Christmas Preparations

Christmas is coming in a few days. Residents in District 36 have already started decorating their homes with Christmas ornaments. From twinkling lights, Santa figurines, reindeer figurines and more.

Young children around Amanda's house are excited for Christmas, expecting gifts from Santa. It's a tradition for children all over the world to expect gifts from a magical man dressed in red.

"I've been a good girl all this time, Santa must have given me a very nice present!" one of the girls exclaimed.

"I've been a good boy too, my mom and dad told me. I hope Santa gives me a remote control toy!"

They are eagerly waiting for the gifts they will get on Christmas Day. They believe that Santa will come and give them the gifts they want after being good children.

Amanda herself also started decorating her house with Christmas decorations. She only put up decorations in front of the door and then decorated the Christmas tree in the living room.

This was her first time decorating a Christmas tree. She had always been busy working without thinking anything about Christmas. For her in the past, any national holiday made no difference to her because she was busy with her work.

"Well... From now on I'll celebrate every celebration that I've always missed!" she said excitedly after putting up the Christmas tree.

She also took other ornaments such as colorful balls, twinkling lights and a big star that she would hang on the top of the tree.

One by one, she put up the ornaments to create a very beautiful Christmas tree, from the previous one that was so plain. She bought a fake pine tree to make it lighter for her to display and clean up. Considering there were no adult men in the house who could help lift it.

"Hufft... Look, mommy has made such a nice Christmas tree. Maybe this year I'll celebrate alone. But next year, we'll celebrate together and I'll buy a lot of presents for you," Amanda said as she rubbed her belly.

She smiled at the Christmas tree that she had worked so hard to make. For a moment, it reminded her of her childhood when she wished Santa would come and give her presents.

And when she woke up the next day, she got the same present as Kylie and Ace. A reindeer antler headband.

Even though it didn't look special because it was the same as her siblings, Amanda was still happy to get it, and so were her siblings. Thinking that Santa knew they had been good kids all along.

"Yes... At that time I still believed that Santa existed. But now that I think about it, Dad must have had a hard time finding the money to buy us presents..." she murmured softly.

After decorating her Christmas tree, Amanda planned to take a short break because for some reason she felt tired easily these days. Even when she was still working at Jhon's cafe, she sometimes took the time to sit down when there were no orders.

Where as normally she would be actively doing other work while waiting for other orders to come in.

"The longer you're in my belly , the harder it gets. But it's okay, I'll try my best to carry you until you're born..." Amanda said as she sat on the sofa and turned on the television.

The news on the television reported that there would be a snowstorm in Quespion City. It was certain that the place where she was currently living would also be affected by the snowstorm.

"It's getting colder outside every day. Luckily, I don't have to leave the house to do anything. I can stay at home, under a warm blanket and relax."

Amanda enjoyed hot chocolate with marshmellows and then watched television. She felt like she would be alone for Christmas that year. She didn't have anyone close to her that she could spend Christmas with.

Her family was far away, she didn't have any friends the same age as her in Quespion, nor could she contact Kylie.

Her younger sister must be very busy too. Actually, there were many things she wanted to tell Kylie, because so far Kylie was the only friend she could trust besides William. However, she was not sure if she could meet the woman again or not.

"If Kylie sees my pregnant state or when my son is born... She'll definitely tell mom and dad about it... It's worse if she..."

Amanda could imagine that Kylie would be very angry with her for hiding her pregnancy at this time. She could have gone straight to William for his ignorance of Amanda's current situation.

She was worried that Kylie would tell William of her whereabouts and he would immediately go looking for her.

"No... It's better that no one knows about this. Kylie is a very desperate person who will do anything to get what she and anyone deserves..." Amanda muttered as she clutched her mug of hot chocolate.

Even so, her longing for Kylie was considerable. She always felt relieved after telling her sister everything. Although she could sometimes confide in Camille, it felt very different. Kylie knew her better than anyone.

"I think it's time for me to keep everything to myself again for good."

Amanda stared at Kylie's phone number stored in her cell phone, unable to contact the woman anymore. Everything had changed, her situation was very difficult for her family to accept. Avoidance was the only way she could move on.

At the same time, the woman Amanda kept thinking about really came looking for her. As she was back on assignment in Zondalia for a few days, she took the opportunity to stay at Amanda's house instead of the hotel.

Carrying her black bag, Kylie pressed the bell of Amanda's old house in Zondalia. She pressed it several times, but there was no answer from inside.

"Is she at work?" Kylie wondered.

Kylie checked her cell phone and tried calling Amanda.

"The number you have dialed is not active, please try again in a few moments."

Instead of getting an answer from her sister, the phone operator answered her call.

"That's strange. It would normally go to voicemail if she didn't pick up. Why isn't it active now?"

She also noticed that Amanda's porch was dirty, like it had been neglected for a long time. Even the windows and doors were dusty. But she tried to think positively that Amanda just didn't have time to clean her house.

Kylie tried calling Amanda several times, and she always got the same answer.

"Maybe she was so busy that she didn't turn on her cell phone. I'd better come back later," Kylie muttered as she left Amanda's house.