CHAPTER 2 Surprise

Ashley

The early morning sun from outside hits my face through the open window, I groan and shift into the soft mattress. My whole body hurts as if someone has battered it to pieces while my head spins.

It takes me a few minutes to blink open my eyes and stare straight at the ceiling in complete confusion.

Where am I? That was the first question that echoed in my head.

And just then events of last night started flashing through my mind as I struggled to get up and that's when I realized that I was completely naked. Whitish sticky in between my legs with undeniable soreness.

Panic instant coursed through my body my whole life starting to revolve in my life. Tears stream down my face as the harsh reality sinks in. I close my eyes, hoping against hope that this is just a terrible dream. But when I open my eyes again, the white walls of the room remind me that it's all too real.

I can't bear to look at the man lying next to me, afraid that it will only reopen the wounds. But as he stirs around, all my senses come to life as I forget about the pain in my body and head. Holding my mouth to avoid making any noise, I quickly pick up my tattered dress on the floor and wear them.

Stumbling out of the room, my appearance looked disheveled and unkempt, opening the door, I slammed it shut.

I rushed out of the foyer, my heart pounding in fear, as I dragged my sore body toward the vibrant part area. Luckily no one can be seen around the area, I guess it is still early, probably they might still be sleeping.

The adrenaline coursing through my veins couldn't overshadow the nagging worry about my best friend, Layla, who I had come here with last night before everything went messy.

Where could she possibly be? Was she still here? Or has she gone home without me?

The thought of her going back home by that time of the night sent a shiver down my spine. No, Layla can't leave with me.

I immediately pulled out my phone, ready to dial her number to at least know where she was and tell her what happened but as I was about to press the call button, a sudden movement caught my eyes.

Two figures walked inside the foyer, drawing my attention like a moth to a flame. One was unmistakably my stepsister, Olivia Harlow, dressed in a provocative black gown that left little to the imagination.

But the next figure standing beside her was what made my heart skip a beat. It was Layla, my best friend, the girl I was about to call right now. They both had their hands intertwined as if they were closest of friends.

The mere sight struck me like a lightning bolt, sending shockwaves through my entire body. Questions raced through my mind, each one more urgent than the other.

Why are they together? When did they become friends? Or is there a secret that they had been keeping from me?

Nothing even makes sense to me again.

I can no longer stand there in stunned silence anymore. With a deep breath, I mustered up the courage to speak up. "Layla," I whispered, my voice tinged with confusion.

I watched as they both stopped in front of me, almost close leaving a small distance between us. They both glanced at my tattered dress and I noticed a strange smile danced across Olivia's face as she waved her hands, exclaiming, "SURPRISE!!"

"What's going on, here?" My eyes darted between the two of them, searching for answers.

This is unlike Olivia, a grumpy demon can never be this happy without a reason. Judging from the way her eyes twinkle with a sinister gleam, I know she is hiding something beneath those long, fluttering lashes.

I was still in my thoughts when suddenly Olivia chuckled, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Don't blame me for your gullibility, Ashley." she sneered, stealing a glance at Layla before turning her attention back to me.

My brow furrowed in confusion, what was she insinuating?

"Did you have a nice time with that greybeard coffin dodger back there?" Folding her arms against her chest, her eyes glanced in the direction of the room and then back to me while saying in a singsong voice, a wicked smile playing on her lips.

"How was the sex?" She laughed mischievously. "Hope you enjoyed it,"

How was the sex? I murmured, repeating her words while thinking before my eyes widened in shock as Olivia's words hit me like a punch to the gut, and realization washed over me.

Everything now started to make sense.

I couldn't believe it and I turned to look at Layla who immediately lowered her head in shame. I swallowed hard, pain flickering in my eyes.

Their words became clearer and clearer as if they had planned it all along. The girl I trusted more than a friend, the one I had sacrificed so much for, had betrayed our friendship at the cruel hands of my stepsister just like that.

But why?

Yes, I might have never had the best relationship with Olivia, but this level of wickedness and betrayal is beyond words. But then again, I am pretty sure that I heard Mason's voice on the phone instead of hers. Or maybe I was drunk and had mistaken his voice.

"Not you, Layla," I shake my head, disappointment and sadness evident in my voice.

I know they both heard me, but immediately I opened my mouth to talk again, Olivia's icy stare pierced through me, interrupted by a cutting remark. "No need to blame the poor girl, dear sister, she did the right thing."

Her voice was calm yet detrimental and that alone only caused pain, anger, and betrayal to surge within me, causing my jaw to clench and my emotions to simmer.

"Olivia, how could you?" I snapped, tears pooling in my eyes.

"Don't you dare call my name or act like we had some deep sisterly bond, Ashley," she spat, her words dripping with disdain. "We were just mere sisters in name, nothing more."

As her words echoed in my ears, I couldn't help but gulp hard painfully, my gaze slowly drifting away from her. It was true, we had never shared a close relationship, never truly acted like sisters from the day we first laid eyes on each other.

But despite it all, I couldn't bring myself to harbor any ill will towards her.

Olivia went too far this time, not only betraying me but also teaming up with my best friend, the very reason I had snuck out last night.

"Do you think I have any liking or desire to be associated with you? I've been silently lurking in the shadows, despising you and everything about you.

I just want to smack that pretty face of yours and ruin that reputation of your so-called good girl!" She snarled, her words devoid of any emotion.

I blinked back my tears, stealing a quick painful glance at Layla who had refused to stare at my face all this while. I wonder what I had done wrong to deserve this thing from her?

But I was instantly interrupted as Olivia pulled out her phone from her jacket pocket, she flashed it in front of me with a dangerous smirk on her lips.

What was she planning this time?

"All the evidence that I need to show Dad is right here, buried in this phone." She taunted, pointing at the phone in her grip.

And instantly my legs turned jelly as her words sank in. "You can't do that, Olivia." I stammered, my lips trembling,  I sounded so desperate. I looked at Layla at least for help but just as before she wasn't looking at me.

"Oh, I can, and trust me, I will." She sneered, her smile widening, resembling that of a devil.

"You...!" I tried to scream at her in rage, but it came out more like a sob. It hurts, deep inside.

Feeling betrayed and hurt, I couldn't find the right words to speak. She had that video on her phone and just the thought of her tarnishing my image and Jeopardizing my upcoming wedding made my heart break.

"Come on, Layla, let's go, girl." I watched as she grabbed her arms. "I don't want to be seen with this disgusting girl," she said, flipping her hair and storming away.

I opened my mouth but yet no words were able to come out. So all I could do was just stand there and watch them leave. The tears that I had been holding instantly rolled down my cheeks and it felt like everything is now falling apart.

What have I done to deserve this sh*t from you, Layla?