My worst day

Seline

We stopped in front of Isabel’s house. I paid the driver and stepped out, feeling the cool evening air brush against my skin. My heart raced with curiosity as I approached the gate. Thankfully, it was open. I was glad she had decided to leave it that way for me, it made the arrival feel more personal, more inviting.

The street was quiet, and I wondered why Isabel had called me here. There was no loud music, no signs of a party outside. A tiny pang of doubt crept into my mind, maybe I had misread the situation?

I pressed the doorbell, and within a minute, she opened the door with her usual cheerful energy.

"Welcome, girlfriend!" she said, her bright smile lighting up the doorway.

"Thank you. Why have you called me here? I was supposed to meet Jude. He will be so angry with me,” I said, trying to keep my voice casual.

"Don’t worry, he is waiting for you inside," Isabel said, and I am shocked.

"What is he doing here?" I asked, my mind racing.

We were so close, Isabel and I, but she had never been close with Jude. My boyfriend was supposed to be my boyfriend alone. He was supposed to inform me first if he planned to come here. A swirl of guilt and confusion washed over me, but I forced a calm smile. I couldn’t show her how angry I felt.

"Just keep quiet and follow me, my friend," Isabel said, grabbing my hand and gently tugging me inside.

And then I saw it. My birthday party. Her house was beautifully decorated with delicate flowers and colorful balloons. Streamers hung from the ceiling, and a banner read, “Happy Birthday, Seline. Happy 29!”

A broad smile spread across my face. “When did you have the time to do all this, Isabel? It’s so pretty. I love it!” I say.

“It was my plan, but your boyfriend over there made everything happen,” Isabel said, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

I turned, and my heart nearly skipped a beat. There was Jude, seated on a chair with a broad, irresistible smile on his face. And around him, a few guests I hadn’t met before. My excitement surged so quickly that I almost couldn’t breathe.

I rushed to him and wrapped my arms around him tightly. “Thank you, my love. For all this. I am so happy. I love you.” say.

“I’m happy you liked it, my love,” he said, his eyes sparkling with warmth.

“Let the party begin!” Isabel says, cutting short my conversation with Jude.

* * * * * * *

The evening unfolded in a whirlwind of laughter, music, and celebration. There were songs, cake-cutting, my heartfelt speech, and now… the presents. My heart pounded with anticipation. What had Jude prepared for me?

“My lovely friend, here is my gift. Open it when you get home, please,” Isabel said, handing me a carefully wrapped package.

“Thank you, Isabel. You are a wonderful friend,” I reply, my smile radiant.

“And here is a gift from me, my love,” Jude said, offering me a small, neatly wrapped present. “Open it when you get home as well.” she then adds.

“I will. I promise,” I said, my heart full of love and gratitude.

The other guests handed me their gifts too, some of them unfamiliar faces. I knew this was all Isabel’s doing, and I didn’t care who was here.

“Seline. How could you not have invited me over to your party?” I hear a voice that made my blood run cold.

I froze. My stomach twisted into knots. I turned slowly and met the eyes of Luca, the man who had caused me so much pain in the past. My ex. I hadn’t thought of him in years. And now, here he was, on my special day, as if fate had thrown him straight into my arms.

“Luca, what are you doing here?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it, my love? I couldn’t miss your special day,” he says, a smug, almost possessive smile on his face.

I glanced at Jude, whose expression had shifted from joy to disbelief. Clearly, he hadn’t expected this interruption. My heart sank.

“Luca. What are you even saying?” I asks, my voice trembling slightly.

Before I could react further, he lunged forward and wrapped me in a powerful hug, pulling me close to him. “Happy birthday, my love. I could never miss this special day of your life.” he then says.

“Luca, leave me!” I screamed, panic rising in my chest. I hoped that Jude would come to my aid, but instead, he stepped back and slowly leaves Isabel's house.

Luca’s grip was so strong. I could hardly escape him. “No, this can’t be happening,” I say desperately, struggling to free myself. His strength was overpowering, and I felt trapped in a nightmare I hadn’t expected tonight.

The room that was moments ago filled with joy and love now seemed to shrink around me. My birthday, meant to be a celebration of happiness and love, had suddenly turned into a tense confrontation with a painful past.