PROLOGUE

"Will there be anything else, Sir?"

"No, Myron. That will be all, thank you. Please lock the door on your way out."

"Of course, Sir, and goodnight."

"Goodnight, Myron. Don't forget to bring your wife Raquel over. It is that time of year."

"Yes, Sir, and thank you. See you tomorrow."

Vince nodded at his still smiling boyish-looking personal assistant while thinking about the other things that are left to be done on their daily to-do list. He knew Myron was completely capable of fulfilling all the duties and responsibilities that were expected of him, but he knew that the man was already performing almost like a butler, and that was unfair, to be honest.

After all, he was a loyal member of the pack and married, to boot. There were more things for him to take care of than just typing up letters, making appointments, and filing documents.

I really should look for additional help. Probably my own executive secretary…

He has heard the jokes made about him before by friends and fellow businessmen. Whenever they had the time to meet up in conventions or special events, he could only laugh along with his business partners and contacts when talking about secretaries.

"Aw, poor V! Still without a secretary, huh? You will probably never find one who won't find herself jumping you and even forcing you to marry her, eventually.

Being rich and single…

"Yeah, that's a lethal combination!"

Yep, that has happened. Good thing V knew how to get out of those situations easily…

And it's normally the woman who backed out the minute she found out what he truly was.

But yes, it can get kinda lonely since he just didn't need sex or any woman for a wife… He needed a mate.

"You still can't find THE woman, Roth? Or are you just holding out on me and being idealistic?"

The deep voice inside his head huffed in mock amusement and a bit of chuckling. Roth has heard a lot of jokes like this from him over the years, enough to be entertained instead of being insulted.

Do you want me to remind you of how finding a mate works, V? Or should I just give you a mental recording with the right amount of sarcasm?

"Well, bah humbug to you too, Roth. I just can't believe this is the 32nd Christmas that we won't be having anyone celebrating the holidays. I was hoping you've already made up your mind by now."

When I find her scent, you will be the first to know. Meanwhile, it's bah humbug to you too, Vince. So, are you going to continue working as you usually do, or go home and rest, which I know you dislike at this time of year?

V whipped his classy leather executive chair around so he could see the full view of the city's nightlife from the one-way glass wall behind him. It truly was a magnificent sight to see, especially since he was in one of the highest buildings for miles around.

Unfortunately, he suddenly felt the loneliness of having no one to share this beautiful sight with. He sighed before answering the voice in his head…

"I'll work for a few more hours on some of the company contracts. Then I'll probably go straight to bed."

No dinner?

"Not hungry, Roth."

Suit yourself. I will hunt for something if you insist on doing this to us continually.

"Be my guest."

Well, I have to make sure we're still alive and have not died of hunger when we finally meet her.

"To be honest, I'm already desperate enough to write that wish down on one of our Christmas Angels and hang it on the company Christmas tree this year."

Roth's laughter was full of mirth, I'd like to see you try.

"Is that a challenge, wolf?"

Yes, it is.

+++

Meanwhile, in another part of the city…

“I can’t believe a simple oil change for my car is priced this high! It’s just a Prius for goodness sakes. Can’t you guys give me a discount? It’s almost Christmas, after all…”

“And that’s exactly why our prices are so high, Ma’am. It’s during the holidays that materials and solvents are so expensive that we won’t break even with our labor and cost if we give you a lower rate,” the elderly and balding mechanic explained patiently. “What I could suggest, though, is you can just use public transportation during December and then come back middle of January for your oil change just to avoid paying a higher price…”

My boss will kill me if I’m late again this month so no way can I use a bus to get to work, the anxious single mom worriedly thought. There’s a five-minute walk to each bus stop to and from work so I would have to run or skip breakfast with my kids if I choose to do that… And I hardly spend time with my baby twins as it is. Sigh…

“Or you can continue to drive your itty-bitty ride without the oil change through December and half of January BUT with risking your vehicle breaking down…”

And pay a larger f*e for repairs? No way Jose will I give you more money just to save a small amount today!

“Okay, you win. Just finished the oil change now because I need it to get to work tomorrow. But it has to be done today or I’m not paying you people a single dollar, are we clear?”

“Crystal ma’am! Hey Joey, get this car an oil change, pronto!”

I can pay for this but I hardly can scrounge enough of my pay for me and my kid’s Christmas dinner. Borrowing money is out of the question, even asking my worthless ex-husband won’t do.  Oh well, I’ll cross the bridge when we get there. After all, it will be December first tomorrow and that leaves twenty-four days to figure out a solution and hope for a miracle. Maybe even pray for a Christmas miracle for me and my babies…