Birthday night part (2)

Meanwhile, Leah went back to the kitchen to make sure everything was ready. She smiled when she saw that everything was perfect. The workers had really done a great job, they completed everything without a single mistake just like she had instructed. She praised them for their good work as her eyes scanned around the different dishes.

A few minutes later, Ami came back down the stairs already dressed, looking for Leah. She frowned when she saw that Leah had not gone to prepare herself.

"What are you still doing here?" Ami asked. "In fact, I don't need to know. Come on, it's time to get ready."

Ami dragged Leah out of the kitchen towards the stairs and into one of the empty guest rooms.

"Let me take a quick shower." Leah said and Ami nodded.

As Leah went to freshen up, Ami took out a dress and matching shoes that she had bought for Leah. She knew that Leah had been busy and didn't have time to buy a dress, so she wanted to surprise her with something special.

When Leah came back from the shower, she was surprised to see the dress and shoes laid out on the bed.

"Wow, Ami, this is so beautiful," she said as she lifted up the purple gown, her lips stretched into a smile. "Your the best friend in the whole world. Thank you so much, Ami." Leah said, touched by her friend's thoughtfulness.

Ami grinned. "Your welcome. You deserve to look beautiful after all the hard work you've done for Susan today." She stood up from the bed and pulled out the chair in front of the dressing mirror. "Come sit it's time to get your hair done." Leah grinned and kept the dress back on the bed before going to sit on the chair.

Without skipping a beat, Ami moved to styling Leah's long, flowing hair. She teased and twisted the her hair.

Leah isn't really a heavy makeup type. In fact, she only used makeup if it was absolutely necessary or Ami forced her to use it. And Ami wasn't in the mood to force her to do anything that evening. So she allowed to her to do her makeup by herself.

Ami stepped back to admire her friend. Leah looked stunning, her features accentuated with just the right amount of color and contour. Ami smiled, feeling proud of her friends beautiful.

"Go and put on your dress quickly. Most of the guest have already arrived." Ami said still smiling.

Leah nodded and went back to the bed and picked up the gown, she quickly slipped into the gown.

She turned to her Ami with a grateful smile.

Ami couldn't help but admire her friend's beauty. "You look amazing," she said with a smile.

"All thanks to you." Leah replied, beaming with gratitude as she wore her shoes.

Ami chuckled. "I didn't really do anything you know. Your already beautiful. I just styled your hair." Ami said as they walked out of the room and down the stairs.

***

Lucius sat comfortable, looking carefree, while Samara bit her lips, frantically walking back and forth in the room, mumbling incoherently to herself. She grabbed a glass of water on the table and gulped a few sips before dropping the glass back. She glared at Lucius again for the umpteenth time. The man just sat there with a serene expression, like he was oblivious to the glares he was getting from her.

"I can't do it, Lucius," she shook her head. "It is too risky for me."

"There's nothing risky about this," he replied calmly. "It is only risky if I say so. And besides, this can only be considered risky for me, and we both know that you don't care about me."

"You don't get it. The dangers of drawing energy from your already weakened body will only weaken you further, and the—"

"Who told you I was weak?" Lucius cut her off as he rose up from where he sat. He strode towards her, his expression intense, with a hint of anger and impatience. "I feel stronger than I've ever been before, and this..." He brought up his wrist to show her. "is just a restriction cuffs, not a death cuffs that would slowly kill me, plus it's a minor spell. So stop talking and start chanting, witch."

His was firm and resolute, and a little bit commanding as he spoke to her.

"Come on witch. I don't have all night to lose, so you better hurry if you don't want to lose your head." Lucius smirked as he thought about the scenario of Samara losing her head.

Samara gave him a warning glare and turned to face the table where all the ingredients where placed and pick up a bowl.

"You'll lose your head first." She mumbled under her breath.

"Hm? What did you say?" Lucius asked her.

She turned to face him with a frown placed on her face.

"I said, give me your palm, I need your blood in order to make a connection with you."

"Oh. Okay." He moved closer to the table and placed his hand in her own. Samara gave him a wicked smile as she placed the empty bowl under his hand, before using a knife to draw a long, deep line on his wrist. His blood dripped to the bowl as she squeezed his wrist, trying to draw out more blood.

"I thought you only needed a few drops, Samara. So why does it seem like your trying to bleed me to my death?" He pulled his hand away from her hold.

"I just took some extra blood, Lucius. Nothing you can't handle." she flashed a him a quick smile before turning to the table. "Now sit back and let me do my work."

Lucius stared at her with a contemplative look before returning to his seat. Only the heavens knew how much he wanted to just shove that bowl of blood down her throat, but he held himself back.

'Another time Lucius, another time.' He coaxed himself silently.

***

The penthouse was already buzzing with music and guests, creating a lively evening atmosphere that filled the spacious room. Ami and Leah looked around, scanning the crowd of people in an attempt to spot Susan. After a few moments, Ami's eyes locked onto Susan, who was standing with her boyfriend, engaged in a conversation with a group of guests.

With a smile on her face, Susan had her arms wrapped around her boyfriend's arm, listening intently to what one of the guest was saying.

Ami and Leah made their way towards the group, but before they got there, the people talking with Susan excused them and left, leaving Susan alone with her boyfriend. Susan's eyes lit up and her smile widened immediately she saw Leah and Ami walking towards her. She greeted them with a hug when they got to where she was standing. "You guys look amazing!" she exclaimed, admiring their outfits.

Ami rolled her eyes, her lips curving into a sweet smile, while Leah blushed. "Thanks. You look amazing too."

Susan turned to her boyfriend who had his eyes fixed on Leah, and tapped his arm with her other hand to get his attention. He turned to her with a smile.

"You've already met Ami right?" She asked.

"I have," he replied. "Many times in fact. She's the one who always comes around to cheer you up whenever your being a baby." He chuckled causing Susan to blush and roll her eyes at him.

"I wasn't being a baby." Susan retorted. I was..."

"Being a baby." Her boyfriend completed the statement for her.

"Hey. Your bullying me in front of my friends." she complained and hit him softly.

"Ouch." He grimaced in pain, robbing the spot where she had hit him like he was in pain.

Leah smiled seeing how Susan and Howard were being cheesy with each other. It was very obvious that the two were in love with each other. She could tell that they were both smitten with each other, and it was heartwarming to see how saccharine they were together. Leah had never seen Susan this free with any guy before, and it was a testament to how well this guy treated her.

"Now who's being a baby." Susan rolled her eyes at him and turned to Leah.

"This is my boyfriend, Howard," she turned back to Howard. "And Howard, this is Leah. She's the one I've been telling you about."

"Oh, wow! It a pleasure to finally meet you, Leah." He extended his hands for a hand shake, Leah accepted it and they shook briefly. "Susan here, has told me a lot about you. I mean a lot. She very fond of you two and the other girl. What's her name again?" He asked himself with a thoughtful expression, as he tried to recall the persons name.

"Do you mean Brooke?" Leah reminded him.

"Oh, yeah, Brooke. Is she coming?" He asked, as he stared at the two women waiting for a reply, before his phone rang averting his attention from them. He dipped his hands into his pocket and brought out his phone. He frowned when he saw the callers name.

"Sorry, ladies. I really have to take this." he said, gently extricating his arm from his girlfriend's grasp. "Excuse me for a moment. I'll be right back babe" He pecked Susan's cheek before stepping away from the group.

"His really nice." Leah commented immediately Howard left. "How did you two meet? I want to hear all about it." Her eyes shone with excitement, as she waited for Susan's answer.

Susan's face lit up as she began to describe Howard. She talked about how he was kind, funny, and intelligent. She recounted all their wonderful moments together - from their first date to their recent getaway to the mountains. Leah and Ami listened intently, smiling.

"....he even introduced me to his family a few days ago as his girlfriend, and they were so... happy to see me. His parents loved me, his younger brother was nice and his sisters were super excited to meet me." She said, grinning. "So far, my relationship with Howard has been fantastic."

Leah smiled. "Wow. i'm happy for you."

"Yeah me too." Ami added. "At least she's not dating some scumbag this time.." Ami frowned, remembering Susan's ex who was a total asshole.

Leah rolled her eyes and turned towards the direction of the entrance. Her eyes lit up when she spotted who had just arrived.

"Oh my God! It's Brooke. She here!" She exclaimed, smiling widely. The other women turned towards the direction, where Leah was looking at, and they immediately smiled when they saw the blonde woman making her way towards them.

"Hey pretty girls, hey birthday girl, how are ya." Brooke greeted them with a wide smile.

"Brooke, you came!" Susan exclaimed and hugged her. "I thought you wouldn't be able to make it, since you didn't return my calls or any of my texts."

"Oh, I'm really sorry about that. I was really busy. I wouldn't miss this for the world." She replied with a smile. "And I brought a little something for you."

Brooke opened her handbag and brought out a small gift box,

Susan took the gift box from Brooke and smiled. "Thank you so much, Brooke. I'll take it upstairs to my room. I will open it after the celebration."

Brooke nodded understandingly. "Of course. Hurry so that your can cut your cake." She clapped excitedly.

Susan had told Brooke that she wouldn't cut her birthday cake until her three besties were present. Susan wanted this her birthday to be special that was the reason why she invited only the most special people in her live, who had supported her through her hard times and without any ulterior motives.

Susan giggled, making her way to the stairs to dropped her present and also check on Howard, since he was taking too long to finish with his call.