Linden's nerves were on edge as he dialed, and when he heard Ivy sweet and modulated voice again as she answered, he swallowed hard, "hello?"

His heart started to beat faster and he managed to swallow a lump again, "hey, Um... is this Ivy?" For a moment the line was dead and Linden thought the Ivy had hung up the phone, but then he heard the voice, soft, almost a whisper.

"Sorry for everything,"

"So you remember last night?" Linden asked her anxiously. No answer, but only the sound of soft clicking of the keyboard came out. He started smiling, slow at first until the smile felt so big on his face, it hurt. Is she always this bad at handling phone or she hasn't become sober he thought.

"You sure you ain't drunk still? Linden demanded

"No, I'm not drunk!" Ivy shot back.

"Sure, if you say," Linden hummed sleepily on his phone.

"So exactly how much you remember from last night?" The question hit both of them hard as Linden wondered if she remembered that she was about to kiss him and even requested more than once for intercourse and one time for dancing.

Whereas Ivy was confident about, Linden was very sweet with her, because he probably thought she was some dumb brunet who didn't have a clue about anything, just get drunk and drunk- dialed people.

"Yes, every moment of the last night," Ivy mumbled as guilt filled her, but how she forget every detail of the night that made the beginning of Christmas a little more special for her.

"So you have a clear picture of eating hamburger inside bathroom, giving me a new nickname and then speaking something that sound like Japanese, of course the breaking of the cookie jar and cutting yourself and lastly which is not least you slept, murmuring something not very innocent. So I think I deserve a thanking for going to through difficulty for you, what say?" His voice filled with awe and admiration for Ivy but her face burning red with shame and embarrassment and butterflies swarming around in her stomach.

Ivy began to say something, but her voice broke so she started once more said "Thank you,"

Immediately Linden wondered why he had to satirize her "oh god, did I make dejected?" He paused and then said, "I was just joking, tell me how you are feeling now?"

"Feeling fine," She realized that she was feeling better now as he was just joking with her; he didn't really dislike her or want to shun her.

"Good, but now I am going to beg you to meet me once again," Linden said

"Please Madam Ivy meet me once," linden pleaded on the phone as Ivy burst into a childish laughter.

"I'm sure we will meet soon," she said then, in a tone of quiet confidence which thrilled Linden with joy. Linden wanted to invite Ivy to share that Christmas dinner with him and his family, but he wasn't sure how she would take an invitation like that. He knew that the conversation would probably end in anytime that they didn't leave with much to say, but he didn't want it to end so soon.

"So then?" Ivy questioned flatly. There was a bit of sadness in tone because even she knew that for today their talk would end soon and Linden understand the sadness in her voice.

"Are you really fine?" He suddenly questioned, sincerely.

"Oh yeah, of course." Ivy nodded her head, as if nodding her head would make any effect on the phone.

"People appreciate the fact that I am a really good listener." Linden chuckled slightly.

Ivy remained silent for some minutes, evidently struggling with her emotions; she was confused they that just met a day ago and he was ready to listen to what she had to say. "Okay! Don't complain then, you asked for it," She giggled.

"You know today is Christmas right?" She asked, speaking fast, her voice low and strained.

"I suppose?" He broke into a laugh.

"What about you being a good listener. Huh? You are laughing even before I can start." Ivy grumped, feeling silly.

"Sorry. Please continue." Linden apologized.

"My issue is very silly; see after you hang up the phone, I really don't have anything to do." Ivy's voice trembles a little as she said the words.

"What do you mean by you have nothing to do?" Linden asked, he had become little confused— he did not know what she meant.

"I don't have any siblings, Rossi is busy with her family and well my parents--" Ivy's parents never picked up on how she felt about their absence in her life and their full phased involvement toward their work or career, during her growing up days because she was one of those people who were really good at putting on a charade. But she lost her mother last year, she became insecure in her relationship, her father became more preoccupied with his business. The raw feeling of loneliness got into her like endless desert.

"Early last year I lost my mother and my father, well he threw himself wholeheartedly into his work." Ivy wiped her eyes and tried to think of something good—something that can help her dry up her eyes.

After few chuckled and some more tears escaped, followed by a long, shaky breath, Ivy said. "I am sorry for talking nonsense and wasting your time,"

"Oh no, ivy, I'm so sorry," he said softly; his voice filled with sincerity and concern. Although his family drove him crazy most of the time, they would be there for him if he every time. He couldn't imagine how he would have survived if he had to, even one Christmas without his family.

At his sweet concern her eyes glistened wetly but she didn't cry. She tried giving a small smile to him but that fell flat. There was hush on both the sides of the phone as Linden considered the situation silently for a moment.

"Listen Ivy, if you want you can join my family and me for this Christmas dinner?" It came out sounding more like a question than a statement and Ivy felt her mouth drop open in surprise, she sat down on her bed with a thump.

"I couldn't do that, Linden," Ivy dismissed quickly, "We barely know one another, and I could never intrude on your family time like that!"

"What better way to get to know me than to spend time with the people who shaped me into whom and what I am today? Moreover they will love your presence"

And who was Ivy to say no to such a holy suggestion, as she knew she would be one continuous mess of misery just sitting alone in her apartment with thought and memories. To her it seemed like most generous of an offer.

"Dannie!" She began, "that's so kind of you. But I really couldn't just pop up at your family's home unannounced for dinner like that,"

"Come on," He winced slightly. "I'm sure my family will be on your nerves, don't worry. They're quite an exhausting bunch." Linden laughed.

Ivy considered the offer. She knew that the loneliness that was sure to plague her if she stayed at her apartment alone, which was far worse than the discomfort of sharing a dinner with people she didn't know.

"If you're so sure," she said slowly. Instantly Linden became happy.

"It'll be great," he assured. Ivy tried scanning his voice to find any regret or hesitance but all she could get was lots of warmth and welcome.

"Please check with your family first to make sure," Ivy said sternly.

"Of course," Linden agreed, "but I'm certain they be more than fine with it."

"Well, I guess it's settled then," Ivy smiled at the phone. She was really in shock and surprised about how many changes a drunken night bought for her.

"I'll pick you up at five this evening. I'll let you know if I'm going to be any later." Linden said and Ivy agreed with that.

Happiness continued to beam from their faces even after they hung up the phone. They were so excited at having met each other mostly because Ivy would be sober not drunk.