Ann looked surprised. “Isn’t Erik supposed to be spending the New Year’s Eve with his family, who has traveled here? Why is he standing at my door?” she thought.
Erik seemed to know what she was thinking and smiled as he handed her a bag.
“My parents just passed by. We had dinner together, and then they left. My mom wanted to see the Northern Lights on New Year’s Eve, so they’re already in Namora,” he said.
Ann quickly nodded and invited him in.
As Erik took off his shoes by the door, he noticed the half–eaten bread on the table.
“Is this all you had for dinner? It’s so dry. How can you eat that?” he asked.
Ann was a bit caught off guard but smiled awkwardly. “Well, I wasn’t that hungry, so I just had a
little.”
Right after she said that her stomach made a loud noise. She quickly covered her stomach, blushing
a bit.
Erik sighed and looked at her.
“If I hadn’t come, you were just going to eat that? It’s too dry, and it’s not good for your stomach. Your digestion is already poor,” he said.
He knew Ann’s house well since he visited often. He walked straight to the kitchen, opened the fridge, and asked, “I brought a roasted chicken. Is it okay if I cook a steak for you?”
Ann leaned against the kitchen door and nodded.
“Is well done okay?”
Erik asked again, and Ann nodded again.
Soon, the smell of roasted chicken filled the kitchen, followed by the smell of steak.
Erik brought the steak out, arranged it nicely on a plate, poured her some wine, and even lit her favorite scented candle, setting it beside her. After he finished, he turned to clean the kitchen, but Ann grabbed his arm.
“Can you sit and eat with me?” she asked.
Erik nodded, and they sat down, eating and chatting. At just the right moment, Ann’s tears started
to fall.
Maybe she didn’t realize it, but on this New Year’s Eve, the moment people were welcoming the
1/3
new year,
she had someone by her side–someone to chat with, to count down the minutes with, to hear the bells ring, and to say “Happy New Year” together.
Before meeting Erik, all of this felt like an impossible dream. She never imagined she’d have someone to share it with.
Feeling the warmth of the wine, Ann looked into Erik’s eyes and said, “Before I came here, I was ready to be alone forever. I thought I wouldn’t meet anyone new.
“I didn’t expect you to suddenly come into my life and bring so many surprises, and even companionship. If I hadn’t met you, I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done.
“I’m so lucky I met you.”
Just as she finished speaking, the New Year’s bells rang outside, and fireworks lit up the sky.
Erik gently cupped Ann’s face and softly said, “Ann, Happy New Year.
“I want to be by your side, year after year.”
