It had been a while since she woke up like this.

Her early morning routine was the same as any other day, but the smile she had on her face, that she could not and would not remove, changed everything. Even if it was the middle of December and it was getting colder now, life was getting warmer and more colorful around her. Even the little babies she hugged in bed noticed and giggled at seeing her wide smile.

"Happy mommy," Rosie said, and Siel couldn't agree more.

Finally deciding to get up before she was late for the first day of her new position, she still wondered at how wonderful she felt. It was as if those memorable moments last night had brought back all the light that her ex had sucked out from her life.

She was still dreamily thinking of how everything was now falling into place when she smelled something burning.

"Oh no! The toast!"

Too late… at least the smoke alarms didn't go off.

The babies giggled along with her as she tossed the blackened pieces of bread into the trash. Normally, she would have been so affected by the wasted food. But now, because of one man - a handsome, sweet, and very appreciative gentleman - and his offer of a better job, she didn't seem to be so easily upset anymore.

"No toast today, my loves. It will be cereal," she said, still smiling.

Soon the twins were fed, content, and were playing in the living room playpen waiting for their babysitter.

As she found herself running around to get ready for work as she usually did, the doorbell rang.

"Good morning," greeted a tall, slim, smiling man with a well-trimmed beard. He had in his hands a wooden clipboard and a pen. Behind him was a large cargo truck that had other men in gray overalls already unloading several large items.

Oh, I think they have the wrong address. I'm sure that I haven't ordered anything… at least, not yet.

"Good morning, too," she replied, still smiling while wearing her oversized bathrobe over her blue and pink pajamas with flying pigs. "What is all this?"

"I'm looking for… Elena Camden?" he said, checking the paper on his board. "That you, miss?"

Her smile disappeared and was replaced by a puzzled expression, "Yes, it's me, but…"

"We have a delivery for you, and I would need you to please sign here," he said, handing the board and the pen to her while pointing to specific places on the form. "Please, here, here, and here."

Still wondering over what was happening, she handed back the board and the pen to the guy, who was now also surprised with her reluctance to follow his request.

"There must be some mistake. I haven't ordered anything, yet. And, I'll be late for work!"

"But it's really for you, Miss. And it is your address, right?" he said, showing her the details on the delivery receipt.

"Yes, but I didn't…"

"Well, the purchases were made by… a Mr. Vincent Riegel. Do you know him?" he said, finally handing her the form that he's holding.

She saw his name on the piece of paper, and her eyes suddenly narrowed. Her thoughts about him had suddenly shifted from happy to confused and then to worried.

Just what the hell are you doing, V? I know I said yes to a date, but now you suddenly just…

"Whoa, what is all this? Did you win the lottery or something?" asked Nella as she walked through the front door, bypassing the delivery man.

"Miss, you really need to sign for these…"

Damn it… the time… I'm late…

Just to get it over with, she signed. Actually, she had to do it four times, and by that time, she was already very anxious about being late for work. She watched as the delivery man went back outside to order the other guys to bring the packages into the house.

"I'll take care of the kids. You go and get dressed, girl."

"Uh, excuse me, Miss Camden?"

Siel turned to see another good-looking young man, about five feet ten inches, with very dark hair and gray eyes that matched his suit, He was standing at attention in front of the doorway where Nella had recently vacated.

"My name is Antoine, and I am your limo driver for today. I have come to safely and timely get you to your workplace as per orders of our CEO, Mr. Riegel of the Silvercrest Enterprise, Inc."

The single mom's jaw dropped as she realized this chauffeur was probably mouthing off a scripted piece meant for arriving dignitaries or VVIPs.

Am I fully awake already or am I still dreaming? This is too much! A cargo of presents, a limo with a driver, not counting the gifts last night and…

She was more than confused or worried now. Overwhelmed was actually the accurate word.

"So, what's going on?" Nella asked. She had already said hello to the twins and dropped her bag and notebooks on the kitchen island to return to the still-shocked Siel. The young mom was now looking blankly at the men placing several boxes and even gift-wrapped presents in one corner of the living room. It took her a while to answer her babysitter…

"Apparently, V. Remember him? The one we went out with last night? Well, he arranged an early morning delivery, a limo with a driver, and now I think I'm gonna be late for work because… well… I don't understand what's going on, and… "

"Miss, can we set up the Christmas tree here?" asked the guy with the clipboard.

"Christmas Tree? There's a CHRISTMAS TREE?!" Siel exclaimed in shock, her self-control now totally out the window.

"Hey, hey, Siel. Come on, it's not a bad thing, ok? Just get dressed so you won't keep that hot muscular chauffeur waiting and won't be late for work, alright? I'll take care of the people here. Now get a grip and scoot!" the nanny commanded just to get her employer moving.

"Nella, I don't like the feeling that he's trying to buy me or my kids… I don't like things for free, and I don't see a reason for him to do something like this. I am thankful, but I don't feel ok accepting all of it!" Siel continued to whine as Nella pushed her towards her bedroom.

"Yep, and he doesn't know that yet. Which means you need to get to work ASAP so you can tell him how you feel. Gogogogo!" the babysitter insisted as she closed the bedroom door on the still complaining secretary. "Get dressed, so you have less to worry about."

By the time Siel was ready and walking out the front door with her shoulder bag, a tall, white Christmas tree was already set up in her living room. It was being nicely decorated by Nella and three young men in gray overalls. Everything was in silver and blue, which were indeed the colors she liked the most for the season.

Her heart warmed up a little. How detailed he was, and how her kids were now ogling the tree…

But then a thought brought her back to reality…

What if Rosie and James get used to these sorts of things? I can't keep up with what he can give, and I can't possibly accept these. We're not even a couple! What would he think of me if I so easily accept whatever he gives me? What will he ask in exchange!

"You know? I think it's cute that he cares," chuckled the nanny as she brought tinsel over to the twins who were still in their playpen.

Siel frowned at Nella, but as if on cue, the babies loudly laughed along with their babysitter.

"You see, girl? They agree with me."

"Are you ready, miss?" The driver was now standing beside the open door as if he was a bodyguard instead of just a driver, which she found very peculiar.

"Mister… Antoine, Sorry to keep you waiting. And Nella…" she then turned to the other young woman in the room. "Please, call or text me when they're done."

"Goodness, Siel, I know! Don't worry, just go to work," Nella stated, pretending to be cross. "I'll send you pictures when it's done, alright?" she added with a wink.

Siel shook her head, sighed, and responded with a worried smile. She then planted a kiss on each of the heads of her little ones.

"Bye-bye, mommy," said James, her cute little gentleman. 

"Bye-bye, mommy," squealed the pretty, sweet Rosie.

"See you later, my lovelies. Have a fun day with Nella!"

She finally left the house. Antoine walked ahead to the full-size Lexus LS sedan in Atomic Silver and opened the back door for her. The luxurious interior in black leather finished the picture of a filled but surreal morning.

I really need to talk to my new boss as soon as possible…

Antoine was truly an amazing driver. Even if they left the house late, he managed a route that got her in front of the building just a few minutes before her usual 7 AM arrival. Of course, it did help that the chauffeur obviously knew shortcuts to get to their destination on time. Not to mention, there were no aggressive drivers singling them out.

What money can do, really… Well, it won't work for me. Money can't buy everything, Mr. Riegel. And you definitely can't buy me and my kids' affection…

* * *

"When do you plan to interview Di about my mate?" V asked his Beta over the phone. His mobile was, at the moment, lying flat on his executive table beside his office laptop.

Aaron's voice replied loud and clear over the speakerphone, "I'm already on the way, Alpha. Still wondering why you didn't send the Gamma instead since that's his sister."

"I don't want any bias with this mission, especially since he has admitted to having them. You haven't seen Di since you were kids. Whatever she'll share with you is going to be based on her point of view, both professional and personal, and not from a younger sister's vantage point."

  "Fair enough. I'll give you my report once I've finished your requests. And yeah, going by the club later for shots."

"Let's see if I can join you. If not, just enjoy yourself. I'm sure you can manage to find some company with little effort, knowing your present track record with the opposite sex."

"Heh, I'm just looking for my mate V. Nothing else."

"Such a lousy excuse for bedding almost every one of your dates on a regular basis."

"I'm just making do with what I have, haha! Later Vince."

As the call ends, V shook his head and laughed a little at his Beta's not-so-healthy approach in finding a mate. He also felt himself bursting with pride, thinking of how his plans are now working to his advantage.

You seem a little too confident of yourself right now, V.

"Why shouldn't I be, Roth? By now, she and her babies must be so excited going through the gifts I sent her. Especially, the Christmas Tree."

Like before, I think you're making a mistake, Vincent.

"Full name, huh? You must really be upset, Roth."

Didn't you learn from how she reacted with the check you gave her? Have you forgotten how hard it was to convince her that she earned all of that due to her work and that you had no questionable intentions? And now you've just sent her gifts without explaining why… again! Damn it, Vince!

V took his classy and sleek reheating coffee mug from the other end of his desk and chugs it down, ignoring how the hot and sweet liquid was searing his throat. He can quickly heal anyway, and he didn't really want to hear his wolf's sermon so early in the morning.

"Will you just stop worrying for once?! I tell you, the minute she arrives, she will be knocking on my door and thanking me with that beautiful bright smile on her face with a hug and probably even a kiss."

Riiiiight, V. I honestly don't know if you're lovesick or insane. Maybe both.

"Whatever, Roth… Now stop yapping so I can concentrate on the pack's report about her past. I'm sure you're interested in that, too."

I am. I just hope you can learn more about her, so you can get a better understanding of how she thinks.

"Roth, shhh… Reading… Mark my words, she will soon be coming into this room so happy over what I’ve done.”