A Bad Birthday

The day went by quickly, the party preparations were in full swing, and Ethan gave me the luxury of contacting a beauty team. And of course, we enjoyed it all very much.

I put on a short black dress with sleeves and a collar. When I went downstairs, I saw everything magically arranged. It was perfect, I guess I would always be surprised at the amount of money Ethan had and I would never do enough for him to pay for it.

I found him standing a short distance away from me, admiring me with silly eyes, like a child admires a jar of candy.

- You look beautiful," he spoke into my ear.

- So do you, darling.

He hugged me and led me out onto the dance floor, where a rousing Black Eyed Peas song was playing. Ethan danced and sang with me, while I pretended to be Fergie. It was fun, he made me laugh. After a while we got our drinks and food and danced again.

- I dreamed of this moment," he said, as I rested my head on his chest.

- This exact moment? - I asked, smiling.

- Yes," he said, and then added. - I've dreamed about it since the first time I saw you. I admired you without you knowing, I wanted and desired you when you seemed like a distant dream.

I couldn't be more thrilled by his words. Yes, that was all I felt too.

- Ethan...I...

- Shhh, I need... I want...

- Please... I thank you so much," I said, my face pressed against his

his chest.

- I told you there's nothing to be thankful for.

- Yes, there is! You brought them here, and you're being so kind to them and their guests.

- I told you, it's all for you, all for you.

- Ethan... I... you...

- Wait! - he cut me off. - There's something I wanted to do, and say.

He reached into his pocket, and just as he was ready to pull something out, we heard a murmur. When I looked back, not far from us, my eyes caught Jamie, Vivian, and Alice in an argument. I immediately let go of Ethan and ran toward them, Ethan following behind me.

- What the hell! You're not the boss of her! - Vivian yelled.

- You're crazy!

- You're a bossy bastard! I know guys like you!

- You know guys like me? - Jamie looks furious.

I came running over and followed what would be the end of the conversation.

- What's going on? - Ethan spoke for me.

- That's him! - Vivian shouted. - He talks rudely to Alice, treats her badly,

makes her do things!

- Vivian! - she said seriously. - I would never do anything against Alice.

- Alice - I called her softly. - What is going on?

She looked at me, looking confused.

- Come on, Alice! Tell me what he told you! - Vivian crossed her arms under her breasts.

We all watched Alice, who seemed to be on another planet.

- There was nothing - Alice said.

- What?

- See, I didn't say? - Jamie ran his hand through his hair. - I don't know what you thought you saw or heard! But you're wrong! I would never hurt Alice.

- Alice - Colle called out. - Nothing really happened?

Thomas appeared. We formed a circle of curious people around her.

Alice said, now more firmly. - No, nothing happened. Vivian was out of line.

- What? I don't believe it! Alice, are you really going to let me come off as the "paranoid one"? - Vivian created parentheses with her fingers.

- I don't know what you're talking about. There was nothing. I'm just tired of you. This way of yours. I'm an adult, stop trying to live my life for me.

Vivian shook her head to the side, looking incredulous, her face white with tears in her eyes.

- Nicole? - she called me, as a last hope. - You know Alice. You know she's not on her normal behavior. I said I heard something. - She looked at me with pleading eyes.

I didn't know what to do, I was holding a sharp dagger.

- I... I don't know... - I finally said, swallowing hard.

- You don't know? I told you yesterday," she lowered her voice. - I really don't believe this attitude of yours. - She walked past me, bumping into me, and I caught a glimpse of a tear coming down.

I couldn't be feeling any worse. Vivian left an hour later and didn't even say goodbye to me, Alice didn't want to talk about it, and was leaving in the morning.

- I'm thinking that it was a very bad idea to have a party.

- It wasn't your fault," Ethan said, sitting down beside me.

- Yes, it was! - I said sadly. - I could have stood up for Vivian. I know, she can be a difficult person, but did you see the look on her face? And Alice? She was always so sweet, and she bullied Vivian in front of everyone.

- Maybe they have changed, after all, it's been almost five years.

- No, Ethan, it's not like that! We grew up together, we know each other well. And we've seen each other over the years, they come at least twice a year. So it's not like they've changed that much.

- Hey, I didn't mean that. Just don't feel guilty. I know that you are friends...

- Not only friends, they are my sisters, my family.

- I know, baby, I know. What I can do is ask a friend for Jamie's file.

- Really, you would do that? - I knelt on the bed and jumped on his lap.

- Yes, baby," he said, smiling. - I'll do anything for you!

**

A week had passed, and until the person with information about Jamie arrived, I knew it might not be a big deal. But I couldn't risk it, they were my friends. And a promise we made more than ten years ago came to the fore, "We will forever take care of each other."

Vivian had been very hurt by Alice, and I couldn't take away her reasoning. We never acted that way. Alice went back to her home in San Diego and we haven't spoken since the incident. I think she was embarrassed. I needed answers, and fast. I couldn't let this situation continue like this.

Ethan had gone into town to meet with the person in charge of the investigation. Soon after, he would run and come back.

I need to take a cold shower, I thought. No more being overwhelmed, I know Ethan will come with good news and we can get back to normal.

I stripped off my clothes and stepped into the shower. I let the water run all over my body, washed my hair, the mist covered most of the bathroom. I looked forward and jumped when I realized that Colle was admiring me. Eyes half-closed, no shirt.

- Go on," he demanded. - I like what I see.

I boldly ran my hand over my breasts as I walked back under the shower. I took the soapy sponge and ran it all over my belly and breasts. I looked at Colle, who was staring at me maliciously. He was excited.

Ethan walked over with urgency and pressed me against the shower stall wall. He kissed me lustfully. He moved his sweet kisses up to my ears and whispered:

- Keep your eyes closed, baby. Don't move.

Ethan was wet, his running shorts soaked, but he didn't care. It was brutal and wonderful as always. The pleasure had never been so perfect, as we moved our bodies and gave ourselves away once again. Ethan pushed me to my limit more and more. His mouth on mine, kissing me, nibbling on my breasts, my core, my body. We were one. Complete. And hostage to an overwhelming desire.

- He had nothing, baby. He is an ordinary citizen, like the rest of us. He works in one of his father's legalized casinos. In fact, he is a partner. He has invested in the stock market a few times. I couldn't find anything about his parents, but apparently he is an only child. He doesn't seem threatening to me. The most serious thing on his record is that he was arrested at the age of sixteen for smoking marijuana in a public place. But other than that, there's really nothing else.

- No children? Never been married?

- Not really.

- I think the whole thing was really a mistake. I'll be sure to call them both to make it right. Thank you, Ethan. - I leaned on his shoulders. He kissed the top of my head and I prayed to God that he was right.