Beverly Hills Betrayal

Beverly Hills Betrayal

Part 1 of 2

By Cindy Johnson @CindyTv

Tags: #Cheat #Affair #Tricked #Betrayal #Tricked

Background

Troy Collins never trusted Jade. Her past—three failed marriages over seventeen years, each crumbling under her reckless choices—left a sour taste. Sure, she'd been a Miss America runner-up, her beauty undeniable, but her life spiraled after the pageant circuit fizzled out. She chased thrills, leaving broken hearts in her wake.

Jade was Sara's best friend, a fact Troy grudgingly accepted. She'd been maid of honor at their wedding, a role marred when she hooked up with a groomsman while her own husband mingled, oblivious, at the reception. Her charm was magnetic, her energy wild, but Troy took comfort in the 3,000 miles separating them. Jade lived in California; they were safe in their quiet East Coast suburb.

Chapter 1: Current day

For the last 18 years, Sara and Troy enjoyed a blissful marriage, raising their sixteen-year-old identical twin daughters, Kylie and Katie, in their quiet suburban neighborhood. Their life was one of simplicity and contentment - a stark contrast to Jade's perception of it as dull. Jade frequently remarked on the allure of the exciting lifestyle on the west coast, contrasting it with Sara's seemingly mundane existence.

Despite Jade's attempts to entice Sara with tales of excitement, Sara remained steadfast in her appreciation for her own life. She politely listened to Jade's tales but firmly asserted that she had no desire to trade her so-called boring life for Jade's adventurous one. Sara cherished her family and the peacefulness of her suburban existence, finding happiness in the life she had chosen. Jade's wild ways held no sway over Sara's strong commitment to her own values and priorities.

Derailment: The Phone Call

"Hi Sara, it's me, Jade! Brad just proposed, and you won't believe the ring—it's a stunning 3-carat diamond. I've told you before, he's loaded and head over heels for me."

"Wow, I'm genuinely happy for you, Jade. But do you truly love him? You mentioned he's almost 20 years older than you. Are you in it for love, or is there something else driving this?"

"Sara, I do love him, really. And I've changed; I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize this relationship. He takes me to fancy places, and I'm committed to being the best partner I can be. We're getting married, and I want you to stand by my side as my maid of honor. You're like family to me, my only real friend. Will you be there for me?"

"I'd love to, Jade, but I need to discuss it with Troy first. You know we have our girls to consider, and traveling might be tricky."

"Even if it's just you, Sara, I need you there. You mean the world to me. Please."

"Give me a few days to talk to Troy, and I'll get back to you, okay?"

"Of course. And let Troy know that I've changed. Tell him to look at Brad's name and lifestyle. Brad Jenkins, owner of the Elite Hollywood Law Practice—he's wealthy and deeply in love with me. We'll be living a luxurious life in Beverly Hills, attending glamorous parties as Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins."

"Jade, are you sure this is about love and not just about money and status?"

"No, Sara, Brad is wonderful and caring. We're perfect together."

"Does he know everything about your past?"

"Yes, he does. But he believes in the person I've become, and he loves me regardless."

"Alright, I'll talk to Troy and let you know."

"Thank you, Sara, I love you, you're the best friend ever."

Chapter 2: Sara's conversation

After dinner, I pulled Troy aside, urging the girls to handle the dishes while we had a chat. We settled onto our patio, taking in the serene view of the tranquil lake as the sun dipped below the horizon, sharing a bottle of red wine. I could sense Troy's curiosity, knowing that mentioning Jade always stirred him up.

"Honey, Jade called me today."

"Ah, what kind of trouble is she in now?" Troy flinched; his irritation evident.

"Troy, come on. You know she's my friend, and you should give her a break."

"Sorry, you're right. What did she want?" he asked, softening his tone.

"Well, it seems she's found Mister Right."

Troy burst into laughter. "Another one?"

Ignoring his sarcasm, I continued, "She's been seeing Brad for a year, and he's popped the question."

"Does he know about her past? Is he insane, or is he just wealthy?" Troy asked, wondering if the poor bastard know what he was in for.

"Well, he's well-off, but Jade insists she's changed and wants to be a devoted wife."

"Good for her, I guess. I hope this is her last shot at marriage number four. Can't believe someone would marry a known cheater like her. No way I'd be with someone like her. But hey, to each their own, that's one reason I love being married to you, Sara. You're nothing like Jade, and I love you just the way you are."

I smiled when he said that. He always has a way of making me feel loved. We had indeed built a wonderful life together, raising our daughters and cherishing our time as a couple.

"Troy, she also asked me to be her maid of honor at her wedding next month," I confessed, bracing myself for his reaction.

He remained quiet and I had to break the silence, "Baby, it's just a couple of days. I feel like I owe her for being my maid of honor at our wedding, you know?" I was trying to reason with Troy, hoping he would understand.

Troy had a look of surprise on his face, "Is it going to be a big wedding or something? I mean, it's her fourth time around, why not just go to the courthouse?"

"Well, apparently Brad is kind of a celebrity. He's a Hollywood attorney to the stars, and they're throwing a lavish wedding. Jade really wants me there with her. And of course, I want you to come too, even though I know it's not your thing," I explained, hoping he'd understand.

"First off, this is the busiest time of the year for me at work. There's just no way I can take a few days off. And what about the girls? They might be fifteen, but I'm not comfortable leaving them home alone. Plus, flying the whole family out to California for a short trip would cost a fortune. It's just not feasible," he explained in a calm voice.

"So, are you saying I can't go?" I asked with pouted lips, which isn't fair because he can never refuse my pouty face.

"No, that's not what I'm saying. I won't stop you from going, but I can't go with you. And I know you'll feel awkward at the wedding by yourself," his tone was firm but understanding.

"Honey, it's just one night for a few hours. I can handle being alone for that long, trust me. You know me, I'll be back before you know it," I assured him, hoping to alleviate his worries.

"Fine, go if you want. But I've never liked you being around Jade. She's always been a bad influence," he admitted, his concern for me evident.

"Troy, I'm almost forty years old. I'm pretty sure I can take care of myself and make my own decisions. Do you think I'm a child?" I retorted, my tone sharper than intended.

"Look, I said you can go. Let's just change the subject, okay? Whenever we talk about Jade, we end up arguing. I'm going for a walk. I'll be back soon," he said as he stood and was clearly done with this conversation. I knew he'd be upset, but at least he's okay with me attending the wedding. I'll let Jade know and get this over with.

— — — —

The following day I phoned Jade with the good news and asked her which airport I should fly into.

"Don't worry about it, I've got Brad's credit cards, and he's covering all the expenses for the wedding, including your airfare, hotel, and everything else you might need. I'll have all the travel details sent to you later this week. I'm so thrilled to see you and can't wait for you to meet Brad. Will Troy be joining you?" Jade asked.

"No, it'll just be me. Troy's swamped with work right now, so he can't take any time off," I explained.

"That's totally fine, we'll figure everything out. Please thank him for letting you come. I know I'm not one of his favorite people, so let him know how much I appreciate this," Jade said sincerely.

"I will. I'll keep you posted once I receive the travel information. Love you."

"Love you too, Sara, and I can't wait to see you again."

— — — — —

Later that evening, I received an email from a travel company with my flight details, and I was surprised to see that she had me scheduled to depart on Sunday morning and return a week later on Sunday night. I noticed the tickets were for first class but I was only planning to stay for a couple of days, not a whole week. I immediately called Jade to sort out the mix-up.

"Jade, there seems to be a mistake with the reservations. They have me arriving on Sunday, but I thought I was supposed to fly out on Thursday," I explained.

"Sara, I really need your help with the wedding preparations all week. I want you to meet Brad and see how well we get along. We have a wedding planner, but having my best friend by my side

would mean everything to me. Please try to come on Sunday. I'll make it worth your while, I promise."

I knew breaking this news to Troy would upset him, but I had to let him know immediately to see if he would be okay with it. Later that night, as we lay in bed, I snuggled up to him and shared the news.

"Honey, please don't be angry, but my flight to California is scheduled for Sunday, not Thursday. Jade wants me there for the entire week to help with the wedding and to meet her new family. I'm sorry and I feel stuck in the middle here," I confessed, feeling the stress mounting and tears welling up.

He must have sensed my distress because he pulled me close, his arms providing comfort. "It's okay, Sara. I'm not thrilled about it, but I'm not going to let it ruin us. Go and do what you need to do, and I'll take care of the girls and everything else here at home," he said with a loving voice that made me smile.

Looking into his eyes, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude. "Are you sure, baby? I feel terrible about this, but I don't know what else to do. I'm sorry, and I promise I'll make it up to you."

"You don't need to apologize, Sara. I love you, and there's nothing to make up for. Now, come here and let me show you just how much I love you."

That night, he made tender love to me. I gave him all of me, wanting him to know just how much I loved and appreciated him.

Chapter 3: L.A. Woman (Sara's Arrival)

The Beverly Hills Hotel

When I landed in L.A., I spotted a man holding a sign with my name, Sara Collins. I approached him, confirming my identity, and he led me to a waiting stretch limo. Juan, the driver, chauffeured me to the Beverly Hills Hotel. As we arrived, Jade greeted me beside a waiter holding two glasses of champagne. She enveloped me in a warm hug and planted a sweet kiss on my cheek. We couldn't contain our excitement and giggled like schoolgirls.

"Welcome to Beverly Hills, darling. The land of the rich and famous, and yours truly," Jade exclaimed as we clinked glasses and savored the champagne.

"Look at the engagement ring Brad got for me. It was the most expensive one in the store, and he bought it just for me. Can you believe it, Sara? I'm finally living the life I've always dreamed of. Come on, let's get you settled into your room," she continued, brimming with enthusiasm.

The hotel room was beyond extravagant, adorned with marble accents, towering tall ceilings, and luxurious furnishings. Anything I desired was just a phone call away, all charged to Brad's account without question.

"Sara, tonight we're having dinner and watching the sunset on Brad's boat. I can't wait for you to meet him and see how well we click. Tomorrow morning, we'll spend a few hours with the wedding planner, followed by an afternoon of shopping and fun. In the evening, the wedding party will gather for dinner downstairs on the terrace," Jade said with the enthusiasm of a high school cheerleader.

Later that day, when I called Troy before leaving for the cruise, I gushed about my day over the phone and a twinge of guilt crept into my voice. "You won't believe the day I had," I began tentatively, feeling a little remorse for indulging in such extravagance without him.

With each detail I shared about my day, the guilt started to grow. I knew he couldn't be there with me, but a part of me wished he could experience it all too. "Darling, it's like a fantasy world out here, but I couldn't help feeling a bit guilty for enjoying it all without you."

As I tried to reassure Troy how much I missed him and wished he could have been there, I felt guilty enjoying myself while he was working and taking care of the girls. I knew he might feel left out, and I wished I could erase that feeling. I realize now that I should have been more sensitive to his feelings and not have seemed so happy while we were apart.

Then he asked about my plans for the night and I realized now how it all must have sounded. I mean, I was supposed to be here just helping with Jade's wedding but telling him about my upcoming shopping trips, salon and hair treatments, and now going out alone, on a sunset cruise. I can only imagine how I would have reacted if this were turned around.

"What's your plans for the night, Sara?"

"Um, well, Brad is taking us out on his boat for a sunset dinner cruise. I'm sorry baby, I wish you were here with me but I have to be part of this."

"Oh, you poor dear. Shopping, salon treatments, and dinner cruises as a single woman. I'm sure glad you left five days early to help your friend. In case you're wondering, me and the girls had a pizza for dinner and I'm working on a budget, but you have fun now, you hear. I need to go. Goodnight Sara."

When I heard him disconnect, I realized he was angry and hurt. This wasn't going as I had hoped and I needed to somehow fix this. But, deep down I had to admit, I enjoyed the fancy hotel room, and having a little me time away from the daily grind. Don't get me wrong, I would go home in a second but I was already enjoying the opulent lifestyle and over the top comfort. I can understand why he's upset, but he'll be fine when I get back home and make up for lost time.

Chapter 4—Sunset Cruise

Sara felt like she stepped into a dream as she boarded Jade's fiancé's 60-foot yacht for a sunset cruise. The luxury yacht, equipped with everything one could imagine, sailed smoothly along the coastline. Sara couldn't help but marvel at the opulence around her.

As Sara looked around, she couldn't shake the odd feeling she had about Jade and her fiancé, Brad. Jade, with her stunning beauty and vibrant personality, seemed out of place beside Brad, who appeared much older and more serious. Brad, a distinguished attorney to the Hollywood Stars, exuded an air of sophistication, while Jade radiated youth and energy. They made an odd couple, with Brad clearly being Jade's senior by twenty plus years.

Despite the differences, it was evident that Jade would soon become Brad's trophy wife, enjoying his wealth and status. As Sara watched the sunset from the deck of the yacht, she couldn't help but wonder what the future held for her friend, when she should have been thinking about her family and her own future.

Chapter 5—Julie's Shopping Day

The following day started early with a whirlwind of activity, with shopping and wedding arrangements taking center stage. We toured the church and reception venue, met with the orchestra leader, and sampled food from various caterers. Jade was in her element. She introducing me as her lifelong friend to everyone we encountered.

The afternoon was nothing short of exhilarating, as we embarked on a shopping spree fit for royalty. I was filled with excitement as we explored the heart of Beverly Hills. However, my awe reached new heights when Jade led me into a prestigious hair salon and introduced me to Paul Mondo, a renowned stylist known for his work with A-list celebrities. Surrounded by luxury and glamor, I felt like a star-struck teenager, caught up in the magic of it all.

After Jade's insistence, I indulged myself under Paul's skillful hands, my already blonde hair underwent a remarkable transformation, becoming even lighter and exuding a stunning supermodel aura. Seeing my reflection in the mirror, I couldn't contain my joy. I felt like a movie star. I couldn't help but smile as I basked in the glow of my exciting new look.

It was an amazing day, reminding me of the fun I hadn't experienced in years. With a little convincing from Paul, we went to his friend's eye vision store and was fitted with a pair of electric blue contacts, which was not a problem as I had 20-20 vision and no prescription was needed. Paul was right, with my new platinum blond hair, the new electric blue contacts gave me an entirely new, sexy look. I loved it, and once again found myself falling into the LA scene—the glitz, glamor, and treatment by the rich and famous.

I so excited as we stepped into the upscale boutiques. I was captivated by the stunning array of dresses and high heels on display. Each item screamed luxury, drawing me deeper into this crazy lifestyle. While I found several dresses and heels that I adored, they were all exorbitantly priced. I confided in Jade that I already brought a beautiful dress that Troy had bought for me last year for our anniversary party. But she would not give in until I at least agreed to look at some new styles now in fashion.

Walking through the fancy shops, I felt like a movie star. The store workers treated us as VIP's. Each stores saleswoman gave us special attention and even offering champagne as we shopped. Trying on the dresses made me feel like a princess; the exquisite fabrics draped nicely over my body with a sensual feeling. I couldn't help but twirl in front of the mirror, admiring how beautiful I looked.

Lost in the magic of Beverly Hills, I enjoyed every moment. The places were so luxurious and grand, like something out of a dream. Apparently, life out here was all about living in luxury and enjoying the finer things in life.

I knew it was just a few days of fun but I was thankful for such an amazing experience. It was a day I'd never forget. Going back to my hotel I felt like a different person, appreciating all the fancy things in life even more.

When I entered my hotel room, I was surprised to find two packages waiting for me on the bed, accompanied by a note from Jade. It said, "A little something for being my maid of honor. Please wear these tonight for dinner." To my amazement, the packages contained the exact dress and heels I had been admiring earlier. It seemed Jade had worked her magic, arranging for the items to be delivered to my room while we were out. Her generous tips and extravagant purchases likely made it an easy feat for the salesgirl to fulfill her wishes.

Inside the shoebox were a pair of Louboutin So Kate high heels, which I knew cost over $1,000. The dress was a stunning Carolina Herrera black evening gown that must have cost over $3,000. I was amazed at how Jade could afford such extravagance, but I wasn't about to complain. I had always dreamed of owning a pair of those heels, and although I wasn't sure when I'd wear them or the dress back home, I was excited to wear it that night.

After I admired the expensive heels and little black dress, I was excited to wear them for dinner. I got so caught up in the excitement that I almost forgot to call Troy. I dialed him at 9:30 PM his time, realizing I was two hours late for our planned call.

"Hi sweetheart, sorry I'm late. This time difference has me all messed up. How's my amazing husband?" I said, trying to sound cheerful.