It is 11:57 PM.
The party is wild with bodies sweating, bass shaking the floor, red and purple lights cutting through the air.
It is supposed to be her night, Alison's 21st birthday but she feels invisible.
She stands by the balcony door, with her untouched drink in hand. Her red dress is skin tight, low back, and long. But it is revealing, sexy, she have never wore anything like this before.
She looks hot. Everyone told her. But she doesn't feel it inside.
Her mind drifts to her father: Not even a call. She clenches her jaw. She told herself not to expect anything, but it still hurts.
Her best friend Myles Carter is somewhere in the crowd, flirting and drinking. She doesn't feel like pulling him into her loneliness.
She glances across the room and then stops.
A man in his mid 30s , black shirt, fitted trousers, calm aura he is leaning against the wall, just watching.
Their eyes meet.
He doesn't smile. Doesn't look away. Just stares , slow, assessing. Not creepy. Dominant. full of himself.
Her breath hitches. A pulse beats between her thighs. She doesn't even understand why. She looks away, but not for long.
The Countdown Begins:
"Ten… nine… eight…" The entire room blows up.
Myles returns and grabs her hand, trying to spin her around. She forces a smile but can't stop her eyes from drifting back to that man.
He's still there. Still watching.
She suddenly feels exposed. Hot. Wanting.
Her dress feels tighter. Her skin more sensitive.
The count down reaches:"Three… two… one!"
Everyone cheers, throwing drinks and kisses.
Alison standing lost in the crowd, she walk towards the bar.
He walk toward her now. Slowly. Confidently. Her heart stumbles. Her stomach knots , not from fear, but anticipation.
He stops just a few feet away. Doesn't say a word. Her lips part, but she can't breathe.
His gaze drops to her lips, then back to her eyes. Then he leans close, just enough for only her to hear and says:
"Happy birthday, Red."
Her knees nearly give out.
She thinks: This man is going to ruin me… and I think will let him.