CHAPTER 6 BIRTHDAY DINNER

MISSY'S POV I watched in the mirror as the women worked on my face, making me look so pretty. I watched them talk about something I wasn't really listening to while giving them the normal hum, like I was really listening to their words.   All they said was flattery to me, as they admired my face, saying it was so neat and didn't need a lot of make-up for me to look so beautiful. The company would be very lucky to add me to the upcoming role in the entertainment industry.   I knew they all said it so I could give them one or two things from my pocket, but I didn't refuse and did just that, handing them four bundles of money each. Then I looked at the bed to see the bouquet of money. I took it and gave it to them. Their eyes shone with excitement as they started giving me more flattering words while I told them to leave.   I admired my diamond necklace once again, touching the oval-shaped pendant lightly with one finger. It matched perfectly with my skin. My parents knew just exactly how to make me happy. The thought of all the beautiful things they got for me this time made me smile. I loved the way my perfect white teeth contrasted with the chocolate lipstick I had on. I looked gorgeous, and I didn't need anyone to tell me.   I got up from my dressing table to get my black boots. I decided to go all black this time around. I was turning 18, so I needed to do away with the flashy colors. My dress was a black, short silk gown my boyfriend had given me as a gift to wear on my special day. I looked at my watch, wondering why he wasn't around yet. And yes, my watch also came with the necklace, along with my earrings. The boots had come from one of my aunts, who lived in Paris. Lastly, I got my black stoned purse myself when my dad took me out shopping the previous week.   I looked around my room. Boxes were scattered all over the place, and the cake, which I barely touched, lay there on my bed. It was just useful for pictures. The balloons, which I used for my shoot right there in the room, also lay on the floor. Apart from those, everything else in the room was in place. I sighed deeply as I placed a call to the maid to come clean out the room. Staying in a dirty environment made me really uncomfortable.   There was a knock on my door. My boyfriend had finally arrived.    "Hey, beautiful,"  he said as he came in.    I smiled and hugged him. He looked as charming as ever, also wearing all black, with a silver chain and bracelet to complement his whole look. He brought me a gift, which I just kept without opening, and red roses, which I also left on my dressing table.   I was about to jump into his arms again when I felt my hair being pulled back, which made me realize my xie held my cloth. This is quite embarrassing in front of him. I took two steps back, thinking of what I could do with my head bent in an unnatural position.   "Are you alright?" he asked with concern etched in his voice. I hope he promises me today; that's all I'm hoping for. I do not care if we have to still wait a while to get married because my carrier is too risky for me to have a child, but I wanted the ring as an assurance that he would always be with me and not leave me to marry someone else.   "My zipper is stuck to my hair," he chuckled, realizing I was probably embarrassed to say it before he turned around to assist me. His hands slowly moved to surround my waist from behind as he hugged me from behind.   "You look very happy today. I wonder what day it is that makes you this excited," I whispered in my ear, making me smile brightly.   "I also wonder what day it is; I have to ask if you know."    "I guess it's something called your birthday," he said, placing a soft kiss on my shoulder blade, and I turned around to move away from him. Seeing his eyes, which looked at me like I was his whole world, I might be very lucky and might receive a wedding ring tonight. I can't wait to go out already.   Damien was just the perfect guy any lady would dream of having. He was a second-year college student who I met at my friend's birthday party the previous year. He was really handsome and had perfect height. He also had money. His parents were very wealthy business tycoons who knew how to spend money on their children, just like mine. He was one of the people in my life that I could never think of losing.   Soon, we were both in his car, heading to the lounge downtown, where I was to have dinner with my friends. I had been looking forward to this dinner for some months now, although the idea of a birthday dinner for my 18th seemed weird at first. My parents had suggested it when I said I wanted something else other than the party I was always having every year, even though I didn't know exactly what I wanted. I had agreed after making sure that there would be alcohol allowed at the dinner. I couldn't risk an 18th birthday celebration with no alcohol. Then, my parents got an event planner who put the whole thing together. I made sure to include my favorite games, as well as music and dance, as the things I wanted. This was about five months ago, so I just couldn't wait to see the end result of five months of preparation with a lot of money invested.   As we stepped into the lounge, I couldn't help but gasp in awe. The whole place looked even more beautiful than I imagined. The lighting was perfectly dim, with pink shades. The wall was decorated with red strings of light that read, "Missy's 18." The area where we were to sit was furbished with pink petals with luminous outlines that made them visible in the dark.   When all my friends arrived, dinner began, starting with a decent meal, while I entertained my friends by telling them about the various gifts I had received. Then we moved on to our games and dance, which was the real fun. Soon, we were all drunk.   My face flushed red as I tried to grab another glass, but Damien pulled it away from me, making my lips pout as I reached for it again, but he didn't let me have it.    "You've had a lot of drinks this night," he said before placing a quick peck on my lips, making some of the girls who weren't drunk giggle among themselves, and I could hear some wishing they had a boyfriend like him.   "Damien, are you forgetting something?" He furrowed his eyebrows before pulling me up.   "You have gone too far in your drunken world," I heard him mumble while dragging me out.