CHAPTER 4 (ESCAPE)

She was smiling widely at me, still amused.

I was panicking inside. Oh no. things were so against my plan!

I could only stutter. "Um… Um… Um… H-hey Alice! Er… I feel dizzy today. That's why."

She chuckled. "It's fine Jacob. I'm so glad you're here. I thought you never come to events like this."

"Um… I changed my mind."

"That's good. Here. We have a table for us here."

She pointed to a vacant table with about eight seats around it. It had a sign: "Reserved for Miss Alice Clairborn" on it. Whoa. Just who the heck was Jacob's girlfriend? She has a whole table reserved to herself. I can't believe he managed to bag a girl like her.

We sat down on the chairs. She was only smiling at me.

I was so nervous now. I was practically sweating bullets. What was I supposed to do now? What if Alice finds out?

"Jacob, how's your sister Anthea?" she asked me.

Okay. Okay. Don't be nervous. Answer her and just act cool. Put on a façade of equanimity. Don't get stressed out.

"Anthea? She's fine now. You know… Growing up", I replied, laughing nervously. That probably gave away my so-called façade.

Way to act cool.

She chuckled. "Jacob, I've never seen you this nervous before. You always act so cool, you're like a statue. But… It's a relief you know. At least you seem so real now."

Whoa. So my brother has never changed. He was still a stiff gargoyle after all these years. He never does let his emotions get the best of him.

"Jacob… You really do love your sister Anthea eh?" she smiled at me.

"Um… Of course I do", I replied.
"Well, you always have your locket with her picture on it. In fact, it's on your neck now."

Oh. So this was a locket. I clutched the necklace on my neck. I just plucked this off his desk.

I opened it. My picture really was in there. I felt touched.

Jacob was just worried about me. I never knew that he carried this locket with him always.

I was the one being unfair. I should've given him a break.
Sneaking out was not such a good idea now. Now I'm in a very sticky situation.

I smiled at Alice. "Yeah. I really do care a lot for her. I probably care too much even."

She chuckled. "Aw Jacob… You're really different tonight you know. But I like it. It's so unexpected."

Jeez. Jacob should lighten up a bit sometimes. He always acts so cool. He's already below the freezing point.

More people came in. They all looked do high class. Thanks goodness Jacob had designer shirts. At least I didn't look too inferior or shabby. It turns out that Danny's family owns the hotel.

Alice pointed out some important people to me. There were a lot of designers here, and models as well. I was in a room full of gorgeous and important people.

A woman in a red asymmetrical dress approached our table and handed Alice a brown envelope.

"Your photos are in there, Miss Clairborn", she smiled at Alice and left.

Alice opened the envelope and pulled out its contents. It was filled with pictures of her in a photo shoot.

Whoa! My brother's dating a model!

I looked at the glossy photographs. Gosh she looked gorgeous. The camera worships her.

"You really look beautiful here", I told her, pointing to a photo where she was wearing an elegant black dress.

She blushed. "Thank you Jacob. Oh look. It's Mrs. Jones' son Danny."
I turned my head to where she was pointing at. Sure enough, Danny was standing a few feet away from us, wearing a Hurley shirt and Levi's pants.

He was all alone… That was weird. I thought he got another date. Or at least I expected him to get another one.

"Hey Danny!" Alice waved at him.

Danny looked at our direction and grinned. He approached us.

Oh my gosh. My heart was pounding now. Here comes Danny. Gosh he looked so handsome.

"He's so nice you know", Alice said, taking a sip of her wine.

"Yeah… and hot", I added before I could stop myself. Oops!

"Pardon?" Alice asked.

Thank God she didn't hear me.

"Er… I said the place was a bit hot", I replied hurriedly.

She smiled and nodded. "I guess it is a bit stuffy here. But aside from that, it's perfect."

Danny finally reached our table. I could feel butterflies in my stomach; make those violent, uncontrollable butterflies.

"Hello. Are you guys having fun?" Danny asked us.

I turned around, pretending to cough. I was sure he'd recognize me. I wanted to surprise him. He shouldn't see me yet.

"Er… Yes… Quite true", I replied surreptitiously in a gruff tone, my back facing him.

"Danny, you have no date?" Alice asked in a puzzled tone.

I had the exact same question hovering over my head. Why was he all alone?

"Oh. I was supposed to come with my girlfriend, but plans changed. I didn't want to come with any other girl. She's the only one I want", he replied sweetly.

Aw… That melted my heart. He was so sweet. I wanted to tell him the truth now but I felt that it would be better to tell him later on.

"Aw Danny. That's so sweet", Alice said. "Wait. Isn't that Laura?"

We all turned to see Laura. She was here, wearing a pink dress.

I could feel my blood boil when I saw her.

Surprisingly, Danny looked calm. He even smiled. I thought he hated her?

"Nah. It's okay. She doesn't like me anymore, after what happened in Paris", he said.

Oh yeah. He ditched her. She still couldn't forget that experience.

"Well, thank goodness she's not hounding you anymore", Alice said as she looked at Laura.

Danny sighed. "I know. I was going crazy when she stalked me. Anyway, I'll have to welcome some guests. Bye guys."

Then he walked away. I wanted to run after him, but I pinioned my mind not to. If my mind wasn't restrained, it would command my body, and then my body would go crazy and it would ruin everything.

In a few minutes, the fashion show started and the designs were impressive. I was happy for Danny's mom. It was a total success.

Alice and I chatted for a while. She was really sweet. She's not snobby. I hope she becomes my future sister-in-law.

After the show, we had dinner. The food ranged from Japanese, to German, to Italian, to Mexican and to Chinese. It was absolutely lovely.

Alice had to go because she had an important photo shoot the next day. She got her bag and stood up.

"Jacob dear. I have to go. Bye. I love you", she said and pecked me on the cheek.

Aw… That was nice. So this is how it feels like to be a boyfriend.

"Bye Alice. I love you too. Call me, okay?" I replied. Maybe it'd be nice if Jacob received a phone call from Alice.

She smiled, waved at me, and walked away.

I really liked Alice. She was so sweet!

I saw Danny sitting at his table alone while his parents chatted with the guests. I saw him sigh. He looked so lonely.

Maybe I should change now and finally surprise him.

I clutched the small bag I was carrying and stood up. I asked a waiter where the comfort rooms were. He politely told me the directions. I thanked him.

I finally got to the comfort rooms. Okay. Time to change.

I entered the ladies' comfort room. There was a middle-aged woman in a black dress staring at me with confused and outraged eyes.

"Dear sir! What are you doing here?!" she yelled at me.

I flinched. What was her problem??

I looked at my outfit. Oh yeah! I was still dressed as a guy! Jeez. Sometimes I forget to really think things through.

The woman was still looking at me with a piercing expression. If looks could kill, I'd be dead by now.

"Um… Um… Sorry. I got lost", I blurted out and quickly made an exit.

I went to the men's comfort room. I gulped as I saw the sign 'Men' on it.

Oh no. Was I really going inside that? What if I see a guy peeing?

Suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder as I was arguing myself whether I should go in or not.

I turned around to see who it was.

To my horror, it was Laura.

"Aaack!!" I exclaimed.

She flinched and raised an eyebrow at me. "Am I that scary?"

I immediately shook my head. "Um… No… I was just surprised, that's all."

"Oh okay."

I saw her giggle and bat her eyelashes at me. She could be pretty cute, if only she didn't have a demonic personality.

"Hi. I'm Laura", she said in a sugary tone, holding out her hand.
Eeew… She was so fake.

"Er… Hi… I'm Jacob", I replied, shaking her hand.

I could feel her grip tighten on my hand. I tried pulling my hand away but she simply wouldn't budge.

Okay. Last option.

I pulled my hand abruptly and forcefully. I grinned at her.

"Um… I need to go now", I said.

"Oh okay. Bye", she giggled and winked at me before she turned around and walked away.

I rolled my eyes. Yuck. I can't believe she flirted with me.

I faced my dilemma once more. I was still staring at the door of the men's comfort room.

Should I or should I not go in?

I scanned the area once more. I saw Danny looking really bummed out.

Aw! That was it! I am so gonna change now.

I charged the door and finally entered the comfort room, bracing myself for whatever was inside.

To my relief, there was no one here.

I gave out a huge sigh of relief. I could finally relax now.

I looked at myself in the mirror. Whoa! I did look like my brother! It was an uncanny resemblance.

I entered one cubicle and began removing Jacob's clothes, carefully placing them inside the bag. I put on a cute dark green dress. It totally fit me. I slipped on the panda bracelet that Danny gave me.

I went out and fixed my hair. Finally, I was a girl again.

I opened the door slowly, peeping if anyone was watching. Everyone seemed busy chatting.

Okay. The coast was clear.

I quickly got out of the comfort room. No one seemed to notice me.

I beamed. Okay. Time to surprise Danny.

I carefully made my way through the crowd. I was careful to not let Danny see me.

Finally, I was near his table. His back was facing me.

I heard him sigh.

"If only you were here", he muttered.

I smiled. I'm closer than you think Danny.

I placed my arm on his shoulder. "Hey Danny."

He stared at my hand, particularly at the bracelet. He looked dumbfounded.

He turned around and even looked more surprised when he saw me. He stood up.

"I-cannot-believe-that-you-are-here", he said slowly, before finally smiling.

"Of course I'd be here. I couldn't leave you alone", I giggled.

He smiled at me sweetly, his blue eyes twinkling. "Thank you… I really missed you, you know."

"Aw… I missed you too."

Then he hugged me tightly, like he never wanted to let go of me. He even managed to raise me off the floor.

I chuckled. "Whoa. That happy?"

He smiled. "Yes."

He put me back on the floor gently.

"When did you come in? I never even saw you", he asked.

"Well... I was dressed as a guy", I replied, grinning.

He flashed me a surprised expression. "What?? A guy?"

"Yup. I was the one with Alice."

"Oh okay. So you were the weirdo."

"Weirdo? I looked that weird?"

"Well, your back was always facing me. Who wouldn't find that weird?"

I chuckled. "Oh well. I guess so."

"By the way, why were you with Alice?"

"Surprisingly, she's Jacob's girlfriend."

Danny's eyes widened. "Really? The Alice Clairborn is his girlfriend? Whoa."

"I know. Lucky him."

We grinned at each other. Suddenly, Danny's parents spotted us and began to approach us.

Wow. I was finally going to meet his parents. We've tried to arrange some meetings with them but they've always been busy.

Danny held me by the waist and smiled at his parents.

His mom was near us, smiling. She had curly brown hair reaching below her shoulders. She was absolutely stunning in her emerald green dress. Danny's father was handsome as well; he looked like Danny, only older.

"Mom, Dad, this is Anthea", he introduced me to them. I smiled at them.

Danny's mom smiled back at me. "So you're Anthea! Danny, she is so pretty. A pleasure to meet you my dear."

I blushed a bit. "I've been looking forward to meeting you guys."

"Danny can never shut up about you. It's clear that he likes you a LOT. Well, thanks for making our son happy", his dad chuckled.

I beamed. "Thanks. I think he's really great too."

They both smiled back at me. Wow. They were really warm.

Suddenly, Danny's mom gasped. "Danny! Why don't you show her the garden at the back? My dear, it's absolutely beautiful."

"Oh yeah! I nearly forgot. Well, let's get going. Bye Mom, bye Dad", he waved to his parents.

They waved back to us and went about entertaining the other guests here.

"Danny, I love your parents. They're so nice", I grinned at him.

"Well, it seems that they love you too", he grinned back. "Let's go outside now shall we?"

"Sure. I'd absolutely love that."

He held me by the waist gently as we went outside to see the garden.