The Birthday Betrayal

CHAPTER TWO

Music blared and lights shimmered across the tiled floor.

Today was special, not like other days.

Chiara stood in a large hall, decorated with glittering chandeliers and floral arches. Today was her and Aleira's birthday simultaneously but it didn't feel like her day at all. 

The sound of metal clinking against glass drew everyone's attention to the center of the hall.

Alex Vitale and his wife stood glamorously dressed with Aleira standing in between them. She was dressed to the nines in a red, dazzling body hugging dress that showed off her back and her breasts. Her hair was curled and left to hang along her shoulders while her face was made up to resemble a model. Everyone was drawn to her sexy and charming visuals, they couldn't help praising her.

"Wow, that's Miss Aleira? She is so beautiful."

"Of course she is, she is their daughter isn't she?"

Aleira Vitale was just her cousin who moved in with her family after her dad suddenly died. Since then the love and affection of her parents suddenly shifted from her and has been solely focused on Aleira. No matter what she did, she never got back the love. The proposal was her last hope at redeeming her parents love. But she ruined it again, just like she has been ruining everything.

Dressed in a long peach flower gown with her hair in a curly ponytail, Chiara clenched her pale hands tight as she watched her family. She stayed unnoticed by the sides as she watched, her face struggling to stay neutral.

"I welcome everyone to the birthday celebration of our lovely and beloved daughter, Aleira Vitale. Please enjoy yourselves." 

Alex cheered as he raised his glass in a toast. The guests cheered along with him. At a not so far distance, a large table was filled to the brim with gifts all for Aleira.

Sighting a passing waiter, she rushed and grabbed a glass of wine and hurriedly brought it to her lips.

"They forgot my birthday again." She whispered in a shaky voice, her eyes lowered while glanicibg occasionally at Aleira as she basked in the attention of well wishers.

"Hello Chiara"

She turned with a glass of champagne in her hand to face the voice.

"Hello" she calmly greeted.

The women smiled stifly at her, their smiles barely reaching their eyes as they slipped their wine.

"I heard you and Aleira are both celebrating your birthdays today."

"Yes, you're right." She answered, her knuckles turned while from the pressure she exerted on the glass.

"Then why does it seem like today is mostly Aleira's birthday? And look, your parents seem to focus more on her than you." A mocking smile graced the lady's face.

Stiffly, she tried to control her frozen expression and answer.

"Well, we're both celebrating for different ages. I'm turning twenty four while she is turning twenty eight. And as for the attention, she deserves it, after all she has no parents to celebrate it with."

"Ohh" 

"I see"

The ladies gave understanding nods after her statement.

"If you don't mind, I'll be going to the bathroom.", she told them, her hands trembling slightly. 

Before leaving, she drank the glass of champagne in the hand in one gulp. She didn't notice the smirk on Aleira's face nor the way her eyes sparkles in delight as she watched her go. Neither did anyone notice when she winked at a young man, he nodded in response and followed after Chiara.

Chiara stumbled into the bathroom and took deep breaths in succession. Her blue-green eyes were misty as she bit her lips trying to fight off the tears threatening to spill.

"Why? Its my birthday too. Why does she get all the attention? I'm your daughter, your real daughter!" She yelled at her reflection. 

Her hands trembled as she touched her neck, her hands caresssed a necklace chain hidden beneath her blouse. The only link she had to an unknown past which for some reason she couldn't remember. But she kept with her all the time, because she felt like there was a relationship between her and the necklace.

She took a deep breath and bent to wash her face but suddenly her stomach churned and her head became heavy. She stumbled harder and tried to hold onto the sink.

"What's happening?" She mumbled, her words slurred while her eyes glazed over, dazed and unfocused. She shook her head trying to stay clear headed but once again, her legs shook.

"What's happening to me? My head." Her body felt too hot and uncomfortable.

Suddenly, the bathroom door clicked open behind her.  

A shadow loomed over her. 

“Enjoying the party, little sister?” Aleira's cold voice whispered in her ears. 

In shock, she spun to face her, her head still spinning

"What...what are you doing here?" She slurred.

Aleira smiled with dangerous satisfaction.  

"Just here to see how far you could go. From what I've seen, not long now. Haha!" She rang her fingers along her pale face. "Enjoy my little birthday gift to you."

With that, she sashayed out of the bathroom, leaving Chiara struggling with her consciousness.

"I have to get out of here." She told herself fiercely. She had no idea what Aleira was planning but she knew it wasn't good. Her instincts screamed at her to leave the place.

With great difficulty, she put strength to her legs and headed out.

A few minutes after she was gone, a haggard looking man walked in with wild eyes as he searched the bathroom.

"Damn it, the bitch's not here." He cursed fiercely and hurried out.

Meanwhile, Chiara had stumbled into an unknown corridor and finally collapsed against a door. 

"I can just rest here." She thought to herself but then the door opened and a pair of shoes stepped into her vision. She raised her head slowly, the face appeared too blurry for her to see anything.

"Help...me." She pleaded in a weak voice.

As if in answer to her plea, the figure bent and picked her up, the smell of cologne wafted into her nose. She felt something hard and strong around her body and heard the sound of the door slamming.

Her body too hot for her to care anymore, squirmed in the person's hands. With frantic hands, she explored the hard crevices of the man's body. Her breaths came out in huge pants as she looked up at the face and whined.

"Please, just for tonight. I...I feel too hot."

She heard a suppressed groan and the next thing she knew, a face filled her vision and her lips were captured by something soft and eager. She moaned deliciously at the pleasure that shot through her body.

The man silently carried her towards the bed and began to take off her clothes in a frenzy.