CHAPTER TWO

A few months back...

I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked beautiful today in the shiny gown I wore for the party. It was a floor-length, green gown that complimented my green eyes. I was turning twenty today and my sister, Lindsey, and my uncle John had organized a party. My room door burst open and Lindsey in her black gown stepped inside.

"You're looking beautiful, Andy," She said as she stepped before me and smiled. I returned the smile which reached my eyes. 

"Happy birthday," she said, hugging me.

"Thank you, Linds,” I replied and told her to help me with my hair. She nodded and turned me around to comb my hair while I patiently waited. She told me that Uncle John was waiting for us at our beach house where the party was held. 

Lindsey and I weren't real sisters. I met Lindsey when we were just kids. Lindsey was a year older than me. Her mother was my tutor. She was a single mother but she died due to cancer when Lindsey was just a kid. My dad adopted Lindsey. I was happy because she was my best friend.

We both grew together playing around going to school. Life was merry. But then one day when I was nine, we both returned to our home from school. Uncle John was waiting for us. He was the lawyer of my dad and also a great friend to him. Lindsey and I, too, were close with him. But that day he didn't look normal, his expressions were grim. He told us that our parents died in a car accident.

That shook both me and Lindsey to our core. I could have hardly handled myself if uncle John was not there for both of us. While I was having difficulties holding myself together, Lindsey locked herself in her room for two whole months. After a year of efforts from Uncle John, Lindsey and I became stable. And from then on, our family only included Uncle John, Lindsey, and me. We all were each other's support. 

"Done. Let's go," Lindsey voiced and brushed her hand in my hair one more time. I glanced in the mirror one last time. I was looking good. I picked my purse and grabbing my phone, we made our way out of the house.

My father was a business owner. He was in the hotel business who owned twelve resorts all over the country and more than twenty hotels. After his death, I took his position and became the owner of his hotel organization. The car was already waiting for us outside our house. We both got in the car and the driver started driving.

I asked Lindsey who was coming to the party as I didn't have any idea about the guests. I didn't even know about the party. They just informed me a few hours ago.

"Only a few people from the company," Lindsey reply while I nodded in response.

"You're twenty now. Are you planning to date someone?" Lindsey asked, smiling at me.

"What about you? You're already twenty but I don't see your boyfriend." I asked, raising my eyebrow. My sister was a little shy, but she was beautiful with her blue eyes, pale skin and blonde hair whereas my hairs were raven black with hazel eyes. She could have anyone as her boyfriend, but she didn't have one.

"I..um... I wanted to tell you," she voiced out and bit her lip. She only did that when she was nervous. I gazed at her curiously and waited for her to continue.

"Don't tell me you have found someone without telling me," I spoke when she stayed silent. I noticed her eyes going wide and her eyebrows shot up.

"NO! I haven't," she quickly stated. I fixed her with my gaze and my eyebrow raised in suspicion. She avoided my eyes when she spoke again.

"I just... You know I talked to this guy and he wants to go on dinner with me," She finished. I couldn't help but smile. She looked so cute when she was nervous. She finally found someone sweet.

"Oh Linds, finally. When's your date?"

"It's not a date, it's just a dinner. Day after tomorrow," she stated.

"Well, whatever you say, it's a date. What's his name?"

"First promise me you won’t do a background run on him," she stated knowing me all too well. I didn’t doubt her choice but I just wanted her to be safe.

"Fine I won’t," I spoke after a few seconds. She then told me about this guy whom she met at a café. He asked her out on the same day for dinner and they exchanged their numbers. I was glad that Lindsey was trying to be social as she did that rarely. 

We reached the beach house. A man came to open our doors and we both climbed out of the car. I stepped beside Lindsey, and then we both made our way to the entrance of the house.

As we entered inside, I was mesmerized by the decoration. The entire mansion was lit with bright lights and the hall was decorated glamorously. A huge chandelier hung at the very center of the ceiling. I watched as Uncle John approached us when he saw us standing. He strolled towards us with a radiant smile on his lips and once he was in front of us, he hugged me. "Happy birthday, bunny."

"Uncle, I'm a big girl now," I whined. "You can't call me bunny."

The only answer I got in reply was there sound of their laughing. Shaking my head, I walked in, leaving them behind.

After a while, Uncle came to introduce me to some of his friends. I chatted with them for a while.

Later that evening, everyone was on the dance floor dancing with their partners. I was looking for Lindsey as I hadn't seen her around. I asked Uncle John about her whereabouts but he too had not seen her. So, we both went different ways to look for her. I searched the entire floor, but she was not anywhere. I called her but her phone was switched off. I started to get worried. 

I decided to look for her on the terrace. Maybe she went up to get fresh air. I nodded to myself and strolled towards the stairs. I carefully stepped on the stairs, not wanting to trip due to my heels.

As I reached the top of the stairs my jaw dropped to the floor and my eyes went wide when I saw Lindsey glued to the wall, struggling against the person who was holding her with both his arms and was trying to forcefully kiss her.