“Open this damn door, Isabella!” Isabella’s aunt, Vivian, who appeared to be in a hurry, yelled. It’s so loud that it might deafen her.
“Coming!” Isabella exclaimed as she rushed to the chocolate-colored wooden door. But her aunt didn’t seem to hear her and kept knocking, obviously impatient.
When she opened the door, her Aunt Vivian’s frowning face and hands on her waist appeared in front of her.
Even with thick makeup on its face, it couldn’t hide the annoyance on her face. “What took you so long to open? How significant is it that you did not immediately open the door for your aunt?” Her aunt Vivian raised an eyebrow at her, which made her look even more vicious.
“I’m sorry, aunt—” Isabella didn’t even finish speaking when Vivian slapped her very hard.
Isabella’s vision went black, and her ears went deaf because of the size of her aunt’s hand and the force with which she hit. She whimpered in pain, holding her tiny face with both hands.
“And you still have the guts to answer me? How dare you?” Vivian glared at her with her enormous eyes. “You should be thankful that it’s your birthday today because if not, I’m afraid that is not the only thing I will do to you.”
Isabella didn’t say a word anymore. She knew that if she spoke again, she would surely get more than a slap.
“Get dressed up because I’m taking you to an excellent restaurant, but don’t plan a lavish celebration. Remember, never demand anything from your uncle or tell your grandfather about it. Are we on the same page?” Her eyes are threatening.
“Yes, Auntie.” Isabella nodded while still holding her cheek, still in pain.
It was like a thorn that pulled at Isabella’s throat when her aunt left her room. She let out a deep sigh before closing her door again.
Yes, today is Isabella’s 18th birthday. Her uncle, Benjamin Jones, by blood, asked his wife to book a restaurant to celebrate for her.
She was used to being invisible in that house, so she couldn’t understand why they intended to throw a party, perhaps because they wanted to show off a harmonious family outside.
She even remembered from last month that her cousin celebrated her birthday, and it was lavish. But for her, her birthday doesn’t need to be grand. All she wanted was for them to greet her wholeheartedly, even without a birthday party.
She forced herself to smile in front of the mirror after she let out a deep sigh. “Happy birthday, self,” was all she uttered on her lips before the tears that wanted to escape poured out.
She braided her long blonde hair. She does it every year on her birthday as if it were a vow because it is one of the things she will never forget.
Her mother used to do that to her before she died. As she does so, she recalls happy memories of her mother—her mother’s sweet smile while cupping her tiny face and her mother’s brown eyes, which shone like a star every time her mother looked at her—a memory Isabella knew even in her dying breath she would always treasure.
*****
In the restaurant.
Isabella couldn’t help but be nervous as she sat in a golden chair. While observing her surroundings, she appears restless. She couldn’t believe her aunt was taking her to a fancy restaurant tonight.
What surprised her more was why they were the only ones here, as if they had rented out the entire establishment for this occasion.
Isabella stared at the restaurant’s glass door, waiting for her uncle to enter and dine. But she didn’t see anyone—not even a shadow of someone.
“Where’s Uncle?” Isabella asked.
“What, my dad is so busy; do you ever expect that he’ll drop his business and come to celebrate with you?” Scarlette sneered. She doesn’t like Isabella, especially her dazzling blue eyes and perfectly straight blonde hair. She can’t help but be jealous of her cousin.
Later, the grand meal arrived, along with expensive red wine.
Scarlette adjusted her posture and tucked a strand of her hair in her ears. Then she turned in the direction where the server was standing. She gave him a charming smile and motioned with her hand. The man responded with a meaningful smile and immediately nodded. He seemed to know what the woman meant.
“Since it’s your birthday, try this drink for me.” Scarlette handed her the wine she was holding.
Isabella was reluctant to accept it because she isn’t used to drinking any alcohol, and aside from that, she has zero tolerance for alcohol.
“Get it. This is the greeting from your uncle. He orders the most expensive wine here for your birthday and apologized for not coming. Don’t offend your uncle’s feelings.”
Isabella couldn’t do anything but accept when Vivian spoke. She immediately drank the drink in one go, and in just a minute, she suddenly felt dizzy.
“Are you okay?” Vivian asked, pretending to be concerned about her.
Isabella was not well anymore, so she answered only with a nod. She held her temple and massaged it slowly, but her feelings worsened.
Scarlette came with bodyguards and ordered, “carry her.”
"Where are you taking me?” Her voice was weak. However, they appeared to be deaf and did not hear anything as they continued to lift her.
Scarlette chuckled evilly. “You deserve it, dear cousin, because you are stupid!”
The devilish laugh that echoed in Isabella’s ears made her realize that what they were doing good things for earlier was all an act because they had an evil plan for her.
They drugged her!
“No...” Isabella tried to get rid of those bulky guys who were carrying her to somewhere.
But it was too late for her because her body gradually weakened until she lost consciousness.
*****
Isabella awakens to find herself lying down in a luxurious hotel. She was still feeling dizzy, but she forced her eyes open. Suddenly, Isabella felt something strange in her whole body. She gradually felt hotter and hotter, like a burning fire. She suddenly felt thirsty for something she couldn’t figure out.
Isabella fumbled with her hands, looking for something to cool off with, when she touched something hard but soft. It was as hard as a rock but as mushy as a pillow.
She had no idea that the thing she had touched was a man’s body! Her touch arouses the man’s desire. To fulfill his desire, he grabbed her, which caused Isabella to fall into his blazing chest.
The man started kissing her neck—a kiss full of longing, desire, and a daring kiss. Isabella tried to escape from the man’s arms, especially his dauntless kiss.
“Stop, please...uh...” she begged, as well as moaning couldn’t help leaking from her lips.
She couldn’t figure out why the more the man deepened his kisses, the more her body craved them until the man completely conquered her entire body.
Then that night developed into an aggressive night, shared by creatures who seemed to lust after one another.
