Flashback (Eight months ago...)
Skye's POV
Grr...
Grr...
Grr...
"Ugh. Did I forget to turn off this noisy alarm?" I huff angrily as the blaring alarm forcefully pulls me out of my sleep. I stretch out and switch it off before sitting up on the bed. My gaze flits around the room subtly and I am about to lay back on the bed when my mind rings alarm.
How could I forget? September 22. Today is my birthday. I had been so excited yesterday about it that I couldn't sleep early but now when morning came, I simply forgot. I instantly crawl out of bed and slip my feet into my flip flops.
The living room is very quiet and dark when I walk in. The lights are always on. Who turned them off? I feel for a switch near me and flip the light on. The chandelier lit up and illuminates the vast room. My gaze darts towards the dining and I see that there were three covered steel bowls on the table. They seem untouched.
'Dad didn't come home last night?'
At that moment, the villa's landline rings loudly, startling me. I walk to it in long strides and pick up the call.
"Hello," I say half-leaning on the adjoining wall between the dining and living room.
"Darling," my dad calls out and I instantly stand upright.
"Dad. What's wrong? Where are you?"
"Actually,..." he hesitates and I narrow my eyes inexplicably. "I'm in France at the moment."
My eyes widen, "France? You're in France?"
"Yes, baby. I..."
"But you promised you'll be here for my birthday."
"I know. I promised but things didn't go the way I wanted. I had to catch a late flight to France yesterday. I wanted to give you a call but I figured you'd be asleep already. But not to worry, I'll be back tomorrow afternoon and we'll be celebrating your birthday together. Is that okay, princess?"
I can't fuss anymore. After all, he has compromised. He hates late night flights but yet he still left. It is probably a very urgent matter but he still thought to call and compromised with me.
I suddenly feel sad. And miss my mom. I'm sure he misses her more than I did. After all, he spent more time with her than I did. But, he didn't break down and makes sure to take care of me well. I feel even more attached to him.
"Princess? Are you there?"
I hear dad call out, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I reply, "Alright, dad. I'll be waiting."
"Okay sweetheart. Call you later."
The line beeps and the call disconnects. I hang the landline back and make my way into the inner settee in my flip flop. I look at the huge gold rimmed clock on the wall.
6:30 a.m.
The steward and cleaner will not be arriving anytime soon. I return to my room and grab my phone from the nightstand.
No calls.
No texts.
I shrug and drop the phone onto the nightstand once again before walking to the bathroom. I walk out of the walk-in closet, half an hour later dressed in a simple short and top.
My phone's interface lights up and I pick it up. The name, 'Sexy bear' swirled on it.
I click the accept button. And by the way, sexy bear is my best friend, Aria.
"Hey, babe," her clearly excited voice drifts into my ears.
"Hey."
"Happy birthday."
"Oh, please. You are not one to call to just say haapy birthday. what's going on?"
"Okay, you got me. I've got something for you. Something you're gonna love."
My brows lifts.
"And what's that?"
"It's a surprise. And don't ask me what it is. Just get your ass there exactly 7pm."
"7pm," I asked surprised. "Are you sure you do not mean 7am? I mean it's just past 6am currently."
She snorts, "I have a good sense of time and be there by 7pm or else..."
I sigh. One of the perks of having a super crazy best friend.
"Okay. I'll be there."
"Good. And by the way, the stylists I hired will be there by 3pm to get you ready."
I am instantly piqued. Are we attending a party? Aria wouldn't host a party for me, would she? But who knows? She has always been unpredictable.
As if she knows I was about ask, she admonishes, "No questions, young lady. Mother knows best!"
I nod even though she can't see me. She has always proclaimed me as her daughter. But I think I'm the mother between us. After all, I'm usually the clear headed one.
But, I didn't dwell on it and ask, "Where is this place you want me to go?"
"Oh, that's true," she exclaims and her voice drifts away from me. I can indistinctly hear her calling her driver's name and barking out a few orders before her voice drifts into my ears once again. "Ben will pick you up."
"I can get my driver to take me there. No need to trouble Ben."
"No. It's no trouble for him. And, I don't want you to know what the surprise is all about."
I sit on my bed and fold my legs. "It can't be that you're planning to sell me, are you?"
Aria laughs, "Oh please. If I wanted to do that considering how annoying you are, you think I'd wait till now?"
"But no matter how annoying I am, I'm still your BFF," I rebut.
"Yes. Yes," she urges mockingly. "You are so awesome that I can't survive without you. Anyway, get more rest. I'm gonna blow your mind this night."
And she disconnects up the call.
My eyes narrows as I adjust my pillow and lie down. Anyway, I wouldn't be too curious. I can wait.
**********************************************
99 Night Bar
The car pulls in front of the bustling bar and my eyes widen. It can't be what I'm thinking, right? No wonder why the stylists did such a makeup for me.
But I didn't shown any signs that I wanted to... Anyway, I'll get in there first and see what it is all about.
I step out of the car, my knee length boots thump against the floor as I step onto the platform. As I walk towards the door, I can see the smile on Luke, the bouncer's face when he notices me.
I walk over to him feeling my lips widen into a smile. "Hey buddy. Have you see Aria?"
"Oh, I saw her," he replies. "And it seems you're in for something tonight."
It is then I finally notice that his smile wasn't the usually friendly smile. It is a lopsided grin that shows that he probably knows about the surprise.
"Come on. Go in," he continues to say and lightly shoves me into the bustling bar. Lights dance around me, illuminating the bar in all shades of color. I walk towards the bar with familiarity.
"Hey Tim," I call out to the bartender.
He lifts his head almost immediately and grin when he takes my appearance in. "You look beautiful today, bella."
"I've always been beautiful, Tim," I correct with a pout. "By the way, have you seen Aria?"
He nods. "I've seen her. And she left something for you."
"Oh. What's that?"
He reaches into his pocket and brought out a card. A card which I recognize despite having seen it only once.
My mind reels...
An escort card.
Tim has a knowing smile on his face as he says, "You'll be fine, bella. Unwind today and let yourself experience immeasurable pleasure."
I lower my head and tighten my fingers on the card... I have only seen it once. Aria and I have talked about it for a long time. I made up my mind to pop my cherry a long time ago but I don't want to do it with someone familiar. I want it with a stranger who wouldn't recognize me but I don't know what kept me from booking an escort despite how much I had fantasized.
But Aria being my best friend, she knows all along even though I never mention it to her. And she takes the last step to do what I didn't dare to. It is the best eighteenth birthday gift I can ever receive.
That she pays so much attention to me.
That she knows what I want without me saying.