Julie's eyes were covered by a black blindfold, but she could feel the weight of the rope around her neck, suspending her in mid-air. The heat emanating from the furnace below was intense, and she could feel the flames licking at her legs. She was crying uncontrollably, her body trembling with fear."
Please, please let me down!" she begged, her voice hoarse from shouting. She tried to block the rope's grip on her neck with her fingers, but it was too tight.
"Who are you? What do you want from me?"The sound of laughter echoed through the room, and Julie's fear intensified. She strained her ears, trying to place the voices. There were three women, their giggles and snickers sending chills down her spine.Suddenly, one of them spoke, her voice familiar yet out of place.
"Why don't you take off the blindfold, Julie? I think it's time you saw who's...entertaining you."Julie's hands trembled as she ripped off the blindfold. Her eyes adjusted to the light, and she saw Rhea Sinclair, Isla's mother, seated in front of her with two other women. Julie's eyes widened in shock, and her anger boiled over.
"You!" she spat, her voice venomous.
"Isla was right about you! You're a monster, consumed by greed and ambition. You'll stop at nothing to get what you want, even if it means bringing everyone else down! Did you even give birth to Isla? Its unbelievable that someone so worthless can bear a graceful child."
"Rhea's smile faltered for a moment, but one of her colleagues intervened.
"Shut up, you little brat," she hissed.
The other woman nodded in agreement, and they turned their attention to the furnace, adjusting the flames to make them even hotter. Julie felt the heat intensify, and she screamed, her voice echoing off the walls. Rhea leaned forward, her eyes glinting with malice.
"No one can hear you, Julie. We're in a very...secluded spot. You can scream all you want, but it won't do you any good."Julie's eyes darted around the room, desperation clawing at her chest. She was trapped, and no one was coming to save her. The fire seemed to be growing hotter by the second, and she knew she had to think fast if she wanted to survive.
Lindsay and Isla sat in the car, frantically trying to reach Julie through her contacts, but she wasn't picking up. Isla's face was etched with worry, her fingers flying across her phone's screen as she dialed number after number.
"Come on, Julie, pick up!" Lindsay muttered, her voice laced with concern.Back at the secluded area, Rhea and her friends were enjoying the spectacle, watching Julie's friends' calls roll in. They exchanged amused glances, making jests about Julie's popularity.
"Look at these people, so worried about her," one of Rhea's friends chuckled.
"They have no idea what's going on."One of the friends leaned in, suggesting,
"Why don't you pick up, Rhea? Let's have some fun."Rhea smiled wickedly and answered the call. Lindsay's voice shot through the speaker, demanding,
"Julie, where are you? We've been trying to reach you for hours!"Before Lindsay could finish, Julie's panicked voice cut in,
"Help! I'm in trouble! I'm in some secluded area... please, you have to save me!"Lindsay and Isla's voices overlapped, worriedly trying to reply, but Rhea's friend swiftly shut Julie up.
Isla's eyes welled up with tears as she asked, her voice trembling,
"Who are you? What do you want from Julie?"Rhea's voice dripped with malice as she replied,
"We want you to come here, Isla. We'll talk about what we want when you're here."
Lindsay's voice turned cold. "Do you want money? Is that it?"Rhea's laughter echoed through the speaker.
"No, we don't need your money. Just come here, and we'll discuss the details."Isla and Lindsay exchanged fearful glances.
"What's the address?" Lindsay asked, her voice firm.Rhea provided the location, and before they could ask any more questions, the line went dead.
"Let's go, let's go!" Lindsay urged the driver, her voice laced with panic. "We have to get to Julie!"The driver accelerated, speeding down the road as Isla's tears flowed freely. "Please, don't hurt her," she whispered, her heart racing with fear.
Lindsay and Isla rushed into the building, their eyes widening in horror at the sight of Julie suspended above the furnace. They burst into tears, running towards her as Rhea and her friends watched with amusement, sipping glasses of wine.
Julie's eyes lit up with relief as she saw her friends, but her joy was short-lived. Rhea's friend snapped,
"One more word out of you, and I'll cut the rope. You'll be begging for mercy then."Rhea leaned forward, her smile twisted. "Did you call the police?" Lindsay and Isla shook their heads, tears streaming down their faces. "We just want Julie," Lindsay sobbed.
Isla's voice cracked as she pleaded with her mother.
"Mom, why are you doing this? Everyone knows you hate me, everyone knows you don't want the best for me. Why are you venting your anger on my best friend? Please, let Julie go.
"Rhea's smile grew wider, enjoying Isla's misery. "I want you to do something for me, Isla," she said, her voice dripping with malice.
"I want you to kneel at my feet, lick my shoes, hold my legs, and beg for mercy. If you don't, Julie will burn in that fire."Lindsay's eyes widened in outrage.
"Why would you ask your own daughter to do such a thing, especially in front of cameras?"Isla's gaze followed Lindsay's, and her eyes landed on a thug in the corner, making a recording. A knife glinted in his pocket, and she knew they wouldn't hesitate to use it.
Julie's eyes met hers, filled with tears and desperation.The thought of humiliating herself on camera, ruining her career, and losing followers made Isla's heart ache.
But she looked at Julie, suspended above the flames, and knew she had to make a choice. She took a deep breath and said, "No, I won't do it. Do your worst!"Julie's eyes widened in horror, and she screamed,
"Isla, no! Why did you say that?" Tears streamed down her face as she felt the ropes weakening, the flames licking closer.
Rhea's friend moved to cut the rope, and Julie's eyes pleaded with Isla.
"Please, Isla, do it! I'll do anything!"Lindsay turned to Rhea, desperation in her voice.
"Let me do it instead. Please, have mercy."Rhea's laughter echoed through the room. "No, it has to be Isla. She's the one who's been so defiant, so proud."Lindsay's grip on Isla's arm tightened, her voice low and urgent.
"Isla, look at Julie! Are you going to let her die here? Go home and celebrate your birthday while she's burning to death?"Isla's eyes met Julie's, and for a moment, she wavered. Lindsay's words cut deep, but her pride and defiance refused to yield.
"I'll never bow down to a devil like you," she spat at Rhea.Before Rhea could give the signal to cut the rope, a thunderous sound shook the building. The back door burst open, and police officers stormed in. Rhea's friends panicked, one of them throwing the wine away in the chaos, and they all screamed as they fled.
Julie's voice rose to a desperate pitch.
"Help me! Please, help me!"Cade rushed in, his eyes scanning the room before he shielded Lindsay and Isla. He bellowed orders, and the officers sprang into action.
They extinguished the flames, cut the rope, and carefully untied Julie's legs.As Julie was freed, she collapsed into her friends' arms, sobbing uncontrollably. "Thank you, thank you," she whispered, her eyes locked on Cade. "Thank you for coming." Cade's face softened, and he smiled.
"But how did he know?"
"I texted him the address when we were in the car. I asked him to bring the policemen."
"You're safe now. It's over." The three friends held each other tightly, tears of relief streaming down their faces as the police took control of the scene. Rhea and her friends were nowhere to be seen, having escaped in the chaos.
They left the scene, with shock still on Julie.
They arrived back home and realized Sasha was taking control of the birthday party.
"Hey, Julie! Where in the world have you been? We've been calling endlessly!" Sasha exclaimed when she saw her alighting from the car.
"I..."
"She had to get home urgently." Lindsay lied.
"Oh, okay. Good you're fine!" Julie came closer and Sasha noticed something wasn't right.
"Why do you have the smell of a burnt wood?" The four looked puzzled.
"Is there something you're not telling me?" Wendy came out of the house and sighted Julie.
"Julie! Where were you?!"
"There's something they are hiding." Sasha was convinced, Lindsay had lied to her.
"She had to get home and when she entered her kitchen, their cook had burnt the food." Lindsay was stern.
"Oh really?" Sasha folded her arms, still finding it hard to believe.
"Sasha, we've been at Julie's house and we are tired of playing firefighter. We need to rest our heads somewhere. Just let's open presents, eat cake and conclude the party. Julie is also tired - her kitchen is all burnt and she's worried."
"Stop, Isla. She's still gonna find out anyway. I was kidnapped."
Julie's voice trembled as she recounted her ordeal to Wendy and Sasha.
"I was tied to a chandelier, and they had a furnace below me. Rhea and her friends were laughing, enjoying my fear." Wendy and Sasha's faces darkened with anger.
"We're going to expose her," Wendy growled.
"No one can treat you like that and get away with it." But Isla shook her head.
"No, I know my mom. I have plans for her."
Cade intervened, changing the subject.
"Let's go inside. The party's waiting."
As they entered the house, they were greeted with warm smiles and music. Isla excused herself to change into a stunning white ball gown. The gown was a work of art, adorned with intricate beads and sequins that sparkled like diamonds.
She paired it with Cinderella heels that added a touch of fairy tale magic to her overall look.
Julie, Cade, and Lindsay showered and changed, and soon they all gathered in the living room. Wendy announced,
"Time to open presents!"The room erupted in cheers and camera clicks as friends and fans presented Isla with thoughtful gifts.
Julie gave her a new cosmetic box filled with expensive makeup products. Lindsay presented a hair extension and highlights pack. Wendy gifted a collection of plushie toys and a customized pillow with Isla's name. Sasha gave her a set of luxurious underwear.
After the gift-giving ceremony, they cut the cake and enjoyed the sweet treats. Before the guests departed, Julie announced, "There's a surprise waiting for Isla at the back of the house!"
The guests eagerly followed Julie to the garden, where Isla's eyes were blindfolded with a red cloth. Torches shone on a sleek black Audi, and Lindsay removed the blindfold. The Daisy Damsels – Julie, Wendy, Lindsay and Sasha – shouted in unison, "TADA SURPRISE!!"
Isla's eyes widened in shock, and she stumbled backward, overcome with emotion. She screamed, cried, and ran to her friends, thanking them for the incredible gift. The guests cheered and applauded, capturing the moment on camera. Isla's joy was infectious, and soon everyone was grinning from ear to ear.