𝐼'𝑙𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝐴𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑙 × 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒓𝒂

Chapter 13

April has been nervous the whole day today. Frank's friends and children are coming over for dinner tonight.

She has never been a part of Hollywood's who's who unlike Frank. She will be an outcast among them. Her thoughts get interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Come in"
"Are you ready?" , It's Frank, in his statement black suit and bowtie. He has come upstairs to check on April.
"Yes"

April is donning an off shouldered black dress , pairing it with black stilleto and a set of pearl necklace and earrings.
Her hair is open with fringe bangs cupping her face with very little makeup and a hint of fresh jasmine perfume.

Frank offers his hands and they go down the stairs to their hallroom decked up with chandelier, white silk ribbon, the tables are set with expensive wines and cutlery.

Frank has been nervous about this evening as well. He is contemplating if he is making the right choice or not.
He cannot afford to screw up another one of his relationships and he doesn't want to lose April.

Just after 7pm , the party starts to get filled with guests - Frank's daughters Nancy , Tina , his friends Jilly , Mike , Jimmy van Heusen, Dean , his colleagues Tony Curtis , Spencer Tracy , Audrey Hepburn, Shirley McLaine, Natalie Wood, Robert Wagner , Edie Goetz , Roz Russell and many more stars that April lost count of.

As everyone gets settled at their dinner table , Frank gets up and introduces his new girlfriend from France.
Each of them seated at the table had different expressions crossing their faces - of shock , surprise , even a little bit of bewilderement.

But everyone keeps it to themselves and flashes a fake smile.

April's face droops down from their reaction.
She is embarassed to even exist amid the glamourous icons of Hollywood.

Frank squeezes her hand , reading the sadness on her face.

Some of them engage with her in conversations. Among all of them Shirley McLaine was really interested in her and seemed genuinely happy for them.

Frank's both daughters don't seem to be very pleased with their father's new choice of girl friend.

Frank has expected this reaction, after all he has a similar experience with his ex-wife Mia Farrow.

As the dinner ends and everyone heads home , April and Frank settle by the pool with drinks .

"Your friends sure don't like me." , April shrugs.

"Not the first time." , Frank lights a cigerette.

April senses his disappointment.

"Do you want to go see your father ?" Frank asks April.

She hasn't seen her father in a long time. Nor does she want to.

" No ", she gulps her drink.

"Why not?"

"He wasn't exactly fatherly to me. I have built a life away from him and I am trying to be happy."

" Okay."

"Francis, do you think it'll work out for us?"

"I hope it does baby. "

The man Frank Sinatra is different from how the world paints him.
He is a reserved man and he doesn't get angry like how they write about him in the magazines.
He is a man of morals, you breach it once and he'll cut you off from his life.

"It's getting cold, let's go inside." Frank and April heads to their bedroom.

April wakes up with sounds of the clock striking one a.m. Frank is not in the bed.

While it's not unusual for him to be drinking and smoking at this hour , April decides to check on him.

The house is dead silent with faint mumbling coming from the living room.

Frank is talking on the phone.

" I should have never let you go. "

Her hands and feets freeze on the spot.

"I will forever love you. "

"Good night."

April could barely see from the tears as she goes back to bed.

What she feels can't be described. She has loved him more than anything. And this is how he betrays her love and trust.
For once, she thought it will be a happy ever after for her.

Last night at the party she couldn't care less about everyone's approval of her. She had what she needed- his love against all the odds in the world. Or she thought so.
Her world has shattered within a few seconds and now she is blinded by hatred and rage.

She is thinking how he first kissed her , took her to the Eiffel tower at midnight to see the lights changing , how they used to go on walks holding each other's hands, their sleepless nights spent talking.

The more she recalls each moment of their shared time together it leaves a bitter taste in her mouth.

"I will forever love you. " His words echo in her ears.

She remembers the times he said that to her. She tries to comprehend if he really meant it. She weeps quietly.
Slowly , April drifts off to sleep.

The next morning Frank wakes up but April wasn't there.

To be continued..