C H A P T E R 3 6
?A little party never killed anybody.?
I could describe Juliet's birthday party as overwhelming and extra. A lot extra.
The dinner was hosted at a five star hotel, Serene Serenade's ballroom. The whole place was decorated from top to bottom. It looked like a palace.
If this was Charlotte's 'simple' dinner party, then I never wanted to see what her extravagant ones were like.
Getting into the ballroom had posed a great challenge.
When our cars arrived at the hotel, the entrance was crowded with the paparazzi.
They were going crazy over what the celebration was about.
I knew they had a slight inkling about it.
Today was Juliet's birthday. The Jenson's are hosting a secret dinner party. What could be the reason?
It was too obvious. Only a fool would not be able to guess that this was their daughter's birthday party.
With that, rumors would spread. The paparazzi would speculate and try to find more information.
Not everything would be in our control. Somehow the news would leak that the long lost billionaire's daughter was finally found.
That she had finally returned. Charlotte would start forcing me to reveal myself.
It would be a breaking news that would circulate all the news channels for a few days and the whole world would gossip about the daughter's whereabouts and what she must have done in all this time.
"Julie!" Olivia hissed at me, snapping me out of my reverie.
We had managed to get into the hotel after the paparazzi was forced out of the way when they were blocking the parking space.
There were strict orders given to not let anyone with a camera in and the guests were requested to not post anything on social media about the event.
We were standing outside the doors of the ballroom. I was a bundle of nerves at Olivia's side because in less than a minute, I'd be meeting every person who was close to Juliet. I bet there would be a lot of them.
For some reason, I felt as if it was my last day acting as Juliet. My secret might be revealed at the smallest of slips. I had be very careful as I was unwillingly venturing into a dangerous territory.
Suddenly I remembered that I didn't catch up with Keith. I had decided that I would talk to him once I had gotten ready but then I completely forgot about it once I came downstairs and was bombarded with compliments.
Today most possibly might be my last day among these people and if it was, I wasn't sure if I could get to meet Keith one last time.
"Here goes nothing," I heard Olivia mutter and just then the doors opened and I froze.
There were a heck lot of people around. Like sunflowers to the sun, all the people's zeroed in on me and I instantly felt my throat dry up. I could barely move a muscle and the people must have stared at me for a full minute before Olivia eventually softly pushed me forward.
I didn't notice that there was a grand staircase descending down to all the people who now had began clapping and singing the birthday song.
My cheeks heated up. Whenever it would be my birthday and people around me started singing the birthday song I always felt embarrassed.
It was two minutes of pure torture. Two minutes of old and young people singing the birthday song to me.
When it finally ended, I gave them a wide smile, well as wide a smile as I could muster.
I descended the staircase with Olivia, thanking God at least she was there with me. Charlotte and Amelia had left me alone with her, only giving us directions on where to go.
When I reached the bottom of the stairs, Olivia left my side and disappeared into the crowd. I panicked, not knowing what to do.
Suddenly two hands grabbed both of my hands in their hold. They were Heather's and Amelia's. Both grinned down at me making me realized how I was a little short than them both.
Heather was in a nice gown with a thigh high slit and matching dark blue heels.
It was dark blue with small, white shimmery beads on it.
It resembled a cloudless night sky. Her brown hair was straightened perfectly and she had on the perfect makeup to go with her gown.
She looked really breathtakingly beautiful and her grey eyes seemed bigger than they usually were.
Ethan was so lucky to have her. Together, they looked like a perfect couple.
The room was filled with chatter, laughter and the clinking of wine glasses. I was offered a drink by a passing server but I politely declined. I didn't want to get tipsy and do or say something wrong.
The two girls led me to various people, one after the other.
I spent more than an hour just talking and meeting new people.
I was introduced to many of Juliet's extended family members.
A lot of aunts, uncles, cousins, old people, long forgotten school friends and some foes too and college acquaintances, and more old people.
I didn't talk much and Heather and Amelia came to my rescue more number of times than I could count. I was so glad to have them beside me.
We were trying to meet up with everyone but not talk much with them because long talks would lead to deep conversations and there was a chance of someone going down memory lane.
We would always ease ourselves out a conversation with a "I missed you so much.
You should visit me sometimes at the mansion" and without waiting for a reply, we would bid farewell to them and then move to the next group that we needed to entertain.
There were indeed a lot for people. Charlotte had said that there were not more than hundred but it looked quite the opposite.
A lot of personal photographers were hired to click pictures of us with every group of people we met. The whole place was huge. At the center was the dance floor but no one was dancing and the sides of the room, there were huge slowly spinning round dinner tables with about fifteen chairs each.
I caught a glimpse of Ethan, Antonio, Rebecca, Rachael, Robert and Audrey in a group, talking. Audrey looked stunning in a short aqua dress whereas Rachael looked every bit of the diva that she was with a two-piece beaded crop top dress.
Charlotte and Alistair were mingling with the guests. I was tired of talking to so many relatives. I wanted a break but there seemed a never ending line of people eager to meet me.
I had briefly talked to Mr. and Mrs. Jenson before we both were swept into a conversation with different people.
Many people asked about my whereabouts and I had given as brief an answer as I possibly could. Many a times I would just dodge the question with a "does it matter? I'm here now and that's all that is important."
Heather and Amelia were impressed with my acting prowess. They were convinced that I had convinced everyone that I was the real Juliet.
I looked around for Olivia who was at the bar, sitting on a stool with a drink in her hand. Tristan was next to her and they were laughing. Yes, laughing. I couldn't quite believe my eyes. I just hoped she would be responsible and handle her drink intake and not create problems for me.
Finally, we reached our group.
"I thought I wouldn't be able to see my sister tonight," Antonio said, surprising me when he stepped forward and swept me in a hug. I relaxed in his arms. I was still not used to much physical contact with my alleged siblings. "Happy birthday, princess."
I smiled. "Thank you."
That was followed by Rebecca, Rachael, Robert and Audrey taking me in a hug, wishing me a happy birthday and I thanked each one of them.
"You look beautiful in this dress and necklace. It fits you perfectly!" Audrey said, studying my outfit.
"Thanks, Ethan gifted it to me," I said, looking at Ethan. "Thank you," I said to him.
He smiled at me. "You chose to wear it. Did you like it?"
"Yeah, I loved it. Both of them."
"You never gave me gifts," Heather pouted, jabbing her elbow in Ethan's side and he winced.
"What do you want?"
"Whatever. I don't want anything from you," she said.
Ethan gave her a flat look. "That's why I never gave you anything."
I chuckled at their banter.
Heather glared at him before grabbing me. "Come on, Juliet. Let's go meet my parents."
Laughter sounded from behind us as we left the group and looked for her parents.
"My parents are Patricia and Justin Allen.
And Amelia's are Felicity and Jack Harris.
Juliet's, Amelia's, Ethan's and my parents are best friends.
They had been since high school. Naturally, we three became the best of buddies.
Tristan and Ethan thought we were too girly to hang out with," she rolled her eyes.
"So the two weren't really close with the three of us. "
"Oh," was all I could say.
Heather went up to a group of adults and tapped a man's shoulder. He turned around and grinned at me.
"Juliet, my girl. Happy birthday," he said, hugging me while I remained shocked. He pulled away. "So how was life out there? Pretty cool I think. I bet you enjoyed a lot. Even I had attempted to run away when I was a kid but I was not brave enough. You are something else."
I smiled at him nervously.
"You remember me, don't you? I'm your uncle Justin."
"R-right. How can I forget you."
Beside him was a woman, Patricia I assumed who was scrutinizing me with hawk like eyes. I shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. One thing I noticed was that Patricia had green eyes and Justin had black eyes. So how the hell did Heather land with grey eyes?
"Mom, stop staring at her like that. You're making her uncomfortable," Heather came to my rescue.
"Juliet? Uncomfortable?" The woman scoffed. She didn't seem very pleasant. I remembered how Charlotte told me that she had threatened Heather that she would marry her off to someone of her choice if she didn't stop her scandalous ways and get a boyfriend she was actually serious about.
"Hello, aunt Patricia," I said and she looked shocked.
"At least you learnt some manners out there," she sneered at me and walked off with her husband.
"Well, that's mother for you."
"Heather, if you don't mind me asking, are they your real parents? I observed their eye colors and yours-"
"I'm adopted."
I didn't know what to say. I kind of expected that but I didn't know how to respond. But I didn't need to because Heather continued.
"My biological parents are dead. I don't even remember them."
"I'm sorry."
"You need not be. So Justin and Patricia took me in as their own. Patricia doesn't like me much. I knew that from the start. So don't mind her when she behaves rudely with you. She hates both mine and Juliet's guts."
"Yes, according to her Juliet and Heather are very vulgar girls. And since I hung out with them, she started to see me as a vulgar girl too. She used to like me at first," Amelia added.
"Don't they have any children of their own?" I asked. We were stood in a quiet corner and currently no one was coming over to meet us.
"No, Patricia can't have children so they chose to adopt." Amelia answered.
"Justin and Patricia are so...different. I don't know them for long but Justin seems very pleasant to be around. Patricia, not so much."
"Opposites do attract, I guess," Amelia shrugged. "Oh, I didn't introduce you to my parents. Let's go."
"Dad? Mom?" Amelia said, interrupting what sounded like a business conversation between a few adults.
"Yes, dear?" The woman asked and then her eyes feel on me. "Oh, Juliet."
For the millionth time I was hugged.
"Happy birthday! You've grown so much since the last time I saw you. I still can't believe you're here in front of me," the woman said, sounding as if she was on the verge of tears. I guessed she was Felicity Harris. "Oh Jack, am I not right?"
"Yes you are," the man behind her agreed. "Our little princess has grown to be a wonderful woman."
We talked to them for a while until we heard soft music playing.
Suddenly a man was in front of me with a hand extended.
"May I have a dance with you?" He asked. He was handsome. He had dark brown eyes which reminded me a little of Ethan.
"Go for it," Heather said, smirking as she shoved me towards him. "He's the guy who Juliet wanted to buy."
"Wait, what?" I panicked but by that time the guy had already grabbed my hand. He placed a soft kiss on my knuckles before leading me to the dance floor.
I felt awkward knowing that this was the guy who Juliet dated and he cheated on her because of which she wanted to buy him and now he thought that it was me.
"Hey," he said, smiling at me. We were the first ones to dance and after us, many couples joined us on the dance floor. We lightly swayed to the music.
"Hi, Vince," I smiled back nervously at him. Amelia had told me about him. He was the most popular boy in Juliet's high school and handsome too.
"You look beautiful today. Happy birthday."
"Thanks."
"So...you still want to buy me?" He said and chuckled.
My cheeks burned red in embarrassment even though I was not the one who did that. But I was embarrassed for Juliet.
"N-no."
Vince looked a little confused. "You've changed. You almost look...nervous?"
"Uh...says who? I never get nervous!" I said with as much confidence as I could muster up.
"O-kay. That was more like the Juliet I know."
I didn't answer and we continued to dance in silence. The song was coming to an end and I desperately wanted to leave. I barely knew the guy and if he said or asked something I had no idea about, then I would most likely screw things up.
"Look, I know we didn't end things well last time and so you wanted to buy me as if I was some slave and I know I'm responsible for you running off, but I just wanted to say sorry. What I did was wrong," he said, looking pleadingly at me.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" He asked.
"I don't know what to say," I said honestly.
"That's okay I guess. I mean I wouldn't know what to say to me too. But I want you to know that I want you back. I'll make things right between us, only if you give me a chance to."
"Vince, I don't know. I don't think it's a good idea."
"At least consider it, please. I'll give you time to figure out what you want. I'll be waiting for you, always."
I didn't reply. This conversation was getting too awkward and confusing for me.
I didn't realize that we were halfway into the second song. I no longer wanted to dance with him, especially when he started leaning closer.
"Vince," I warned.
"Don't I even get a small kiss?"
No.
No way in hell was I going to lose my first kiss to this stranger. Plus, he was Juliet's ex.
Suddenly, I was whisked away into a different pair of arms. I was glad that I no longer had to deal with Vince. I heard a 'hey' behind us but he skillfully waltzed us away from Vince.
When I looked up I was relieved. He was the only person I'd feel comfortable to dance with.
"What was that? You can't just snatch me away like that. Not that I'm not glad that you interrupted us."
"Yeah, well you didn't look too happy in his arms. And shouldn't I get to dance with the birthday girl at least once?" Tristan winked at me.
"So how are things going with Olivia?"
"There's little progress but at least it's something. We're getting into the friend zone," he whined.
I was happy that he found Olivia interesting and was putting in efforts to get to know her. But I had been thinking about both of them lately and I was not liking the way this all was heading to.
"Tristan, I need to tell you something. Don't get mad at me."
He scrunched his eyebrows up in confusion. "I can never get mad at you, especially when it's your birthday."
"Okay, I'll be honest. I don't think you should chase after Olivia."
Tristan suddenly stopped but continued our dance after a moment. "Why?"
"Trust me. Don't fall for her. You'll only end up getting hurt. Look, I don't want either of you to get hurt because of your feelings so before you fall for her deeply, just don't. It's best for you."
"Sorry but I don't know what you're talking about. Why would I get hurt?"
Because if we get caught some day, we'd have to leave and I don't think you exactly go for commoners.
"I can't tell you. Maybe in time you'd get to know why but I can't tell you."
Tristan looked solemnly at me as if I had just stolen a poor boy's candy.
"I don't think I can do that, Juliet. I'm sorry but I can't and I won't do that. Now, if you'll excuse me," Tristan looked behind me. "Ethan, dance with Juliet for a while? Thanks."
With that, Tristan left me and walked away and I was in Ethan's arms.
"Hey."
"Hey," I said.
"Why are you looking upset? What did Tristan say to you?"
I shrugged. "Nothing." I gasped as he dipped me. I had not expected that.
"Didn't seem nothing to me," Ethan said once he pulled me up.
"Just some stuff with Olivia."
Ethan nodded and we swayed to the music. Many people had now joined the dance floor, dancing with their respective partners. I saw Tristan dancing with Olivia, Antonio and Audrey who were dancing very closely and Robert and Rachael.
"This is the first time we're dancing together," Ethan murmured and I looked at him.
"Yeah," I said.
We waltzed for a while until my eyes fell on a certain familiar blonde, the green eyed devil dressed like an angel. She had just entered and I was so shocked to see her. I had not expected her here. It was so long ago that I last saw her.
Immediately, I went stiff in Ethan's arms, my eyes trained on the figure at the end of the room. She appeared to be searching for someone.
"Are you alright?" He asked, looking at me worriedly.
"Uh...Ethan, I need to go to...the bathroom...yeah, d-dance with Heather," I said, pushing Heather into his arms. Luckily, she had been nearby.
I quickly ran to Olivia who was still in Tristan's arms. I yanked her away from him. Tristan looked irritated at the interruption and then his eyes fell on me.
"Juliet? Come on, can't I even dance with her?"
"Tristan, I really need to borrow her for a while. This is not because of what we talked about."
I didn't wait for his reply and dragged Olivia to the bar.
"Ow, what the hell, Julie."
"She's here."
"Who?"
"That girl," I said, pointing to the girl who had been my source of distress. "Ring a bell?"
"Holy shit. What is she doing here?"
"I have no idea."
"Well, what are we going to do?"
"We have to get out of this party. That's the only way."
"No way. You can't ditch your own birthday party."
"Yes I can if there's a risk of us getting caught."
"We won't make it. The doors are at that side and she's there too."
I looked for any exits but there were none. We were trapped. It didn't help that it was my birthday party, well Juliet's. That was what she must be here for.
I looked at her, wishing her to disappear magically.
She was talking to someone. She looked beautiful. She was in a beige and silver mermaid evening gown. Her black hair were curled to perfection and her eyes looked beautiful with the makeup. Her dark skin looked soft and smooth like chocolate. She looked like an angel who descended from heaven.
But I knew better. She was no angel.
Suddenly, the one she was talking to pointed at us. The woman started making her way over to us and Olivia and I turned around at the same time.
"Shit," we said in unison.
So who do you think she is?
I'd love to see who guesses right, and you'll get a dozen cookies for that.
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