His Pounding Sea

Chapter 4

Elena's P.O.V

I was furious!

How dare they not discuss it with me!

It was so irresponsible of them!

My parents knew very well that I hated birthday parties, and I am only due to be 21 next week!

I was sitting in my room, sulking on my bed.

I just couldn’t get over the fact that my parents had arranged my twenty-first birthday party!

My mom, being her cheerful self, would kindly excuse herself when someone called the house. Was that the caterer?

I never expected that they would even consider going down that route!

And now, 250 of the town’s people will be here in an hour or two—for me, celebrating the worst day of my life. Getting older was not the issue. I could live with that, but just the idea of having people around me... Urgh!

I shook, I was blindsided by my parents. I still couldn't believe it. This was crazy.

Most of my birthdays ended up being catastrophic.

I let out a breath, got up, and walked to my bedroom window. The ocean was always my calm, my hiding place, and I could lose myself in the waves for hours, just staring at it, longing to be able to be part of it.

I could smell and taste the salt of the ocean in the air. The ocean was calling for me, and I so wanted to answer its call.

I caught sight of dolphins playing on the east side of the beach, a few parents walking with their families on the beach, and surfers trying to catch a wave.

How I wished it was me who was standing with my feet in the golden sand...

I sighed out a heavy, nervous breath.

I had better pull myself together.

There wasn’t much I could do about it now except maybe enjoy it, or at least pretend to.

"As if that is going to happen," I sneered through gritted teeth.

The shouting of orders down below caught my attention. I guess that would be the caterer and his people preparing for the event.

I rolled my eyes. I knew that my father would only select the most elite caterer...

Well, guess I need to get ready... or not... maybe I could be fashionably late... or even find a way to escape the miserable party without anyone knowing...

Yeah, right. I sighed for the hundredth time, as if that would ever be possible, not with the security this place holds.

I turned towards my room, looking at all the small and different things it held.

My bedroom was the largest room facing the ocean. As a kid, I spent many happy hours here.

I was always busy with some kind of Art project.

My father had decided to transform the guest room next to mine into a studio as a birthday gift.

I opened the doors that lead to my little studio, scanning the room. Everything was still the same as the day I left for school.

Old oil paintings were still hanging on the walls.

Paintbrushes and paint on the table were waiting patiently for me to start a new project.

I have missed this.

A soft knock from my bedroom door startled me, and I closed the doors of the studio...

“Elena, honey, could I please come in?” my mother called.

I didn’t answer her, and I ignored her. I was still upset with her.

I heard the door open, knowing that she wouldn't back down until we sorted it out.

"Elena...?” I turned to her, trying very hard not to show her any emotion, but angry tears spilled over and rolled down my face.

“Elena...?” She hesitated, and I could sense she was trying to find the correct words. “I’m sorry, honey, but we couldn’t let this birthday pass without having a celebration. I promise that it will be a night to remember, and nothing will happen to upset you." She took a step closer, trying to pull me into her arms, but I refused. Please, Elena, don’t be angry at us,” she pleaded.

“For all the times that my birthdays were a disaster, I thought you would leave my twenty-first...” My words trailed off: “You know, Mom, I can’t do much about it anyway, so I’m having it your way, but this will be my last birthday done with a big crowd of people."

“We didn't realize that it would upset you this much," she said, and I lifted my chin so that I could look at her.

Elena, honey, I am sorry. I am. But..." There was uncertainty in her eyes; she was weighing whether she must tell me something or not. Then, a second or two later, she came to her decision and just smiled at me. "Would you please get ready for the party?" she asked, turning around and stalking out of the room.

My jaw dropped, and I blinked a few times.

What was that?

What was my mother hiding?

There was something. My mother never hesitated.

That feeling that had been nagging in the back of my mind came crashing back in.

I shook it off for now. I needed to get ready and emotionally prepare myself for this.

I was used to big functions, and as a family, we attended all my father's business functions. That was until recently.

My father is away on business regularly, traveling around the world on a sailing basis, but as a family rule, he makes sure that he is home for weekends and holidays.

The few times that he couldn’t be at home, he flew us to where he was and made sure they were comfortable and occupied. The downside of such a weekend was that we had bodyguards moving with us, which was working on my nerves. I had complained about it constantly, hating the idea that I couldn't have a normal private life.

I wanted and needed privacy, yet it never seemed to trouble Mom or even my father.

I made my way to my washroom, running a bath with some needed bubbles. I got in and took my time soaking myself.

When I was done, I got out, grabbed my fluffy white tile, and headed back to my room.

I was surprised to find a big white box on my bed, and next to the box was a pair of silver stilettos.

My mom probably sneaked the box in while I was taking my bath.

I eyed the box, and my curiosity got the best of me.

I opened the small card attached to the white box to read it.

My dearest Elena

Happy 21st birthday, Honey!

Lots of love, Mom and Dad

Unwanted excitement bubbled up in me, knowing that my mother had a gift to choose the perfect dress as a gift.

I opened the box, and a beautiful purple ball mask waited on top. It was spectacular, with small diamonds on the side and feathers on the side.

I carefully removed the mask from the box and placed it on the pedestal next to my bed.

Wow! It was sure beautiful, and I internally groaned.

I already knew that the dress she picked would complement the masks, and I hated the idea that I was right.

I removed the thin paper that was holding the dress captive inside, not really worried that I would tear the delicate paper.

"Oh, my..!" I gasped as I lifted the dress from the box.

I couldn't believe my eyes; the ballgown was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen.

My mother did outdo herself this time...

The gown was a sleeveless dress and had a tight waist; it had wishbones built in around the torso, which would push my assets to the top and compliment my breasts perfectly. The material itself was a deep purple-blue color.

I stared at the dress for a minute too long, still not believing my eyes. My hand instinctively moved over the material, wondering how the delicate texture would feel under my fingers.

I couldn’t have chosen a better dress for myself.

I carefully lifted the dress from the box and laid it open, then turned to face the full-length mirror on the wall, hanging the dress open in front of me.

“Wow!" I gasped. My mother made sure to go all the way and ensure that everything was perfect.

Tears suddenly burned behind my eyes as I felt guilty about how I behaved.

I have been acting like a spoiled brat. I surely need to apologize to my parents for my actions.

The small, quiet knock on the door made me wipe the tears from my face, trying to hide the fact that I was now crying.

"Ma’am, can I come in, please?” Julia, the housekeeper, called.

“Yes, Julia, you can come in,” I answered.

Julia was a small, elderly woman in her early sixties. She had been working for my parents for as long as I could remember.

She made her way into my room; her dark brown, almost black eyes missed nothing, and they sparkled with delight when she saw me.

“Miss, the stylist is here,” Julia said, giving me a warm smile.

My mother had arranged for a stylist to come and do our hair and makeup.

I already knew she would call Antoine. Not that I minded; he had the most delightful sense of humor. No one could leave in a gloomy or depressed mood after a session with Antoine.

"Thank you..." I answered and placed the dress back on my bed. "Please send him up," I said as I took a seat and waited for him.

I didn't wait long for Antoine to enter.

"Why the long-faced girl?" He chanted and made me giggle.

"Oh, Antoine, I have missed you!"

"Dito! Now, what shall we do with those beautiful golden locks of yours...?"

I watched as Antoine started his magic on my hair and then moved on to my makeup. He was surely a magician when it came down to making us pretty.

"All done...!" He clapped his hands happily and said, "You will be the fairest of them all."

I shook my head, smiling at Antoine's enthusiasm. There was no way that anyone could leave in a bad mood after a session with him.

When he left, Julia entered and helped me fit my dress.

Julia's eyes were full of excitement, and her body language told me she could not wait to see me in the dress.

“Ma’am, please don’t look so worried," she said as she straightened my dress. "You will enjoy your party, I promise."

She took a step away from me and smiled. "You look so beautiful, like a princess ready to meet her prince charming."

Julia opened the door for me, and she waited for me to exit my room.

I could now hear the music playing loudly from the lodge and the vehicles driving down the gravel.

I turned my wrist to have a look at the time, assuming that most of the guests must have already arrived. A fair rose in me, and I started to hyperventilate...

My stomach felt as if someone had turned it upside down.

"Breath," I internally yelled at myself, "it is just a party."

"Are you sure it is just a party?" A female voice giggles inside my mind.

I shook her off, believing it was just my imagination.

When I eventually calmed down enough, I exited my room and headed toward the stairs.

There I froze again, believing that I couldn't do this...

Was there any way out of this?

Would my parents understand if I refused to go?

My attention settled on watching my parents gracefully wait for me at the end of the stairs. They were greeting and chatting with whoever came past them.

I wished I could have the same confidence they had. I internally groaned and pouted, and I let out a breath.

It was time to pull up my big girl pants and join the party.

I slowly took a step down the stairs, only to get stuck halfway.

“Don’t panic, don’t panic, relax Elena, relax...” I chanted to myself, “You can do this! It’s just for one night.” I tried to motivate myself, but my words felt like an empty promise to my ears.

My father was the first to see me and gave me a warm, comfortable smile. He looked delighted to see me.

My father climbed the few stairs to where I stood frozen, leaving my mom waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs.

He had gently taken my hand and hooked my arm around his.

“You look gorgeous tonight,” he said with a proud look on his face, gently pecking my cheek.

"Thank you, Father, Mom," I whispered, feeling my cheeks grow red.

My father was a very down-to-earth person. Everyone respected him, and he didn’t look a day older than 35. He was a tall man, standing at 6’2. He had silky black hair and dreamy, deep blue eyes.

Any woman could easily drown in them, and many women have tried to seduce my father. Unfortunately for them, my father's whole world turned around Mom and me.

My mother's beautiful face pulled into a soft smile as soon as we took the last step and joined her. She looked as elegant as any other day.

My mother was lucky enough to have been blessed with pearly white skin, and to compliment that, she didn’t look a day older than 28.

Tonight she was dressed in a dark red cocktail dress, and the color made her long legs look even longer.

Her green eyes were always friendly, and no wonder my father was still head over heels in love with her.

The town’s people used to gossip and ask a lot of questions about my parents' ages.

My mother was used to the absurd gossip and would just laugh it off.

I, on the other hand, wished that people would mind their own business.

I shook my head. I was the total opposite of my parents, and some days I wondered if they truly gave me life.

I wasn't a big people person; yes, I had the odd friend or two, but they were more occupied with my family's fortune than with me.

So the friendships never lasted.

The other issue I had was how rich people treated people who were not that well off.

Yes, we had many servants and workers working in and around our home, yet my father and even mom always treated and paid them well.

I just couldn’t stand the people my parents surrounded themselves with; they were shallow and had a hidden agenda.

My father hooked both his arms to my mom and mine, and together we made our way down to the lodge.

I started to count the steps down the narrow path. I know that at a certain spot on the path, the sea will send us a kiss, welcoming us to the lodge.

The music suddenly settled down to slower background music, and I lowered my ball mask as we entered the hall.

I gasped out of surprise at how elegantly the hall was decorated in all different purples and deep blues.

My mother smiled at me as my father escorted us to our table. He made sure we were comfortable before he made his way to the stage.

My nerves suddenly played up in me again, creating a sense of worry inside of me.

At least I could hide behind my mask for now.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen." My father’s voice boomed over the PA system. “Thank you all for coming to this very special event.”

My father tried to hide a small smile in the corner of his mouth when he looked my way, and I knew right away what he was about to do.

"It is with great pleasure to have all of you fine folks with us tonight, celebrating my daughter's twenty-first birthday.”

I silently prayed that he wouldn't call me onto the stage, but it was all for nothing.

“Elena, honey, would you please come to join me on the stage so that we can formally wish you a happy birthday?”

The DJ moved the spotlight onto me, and my blood ran cold behind the mask.

I got to my feet and shivered visibly as I tried to get my heartbeat under control.

I slowly made my way to the stage, praying that I would not trip and fall.

“Elena,” my father smiled as he took my hand to help me get onto the stage, "you look beautiful tonight!"

He gave me a quick peck on my cheek and then wished me a happy birthday in front of all the seated people.

He then nodded to the DJ, and then he started to play 'Happy Birthday' through the PA system.

The crowd of people sang along to the music and applauded as I went back to our table and took my seat.

My heart was still racing when I sat down. I was glad that the worst was over, and I hoped that the rest of the evening would be a breeze.

My father made some announcements about the food and drinks and wished everyone to enjoy the night with us.

“Excuse me, Miss, is this seat taken?” A girl’s voice came from my left side. She had an emerald green ball mask on, and a black cocktail dress hugged her curves.

“I don’t think so.” I answered her, “I can’t see a name tag.”

I had picked up the velvet box to see if there was a name attached to it, but there was none.

“Would you mind if I had a seat here with you then? I don’t know anyone else.” She whispered, and a giggle from the girl behind the mask grabbed my attention.

"Jane?” I gasped out, “Is that you?”

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