Every weekend, Alexander visited the biggest game center in the city.
The building was so large that people called it the Giant Arcade.
It had hundreds of games.
Racing games.
Shooting games.
Puzzle games.
Basketball games.
Claw machines.
Virtual reality games.
Many people came hoping to win prize tickets or cash rewards.
Most people left disappointed.
The games were made to be very difficult.
But not for Alexander.
Every time he played, he won.
It looked so easy that people thought the machines were broken.
He quietly collected his prize money.
Bought a bottle of juice.
A few snacks.
Then he carefully folded the rest of the money and put it into his pocket.
He never wasted it.
He never showed off.
He simply enjoyed playing.
The workers had started to recognize him.
Whenever he walked through the door, they smiled nervously.
One of them whispered,
"He's here again..."
Another sighed.
"There goes today's prize money."
The days passed quickly.
Every morning, Aiona woke up early, got ready, and went to work.
Every evening, she came home with bags of food.
Sometimes she bought bread.
Sometimes fruit.
Sometimes meat.
Sometimes she even bought snacks just to see Alexander's reaction.
Alexander never asked for anything.
But Aiona always found something to bring home.
Little by little, the quiet house became warm.
One evening, while they were eating dinner, Aiona looked out the window and smiled.
"Christmas is almost here."
Alexander looked at her.
"What is Christmas?"
Aiona almost dropped her spoon.
"You've never heard of Christmas?"
Alexander calmly shook his head.
"No."
"I've never celebrated it before."
Aiona looked at him for a few seconds.
Then she smiled.
"Then this year will be your first."
Alexander looked confused.
"What's so special about it?"
Aiona rested her chin on the table.
"It's a happy time."
"Families stay together."
"Friends visit each other."
"People exchange gifts."
"They decorate their homes."
"They eat good food."
"And most of all."
"They try to make each other smile."
Alexander stayed quiet.
He had never experienced any of those things.
Aiona noticed the lonely look in his eyes.
She smiled gently.
"Don't worry."
"You won't be alone this year."
Alexander looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because I'll celebrate Christmas with you."
Her answer came so naturally that Alexander had nothing to say.
The next morning.
Aiona woke up earlier than usual.
She quickly got dressed and walked into Alexander's room.
"Wake up!"
Alexander slowly opened one eye.
"What happened?"
"We're going shopping."
Alexander closed his eyes again.
"I don't need anything."
"Oh yes, you do."
"I really don't."
"You really do."
Alexander sighed.
A few minutes later, the two of them were walking through the busy streets.
The whole city looked different.
Colorful lights hung from buildings.
Music played from every corner.
Children laughed as they ran around with their parents.
Shops were filled with people buying gifts.
Alexander quietly looked around.
"So many people."
Aiona smiled.
"This is what Christmas is like."
She happily pulled him from one shop to another.
They bought a small Christmas tree.
Beautiful lights.
Colorful decorations.
A few warm blankets.
New clothes.
And plenty of food.
Alexander carried almost everything.
Aiona looked at him and laughed.
"You look like a delivery man."
Alexander looked at the many bags in his hands.
"I feel like one too."
Aiona laughed even harder.
People walking past them smiled after seeing the two together.
Some even whispered to each other.
"They look so cute together."
Neither Aiona nor Alexander noticed.
As the afternoon went on, they stopped at a small restaurant to eat.
Aiona happily ordered many different dishes.
Alexander watched the waiter place one plate after another on the table.
"Can you really eat all this?"
Aiona smiled proudly.
"Watch me."
A few minutes later.
Almost every plate was empty.
Alexander looked at her in surprise.
"I thought you were joking."
She laughed.
"I wasn't."
After they finished eating, they continued shopping until the sun slowly began to set.
Their hands were full of shopping bags.
Their feet were tired.
But Aiona still smiled from ear to ear.
"This was fun."
Alexander looked at her for a moment.
Then.
Without thinking.
A small smile appeared on his face.
Aiona gasped.
"You smiled again!"
Alexander quickly looked away.
"I didn't."
"You did."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
She laughed so much that people around them turned to look.
For the first time in many years.
Alexander did not mind someone laughing beside him.
As they slowly walked home under the evening sky, Aiona looked at the bright Christmas lights.
She smiled to herself.
"This is going to be the best Christmas ever."
She had no idea.
That before Christmas could arrive.
Someone was already watching from the shadows.
And that meeting would change everything.