Arguing with a Little Blackmail

"Why are you insisting on meddling with my life now? I have not even seen you for years and years!"

April lashed out at Vincent. Her anger had really taken control of her by now.

"Exactly, I have not seen you for a long time? Why did you disappear?"

Vincent asked, also in a high tone now.

"Why do you care? I don't have to explain anything to you!"

April answered in disbelief. Clearly, she could not imagine how Vincent could ask her these things so casually. After such a long time, how can he speak to her as if nothing happened between them... and... and... 

April saw reds in her vision! She didn't want to go back to that part of her life ever again. She refused to relive those painful memories in her head. Although she could not do anything about what happened in the past, aware of how influential Vincent was, she could always do something else.

Suddenly, April took a photo of Vincent with her phone. Apparently, her action was not something Vincent had anticipated. So, he was unable to react quickly. 

April hid her phone in her backpack immediately.

"What do you think are you doing? Why did you take my photo?"

Vincent asked a little surprised, still.

"Well, if you will insist on harassing me about going with you and ordering me to stop selling sex toys, I will use that picture to tell everyone that you... the Billionaire CEO boss of Atlantic City had been coming here to Washington! I know you are being questioned for some of your business transactions!"

April replied proudly. She had never thought she would resort to blackmail, just to get Vincent off her case! When did she become that bold and brave? She gave a triumphant smile. She knew Vincent had no choice. He had too much to protect on his part.

"Oh, really? What will you do to my picture?"

Vincent challenged, thinking it was an empty threat. He seemed unperturbed by April's words.

"For your information, I was only selling sex toys part-time. Do you think that is all I know to do? In truth, I am a reporter for a media company. Don't you think that they will not be interested to know that the Billioonaire CEO, Vincent Johnson of Atlantic City, was photographed wandering the streets of Washington? Surely, it is naturally headline news."

April explained in detail. No matter how much publicity, the police would definitely have a ball that Vincent had been seen in public, especially in this area.

"So, is that so? I didn't know you had something up your sleeves. But it's good though that you told me that you have a different job. I just really think that selling these things isn't good for you. A decent job fits you better. I know you're smart."

Vincent sounded patronizing towards April, but she let it go. The important thing was that she could get the hell out of here. The blackmail part seemed to work. However, April was surprised that Vincent appeared very calm about this.

"Okay then, I am leaving now, and don't even attempt to stop me or follow me!"

April announced as she turned her back away from Vincent, without even waiting for any reply. She walked as fast as her tired legs could carry her.

In truth, Vincent had realized that April had such a big reaction to him, so he let her leave. That would be all for tonight.

Whatever he had meant to talk to her about, it didn't matter for now. He would allow her a little space. Now that he knew where April was, he could talk to her another time.

So far, the long time he didn't see April, he didn't expect she had made her own life for herself. 

Although one thing was definitely sure, this was not the last time he would see her. He would just let her think that she got her way for now.

As he watched April strode away from him, he wondered how much April had changed. She was not the adopted little girl he used to know.

Vincent felt how different April had been, but in his mind, he knew he had something to do with that.

Maybe that was why he insisted to make April return. 

Slowly, Vincent walked out of the pool area as well.

When he reached the exit, his dark limousine was waiting for him. The two men who brought his clothes earlier stood outside. One of them opened the door when they saw Vincent approach.

Without a word, Vincent rested his head as he sat in the limo's back seats.

"Boss, straight home?"

Paul asked, the one driving and personal bodyguard of Vincent.

Vincent merely nodded, in exhaustion. 

Paul slid back up the panel separating the passenger backseats and the driver part to give his boss his privacy. He didn't need any extra instructions for this. He had been with Vincent for a long time and knew well if he needed to be left alone.

The travel to Atlantic City would take a while. Paul knew that would give his boss the time he needed.

Vincent had been under a lot of pressure to fulfill his responsibilities for the Johnson family businesses, as well as keep up with his new life now. 

Whether his boss admitted it or not, Paul knew the reason why Vincent chose to travel to Washington, just to hang around strange clubs, instead of staying on the outskirts of Atlantic City.

He was aware that a lot of things had happened that were rather hard for his boss to talk about. Vincent had always been that way. What he could only do as his trusted bodyguard, was to stay loyal to him, the Billionaire CEO of Atlantic City.

Vincent would never show any weakness, let alone allow anyone to find one about him. He's Vincent Johnson, the fearless boss, the Mafia leader...the billionaire CEO... who didn't back down on anything, or anyone.