Chapter Six #2
It was my grand 30th birthday party, and I needed a dress to match the occasion, so I opted to wear an Atelier Versace soft pink color gown.
The form-fitting, cleavage-baring silhouette accented with a thigh-high slit and dramatic train was stunning; it gave an air of elegance under the amorousness.
The top straps were able to hold up the girls as the dress hugged my waistline.
The bottom of the dress had rosewater georgette enriched by delicate ruffle finishes, chantilly lace intarsia, and elegant micro material embroidery.
I had last-minute custom-made platform heels to match the color of the dress and wore a diamond necklace that wrapped around my neck paired with my 3 carat diamond stud earrings.
“Pio is missing out,” Alfie commented when he saw me.
Pio always seemed to miss out. “You wore the suit,” I smiled in return.
Alfie didn’t have the time to get something to wear tonight and if he was escorting me to my party, he needed to look the part. I had him get a navy color Armani suit with an accent tie to match my dress.
We arrived at the venue which was decorated from floor to ceiling in white and pink florals.
It was an enchanted garden, the floor a white marble and the tables all clear glass.
You’d think it was a redo of my wedding.
Alfie and I walked in together but quickly parted our separate ways to entertain the various guests.
“Hot damn,” Tiffany commented as I approached her and Natasha.
“You lost a ton of weight!” Natasha commented, “What’s your secret?”
Death, I thought to myself but instead smiled and lied, “Extra Pilates classes.”
“That’s what you’ve been doing the last few months beside hiding from us?”
I couldn’t have my two best friends see me a mess over a situation they didn’t know about. As far as they were concerned, I was happily married.
“I need a drink,” I stated.
We ordered a round of drinks and the girls caught me up on what was going on in their lives.
As Natasha was speaking, her eyes widened and I knew someone was approaching us.
I braced myself because the only person who would cause Natasha to stiffen like that aside from Emilio was Luca.
Despite my hatred toward my brother, his invite was mandatory.
As always, we had to appear as though we were in perfect harmony.
Never dare show if there was a rift in the family, it would only get used against us.
Clearing his throat, “Ladies.”
My body relaxed as I realized who it was and turned around. “Hamilton, you came.”
Hamilton returned a warm smile and gave me a hug. “Happy Birthday Bethany. My father wasn’t able to make it so I came in his place.”
“Has it gotten worse?” I asked.
Hamilton nodded, “Doctor today said the cancer spread to his lungs. No coming back from there.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Where’s the husband?” Hamilton changed the subject.
We remained friends despite my arranged marriage. Hamilton understood without me having to explain myself as he too was bound for the same fate.
“Working, as always.” I take a sip of my drink and realize both Natasha and Tiffany had walked away. “How’s the wedding planning?”
“You mean how’s paying everything that I have no say in? Expensive.”
We both laughed but it quickly died out when a hand wearing a large emerald cut diamond engagement ring elegantly, set in a sleek platinum band, was placed on his chest as a reminder that this man was taken.
The ring was a timeless piece that exuded sophistication and elegance.
Words I wouldn’t necessarily describe Kathy Harrington as.
“Bethany,” Kathy smiled with such fake enthusiasm. “Happy birthday!”
“Thank you,” I replied. “Hamilton was just talking about how excited he is for the wedding.”
There was a sense of relief as she let out a breath and relaxed her shoulder. “Next month and I’ll be Mrs. Branton. What a dream come true.”
Hamilton wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into him. He was good at pretending but I saw right through this facade. This marriage stemmed from his father wanting to see him married before he passed.
“I’m happy for both of you.”
Placing her hand on her chest, “I’m glad this hasn’t ruined our friendship. You and Hamilton only had a brief entanglement but he assured me it wouldn’t cause any tension.”
Our friendship? I held back from laughing out loud. Kathy and I were more like frenemies. Neither one of us would bat an eye if we wanted to date the other’s ex. As for the brief entanglement with Hamilton, I would just keep it at that.
“Hamilton and I were friends first,” I replied, “And if both my friends are happy being together then who am I to get in between that.”
Kathy [CJ4] wrinkled her nose and smiled as she knew I couldn’t care less about her. Her dull auburn hair perfectly pinned up showcasing her pearl earring and necklace as I stood beside her; we looked like a contradiction – a mix between Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe.
“You’ll be our first dinner guest after we move into the new house,” Hamilton cocked a smile while Kathy rolled her eyes. He loved Kathy and I’s so-called friendship, finding it amusing.
“We should go say hi to the mayor,” she said.
“Luca DeCarlo just walked in,” Hamilton said to her. “Let’s go say hi to him first.”
“Kissing ass already?” I commented.
“No,” Hamilton said as though correcting me, “Just being polite.”
“Sure,” I laughed as I drank from my glass.
“Your brother requested a meeting,” Kathy [CJ5] cut in as she always did when she felt the conversation was leaving her out.
“I didn’t know that,” I replied and shot Hamilton a look.
“Don’t start. I’m not running for D.A.” Hamilton said.
“Honey! You’d be amazing, “ she encouraged.
“I agree, although I don’t think you’d get along with Luca very well.”
Hamilton laughed at my comment knowing exactly what I meant. “I’ll catch you later.” He took his fiancé's hand and they walk[CJ6] ed in the direction of my brother who was already looking at me. I turned away and looked for my friends who abandoned me for the dance floor.
“Thank you for that,” I commented as I joined them.
“You let a good one go B,” Natasha commented. “Too bad your brother didn’t approve.”
“Can we not talk about my brother? Not tonight – it’s my birthday wish.”
“Where’s his wife?” Tiffany commented. “She should know better than to leave a good-looking man like him alone.”
Before I could answer, the DJ cut the music. All focus turned to him as he spoke into the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s give a round of applause to Bethany the birthday girl.”
The crowd applauded me as I blew kisses in thanks.
“Bethany’s big brother Luca has a few words.”
I gulped as I watched Luca take the mic from the DJ.
His stare bored into me, and it sent chills down my spine.
It was like the calm before a storm except I didn’t know what storm was coming.
There was an uneasiness that disturbed me yet I didn’t know where it stemmed from.
It wasn’t the usual look of pain in his eyes but one of fear.
“To my little sister, Bethany,” Luca spoke so calmly. “May you always find happiness. To many more celebrations. Happy birthday.” He raised his glass and everyone did the same as they cheered to me.
“Picture!” Isabelle screeched as she got us all together.
I stood in between my brother and mother with my sisters at both ends as we smiled at the camera. Flash. Flash. Flash. The more camera lights that went off the blinder I was getting. By the time I regained a clear vision, everyone had disbursed.
“Hey,” Alfie came up behind me. “Gotta head out. Rosa said she’ll take you home.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine. Just enjoy your party.”
Before I could question him, Alfie was gone. He practically sprinted toward Luca and they both exited the venue.
The remainder of the night was fun, and I realized how much being around people helped lift my spirits – or maybe it was the alcohol.
When I was dropped off at the empty house, all the lights were out except the one in the foyer.
Part of me hoped I’d find someone there waiting for me other than a housemaid.
As I lay in bed staring up at the ceiling, I knew it was going to be another sleepless night.
Getting out of bed, I walked to my dresser and dug out the burner phone that I used to communicate with Emilio.
I kept it charged. There was one voicemail Emilio had left on there by accident.
He had called the phone and it recorded him singing to a song in the car.
I never told him about it but I was so happy to have kept it.
On my worst days, I listen to it but I knew starting over that I would need to let it go.
Staring at the phone in my hand, I debated whether to get rid of it.
Suddenly it rang, startling me. I dropped to the floor as a blocked number called it.
The only person who knew the number was Emilio.
My heart was beating out my chest as I reached for it.
I was expecting a wrong number but when I heard his voice, I thought I had died and gone to heaven.
“Happy Birthday sweetheart.”