Chapter - 2

ALORA POV :-

After coming back from the café , I went to the garden beside my house to read my favourite book. I sat there for awhile and soon it was almost lunch time

Before I could get up from the sun lounger in the garden, someone hugged me from my back making me gasp.

"Happy birthday kitty!" Someone squealed near my ear. I immediately knew who it was judging by the high pitch voice

"You are late. Leave me" I said trying to pry her hands off me. Trying hard to act angry.

"Aw I am sorry Alor. I had to go outside with mom and dad in the morning" she said still not budging her hands off me

"Then why are you here? Leave" I said

"I am sowwy. Please forgive me birthday queen. The beautifullest person in the world . The cutest kitty" she started to compliment me while snuggling in my neck which made me giggle.

"Okay okay I forgive you. Now let me go you are crushing my bones" I said struggling in her hold. She finally let go of me and sat on the sun lounger next to mine.

"Here. Your birthday gift". She handed me a blue paper wrapped box

"You know it wasn't necessary but thank you René" I said taking the box

"Who said it wasn't necessary? It is my best friend's birthday. Of course I should give her the best gift" she said acting proud. I smiled at her sillyness

René and I have been friends since childhood. Our parents are best friends which also made us best Friends. I have other friends too but she is my favourite and the closest. Whenever I am sad she always tries her best to console me as I do the same with her as well.

She is funny, extrovert and courageous. She may be dumb in studies but she knows what she wants in the future.

Her beautiful brown eyes always sparkle with mischief and excitement. Her beautiful short black hair is naturally straightened and flows gently on her smooth tan skin.

We go to the same School and share everything with each other. She has a boyfriend named Killian but I don't. I still haven't found the one who will make my heart flutter.

I opened the box and squealed from happiness.

"Omg René thanks a lot. I love it!" I exclaimed while hugging her tightly

"I know you will like it" she said while breaking the hug

She gave me a cute mood changing octopus plushie with a pair of cute pastel green socks and a pair of golden pearl stud earrings. I smiled brightly looking at the gift.

After talking for a while we had our lunch and she went home after we went to a park and played our heart out there .

After coming home, I took a small nap. when I woke up it was already 6pm. The dinner is at 8 so I started to get ready for the night.

We planned to have dinner out today. My family wanted to hold a party but I am not a party person so I asked them to have a small dinner with just us and René's family instead.

I wore a sleeveless pink coloured silk long dress. It was extra long on the back. It was flowy and beautiful. There were some stone designs on the neck line and the spaghetti sleeves

I had pink dewy makeup. Mom came into my room and helped me straighten my shoulder length hair. I wore the necklace that father gave me. Mom went to get dressed herself after telling me that I look beautiful and kissed my forehead.

I was on the middle of choosing the earrings when someone knocked on the door

"Come in" I said not looking at the door rather having my focus on the earrings.

"Happy birthday my shortcake!" A deep loud voice came making me turn to the source

He came near me and hugged me tightly as I did the same.

"Thank you cookies" I replied. His cologne relaxed me. Making me feel safe .

"I am sorry pumpkin I wasn't able to wish you in the morning " he said while breaking the hug. He caressed my cheeks with his thumb. He looked at me caringly with his honey coloured eye which is just like dad.

He wore a navy blue Armani suit. The suit fitted his muscular torso perfectly. He styled his black hair perfectly with gel and wore a silver watch on his hand.

"It's okay brother, I understand. You must be tired after all the classes right?" I asked sounding concerned. Light dark circles were visible under his eyes.

"Nope I am never too tired for you" he said while giving a peck on my forehead. "Here you go. This is a gift from me" he said while handing me a navy blue box with a silk navy blue ribbon on the middle.

"Thank you brother!" I said happily. He smiled and ushered me to open the box

I opened it and gasped . There was a pair of beautiful pink and white diamond stud earrings. Perfectly matching with my dress. It was beautiful

"I knew what dress you were supposed to wear tonight. So I decided to give this one to you" he said.

"Thanks a lot brother. It is perfect. I love it" I exclaimed smiling brightly.

I wore the earrings one by one and turned towards him smiling.

"How do I look?" I asked, tucking some strands of my hair behind my ear and playfully fluttering my eyelashes.

"You look ethereal my cupcake. You make me protect you more, how I wish to protect you from the outside cruel world" he said while patting my head

"There is another gift for you" he said while taking out another box from inside his coat . I tilted my head in confusion

I took the box and opened it. I gasped loudly. My eyes widened in excitement. "H-How did you know I wanted this?" I asked loudly with excitement

" I know you like the books of this author and some days ago you were Searching for her new book all over the internet " he said as a matter of fact. I hugged him tightly

"Thanks a lot brother!! I love it so much. This is the best" he chuckled and brushed his hand on the back of my hair . "Dad will be sad if heard that" he said . "Mm.. just don't tell him that. It will be our secret" I whispered the last part. He chuckled and nodded a yes with an small "okay. Whatever you say princess"

We had our little moment of talking and giggling after that we went downstairs to the living room as our dad called for us. I put on a pair of white strip heels with some diamond designs on them.

I wore it and proceeded to go downstairs. As we descended the stairs, dad and mom welcomed us

"You are looking beautiful darling " dad said while kissing my forehead, he wore a classic black Armani suit with a green black strip tie.

"Thank you"

"My daughter looks mesmerising " mom said while hugging me , she wore a beautiful emerald green bodycon dress

"Thank you mom, you look more beautiful yourself" I said kissing her cheeks

"Oh thank you dear"

We had a small talk for a moment and went towards our car to go to the restaurant that we booked for tonight, I sat with mom on the back and dad sat on the front driving the car and brother sat beside father

We laughed and enjoyed the car ride alot, after a while we arrive at our destination

The restaurant was huge and the inside was screaming elegance, the hall was white with golden designs scattered everywhere , the receptionist showed and guided us to our private table, after a while René and her family also arrived

We chatted , laughed and had dinner , it was amazing, we had a lot of fun talking about the past and the present

The night went smoothly and great, after coming home, I took a warm bath and went to bed , I was tired from walking on heels and all the exploring I did today, as soon as I placed my head on the pillow sleep engulfed me

~~~~~~~~~~~~

It has already been a week since my birthday, I am currently in the school library reading some books for the homework that the teacher gave

In the morning it was hectic, I got up late and had to get ready in 15 minutes, I quickly took a shower and wore a white tank top with black shorts and a blue cardigan



Luckily Mom and dad wasn't home or else I would have gotten a earful for sleeping late last night, brother dropped me at school before buying me breakfast and went to his college

After reading the book and making notes of the important lines, I tidy my bag and went outside of the school

Usually everyday either brother or father comes to pick me up from school but today they Both are busy, so I decided to walk home by myself

I was listening to a song on my earpod and was typing to Renè, who was getting bored and agitated on the group meeting of her club

I was walking alone not caring about my surroundings when suddenly I felt someone place a cloth on my mouth and grabbed my waist from moving, I struggled to scream and get out of his hold but it was useless, at that time I realised how quiet the road was

Another person held both of my legs , stopping me from moving it ,they shoved me inside a black SUV and closed the door, I tried hard not to smell the cloth on my nose and mouth but eventually gave up from lack of oxygen and felt loosing consciousness, it was soon that I saw black dots forming on my vision and soon I felt unconscious

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ughhh my head feels heavy, it is like there is a huge rock on my head, I am seeing all black in front , my breathing feels heavy

Someone is saying something but I am not able to apprehend it properly, my vision is all black but soon I realised my head was covered in a black cloth

"Wakey wakey little mouse" a deep mocking voice came, he is slowly rounding around me, mocking me, like a predator does to its prey, I can feel the fear prickling into my skin

I felt sharp sting on some areas of my arms and thigh, cool metal made contact with it and it is stinging like hell, I hiss everytime it comes in contact but refuse to cry or scream, I don't want to show my vulnerable side to them

"You have a very bad luck little mouse, but I cannot help it"

His voice gave me shivers, my cheeks feels wet from the tears sliding down, I couldn't hold it any longer

Why? What have I done? What is happening? I want to go home, I miss mom and dad specially brother , I miss him

"You should see the artworks I have done little mouse"

He said with his dark deep voice and pulled the black cloth off from my head, I blinked a few times adjusting

my vision from the sudden light

My eyes widened when I saw the person beside me , he was looking at me with equal expression, Surprised

but with anger