Happy Birthday

April stared with dismay at her reflection from a full-sized mirror. She was wearing a purple velvet dress that fell only above her knees. It had spaghetti straps and her full breast was a bit obvious since the dress was clinging to her curvaceous body. She only wore a bit of makeup but her features appeared more mature just the same. She breathed deeply as she thought of what this moment meant for her. It's April's eighteenth birthday today. She had spent the afternoon getting dressed in this extravagant hotel restroom with this purple dress given by the man she had a terrible crush on.

"Happy eighteenth birthday April!"

She greeted herself with a wine glass and a wine bottle in tow. April wore a forced smile on her face, as she stepped out of the bathroom and made her way back to the lobby lounge bar. She sat on a stool at the corner of the bar with her wine. Though it was a very special day for her, and she was wearing a very expensive dress, she was obviously miserable.

Who spends their eighteenth birthday alone in a bar? Why did she even accept Vincent's offer for her to hang out at this bar all alone? She didn't even have the guts to invite Vincent to join her tonight.

April stared around her. She was in one of the most luxurious hotels in Atlantic City. This evening was April's celebration, which was her choice, that was to spend her eighteenth birthday here, alone.

April didn't have a lot of friends, just acquaintances from school. She was asked by her guardian to choose how she would like to celebrate her special day. So naturally, she had decided that she'd rather be alone than a party with people that never mattered to her at all. Just the same, she knew that she didn't matter to others as well, whether it was her birthday or not.

Unfortunately, April was orphaned at a young age. The Johnson family adopted her and it just so happened that her adoptive family had turned out to be one of the richest families in Atlantic City.

"Hey birthday girl, why the serious face? Can I join you?"

A man in an expensive suit offered a cocktail drink to April, then pulled another stool towards her to sit on. April allowed the stranger to sit but she didn't say a word to him. Both of them sat in silence, though April sensed that the man was trying to advance closer to her side.

"Why didn't you let Vincent give you a debut party? He has so much money to spend for whatever you might want to do for today."

The stranger commented although April didn't even look at him. She was not interested to talk to anyone at all. She just wanted to sit here alone and wallow at her miserable birthday.

Although April has her reasons, she does not intend to share her thoughts with a stranger who seemed intent on hitting on her tonight. So, she continued to ignore him, along with his cocktail offer that was left untouched on the bar table. She took a sip of her own wine.

The man obviously knew Vincent, maybe he was a customer or an acquaintance. But then again, who wouldn't know who Vincent is?

"Happy birthday!"

The man repeated his earlier greeting, hoping to get April's attention.

This time, April reacted, thinking that this man will stop annoying her after she had acknowledged his greeting.

"Thank you, Mister, but do I know you?"

April said with obvious annoyance in her tone. She glanced at the man for a second.

"Well, I overheard you greeting yourself earlier."

The man replied with a confident smile on his face, finally getting April's attention.

"I intend to spend this evening in peace if you don't mind."

April said calmly, hoping that the man could take a hint already.

"How come? I can keep you company. I won't mind. We can have so much fun together."

The man retorted, full of himself.

"Well, honestly, I don't think you're that interesting at all. I'd rather be alone. So. if you'll excuse me..."

April snapped at the man. She was really infuriated by the man's arrogance. She saw the incredulous expression that the man gave her after that.

The stranger was about to say something more but April was fast enough to stand and leave that man as quickly as she can manage. In her hurry, she left her wine glass and wine bottle with the man. She shook her head in irritation. This was really a miserable way to spend her birthday.

April didn't waste any time to even glance back at the stranger. She didn't care if he was offended or anything. She walked slowly towards the adjacent area where a mini jazz bar was located. She was hoping to find a place for her to be alone. Staying here made her feel like she was still celebrating her birthday.

Vincent owned this hotel. 

Vincent Johnson was the mafia boss in Atlantic City and was the only child of the Johnson family. He was a lot older than April but both of them grew up close since April had been adopted into the family.

The thing was, April had this huge crush over Vincent even when she was young. Vincent adored April and had been more like his ward. Although Vincent might have a very soft spot for April, she would definitely never ask Vincent anything financially extravagant. Which was why she could only accept his offer that she could hang out in any of the establishments in this hotel, or any other hotel in Atlantic City. Vincent's family happened to own most of the businesses here.

Actually, all April wanted was to spend her birthday with Vincent. But then, she didn't want to look like a pathetic girl, drooling for Vincent's time. She was not even sure if he wanted that too.

Suddenly, April's phone vibrated. She set it on vibrate mode, knowing that nobody will be calling her anyway. She checked and wondered who could be calling her. She saw Vincent's number blinking on the screen. Her heart skipped a beat from her surprise. 

What could Vincent want? He had greeted her already this morning before he left for a meeting. He came to her room with a big white box. It was this dress that she had on right now.

She took a deep breath and then pressed the answer key on the screen.

"Hello, Vincent, hi!"

She tried to sound casual but her heart was actually pounding as if it was about to jump out of her chest.

"Hey, April, how's the birthday girl? Are you enjoying yourself?"

She heard Vincent's excited tone at the other end of the line.

"Yes, thanks for the dress again."

April lied a little. She didn't want Vincent to think that she was pathetic.

"Oh, you're welcome. I am glad you liked it. I'm glad you're enjoying your day as well."

Vincent replied.

'So, what do you want to say again?"

April asked as if anticipating something.

"Oh, I was just checking up on you. I am just here at the Penthouse. My meeting finished early. So, if you need anything, you know where to find me."

Vincent explained.

April's heart continued to pound. What was Vincent trying to say? Was he hinting at seeing her?

She couldn't believe it. Vincent was just on top of this hotel! She tried to calm down then replied.

"Oh, okay. Actually. I am here at the lobby lounge at the basement floor..."

April bit her lip. Was she trying to invite Vincent to come over?

"Oh, okay..."

Vincent said, sounding surprised.

"Oh, okay bye, Vincent!"

April suddenly ended the call. On her nervousness, she decided to go back to the bathroom to freshen up and hopefully, really calm down. She felt her phone vibrating but she ignored it. She knew it was Vincent because she hung up the phone on him.

When she reached the restroom. She washed her face in the sink. She breathed deeply to settle her nerves. She stared at herself again in the full-length mirror then sighed. She just applied face powder on her face now.

When she felt better, she stepped out of the restroom once more.

Suddenly, someone grabbed her arm forcefully. When she glanced at who that person was, she realized that it was the same man from the lobby lounge bar who was hitting on her.

"Hey, birthday girl. You think you can just leave me hanging dry?"

The man said with a smirk on his face.

"Let me go, you asshole! I never said I wanted your company!"

April yelled at the man, while she tried pulling her own arm from the man's tight grasp.

"Oh, yeah? So why were you sitting alone there at the bar? Weren't you waiting for a fancy date with someone rich like me?"

The man asked as he pulled April closer to him. He was about to kiss April.

April smelled the scent of heavy alcohol from the man's breath.

"I said, let me go!"

She demanded, trying to dodge from the man's kiss.

Then from out of nowhere, a fist came crashing on the man's left cheek. To his surprise, he loosened his grip on April. He staggered from the punch and automatically massaged his cheek in pain.

April turned around to see who punched the stranger.

"April, are you alright?"

Vincent asked with so much concern in his tone. 

Before April could reply, Vincent turned his attention towards the man.

"Leave this place now! I never want to see your face here, or in any of my establishments, you hear?'

Vincent said with a level tone but he could have just as well shouted. His voice sounded full of threat.

The man glanced at Vincent for a second. He was about to say something but his attention was caught by two men in dark suits a little distance from where he stood, Vincent's bodyguards.

Instead of retaliating, the man walked quietly out of the hotel. The two men in dark suits followed him.

April stared after them in bewilderment. 

"April, are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

Vincent asked again. He held April in both arms, in front of him. He stared at her as if to make an inventory if she was hurt.

April blushed uncontrollably, from the attention Vincent was giving her. 

"I am fine, Vincent. Thanks for that."

April replied, but was avoiding Vincent's eyes.

"What a way to spend your birthday."

Vincent commented.

"Have you had enough fun here?"

He asked afterward.

April stared at Vincent in response, with a confused expression.

"I meant if you had enough lounging around here, why don't you just have dinner with me at the penthouse?"

Vincent clarified as he stared back at April, waiting for her response.