Alexander was sweet. He had always been amiable, friendly, gentle, and sympathetic. Not only he was like this with Alyssa, he was sweet with everyone else. Alyssa remembered that when she was a child, after the arrival of Violet, other children started ignoring her. they used to form a group with Violet and Leonard as their leader and used to bully Alyssa. Alexander was much interested in studies since his younger days so he hardly stepped out from his library. One day he was strolling in the park and he saw Alyssa being bullied. He went to help her but was pushed hard by Leonard. He fell on the ground and injured his chin with a pointed stone. Alyssa could still see the scar he got in his childhood by saving her.

There was another time when Alyssa was twelve years old. That day she was punished by her mother and was not allowed to eat any food. Even her nanny was locked in the dungeons to prevent her from sending any food to Alyssa. At that time Alexander was sixteen years old and had found Alyssa eating dirt and leaves. He sneakily brought apples and gave it to her. the men who were keeping an eye on Alyssa reported it to her mother and later he was punished by his father for his indecent behavior.

Time went on and both of them got busy in their lives. Alyssa even started to avoid him. All those years both of them had never crossed the path even for a single time. Alyssa was delighted knowing that Alexander haven't changed at all. She felt like dancing and jumping and shouting. She was ecstatic.

Alyssa stopped her car near a garage. It belongs to Marcus's family. Marcus's father, Kennard Bishop

owned a garage and gives service to his customer. Marcus, being the only child of the family sometimes used to give him a hand when he was a child. Gradually Marcus started liking what he does and his interest in the field of engineering and mechanics grew. Upon graduation, he had decided to take his garage to the next level while pursuing a university in mechanics and engineering.

Alyssa alighted from her car and went to a wooden cabin situated beside the garage. That was their hangout private place. They all helped Marcus build that cabin from scratch. At first, it's main purpose was as Marcus's study room but later it became their hangout place. The shed not only had things that belonged to Marcus but it also had some of the things belonging to his friends.

Alyssa knocked on the door but n.o.body answered. She knocked again, but the result was the same, no reply.

"Are they angry? I am not that late." Alyssa thought.

Just as she was about to turn around, the lock clicked and the gate opened. She entered the room but found no one inside. She found a letter keeping on the table lamp. She opened the letter and it read,

" I take off my clothes when you put on,

I put on my clothes when you put off."

Alyssa felt banging her head on the wall after reading this letter. "Very mature", she murmured.

She felt excited too solving the riddles. Riddles were her forte. According to her, there was no such riddle present in the world that she can't solve.

She smirked and opened the wardrobe. She found a golden gift box lying there. She ripped the gift wrapping and opened the box. She found a black mini skirt and a silver tube top inside it. She found a printed letter in the box which said. "Guess the Santa".

Alyssa raised her brows, "Do you think I am that stupid to not identify who my 'Secret Santa is?"

She placed the dress in the box and started searching the room for more clues. She found another letter saying,

"I'm always on the dinner table, but you don't get to eat me. What am I?"

Alyssa raised her eyebrows in question, "Am I supposed to go to Marcus house?"

She flipped the letter and found an address written on the other side. She searched the address on the internet. She then put her gift box on the pa.s.senger seat of her car and drove.

Ten minutes later she arrived in front of a hotel named Grandiose. She gave her keys to the valet and went inside. She scanned the dining room but couldn't find anyone inside. Suddenly she saw a child running towards her and handed her a letter which said,

"Right, left-right,

Find me if you are bright."

She followed the direction and found herself facing a door. The person guarding the door gave her a strange look but opened the door for her. as soon as the door opened, loud music nearly burst her eardrums. She hesitated for a second but went inside the club. As soon as she went stench of alcohol and sweat hit her. she scrunched her nose and scanned around to find her friends.

She saw Dianna Marcus and Kale running towards her. They all simultaneously stopped in front of her, their mouth parting wide. Alyssa became uncomfortable under her gaze.

After collecting himself and said, "You are looking pretty and all but no offense dear but who comes to a club wearing a ballgown?"

"Exactly." Dianna supported Marcus. Dianna seemed so angry that she was literally fuming.

"I couldn't believe that I left that gift there to give some hints to this dumbo." Dianna fumed.

"You exposed your own gift," Kale said.

"Does it matter?" Dianna retorted.

"If you want to I can change it now, it's in the car," Alyssa said.

"Forget it," Dianna said ma.s.saging her temples.

"Why do I feel that after graduating Allie had become stupid. Marcus pointed out.

Me too." Kale said chuckling.

"Me three." Dianna supported them.

"May be used all my brain cells. Or maybe they got affected by your stupidity." Alyssa joked earning a bout of laughter from Marcus and Kale and a mock angry look from Dianna.