38 Chapter 40
38 Chapter 40
Chapter 40 – A Birthday Fit for a Queen, and One Last Surprise
“Oh my God, it’s you!” I nearly dropped my drink when I saw the stylish young woman approaching our table. It was the same person who had given me a ride that day in the Porsche–the supposed ride–share driver who’d mysteriously appeared when I needed help.
Victoria grinned wickedly at my reaction. “I see you two have already met.”
The woman flashed me a dazzling smile and extended her hand. “Formally this time.. I’m Chloe Chase.”
“Hazel Ashworth,” I replied automatically, still trying to process this coincidence.
“Not a coincidence at all,” Victoria explained, reading my expression perfectly. “Chloe here is the one who helped scrub those nasty comments about you online.”
My eyes widened. “That was you? But how-”
Chloe shrugged elegantly. “Let’s just say I have connections in the right places. It was nothing, really.”
I studied her more carefully now. Designer clothes, effortless poise, and something in her mannerisms that seemed vaguely familiar, though I couldn’t place it. “Well, thank you. I really appreciate what you did.”
“Consider it the beginning of a beautiful friendship, Chloe said with a wink, sliding into the booth next to me.
The night took an unexpected turn when Victoria clinked her glass loudly. “Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement!”
Everyone at the tab.e quieted.
“As you all know, our darling Hazel will be turning twenty–six in two days,” Victoria continued. “But since she’d probably try to work through her own birthday, we’re celebrating tonight!”
My friends erupted into cheers as Victoria reached under the table and pulled out a glittery sash emblazoned with “Birthday Queen” in bold letters.
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38 Chapter 40
“You didn’t,” I protested, laughing as she draped it over my shoulder.
“Oh, but I did,” Victoria replied, producing a small tiara. “And there’s more”
Before I could ask what she meant, the waitstaff appeared carrying ridiculous balloons. with messages like “Aging Like Fine Wine” and “Too Hot To Care About Turning 26” 1 couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“This is too much, I said, shaking my head but secretly touched by their efforts.
“Actually,” Chloe chimed in with a mischievous glint in her eyes, “it’s not enough yet.”
On cue, the doors to our private room swung open, and six impossibly handsome men walked in, each carrying a single rose. They formed a line before our table and began a perfectly choreographed song–and–dance number, complete with coordinated winks and charming smiles.
“Happy birthday to the queen of our hearts, sang the leader, a tall man with movie–star looks, as he presented me with his rose and a theatrical bow.
My face burned with embarrassment and delight as each performer followed suit, offering compliments with their flowers until I had a small bouquet and my friends were howling with laughter.
“Who needs an ex–fiancé when you can have six men devoted to your happiness?” Victoria whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear.
I shot her a playful glare but couldn’t deny the truth in her words. This ridiculous display was doing wonders for my bruised ego.
“To the birthday queen!” Robert raised his glass in a toast. “May your twenty–sixth year bring all the success and happiness you deserve!”
“And none of the drama you don’t,” added Lisa with meaningful emphasis.
We clinked glasses, and I took a larger sip than intended. The alcohol was going to my head, but for once, I didn’t care. Tonight was about forgetting my troubles–the betrayal, the business pressure, and even my complicated feelings for Damien Sterling.
“Time for dancing!” Victoria declared, pulling me to my feet.
The performers joined us, creating an impromptu dance floor in our private room. One particularly charming dancer claimed my hand, spinning me around with professional
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grace,
38 Chapter 40
“Birthday girls get special treatment, he informed me with a wink that was just the right mix of flirtatious and respectful.
I found myself laughing more freely than I had in months. The music pulsed, drinks flowed, and for a few blessed hours, I was just a young woman celebrating with friends -not a betrayed ex–fiancée or a struggling business owner.
“They’re good, right?” Chloe appeared beside me later, nodding toward the dancers. who were now entertaining the whole group. “Victoria hired the best from Broadway”
“This is insane,” 1 admitted, taking another sip of my cocktail. “But I love it.”
Chloe smiled, studying me with what seemed like genuine interest. “You deserve it, you know. After everything you’ve been through.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Victoria has a big mouth.””
“Maybe,” she conceded with a laugh. “Or maybe your story is worth knowing.”
There was something about Chloe that made me feel like we’d known each other for years rather than hours. Perhaps it was the alcohol loosening my inhibitions, but I found myself genuinely enjoying her company.
The night grew increasingly boisterous. At some point, the performers taught us a ridiculous dance routine that had us all stumbling and giggling. I wore my “Birthday Queen” sash with exaggerated pride, playing up the role for laughs.
“All hail Queen Hazel!” Victoria proclaimed dramatically. “Ruler of fashion and breaker
of hearts!
“More like mender of broken hearts,” I corrected, surprising myself with the confidence in my voice. Maybe I was healing after all.
Hours later, just as was considering calling it a night, a massive cake was wheeled in- three tiers of chocolate decadence decorated with edible gold and fresh berries.
“Oh my God,” I gasped, staring at the elaborate creation. “Is that really all for me?”
“Only the best for our queen, Sarah said, handing me a knife. “Do the honors?”
I took the knife, feeling oddly emotional. The gesture was over–the–top but so filled
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with love that I felt tears threatening These friends had rallied around me when I
needed them most.
Just as I was about to cut into the cake, Victoria’s hand shot out to stop me.
“Wait!” she exclaimed, her speech slightly slurred from the evening’s indulgences. “We’re still missing one person.”
I looked around the room in confusion. “Who?”
“You’ll see,” Victoria said with a secretive smile that made my heart skip. “They just texted. Should be here any second now
As if on cue, a firm knock sounded on the private room door.
The entire room fell silent, all eyes turning toward the entrance. Victoria’s grin widened as she exchanged knowing glances with Chloe.
“Who is it?” I whispered, suddenly nervous
“Your final birthday surprise Victoria replied mysteriously, moving toward the door.
My pulse quickened, mind racing through possibilities. The knife trembled slightly in my hand as I watched Victoria reach for the door handle, her dramatic pause obviously intentional for maximum effect.
The door swung open, and I forgot to breathe.
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