The energy in the AMP house was electric as the Christmas party kicked off in full swing. Kai, clad in a Santa jacket that left his torso bare, leaned into the festive spirit with a tilted Santa hat perched jauntily on his head. A diamond chain reading “HO HO HO” glimmered against his skin, catching the light like a beacon of holiday cheer. He took a celebratory shot, tossing his head back with a laugh.
“Santa's on the way y'all!” he shouted, pumping himself up like a motivational speaker at a New Year’s resolution seminar.
As he bounded downstairs, his excitement was palpable, and the camera crew was right on his tail. “Alright, chat! Merry Christmas to y'all from the AMP crib!” he declared, positioning the camera just right. “Here we got Chef Marcus. You ready to do your thing, chef?”
The chef, a burly man with an austere look, nodded while shaking Kai's hand “Yes sir, no cameras near the stove please. Fryers are on."
“Perfect! Say hi to the chat!” Kai said, ignoring him completely, waving his arms theatrically.
"Tell everyone what we have for tonight. I'm ready to dig into these cheesecakes man."
“Tonight we have a cheesecake flight!” Chef Marcus explained as the camera panned over to him. “We’ve got hot chocolate cheesecake with toasted marshmallow, New York style cheesecake drizzled with salted caramel, and peppermint cheesecake that’s dipped in chocolate with crushed peppermint on top. Oh, and don’t forget the cookie butter and gingerbread cheesecakes!”
“Man, that sounds amazing!” Kai exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement. “This is fire! Chef, you’re a legend!”
Around them, the atmosphere buzzed with laughter and the sound of bubbling pots. A group of girls in the corner, already feeling the holiday spirit, giggled as they set up their phones to capture every moment for TikTok. One girl, too caught up in the moment, accidentally bumped into Chef Marcus, causing him to splatter hot water all over himself.
“Whoa, hot stuff!” he exclaimed, shy laughter mingling with exasperation. Chef Marcus turned off one of the burners and grabbed one of pots with boiling water and pasta. As he turned to the sink, he bumped into one of the guys standing near the sink pouring a drink. The collision sending boiling water flying onto his hands.
"Fuck!" he shouts dropping the pot into the sink as pasta spills into the sink.
“Oh man, Chef, you alright?” Kai chuckled, trying to keep up with the chaos while checking the chat. “Lemme get you a towel man."
“Its too many people in this damn kitchen, Kai” Chef Markus replied, wiping his hands on a towel. “For real Kai, you all need to back up! I’ve got pots boiling and ovens baking here!”
“Chill, Chef! I’ve got you covered!” Kai laughed, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. “Just don’t burn the place down before we get to the cheesecake, okay?”
The girls burst into laughter, one of them adding, “Yeah, we need that cheesecake for sure!”
“Oh we most definitely getting you that!” Kai shot back, his grin widening. “But I do need to say, my outfit is is too tonight. Can we talk about this drip, chat?” He gestured to his diamond chain, flashing it like a trophy.
One of the women at the party, a lively brunette with a playful smile, leaned against the counter and called out, “Yes, Chef!” Her voice dripped with flirtation as she dipped her finger into the whipped cream, drawing it out with a teasing flourish. She licked it clean while stealing a glance at Kai, winking mischievously.
The whipped cream was meant for the hot cocoa bar, but it seemed to have become an irresistible distraction.
“Alright, that’s it! I’m fucking outta here!” Chef Marcus exploded, his patience boiling over like the pots on the stove. He yanked off his hairnet, tossing it aside, before flinging his gloves to the ground with a dramatic flair. “I’m turning off all these damn stoves and packing my knives! This is not what I signed up for!”
“Where do you think you’re going? We’ve got over fifty people here! You can’t leave us like this!” Kai shouted, a sense of panic rising in his chest as he watched him start to shut off the flames.
Marcus shot him a sharp look, his eyes ablaze with frustration. “Look, I did not sign up to be on your live stream, Kai! I’m here to cook, not to play the role of your entertainment! If I can’t do that, I’ve got other places to be!”
Chef Marcus leaned in closer to Kai pointing a finger in his face. "The Obamas are in town." he commanded.
“Damn,” Kai chimed in, trying to salvage the situation. “I can’t compete with the Obamas, but we’ve got a tradition here, Chef! You know we rely on you every year. Come on, don’t flake on us now!”
As he continued packing his knives, another girl crept up behind Kai, her fingers gliding over his shoulder. “I’ve got something you could eat, Kai. I can tell you’re a little hungry,” she purred, a smirk playing on her lips.
Marcus whipped around, his expression a mix of disbelief and irritation. “The kitchen...it’s a sacred place!” he exclaimed, his voice rising as he grasped his knives with fierce determination. He stormed out the side door slamming it on his way out. “Get the hell out of here, Shorty! I don’t even know you!”
Kai was in full-blown panic mode. “No, no, no! I’ve got to get Davis in here!” He gestured wildly as he paced, his nerves setting the chat on fire with comments. “Where’s BBL David?”
Chef Marcus rolled his eyes, a sarcastic smirk on his face. “Yeah, okay. You can go get Davis if you want, but I’m still packing my stuff.”
The laughter of the girls in the chat rang in his ears, a mix of giggles and playful jabs. “No Chef at the party? Your cooked” one comment read. Kai glanced at his Apple Watch, where notifications buzzed like a swarm of bees. “I can’t even focus right now!” he muttered, speed-walking toward the door.
Then, out of nowhere, he collided with a girl, and time seemed to freeze. “Oh! I’m so sorry! Excuse me!” he stammered, barely able to process her stunning appearance. She was striking, with eyelash extensions in vibrant greens and reds, twinkling with glitter. Snowflakes danced at the corners of her eyes, and her lips shone like a glossy candy apple.
“No it's okay. Hey, your Kai right,” she said, a playful glint in her eye.
“Yeah, I am!” he replied, caught off guard by her confidence. “Are you good? Do you need something?”
“Yeah no,” she said, her tone conspiratorial. “But they’re gonna burn your house down.” She pointed to a chaotic group of girls and guys, huddled around an open flame of a lighter, trying to roast marshmallows indoors.
“What the actual—” Kai exclaimed. “What the hell is going on here? Y’all can’t roast marshmallows in the house!” His face flushed, and the chat erupted with more laughter. “LMAOOO! Y'all wildin'” scrolled across the screen.
She giggled, seemingly unfazed by the chaos. “You look like you’ve got your hands full tonight.”
“Yeah, but I’m about to go get Davis,” he said, rolling his eyes as he tried to wave away the absurdity around him.
“You want me to babysit?” she teased, raising an eyebrow.
“I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you kept an eye on them,” he shot back, glancing nervously at the group of mischief-makers. “You gonna be here all night?”
“Yeah,” she replied, leaning slightly closer, “but I might need a helmet if they keep this up.”
Just as he was about to make his escape, a loud crash echoed from the kitchen. “What the fuck was that? I gotta go!” He turned to her, panic rising. “Don’t move!”
She froze mid-laugh, mouth open as if her circuits had shorted.
“No, no, I’m joking! You can go, but I’ll meet up with you later, right?” he said hurriedly, suddenly realizing how much he wanted to see her again.
“Okay,” she said, a smirk returning to her lips.
“Wait! I didn’t catch your name!” he called out as he started to run.
“It’s ELYSE!” she shouted, already heading toward the bar, her mini dress shimmering as she walked away. She stood on her tiptoes to grab a drink, and in that moment, Kai caught the curve of her figure, his breath hitching.
“Damn,” he muttered under his breath, the comments on his screen now a blur of emojis and playful jabs about his obvious crush. “Chill chat! Imma handle that later.”
Kai burst through the door, scanning the room until he spotted Davis, who was deep in conversation with his girlfriend Lindsay and her friend Nicole. “Davis, man!” Kai called out, striding over.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I interrupted,” he said, catching himself as he approached.
Davis waved a hand dismissively. “Nah, it’s all good. This is Nicole,” he introduced, gesturing toward her.
“Hey, how you doin'!” Kai said, flashing a quick smile before cutting straight to the point. “Sorry to interrupt y’all, but the chef just left.”
Davis’s eyes widened in shock. “What the fuck do you mean the chef just left?”
“Yeah, man,” Kai replied, exasperation creeping into his voice. “He crashed out, bro. Walked out mad as fuck."
Davis shook his head, baffled. “I thought you said he was good! This is your dude.”
“He is! But people in the kitchen was tripping so he left.”
Nicole chimed in, “Hey, I have a cousin. She just graduated culinary school, and I’m sure she’s looking for some work. She could pop in and help out.”
Kai shook his head, feeling overwhelmed. “No, no, it’s not that simple. I don’t even know what he was cooking! The desserts are done, but some of the appetizers are half-finished. It’s a mess!”
Nicole shrugged, her confidence unwavering. “It’s all good. She worked in New York kitchens. She’s used to this chaos.”
“Do you mind calling her?” Kai asked, desperate for help. "Her name is Vic."
“Not at all,” Nicole replied, already dialing.
As she spoke on the phone, Kai caught a glimpse of Nicole and whispered to Davis “Who’s that?” he asked, nodding toward the figure.
“Chill nigga,” Davis said with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “She's reserved.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” Kai asked, raising an eyebrow.
Davis shot a glance at the cameras, where the chat was exploding with curiosity. “Who is that? Oh my God, damn, she bad!”
“Bro, she’s reserved,” Davis reiterated, leaning in conspiratorially. “Can’t talk too much, but she’s here for somebody.” He flicked his gaze toward Kai, giving him a knowing look. “You know what I mean.”
Kai narrowed his eyes. “Oh, you mean—”
“Yes, you KNOW what I mean!” Davis replied, eyebrows raised, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
With a deep breath, Kai turned to the camera. “All right, chat, we got another chef coming in. The chef’s name is Vic, and she just graduated culinary school, so let’s pray she can fix this mess. We’re gonna get this party started in a minute.”
Just then, the door swung open again, and Duke waltzed in, decked out in a Santa costume.
“What the fuck, man? We can’t both be Santa!” Kai exclaimed, throwing his hands up in disbelief.
Duke shrugged, a cheeky smile on his face. “I told you I was gonna be Santa, bro! What you mean?”
“How are you gonna be Santa when I’m clearly Santa?” Kai shot back, crossing his arms.
Duke laughed, “Man, I’m saying you could be one of them little elves or something.”
Kai scoffed, pushing Duke playfully. “I’m not a fucking elf, nigga! I'm the only Santa so ‘ho ho ho’ in this bitch!”
“Crash out elf,” Duke laughed, slapping Kai’s back. “We gotta get you the lil' ears and a bell."
“And you look dumb as hell in that 'fit!” Kai retorted, pointing at Duke’s costume. “I mean, come on, where's ya drip at San-ta?”
“Nigga Santa don't need no drip,” Duke said, flipping his hair dramatically. “What y'all think, chat?" he poses with a blank expression on his face. The chat lights up with excitement and praises Duke. One comment stood out to Kai.
"Dashing through these hoes is crazy." Kai and Duke both laughed as they returned to the party.
As the party hums along with drinks vanishing and the festive energy reaching its peak, Kai returns to the main room, visibly more relaxed.
Kai turns back to the camera,“Alright, chat, we’re finally back on track. Drinks are out, vibes are up, and Santa Kai is officially clocking in.”
The crowd cheers, and in the midst of the excitement, Chris climbs onto the table, holding a glass of champagne. He raises it high, capturing everyone’s attention.
“Yo, yo, everyone, can I have y'all attention!”
The music lowers, and the room buzzes with anticipation.
“First off, I just wanna say—y’all really showed out tonight. This year’s been crazy for AMP, and we couldn’t have done it without the crew, the fans, and all the good shit that’s coming to us.”
“But I got a lil’ something for y’all tonight. A lil’ Christmas present. My third album—yeah, the one y’all been begging me to drop? I’m giving y’all a sneak preview right here, right now!”
The crowd loses it, with people clapping, shouting, and shaking their phones to record the moment. Kai scans the room looking for Elyse. He locks eyes with her while she is talking with a group of women near the fireplace. He thinks to himself: “ Let’s see what she’s really about.”
He strolls over to them adjusting his chains.
“Hello beautiful ladies. I was gonna save this for later, but how about a little Christmas challenge?”
Elyse smirks, “A challenge? You really think you can beat me at anything?”
Oh, I know I can. But let’s make it interesting. Ever heard of the Christmas Gauntlet?” Kai said boldly.
Elyse smirked and replied, “I’m listening.”
Kai explains the game: a mix of mini Christmas challenges—decorating cookies blindfolded, wrapping gifts as fast as possible, and even a gingerbread house-building competition.
Winner gets bragging rights for the whole year and gets the AMP Christmas Champ pimp cup. Loser has to wear an ugly sweater I picked out.” Kai shows Elyse the sweater that says “World’s Worst Elf”.
She laughs and extends her hand to Kai. Elyse laughs as her and Kai attempt to make an impromptu handshake, already fired up she retorts “Don’t cry when I smoke you in every round.”
“I see you like talking shit, let’s see you work ma’am” Kai says watching her hips move as she walks away. The camera man pans directly to him and he laughs running behind her.
The energy in the room shifted as Kai stood next to Elyse at the makeshift Christmas challenge station. A crowd of partygoers gathered around, buzzing with excitement. The first round: cookie decorating. A timer was set, and bowls of frosting, sprinkles, and various toppings were spread across the table.
Kai was grinning, spreading frosting like a madman “Easy. This is gonna be a masterpiece. Picasso couldn’t do better.”
Elyse was focused,feeling her cookies gracefully creating layered colors of red and green. Although blindfolded, she was dominating him. Her hand was steady, glittering the cookies with sprinkles like a pro.
Once the timer went off Elyse removed her blindfold. Raising an eyebrow “Masterpiece? Babe, your cookie looks like it’s been run over.”
The crowd ooh’d in unison, laughter erupting as Kai paused dramatically, hand over his chest.
“Wow, the disrespect. I’m out here giving art, and you’re throwing shade. Let me see yours.”
He leaned over to inspect Elyse’s cookie. It was annoyingly perfect, each cookies covered with detail sharp and precise.
Kai pretending to squint. “Okay, okay. I see you. But honestly? Looks like a five-year-old did it… blindfolded.”
Elyse gasping, hand to her mouth in mock offense. “Excuse you! This cookie could go on the cover of a magazine. Yours? L mans”
The crowd erupted again, some shouting, “Get him, Elyse!” Others teased, “Kai, you need to lock in bro!”
The timer reset, signaling the start of the next round: gift-wrapping. Kai and Elyse stood side by side, each armed with rolls of festive paper, scissors, and ribbon. The challenge was simple: wrap a box neatly and quickly. The stakes, however, felt monumental.
Kai dove in first, unrolling his paper with a dramatic flourish. “Now, this right here,” he said, grinning, “is all about finesse. Watch and learn.” He smoothed the paper over the box with exaggerated precision, folding each corner with the flair of a magician preparing his grand reveal.
Elyse side-eyed his work, barely containing her laughter. “Finesse?” she repeated, her tone dripping with mock incredulity. “Is that what you’re calling that… mess?”
Kai paused, scissors mid-snip, and turned to her with a look of exaggerated disbelief. “Mess? Girl, this is craftsmanship. Look at these edges—razor sharp.”
Elyse leaned over to inspect his work, her lips curving into a smirk. She pointed at the haphazardly taped seams. “Razor sharp? More like you used kindergarten scissors. What is this? Origami gone wrong?”
The crowd erupted in laughter, a chorus of “Oooohs” and “She got you, Kai!” filling the room. Kai chuckled despite himself, shaking his head. “Alright, alright. Big talk for someone who’s still on their first fold. Let’s see if you can even finish on time.”
Elyse narrowed her eyes, her competitive spirit fully ignited. Her hands moved faster now, folding the paper with precision, her every motion smooth and deliberate. Within moments, she tied a perfect bow and placed the gift on the table with a triumphant flourish, just as the timer buzzed.
“Boom,” Elyse said, her tone victorious. “Wrapped and ready to go. Meanwhile, you’re still wrestling with that ribbon.”
Kai glanced at his half-wrapped box, where the ribbon sat awkwardly tangled. “Wrestling?” he scoffed, his grin widening. “Nah, this is me adding character to the gift. People love an unboxing experience, alright?”
The crowd howled, and even Elyse couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head. “If you say so,” she teased. “But I think we both know who really won this round.”
Kai threw his hands up in mock surrender. “Fine, you win this round. But it’s not over yet, Elyse. You’re just lucky I’m distracted by how good you look tonight.”
Elyse’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn’t miss a beat. “And you’re just lucky I’m feeling generous tonight, or I’d wipe the floor with you in every round.”
Kai leaned in closer, his voice dropping just enough for only her to hear. “I like it when you talk tough. Let’s see if you can back it up.”
Elyse’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned in, matching his intensity. “Oh, I will. And when I do, you’re wearing that ugly sweater all night.”
Kai laughed, shaking his head. “You’re on, snowflake.”
The crowd erupted in cheers as the tension between them sizzled, their playful rivalry becoming the highlight of the night.
The excitement in the room peaked as Chris stood on the table, announcing, “Kai, you’re my dog, but she took this round! Congratulations!” Cheers erupted from the crowd, their applause ringing through the festive atmosphere. Chris playfully handed Kai the sweater, teasing him before he vanished into the closet. As he rummaged around, a thought struck him: “Wait, is she into me? Is this really happening?” He chuckled, trying to appear nonchalant.
Emerging from the closet, he found Elyse waiting for him, her smile radiating warmth. She laughed, holding a Christmas pimp cup brimming with festive spirits. The livestream had wrapped up, and the air was buzzing with anticipation for the feast. Victoria, the talented chef, announced, “Dinner is ready!” A delightful spread awaited, and everyone eagerly filled their plates.
Kai grabbed his food, and Duke caught his eye. “I see you, boy!” Duke exclaimed. With a grin, Kai replied, “You see me, my dog!” “Yeah, go ahead and sit next to her,” Duke nudged him.
Settling beside Elyse, Kai said, “Yo, I’m starving.” She chuckled, “All that showing off worked up an appetite, huh?” Kai laughed, “Honestly, I thought I had that win in the bag.”
Elyse replied, “I thought you would too!” He feigned surprise, “Stop capping! I’m serious!” As they shared playful banter, Kai turned to her, “So, your name is Elyse?”
“Nope, I’m from Vermont,” she replied.
“Really? No connections back home?” he asked, intrigued.
“Well, yeah, I have family there,” she clarified, “But I’m out here for school. I go to Spelman.”
“Oh, nice! What are you studying?” he inquired.
“I’m getting my MBA right now,” she said, her eyes sparkling with ambition.
As the laughter and chatter filled the air, Kai leaned in closer to Elyse, intrigued by her aspirations. “So, you want to start a consulting business? That’s pretty ambitious!” he remarked, a playful grin on his face.
Elyse’s eyes sparkled with determination. “Yeah, I really believe there’s a need for guidance when people are trying to get their businesses off the ground. I’ve seen my parents struggle with their failed ventures, and I want to help others avoid that pitfall,” she explained, her passion palpable.
“Wow, that’s amazing!” Kai replied, genuinely impressed. “Maybe you could help me out with a few things I have going on,” he suggested, his voice laced with hope.
“Of course! I would love that,” she responded enthusiastically, as they continued to eat amidst the soft murmur of guests dispersing to various corners of the house. Some laughed as they headed outside, while others ventured upstairs.
“Did you always want to pursue your MBA?” he asked, curiosity etched on his face.
“Not always, but I think it’s essential,” she said, her tone growing serious. “I want to give back to my community in the way that my parents never received. They could’ve used a mentor.”
Kai nodded, his expression thoughtful. “That’s admirable. My business manager feels like a lifeline for me. Whenever I have a new idea, he’s right there, ready to brainstorm.”
Elyse hiccupped lightly, a hint of wine-induced merriment shining in her eyes. “You’re smart to keep him around.”
“Are you okay?” he teased, noticing her slight wobble.
“I’m just a bit tipsy,” she admitted with a soft giggle, the blush creeping across her cheeks warming the moment.
“Let’s get out of the kitchen,” he suggested, “We can go sit on the couch unless you have to leave.”
She glanced at her phone, then back at him, a smile blossoming on her face. “Nope, I’ll stay. Have you seen my friends?”
“I think she might’ve gone outside,” he replied, wrinkling his nose at the thought of the chill.
“Oh no, it’s too cold for that!” Elyse exclaimed, shaking her head firmly.
“Agreed! Let’s find a spot,” he said, and they made their way to the living room, settling next to the crackling fireplace.
As Elyse spoke about her school challenges, she felt warmth spread through her as she shared how close she was with her friends from the program. “I honestly don’t know how I could’ve made it through without them,” she admitted, her voice softening.
“Same here,” Kai said, his eyes sincere. “Having my crew at here has been everything. They’ve had my back through it all."
Noticing her shiver, he reached for a blanket draped behind her. “Here, let me get this for you,” he said gently, draping it over her shoulders.
“Thanks,” she murmured, her heart racing as she shifted closer, holding her cup delicately in her hand.
“This house is beautiful,” she observed, glancing around, a sense of wonder in her tone.
“Thank you,” he replied, a soft smile spreading across his face. “I’m really glad you came tonight. I’m happy to have met you.”
Just then, the clock struck midnight, and Chris burst into the room with a cheer. “Merry Christmas, y’all!” he announced, a playful glint in his eye as he handed Kai a sprig of mistletoe. Leaning in, he whispered, “This is from Duke,” giving Kai a friendly pat on the back.
Kai looked down at the mistletoe, laughter bubbling up inside him. “Merry Christmas, Chris!” Elyse chimed in, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
As Chris disappeared outside to join the others in the hot tub, Elyse turned to Kai, her expression teasing. “So, do you know what this mistletoe is for?” she asked, taking it from his hand and holding it above their heads.
He met her gaze, the air thick with anticipation. “Merry Christmas, Elyse,” he said, his voice low and sincere.
“Merry Christmas,” she whispered back, leaning in as their lips met in a passionate kiss, the world around them fading away as they lost themselves in the magic of the moment.
