My Sister Stole My Birthday Party and Tried to Stick Me with the Bill – I Agreed to Pay, but Under One Condition

Being ready for my birthday, I never thought it would be the beginning of learning how to stand up for myself. My younger sister’s attempt to mess up the day made me stand up for myself so that I would not be taken advantage of again!

There was never any doubt as to who the favorite parent was while I was growing up. There was nothing my sister, Kayla, ever did that I didn’t love. Even after crashing my dad’s car, skipping classes and shoplifting, my parents treated her behavior as some kind of amusing trait. When she kept going beyond limits when we were older, that’s when I reacted and broke away.

While Kayla sailed through her days, I wondered throughout mine. My parents gave me a consequence for not turning off a light at bedtime. Those years for me were mostly spent getting scolded and disciplined. I was sent to my room for breathing badly, for making a B not an A and for speaking during the wrong time!

Whenever she had any excuse, I would receive some strong scolding and her life proceeded smoothly, like a fairy tale.

I wishfully believed that being an adult would make my parents notice who I was, instead of just focusing on whatever was new with Kayla. I was so mistaken about all that!

Rather than a big party, I arranged for dinner at a waterfront restaurant that had a nautical theme on the day of my 30th birthday. I wanted to celebrate with just those who were significant to me: friends, cousins and very reluctantly my parents and Kayla.

I sent an email and made phone calls at least a couple of weeks in advance, letting everyone know the day, time and place and also including a menu. Surprises were not something I was interested in.

It seems that surprises decided to make things happen differently.

I showed up a little early on the night of my birthday and the cool evening breeze touched my skin. I ran a hand over the wrinkles in my dress, took a deep breath and stared at the red wall in front of me. This night was all mine, to mark my three decades of making it and reaching success.

As I pulled the heavy oak doors open, my heart dropped!

Gold streamers decorating the place made the restaurant look very elegant. Balloons everywhere had the message “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE QUEEN!” And a huge colorful banner said her name and somehow not mine!

She stood under the fireworks, smiling in a long gold-sequined gown, with a diamonds-studded tiara in her beautifully curled hair.

It was all very noticeable and not at all hidden.

Friends from her circle, no matter how familiar or unfamiliar, laughed, toasted and shared in my celebration! A seating plan made for fifteen guests had nearly thirty people instead! Tables around the club were filled with plates of oysters, caviar and already paid for champagne!

My heart ached as it beat hard in my chest.

Kayla came strutting over, wearing stilettos that made her feet click rhythmically and she grinned from ear to ear.

My goodness, you passed the exam! she called to me, excitedly taking my hands.

As I looked up, I saw my parents coming my way and I was able to say, “What is happening?”

She laughed and said, “You don’t mind me having these, do you, sis?” For me as well, today is pretty big news. My 27th birthday didn’t get any celebration.”

I blinked for another moment. I wanted to say happy birthday, Kayla, but today is not your birthday.

She couldn’t help giggling as if she were hearing something too ridiculous. Sure, but birthdays mean more than just the actual day. They’re really all about the experience or in other words, the vibes. Tonight is feeding me a lot of Queen Energy!

Just when I was thinking about how to challenge her, Diane arrived, look of disapproval ready on her face. She told me, “Watch out for your own selfishness.” Give her a chance to shine by herself! Your sister should also get to celebrate her birthday with a party!

Whenever my mom chose her side against me, my dad would shrug which was his usual response.

My hands became tense. I made sure this experience would happen. Everyone was invited by me. Just wonder how on earth she managed that.

Keep cool, we’re at a party!,” Kayla said as she led me toward the food. Nobody pays attention to the details of implementation.

But I did care.

The main thing that troubled me was Kayla having her birthday three months before. She chose exactly my date of birth to hijack and she made it her own birthday by turning my party into hers!

But I was the only one who bothered about it!

All through the night, I concentrated on being still, while my sister stole every bit of attention. Each of her three speeches talked about her achievements in greater detail and with more pride. She sliced my cake, stood in the middle of a bunch of friends for lots of photos and shouted with happiness as she opened my gifts.

Friends wanted to know what was wrong with me, but I didn’t find a way to explain it. I felt myself at my absolute lowest at that moment.

Everyone gives their attention to the Queen. they raised a glass of champagne to toast my sister.

“To Kayla!” half the room murmured in reply.

I tried to seem normal, feeling that I was at my own funeral.

The last blow came when our server brought the check over in a tasteful black folder. She grabbed it daintily and slid it toward me with one sweeping gesture.

Usually it’s the birthday person’s responsibility to pay for everyone. she giggled as she explained.

I could not move because I was so stunned by her. The bill looked like more than a few thousand dollars, if you looked at the price of the Dom Pérignon alone.

There was a short moment of silence on my part. Even more slowly, I smiled because a plan suddenly came to mind.

Yes, that’s true. On one condition,” I said with a light voice.

Kayla gave a slight head tilt. “What condition?” she questioned me as the audience watched; my friends were given to great interest by what was taking place.

When I was up for choosing my drink, I raised my hand to alert Luke, the manager I had spoken to when organizing the dinner.

“Hi, Luke. Would you be able to help me please? I inquired kindly. Could I see the complete phone records for the booking? Do you think that recording calls is a way to maintain quality at the bridge?
He thought hard about it, but he nodded anyway. We facilitate landgrabs indeed. One moment.”

As he stepped back, a low whisper went through the room. Kayla looked down and her smile seemed strained. Mom turned and shot me a disapproving look and Dad began to look a little unsure.

What is it that you are doing? Kayla made soft hissing sounds under her breath.

I just wanted to make sure we were safe, I said, shrug.

Sometimes, restaurants save reservation calls to check the owner’s actions and this restaurant also made that clear on their website.

Only a few minutes after that, Luke came back with a printout and a tablet. He made sure I was ready by looking at me before he started the music. Kayla’s laughter and excited voice caused everyone to quiet down, as she chatted excitedly about boosting the list of attendees, buying a better cake and choosing the top seafood platters — just on my tab!

She mentioned it straight after: “You know, it’s my birthday and I hope it will be very special for me.”
Despite having made the reservation with her first name, Kayla told the receptionist, “Everyone knows me as Kayla, so that’s why it’s shown like that on the banner.”

A tremor of surprise passed over the crowd. My sister’s face turned pale, her mouth working strange, opening and closing again and again!

I faced her as usual with a calm expression. You pretended to be me and changed the booking without first asking me. That’s fraud.”

Her eyes went to our parents as she stumbled on her words. I was trying my best to improve things! We are always busy with annoying routine activities!”

I moved much closer and lowered the tone of my voice as I spoke. Rethink it as something meaningful for you? This is how it is: either you take care of all the costs or the police can deal with it.

Just this once, Kayla couldn’t respond instantly to what was said to her. She looked at Mom and Dad with pleading eyes and tears formed in her eyes.

Are you going to allow her to hurt me so much? she whispered.

My mother hesitated, feeling both angry and horrified and tried to say something to object. But then Dad, looking serious, reached into his wallet and slapped his credit card down. Luke was told, “Just plug it in!”

When the manager was gone, the table became very quiet. I got to my feet, tidied my dress and began to talk to the group.

I began by saying “Thank you all for being here.” Thank you for coming along to celebrate my 30th day. Truly.”

Some people clapped with an uncomfortable style. A number of them lowered their eyes so as not to look at me. Kayla stood still with tears rolling down her heavily painted face.

As I went out, my mom pulled my arm.

That was very cruel to me and you’ve never been thankful before, she said snappily.

I looked at her straight in the eye. “No, Mom. It was really mean to plan my birthday event around Kayla’s circus and for me to be the one to pay for everything. But I am glad that you took care of the expenses for your daughter’s party.

The table cleared, I stepped into the crisp night air and smelled the salty air coming from the bay. My friend, Jenna, ran over to reach me as I went past.

“Honestly?” she linked arms with me, saying, That was totally amazing!

I laughed and the heavy feeling across my shoulders finally started to disappear.
A little later, I stepped out onto my balcony with a glass of inexpensive red wine and my phone buzzed. The text came from Kayla.

The message told me I had really embarrassed him.

After a moment of looking at the room, I typed: “I hope you took something from this meeting.”
Only the heart emoji is allowed. There should not be any smiley faces. Purely the genuine story.

I didn’t give importance to it. For the very first time, her words didn’t excuse her.

That was the most wonderful birthday present for me!