I stood before the dressing mirror, unable to help admiring the reflection staring back at me. A tall, sexy, and handsome guy gazed back, and I smiled, feeling a surge of confidence and pride.
"Travour Woods," I said, my voice filled with conviction. I adjusted my cufflinks, making sure they were perfectly aligned. A sense of excitement and anticipation coursed through my veins as I thought about the night ahead.
Just then, my beautiful wife, Amelia, walked in, teasing me with a playful smile. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, and I couldn't help but chuckle.
"If you're trying to seduce other women, you're certainly dressed for the part," she said, making a mock-angry face that only made her look cuter. I felt a warmth in my chest, grateful for this beautiful woman who loved me.
I reassured her with a gentle peck on the cheek. "You're the only one my charms are meant to seduce," I said, smiling. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close. "You look stunning tonight, Amelia."
I looked stunning myself in my blue Brioni tuxedo and black Berluti loafers. I was the star of the evening, I thought to myself, feeling proud. It was my birthday party. The luxurious décor, fine wine, and exquisite music all combined to create an unforgettable night. The much-anticipated party of the city had finally started. A lot of bloggers were going to have a field day on the internet today. The paparazzi too were no exception; many prominent men and women of influence and power were in attendance. I, for one, had wanted a low-key party just for the people close to me, but I guess that wasn't happening now, was it?
"Hmm, excuse me, my love." "Yes, Travour. What is it?" "Hmm, Amelia dear, isn't this party a bit too extravagant? I mean, there are too many people in there, and we both know I don't normally socialize." "Stop that, honey. You're turning 40. It's time for a change," Amelia said as she grabbed my hand, and we stepped in together.
As more guests arrived, the music pulsed, and the atmosphere electrified. I mingled, exchanging pleasantries and greetings with my business associates and invited guests I had no knowledge of. They were all here to celebrate my birthday, but I knew they weren't really friends, so I wasn't entirely comfortable. I had only one true friend—Leonard—a brother-like figure who had been with me through thick and thin. We had shared countless memories, and I trusted him with my life.
Suddenly, I felt a slight tap on the head. No divination needed—I knew it was Leonard. Without turning around, I asked, "Is that the gift you got for the birthday boy?"
Leonard handed me a glass of brandy, knowing I don't drink.
"Come on, one glass won't kill you," he teased, his eyes glinting with mischief.
I felt a pang of nostalgia, remembering the good old days when Leonard and I would share a drink or two.
I declined, reminding him why I avoid drinking. "You know why I don't drink anymore, Leo. I don't want anything to remind me of past events."
Leonard raised an eyebrow, but he knew better than to push me. I felt a sense of relief, grateful that Leonard understood my boundaries.
Leonard laughed. "I see you've lost your nerve, man!" His booming laughter echoed through the event area, drawing attention from the other guests. I felt a surge of embarrassment, but I knew Leonard was just joking.
A voice interrupted our banter.
"Would you two please keep it down?"
I recognized the voice and excused myself, knowing Amelia was heading our way. As she approached, she scolded Leonard.
"Why are you making a racket at this event? I know it's your best friend's birthday, but control your excitement, please."
Leonard glanced at me, making a mock gesture of a knife slitting his throat, as if to say, You're going to pay for this. I chuckled, knowing Amelia's stern demeanor often left Leonard intimidated.
He feared her wrath, often jokingly referring to her as The Queen. Amelia dragged his ear, and Leonard's eyes widened in mock pain. I felt a sense of amusement, watching these two people I loved interact.
The evening was filled with excitement, laughter, and joy. As I took the stage to give a speech, I thanked everyone for coming.
"From now on, you should address me as 'sir,'" I said with a smile, eliciting laughter from the crowd.
As I turned 40, I felt grateful—not just for my beautiful wife, Amelia, but also for my two precious angels who couldn't be here tonight because of the nature of the party. These three have brought so much joy and light into my life. I wake up each day with a sense of purpose, knowing I have a family that loves me.
I thanked Amelia, saying, "Thanks to my beautiful wife, I've been eating well every day. That man who used to eat only canned food now eats good food."
I glanced at Amelia, and she smiled, her eyes shining with love.
The crowd laughed, and Leonard's voice rang out from the audience, "He's been eating Mrs. Travour!"
The laughter became uncontrollable. While Amelia and I felt a bit embarrassed—mostly Amelia, her cheeks red—I threw Leo a glare as he hand-signed that it was payback for her earlier taunt.
"And thanks to Leo too," I added, raising my glass. "My ever-loyal, ever-naughty friend who's been there for me through thick and thin. Cheers! Let the party continue!"
The music swelled once more, filling the room with vibrant energy. Still, deep inside, I felt happy and grateful, knowing I was surrounded by people who cared about me—though only a few truly did. Most were just business associates and passersby, I thought inwardly.
The party was in full swing. It was an adult party, so mostly anything went—except for recreational drugs, which I'm strongly against. The mood was perfect for fun, from board games for simple-minded people like myself to the extravagant game of truth or dare, which of course Leo led, as naughtiness was his forte.
I, for one, only enjoyed a game of chess, which I was good at. I only lost one match due to the wrong placement of my queen piece—a slight miscalculation on my part, which Leo didn't let slip past me.
"Hahahaha! The great Travour Woods, master of manipulation and wits, lost in a game he's so confident in. Well, well, well, now that's a sight to behold."
"Come on, Leo. It was just a one-time loss out of my eight-win streak."
"That's none of my business, bro. A loss is a loss. No need to be so ashamed. Accept your loss like a man," Leo said in a half-drunken state.
While we sat alone, he kept laughing and taunting me for the one-time loss.
"Honestly, Travour, I'm proud of you, bro," he said with a sip of the whiskey in his cup. "We've come a long way from God knows where—climbing through shit holes just for survival and our hopes. Now we're free from all that. You've built quite a name and family for yourself. I'm really happy we met—or I might have been dead by now. You always came through for me. I'm grateful to you. I'm proud to call you my friend and brother."
Leo looked at me with a genuine smile, which brightened my mood even more.
"Thanks, Leo. You're the best," I said as I held back my emotions.
"Now you've given your heartfelt speech, where's my present? You always brag about getting me something on my birthday, huh?"
"Oh, don't worry, Travour. I got you covered," Leo said, assuring me I'd love my gift.
"Okay, Travour. First off, a brand-new gaming unit and console—the latest model. I had to pre-order it even before launch to get you this," he said, showing me a picture of the gaming unit he secretly installed in my game room during the party.
"Wow, Leo. Your guys sure move fast."
"That's not all, bro. I got you a car. Well, technically it's our car, 'cause I'll be driving it too."
I looked at him with a mocking gaze as he winked at me, indicating the presents weren't finished yet. It was time for the main item of the day. He handed me an envelope with the words written: LIVE A LITTLE.
"A one-year gentleman service," he said, screeching his nose suspiciously. I knew Leo too well—and already knew the content of the envelope.
"Really, bro? You got me a one-year subscription to an adult website?" I laughed. "But I already have a wife—I don't need this."
Leo insisted, "You never know when the need might arise."
Unknown to him, I had already texted Amelia to come over to the table. As she got closer, Leo sighed at me, muttered, "I'm a snitch," and ran away.
I handed the envelope to Amelia. "It's from Leo—with love."
She smiled, not knowing the content… until she opened it and saw the very delicate gift I was given.
"Ohh, that no-good Leo of a playboy. I'm gonna make him pay for sure this time around," she said as she went hunting for Leo.
As the evening drew to a close, Amelia yelled, "Leo!" as he ran away, knowing he was in trouble.
"I'm sorry, Amelia! I only did what any gentleman would do!"
"Just you wait, and I'll show you what a gentleman gets when he's found out!"
"Please have mercy! I won't do it anymore. You have my word."
"Then stop running and receive your punishment like a gentleman would!" Amelia threatened.
The frustrated look on Leo's face, coupled with his drunken state, made me tear up in laughter.
The party eventually came to an end, leaving me with memories of a wonderful night. I felt grateful and content, knowing that I had found my place in life. As I bid my guests goodnight—
"Leo, goodnight," I said. But he paid me no mind.
"As a brother, I forgive you today—but I'll pay you back for this," he said.
All I could do was laugh at my friend, who looked completely defeated by my beautiful wife, Amelia.
The party went on with a lot of sights to behold—from wild dancing to the irritated face of Puck during the drinking game that was in full swing.
I, the celebrant, now felt like an invited guest. Leo was the light of the party with his weird dances on display.
"Hey, handsome, want to dance?" Amelia asked me, trying to be flirty.
"Oh no, beautiful lady, I am married. My wife can't see me with a beautiful lady—she might get jealous, you know."
"Oh, come off it. She'll be okay with it—she is me after all," she said with a smile.
I took my beautiful wife's hand and headed to the dance floor. I'm not much of a dancer, but I did my best and ended up having a good time.
The party finally came to an end. I helped order a ride for Leo because I didn't want him to drive while drunk.
"My man Travour, nice party, man! I'll plan your next one, okay? That way we'll really have a gentleman's celebration," he said in a drunken state. "Oh, before I forget, I'll put in the games tomorrow for the gaming unit I got you. And tell the Queen she did a good job this evening—I'll pay her back tenfold!" he laughed as he entered the car I ordered for him.
Wow… what a heated evening this was.
Now, all that was left was to take this ton of gifts back home.
I can't wait to see my girls. I know they'll be waiting for me, I thought with a smile.
"If true happiness truly existed, I would seek nothing else... but perhaps it's only a cruel illusion, dangled just out of reach to remind us how broken we really are."