(ON HOLD)The Heartless Cruel

Prologue - Part 1

5 years ago

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you," my family and friends sang the boring traditional birthday song. Today was my sixteenth birthday. I was splendid to celebrate it, especially with the people which made my life of misery more bearable.

" Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen! And one for good luck," they shouted, with huge smiles, grins and laughter. I couldn't help but share mine as well. However, as much as I'd like to  feel as superb as they were, I couldn't help but feel perturbed. I had an uncanny feeling that something was not right. That something terrible was going to happen. It just didn't feel right.

I looked around my spacious backyard, looking out into the woods, where shadows were casted in unidentifiable objects, which seemed to move at times. There was just an aura in the atmosphere, which spelled 'danger.' Looking at my family and friends gallivanting and laughing, I jus wished this to be over and done with.

"Hey, where you at bro?" My older brother by two years, Abel, said with a laugh.  "Cut the cake, we're all waiting on you."

I looked at everyone, who were sporting rather strange looks, to  see they were indeed waiting. I don't know if its my paranoia which is a complimentary result of me being bullied, but I just.... I just wasn't feeling well. I cut the cake and plastered a fake smile on my face. To my satisfaction, no one seemed to notice, as loud cheers erupted in the air.

Stepping aside from the cake, I let my other siblings cut the cake, who had wished to do so.

"When is this expected to finish?" I asked Catherine, my best friend.

"Gee, paranoid much? Stop looking around like that and relax. Its your birthday for crying out loud!" she exclaimed, instead of answering me. "Plus, how would I know when your party will finish? I'd think that your parents would decide that," she continued, laughing.

"Hmm," I replied, not really listening, as I surveyed the woods.

Sighing, Catherine grabbed my elbow and ushered me towards the refreshments table, "Stop fussing Arnate and enjoy the night," she smiled. The comforting smile she'd always give when I was losing it. Calming a little, I decided to try and have fun.

I observed the people I loved. Finandro, my eldest brother, 21 years, Abel, second eldest, 18 years, Rodriguez, third eldest, 17, Sabrina, my only younger sibling, at only 3 years. She was a bundle of joy and at this I smiled. Then you had Catherine, my one and only friend. Also, there were my two aunts, one from mom's and dad's side, my three uncles, all on dad's side, my parents' close friends and a few colleagues from the family business they owned. Those were the only people who were invited  to my party. And I loved that.

You see, our family was known. Well known. And I'm talking like big ass well known people. They owned a multi billionaire private company, and were in the top 5 for the richest people in France. Yes, we're from France, specifically Paris, but we moved here in America in order to attempt living a normal life, without paparazzi trailing our every move. No one knew we lived here, not even the other colleagues and our rival company.

My parents had grown tired of always being on guard, with bodyguards galore and all the fancy equipment necessary to protect us. So, in order to just have fun and relax for once, my parents decided not to let any bodyguards or any form of security watch over the party. However, as the night progressed, this proved to be an irreversible sad mistake.