupboard which she opened. She slowly out her palm on the back wall of the cupboard.

"Click" sound disturbed the silence.

The back wall of the cupboard slowly moved outwards and opened like a door. Ira took a deep breath and walked through that door. It opened at the back end of the castle.

She closed the door behind her which was covered by a grass which made it impossible for others to find it.

Ira looked up at the sky. It was snowing.

"How long has it been since I've seen the stars shinning on the clear dark sky?"

She asked aloud.

"The sun rises, then it sets. Stars shine on dark sky. Clouds cover the sky. Wind blows. People take them for granted. Don't they? It's only natural. But mom I have realized that the things we take for granted are actually the most essential things. And they're precious. Just like you Mom! You were here. You were always here. With me. I thought you'd always be here. I took you for granted. And look what happened. I'm sorry mom. I learned the lesson that you wanted to teach me. But in the hard way."

She sat down on the grass and touched the snow flakes with her pale fingers.

She switched on her phone and played "Christmas in heaven".

She sang slowly.

December hasn't changed

This town looks the same

They still light that tree in the city square

There's red, white, and green shining everywhere

And I wish you were here

And I wonder

Is the snow falling down on the streets of gold?

Are the mansions all covered in white?

Are you singing with angels "Silent Night"?

I wonder (I wonder) what Christmas in heaven is like

There's a little manger scene

Down on 3rd and Main

I must've walked right by it a thousand times

But I see it now in a different light

'Cause I know you are there

And I wonder

Are you kneeling with shepherds before Him now?

Can you reach out and touch His face?

Are you part of that glorious holy night?

I wonder what Christmas in heaven is like

Is the snow falling down on the streets of gold?

Are the mansions all covered in white?

Are you singing with angels "Silent night"?

I wonder (I wonder) what Christmas in heaven is like

The song ended.

By now snow flakes had covered her long hair.

She took off the pendant that she was wearing, held it in her hands and said,

"Mom Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas. I love you and I miss you so much"