Chapter 9: Hazel's Birthday Party

It took the girls almost half an hour to complete their make up. Blue was hesitant to put on her new dress. It was from the shopping Hazel did for them a week before. The dress was a purple short, wrap dress with transparent stones, embroidery on it. The purple platform shoe worn beneath the shirt dress was five-feet high. She stared at others, helping them with their dressing. Jane wore a light-pink dress of the same style and Alice wore a sky-blue short dress. The same designer made their outfits. Gazing at her reflecting over the mirror, Blue adjusted her sleekly black hair and fixed to her earlobes, a pair of diamond, dangling earrings. The girls were dressing and admiring themselves in the mirror when a knock on the door brought them into reality. It was Felix and Roman.

They came to pick the girls up for Hazel’s birthday party. It was already getting dark, though. It was 7:30 p.m, just thirty minutes before the party begins. Hazel spent the night at home with her mum, so her friends had to meet her at her mum’s appointment, which was the venue for the event. After a quick look in the full-length mirror, Alice, Jane and Blue stepped out of their apartment.

Seeing the girls, Felix and Roman gasped in surprise, which made the girls blushed, knowing how good looking they were.

“Come on, let’s go! Hazel is bombarding me with calls and texts.” Blue broke the silence.

“Yes. Let’s go.” The guys agreed with an uncertain smile, opening the car’s door for them.

“You girls are angels. It will blow everyone away. I hope they won’t miss you up for the celebrant, though.” Felix commented, taking the driver’s seat.

“Of course, they won’t. See Hazel first.” Jane said, to distract his attention.

“You girls are something else!” Felix nodded his head briefly, before starting the car engines.

The drive from morning heights, Manhattan to Westchester, was a 47 minutes’ drive. The mansion was located a few miles away from the edge of Scarsdale, which, from the looks of it, was a neighborhood for the rich. They drove past houses which could’ve graced the covers of architectural magazines.

One mansion, in particular, caught Alice’s attention.

Like the others, it had a specious lawn, pools and gardens. What made it unique was its horticultural artistry. The building had incredibly tall doors and the properties surrounding trees and bushes were meticulously shaped into unique figures worthy to be displayed in tourist centers. Alice had a feeling that it was for a popular celebrity.

The car stopped in front of an enormous door, like the gate of Buckingham. They lined the place with bodyguards in black suits, ties and shades. Several more men loitered throughout the place. Noah rolled down the car’s window to talk to one of them. Finally, the gate was opened and Felix swerved his car, halting at the parking lot. The place was quiet, and they wondered if the party had started at all. It was the first time visiting Hazel’s house.

Going straight to the far corner of the room, the party was in the 5th living room. Opening the door, one would not believe that a party so loud was happening right there. 'Under The Influence' by Chris Brown was booming out from three standing speakers.

Baby, you can

Ride it, ooh, yeah

Bring it over to my place

And you be like

“Baby, who cares?”

But I know you care

Bring it over to my place

You don't know what you did, did to me

Your body lightweight speaks to me

I don't know what you did, did to me

Your body lightweight speaks to me

Baby, you can

Ride it, ooh, yeah

And you be like

"Baby, who cares?"

But I know you care

The atmosphere was thick with a groovy vibe; everyone was busy dancing and chiming out the lyrics of "Bang-Bang" by Ariana Grande, Jessie J and Nicki Minaj. Blue and Jane quickly caught the view of Hazel. She was directing some caterers to adjust her birthday cake to the corner of the room. It looked heavenly, just like her white mini-dress embroidered with handmade crystal diamonds.

Alice got lost looking around when Hazel rushed to her. “Where’s Adam and Noah? Gosh! Don’t yell at me. Noah and Adam aren’t here yet?”

“No, they aren’t.” She replied, turning to them. Hazel gave them a welcome hug and swiftly scrolled through her phone. “Noah didn’t call me. I hope they don’t get missing.”

“Could it be traffic?” Felix intervened amidst the noise, with a hand caressing his blond hair. “Should I call them?”

“I don’t know. We just have to wait for them.” Hazel replied hurriedly, going outside. She didn’t look settled.

“Where are you going?” Blue pulled her back. Her eyes couldn’t stop admiring Hazel’s shiny black hair, which complemented her subtle smokey eyes, red lips, makeup and heels.

“I’d be right back. You guys should enjoy yourselves.” She muttered, pulling her exposed arm away.

Just stepping outside, Noah and Adam zoomed into the Beckett’s compound. Hazel sprinted to them, giving Noah a welcome hug and a soft kiss on his lips.

“Wow, your house is amazing.” Noah and Adam chorused at once. They ended up chuckling at each other. It was unexpected.

“Come in.” She jerked excitedly at the both of them. “I can’t wait to introduce you to my mum.”

“Um... I’m pressed.” Adam said, pulling back a little. Immediately, Hazel snapped her fingers to one bodyguard.

“Take my friend here, to the restroom and show him to the 5th living room after he’s done.”

“Okay ma’am.” He answered, and Adam followed him away. Guided to the restroom, Adam’s eyes caught the porcelain plates and coded fridges in a kitchen. He couldn’t ignore the screening room, piano room, theater room, gym and bar. They infused every room with either a large framed picture of Hazel and a lady with a darker shaded skin.

‘Is that her sister?’ He pondered, lost between words.

“You’re really blessed, darling.” Noah said, making Hazel startle at him.

“Thank you.” She gasped, gazing at the sparkle in his eyes. “You look stunning tonight.”

“You look breathtakingly hot. I barely recognized you just now. I mistook you for the moon. Can I stare at you all night?” He raised timidly between his dimpled smiles, staring into her azure blue eyes.

“Sure.” She smiled and Noah replied her with another, offering her an arm.

With a blush, Hazel looped her arm around his as they walked into the party room. Felix and Roman welcomed Noah as he joined. Not long after, Adam joined them, too. Hazel made sure they served them because of the Journey. Everyone was still having fun when I joined.

On me was a black, short dress embroided with black dangling diamonds, just like Hazel and her friends. I had a black, classic ankle boots, and my favorite transparent diamond jewelry on. I piled my hair up in a pretty hairdo and I had a smokey eye, red lips makeup just like my daughter.

Luckily, it was on a Saturday night, so I invited some of my employees. I greeted them and gave Somidah, whom had lent me a helpful hand in organizing this house birthday party, a hug. She also dressed in a black strapless flowing dress, looking as beautiful as ever. Somidah lost her husband, five years ago because of the cancerous disease he’d been battling with long before they met. Well, probably it was inevitable. I watched her gulp some content from a wineglass at hand, trudging straight to the minibar. She’s been more of a drunker than before, even though she hates to admit.

Before I could meet Hazel to take pictures as intended, my phone started buzzing. It was from Chris, a guy I went on a date with two weeks ago. We've been catching up for a while now and it’s surprising, he got my home address... 'How did he know it’s Hazel’s birthday?' I thought, going outside to receive the call. Closing the main door, I met him outside. Chris was already in the compound.

“Hey!”

“Hi.” He replied with a smile, as if startled. It must be because of my dress or something. There was relief in his blue eyes.

“Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re here right now.” I cheered at him excitedly. “How do you know today is my daughter’s birthday? And... Why didn’t you come in?”

“No, Evelyn.... I didn’t come for the birthday, please.” His reply gave me a shock, making the smile on my face die at once.

“What? What’s the problem?”

“Did you remember the night I took you out? That we went for a dinner date.” Chris brought up. His eyes hopefully searching mine.

“Yeah,” I replied him sincerely. “I remember.”

“Do you remember the hotel we had dinner at that night?”

“Yes, sure. I remember.”

“The money we spent that night...” He said, and a hand brushed through his brunette hair that was scattered around his rugged face. “I’ll explain to you, so please, listen.” Chris continued, and I nodded attentively.