Chapter 1

Happy Birthday

New Orleans

"Chloe! Chloe!"

Chloe was under the water with her eyes closed. Diving calmed her and made her forget all her problems. She loved water, she always had. When she raised her head above the surface she heard her mother calling her.

"I'm here!" she shouted.

Her mother Rita appeared by the pool wearing a pair of black skinny jeans, high heels and a tight tube top. She was in her late thirties but she had managed to keep her perfect figure, perfect tan and perfect platinum blonde hair.

"I'm going out," she said impatiently. "Tell Trent… Just tell him something, I don't care."

"Okay, do you know when you're coming home?"

"No, I'm going to see my new…friend."

That probably meant that her thing with her previous "friend", Emilio or something, was over.

"I think Martha left some dinner for him, just warm it before he comes, will you."

"Sure," Chloe murmured.

Rita lighted a cigarette before she headed to her brand new car. Maybe she didn't respect her husband at all but she definitely didn't have any problem spending his money. Chloe got out of the pool and wrapped a towel around her. She had no idea what time her stepfather would be home. Today was her 18th birthday.

The only person who had remembered it was Trent's assistant. It was a part of her job to take care of that kind of things. Chloe had never actually met her but she seemed like a nice person. And she certainly did her job well; she had sent Chloe a huge bouquet and a card. Officially it had been from her mother and Trent, but Chloe doubted that either of them even remembered her birthday. That was probably for the best, her mother wasn't very good at throwing birthday parties.

When Chloe had turned 16, her mother had hired a male stripper. Chloe didn't think that she had ever been more embarrassed. She had always been shy and quiet, not to mention she looked nothing like her mother. Many people, including her mother, had found it hard to believe that she was actually Rita's daughter. Her mother had always been social and outgoing beauty who had even won pageants. Chloe on the other hand was a pale and bony brunette who had grey eyes. Nothing like her mother.

She didn't know what her father looked like since she had never met him or even saw a picture. Her mother had been very young when she had got pregnant and he had been married so he hadn't exactly jumped for joy. He had given Rita money so he would never have to deal with the "problem". Unfortunately Rita happened to have an expensive taste so the money hadn't lasted for long. Then along came Trent. The poor guy never saw what hit him.

Somehow Rita had managed to convince him to marry her without a prenup. Trent wasn't exactly paternal type and he wasn't much of a talker but he was usually polite. Chloe went to her room and opened the closet. Carelessly she picked up a long colorful dress with short sleeves. She wasn't planning to go anywhere tonight, so it didn't really matter what she wore.

She had missed so much school because of her condition that she didn't really have any friends. Trent wasn't usually very generous but he had never complained about her healthcare costs. She was very grateful for that. When she walked to the kitchen she saw that Trent was home. He was in his mid forties, he had dark hair and dark eyes that always looked serious; he didn't smile very often. As usual, he was wearing one of his custom made suits.

"Hi, there's some dinner for you…" Chloe started.

"That won't be necessary, I'm not staying," he cut in. "I assume your mother isn't here."

"No, she went out…"

"I don't care. I probably won't be home before tomorrow night. Please tell her that."

"Sure. I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Hmm," Trent mumbled and finished his drink before heading out. After he had left, Chloe settled on the couch and turned the TV on. She didn't want to watch anything specific but the TV had offered her some kind of company ever since she had been a child. She had been sick a lot so she had been forced to spend a lot of time indoors. Alone.

She had asked for a pet, but her mother had never agreed to that. Well, she was 18 now, so she would have to probably move out soon anyway… Her thoughts were cut off by the doorbell. Who could that be? She looked at the security cam and saw a dark-haired man who was wearing an expensive looking suit. Chloe couldn't remember seeing him before, but judging by his clothes, he was one of Trent's business associates.

"Good evening," the man said politely as she opened the door.

"Hi, I'm sorry, but Trent isn't home right now…"

"Actually I am looking for Chloe Fowler," he cut in.

"That's me. I'm sorry, do I know you…"

"Not yet, darling," another man said smiling; he had just appeared next to the first man.

Before she could react, the second man grabbed her hand and pulled her outside. He covered her mouth with his hand before she could make a sound. She was panicking and tried to struggle, but it was useless. This man was very strong.

"Kol! Be careful with her," the first man said.

"Do I look like an idiot to you, Elijah?" the second man snorted. "Shh, shh, it's alright, darling, calm down. We don't want you to hurt yourself."

She struggled desperately until she felt a sting on her arm. A needle. Suddenly she felt very dizzy. No… no, she had to fight… That was the last thought in her mind before she passed out.