It was the 21st day of December and the entire atmosphere smelt like Christmas already. The decorations in the restaurant were a sight to behold, in every corner, big or small, and even on the ceiling; the entire five star restaurant was covered in lights and tinsel. There were balloons and candles on the tables as well.

Five hundred thousand lights strung along the ceiling, walls and Christmas trees, with teeny scenes like Santa in his sleigh placed on the different counters. The place was half filled with people but yet it was quiet; that is if you take aside the soothing Christmas music playing in the background, speaking about the birth of Christ, which was what the celebration was all about after all.

Charlotte sat down patiently at one of the tables, it seemed like she was the only person sitting alone in the restaurant but it didn’t bother her, she knew he would be here. He had no reason to bail on her on their first date in the past one month, especially not four days before Christmas. She had a special feeling in her guts about this Christmas, she believed it will be the best she has had but she couldn’t exactly say why.

Agreed, their relationship hasn’t been what it used to be in the past two months, but since he asked her to meet him here today, things were probably going to get better henceforth. Charlotte was curious, he asked her out four days before Christmas, was he planning to propose to her?

Well, she had been expecting the question for the past six months now, but the day was taking too long to come. Maybe this was finally the day she had been waiting for, maybe he would pop the big question tonight. She was willing to say yes without any form of hesitation or delay, she was madly in love with him, and the desire to bear his last name and be the mother of his child hadn’t died since the first day she became his girlfriend.

She had been dating him for two long years now and even though there were small fights between them lately, mostly because he wasn’t giving her attention and was always coming up with excuses, she still had hope for them.

Charlotte placed her elbows on the table and caressed the small decorated flower in the middle of the table, the restaurant was special to her because it was where they met the first time, so she expected that this was an auspicious place to put a ring on her finger, why else would he suddenly call her here?

The twenty-three year old lady was wearing a red strapless gown that revealed her beautiful collarbones, her smooth pale looking skin and those lovely feminine shoulders. She had even taken time to arrange her frontals, she had natural long eyelashes and beautiful cat eyes that would get any man to stare twice.

With large lips that could make any gender crave kisses and a stuck out nose, her chubby cheeks complimented her jawbone. She had a bit of forehead there but it wasn’t that bad, with bunny teeth that was easily cognizable, especially when she smiles; that beautiful and breathtaking smile of hers. Olivia would always say that she had a contagious smile, so if Charlotte was happy, everyone around her would share the same feeling.

Charlotte caught the scent of that masculine cologne and she didn’t need a seer to tell her that he was here, she wouldn’t mistake his scent for anyone, it was unique and special. She could tell he was around and her eyes began to search curiously for him.

And then she caught a glimpse of him with a turn of face, she turned back in that direction immediately and saw him approaching her from the left door of the restaurant. Whoever told the engineer that it was okay for the building to have three exits on different sides?

A smile crawled up her face the moment she saw him walking up to her; of course he knew which table to find her, it was their favorite spot and she called for a reservation the moment she got his message the previous day.

Charlotte considered herself an eight over ten, but with Josh by her side, she was a ten. He was a handsome Irish young man, who looked good in a hat, but he wasn’t in a hat today, rather he had come in a gray colored Italian suit; that didn’t make him look any less good, he was totally rocking that outfit.

Charlotte could tell that there was something different about him, something had changed about him. Was it the vigor and energy he used to have for events like this? Something was off about him today.

“Hey,” Josh said almost in a whisper as he approached her, and then he took a seat on the other side of the table.

That was weird, yes he was an Irish gentleman and he was usually calm but a simple hey was a bit too boring, especially from him. He didn’t even call her babe or smile like he would usually do.

“Hi, I thought we agreed on seven?” Charlotte teased over his lateness, ignoring his behavior. She had her eyes fixed on his breast pocket to see if she could catch a glimpse of a ring box or something, she had to be right about this.

“Sorry about that, I got caught up with something.” He replied coldly. “There is nothing on your table,” he added as he noticed she hadn’t made any orders.

She furrowed her eyebrows and scoffed. “You know very well that I don’t place orders till I see you, if I wanted to drink by myself, I would stay at home and do it,” she grumbled.

Why was he acting like a complete stranger today? What was wrong with him? He had changed more than she imagined or he was just pretending to be.

“Yeah, I forgot. Well, I don’t think you would have to wait for me anymore,” he said as he slowly locked his suit cuffs that were coming off.

“I know, you are here now, so I will make an order,” she replied solemnly and then she smiled.

“No Charlotte, that isn’t what I was implying. I mean that you wouldn’t have to wait for me anymore, because this is going to be our last date,” he announced.

Charlotte, who was about to call out to the waiter, paused and turned back to him with a puzzled face, she looked like she had not caught what he said. She dropped the menu and pushed her seat closer to hear him properly.

“Sorry, what?” she asked in confusion. Charlotte was really hoping that it wasn’t what she was thinking, it better not be!!

“Yes, actually… that is why I called you here. I am sorry to break this to you, I thought it would be more polite if I did it in person and at the same spot we started, we can't continue this relationship, Charlotte… it is over,” he announced to her.

“What?” Charlotte uttered in a whisper, she could barely even hear herself. Her eyes dilated and it felt like the blood in her veins had stopped flowing, maybe her heart stopped beating as well. Today wasn’t the first of April, was it? Like, this has to be a joke right?

“Hahaha, very funny.” Charlotte laughed nervously, while silently praying for this to be a joke.

Josh sighed and looked down, and then he sat upright and took her hands on the table. “I am sorry Charlotte, but this is no joke. I have given it a lot of thought and this thing between us just can’t work, we both have to call it quits.”

“What? No, no Josh!! I disagree with you!!” she half-yelled. At this moment, she didn’t care who was looking and how the people around were reacting, it was here and now that mattered.

“It is not up for discussion, my mind is made up, Charlotte, now please accept my decision and don’t make a scene out here.” Josh said with pleading eyes.

“If this is a joke, stop it Josh!! This isn’t funny at all. Look, I know we have had our disagreements lately, but it doesn’t call for a break-up, we could work this out, please just hear me out… you can't end our relationship just like that, you know how much I love you, Josh… please don’t do this to us!!” Charlotte begged with tearful eyes. She was trying to hold back the flood behind those lovely eyes and she doubted she could keep them back for long.

“Forgive me Charlotte, you have been one of the best things to happen to me in the past year and last few months, but I have come to terms with the fact that we aren’t meant for each other, we aren’t compatible. So I have no other choice than to say goodbye Charlotte, you have to accept my decision.” He said calmly and then he let go of her hands.

“No, no!! no! Don’t you dare do this to me, Josh!! You… You can’t do this to me, I love you Josh, I would change, I would do whatever you want me to, I would stop whatever you ask me to. Okay fine, I won't bother you for your attention, I will let you work and accept whatever time you have for me without nagging or complaining, please just don’t end what we have, I beg you Josh,” she pleaded amidst stuttering.

At this point, the tears wouldn’t be held back anymore, they were rushing down her face like a damaged tap, ruining her make-up in the process, but she cared less about any of that. Saving her relationship was all that mattered to her right now

Josh stood up and straightened his suit, he was ready to leave. Charlotte stood up as well and rushed to his side of the table, almost tripping down from her heels. She hated those things but she had worn it to please Josh, he always wished she was taller.

Charlotte grabbed his arm immediately and went down on her knees, “Please Josh, I beg you not to do this, please,” she cried, not minding that other people were staring at them right now.

Josh muttered a curse and dragged her up. “Stop embarrassing us, Charlotte. You aren’t a kid anymore, just accept my decision and move on with your life.” He said with little to no remorse in his voice, and then he let go of her.

He turned to leave and she grabbed his suit from behind immediately, but he pulled her hand off him angrily and then headed out of the restaurant while she cried and begged him. So this was it, not the special evening she was hoping for after all. From the looks of it, this would be the worst Christmas of her life.

She didn’t receive a ring here today, not even dinner with the one she loved, she received the most devastating breakup of her life. It was all over, the walls of her relationship had crumbled, and with it, her heart had shattered as well. she couldn’t believe that the very spot where her happiness had begun, was the same spot where her sorrow kicked off. She had invested her feelings and emotions for two long years, but now it had all come to an end.

“Wait, Charlotte… you are not thinking straight right now, are you sure this is what you want?” Olivia queried as she tried to stop her best friend who was all over the room grabbing items.

“Yes Ollie, I can’t stay in this city. I need to be away from everything that reminds me of him or I might just lose my mind before the year is over.” Charlotte replied as she packed the clothes into her traveling bag.

From her voice alone, anyone would be able to tell that she had cried a lot in the past few hours, her eyes were all red and swollen up, even the mascara and eye shadow she had applied wasn’t enough to hide it.

She was still in shock of how her life had gone south in just a few minutes, how a moment of joy turned into sadness and threw her into an emotional dungeon. She couldn’t believe that Josh would really do that to her, it all felt like a joke till six hours ago when it dawned on her that he wasn’t fooling around, he meant every word that he said.

She felt completely broken and so she paid for a ticket immediately, the first place that came to her mind was Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland. She had heard a lot about that place and since she had never been there before, she thought it was the best Christmas destination.

Not like she intended to celebrate Christmas this year. No, it was already ruined for her, she just wanted to get away from the toxicity of her present environment. Everything about this city reminded her of Josh, she knew spending the Christmas here in Australia would be torture.

Olivia had tried to convince her to stay over at her place but she didn’t want to. She knew she would spend the next few days crying and falling sick and she didn’t want to put that burden on her best friend, this was her cross to carry. Moreover, she didn’t even want to smell this city, she needed somewhere fresh that she had no memories or attachments to.

Rovaniemi was just the perfect destination for her, not only was it far from home but also isolated from any friends or relatives, anyone or anything that would remind her of Josh. She had just the Christmas break to heal mentally and emotionally before she is forced to resume work, and if she resumes while suffering from a heartbreak, her job could be the next thing she loses.

She walked for the accounting section in an I.C.T firm and her boss was someone who didn’t believe in stupid feelings and emotions, he wouldn’t take her break up as an excuse if she lets it get in the way of her job when she resumes in January, it was better to clear her mind off it with the next few days and what better way than crying her eyes out.

Yes, crying she believed was all part of the healing process. She needed to let it all out, she needed to acknowledge that what had happened has happened and there was nothing she could do to change it, in order to heal, she needed to admit to herself that Josh was her past and it was time to move on. She no longer has to cling on to those painful memories, nor her dreams.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t as easy as it sounds. Moving past a break-up was just as difficult as outrunning a cheater, literally. As of right now, she was broken and she believed she might probably never love again. She just had to focus on herself and build herself to be a strong independent woman with no emotions as it was the only way to avoid breakdowns like this.

It was the 22nd day of December, three days before Christmas. The good news was that she already had her papers cleared, including her Visa as she had originally been planning to visit the country over the new year, but now she might have to fast forward to that. All she needed to do was get a plane ticket, and that didn’t need days of processing, it was available in hours.

It was evening already and she knew the flight would last for around eighteen hours. Yes, a very long flight which means more time to cry and sleep while listening to songs from Justin Bieber and her favorite artist, Tatiana Manaois

“Come on girl, give this a final thought. Are you sure you would be fine over there, all by yourself?” Olivia asked for the umpteenth time.

Charlotte sighed as she locked the luggage box. “Yes Ollie, this is exactly what I need, space from everything and everyone. Don’t worry, I will try not to commit suicide, at least for you. Now will you stop trying to change my mind and help me pack because my mind is made up, the plane would be leaving in an hour, I need to be at the airport by then.” She pleaded.

Olivia growled with clenched fist. “I know… That is exactly why I have been trying to stall you, so that you miss the flight and I change your mind before the next flight is ready. I am going to miss you a lot, babes.” She confessed and hugged charlotte

Yeah, Olivia was definitely the hugger. It probably runs in the family, because her family is one of the sweetest people that Charlotte had met in her life, they had more than enough love for everyone, and it was passed on to their daughter.

“I will miss you too, girl… and honestly, I wish I didn’t have to go, at least not without you. But no worries, when your papers are available, we will go spend a holiday there together. As for today, it is just me,” Charlotte said sadly.

She was trying to sound okay so that her best friend would let her go, but she was definitely not okay. She felt a gap in her heart, a pain that wouldn’t go away. She knew she was broken, she had lost her taste buds and all she wanted to do was cry; that is if she still had any tears left in her eyes. She was dehydrated and weak, her pupils dilated and cry marks all over her face.

“Fine, I will book you a cab immediately, but promise me you will take care of yourself. That is the only condition for which I will let you leave, remember that you can’t break a bestie promise,” Olivia whined like a child.

Charlotte forced a smile and then nodded. “Alright, you have my word… I won’t commit suicide and I would try my best not to get hurt, I will eat and take my medications on time, is that enough?” she asked.

“Hmm,” Olivia hummed with a wrinkled forehead. “Fine, you can go then, bring me goodies from Rovaniemi, and have the best Christmas of your life, sister.” She said with caring eyes, and then she embraced her again. Yeah, another Olivia hug, it is quite popular at their workplace.

The plane had taken off and Charlotte was lucky to get a seat by the window side. Well, she loved to stare out into the lonely clouds whenever she was on a flight. For some reason, it was oddly satisfying to watch it. Unfortunately, it didn’t keep her mind off the pain she was feeling today, it didn’t bring her any happiness either. Yes, she was staring at the clouds but instead of its beauty and magnificence, all she could picture was fragments of her shattered heart.

She had her head relaxed backwards on the plane seat, while gnashing her teeth and sniffing to fight back the tears in her eyes. If teardrops were measured, she certainly would have buckets filled by now. If it wasn’t going to be weird, she would have loved to wear her sunglasses right here in the plane, at least they would help to hide her swollen red eyes.

As she stared at the blue clouds, she thought about Josh. His eyes were just like the clouds in the sky, like the cleanest of oceans, he was all she ever wanted, but perhaps she was wrong. Maybe she was wrong about him being the perfect guy, she just didn’t want to see his flaws, because he never had them at first.

The whole thing started a few months back when he started to ignore her, he no longer cared for her the way he used to when they started dating. He would barely call and when she did, he would end it in a hurry, claiming to be busy. What happened to all those sweet texts he used to send her very early in the morning? She would always wake up to one of those romantic texts and then fantasize over him for the whole day.

But everything was different now; no more romantic texts in the morning, no more breakfasts in bed; that is if she eventually succeeded in persuading him to sleep over. He no longer invites her over, and when she forces him to come around, he is always in a hurry to leave. There was a time when he was very obsessed with her, she could still remember when she used to plead with him to leave so that she could focus on work and not get fired by a boss who didn’t believe in love.

What happened to all those times? What happened to those times when he couldn’t stay a whole day without hearing her angelic voice? When he needed her to reassure him that she loved him every hour? What happened to those long midnight calls that they used to have? How he was always eager to make love to her.

She understood that things wouldn’t be like that forever, but why so suddenly? It all began a few months ago, when it felt like he had suddenly stopped caring. She knew that something happened but she couldn’t tell what it was. She had suspected that he was seeing someone else, he no longer even allows her to touch his phone, let alone open it. He had changed his passcode and wouldn’t give her the new one.

She had confronted him over his change in behavior and he got mad at her for accusing him of cheating, he used that as an excuse to avoid her for a whole month. She would call but he wouldn’t answer, and when he does, he would claim to be busy and ask her not to bother him.

How could she be stupid to not read the signs all that time? The problem wasn’t her, he was the problem. For some reason, he no longer wanted her, he just needed a valid reason to break up with her, and when he failed to sever ties with her after the infidelity accusation against him, he knew he had to get the job done one way or the other.

And so he waited till a few days ago, and then he made his intentions clear. He no longer wanted her, he was done with her, and what exactly was his reason for breaking up? That they weren’t compatible!! Really, they weren’t compatible and he showered her with love for a year and six months? They weren’t compatible and he made love to her countless times, he made her feel like a queen, like she was the one for him. He placed himself at a place of high value in her life and then he left. Why bother coming into her life if he was going to leave? Why make her love him so much if he was going to shatter that very same heart she used in loving him?

Charlotte wanted answers to all these questions as the pool of tears streamed down her eyes, she continuously wiped her face dry with a handkerchief which was now soaking wet, but she wasn’t running out of tears anytime soon. Just like the countless nights she had spent loving him, those tears kept flowing.

“You can have mine, and he is an asshole for making you cry.” A feminine voice jolted her out of her thoughts. It was tender yet posh, the accent and intonation, sounded like someone from a wealthy and sophisticated background.

Charlotte turned to the lady on the next seat, she thought the lady had been sleeping earlier, she must have disturbed her sleep.

“I am so sorry, I didn’t… I didn’t mean to wake up,” she said immediately with a genuine apologetic expression.

“It is fine,” the lady said and handed her a fresh handkerchief. “Come on, dry your tears, no man is worth it.” She added.

Charlotte forced a smile and accepted her act of kindness. “Thank you,” she replied almost in a whisper as she sniffed in. She wasn’t used to getting such compassion from strangers, especially her gender. If it came from men, then ninety percent of the time, it was because they wanted to get in her pants.

“So tell me, who is this asshole, and what did he do to you?” she spoke elegantly.

Charlotte chuckled dryly, she loved this lady’s intonation, she obviously wasn’t from around, or she had taken a lot of lectures from childhood.

“He is my boyfriend, we have been together for two years now and suddenly, he asks me out on a date and tells me it is over, the most painful part is that he doesn’t have a reason for the break-up, he just decided that we are over,” she narrated while cleaning her face, she was trying her best to not break down again as she spoke.

“Men, right? They are all a bunch of idiots, that is why I ain’t marrying any bastard, they can all kiss my royal ass.” She spat and Charlotte chuckled.

“You seem to have had your fair share of heartbreak from that gender, do you mind telling me about it, maybe that would help me keep my mind off him,” Charlotte requested.

“Sure, I have healed already so talking about them isn’t a problem. I am sure you would feel the same way soon, I have had encounters with men who only want me for what they have to gain from me, none of them actually loved me for who I am. One of them had the guts to say I was an arrogant bitch behind my back, and I did good to kick his broken ass out of my house.” She narrated.

“Oh,” Charlotte uttered with widened eyes, trying not to laugh. This lady sounded like a complete badass, she loved her vibes. “Good thing you dealt with them folks,” she added.

“Oh yeah, no one messes with the Princess. You should learn to do that too, don’t let any of those scumbags hurt your feelings, ensure to put them in their place and don’t give your all in relationships. They are just going to use you and then break your spirit before moving on.” The lady advised with clenched fist

“Copy that, I am Charlotte by the way.” Charlotte said immediately.

“Nice to meet you Charlotte, I am Tiana by the way, and before you ask, yes it is my real name,” she replied in a whisper while staring around like she was scared of someone hearing her.

Charlotte couldn’t help but chuckle, this lady was funny. “Beautiful name, are you heading to Rovaniemi?” she asked.

“Yes, unfortunately, my driver would pick me up at the airport. Father insists I spend the Christmas season at home, someone needs to be around to teach big brother to behave.”

“Oh, I see… boys right?” Charlotte whispered.

Tiana giggled. “Yeah, although he is more of a rebel, so tell me… is Rovaniemi your last bus stop, or you hopping onto another flight?” she queried.

“Oh… yeah, it is my final destination. I don't know exactly what I am looking for, going there for the first time, but I hope I find it.” Charlotte answered.

“Believe me; you wouldn’t regret your stay here. Since it is just for fun and not business, I would suggest you go out at night and visit one of the bars. Lapland had the sexiest bartenders, make sure to use protection,” Tiana whispered into her ears and Charlotte smiled shyly.

“I will, thanks again for this,” she said and waved the handkerchief in the air with a smile on her face, the first genuine smile since the night Josh crashed her.

She hoped this trip would end up helping her mood. For the sake of her job and her mental health, she needed to heal from this heartbreak.