Chapter 14: Escape

Brooke walked into the office, and Jake bumped into her. "Hey," Jake greeted her.

"Hey."

"How'd you sleep?"

"Not good, I mean a bit of a jet lag." Brooke giggled.

"Oh, well see you later." Jake walked away. "Brooke!" He turned around and threw something at her.

Brooke caught the ball.

"Something to help you with the stress." Jake smiled.

Brooke smiled also. She laughed quietly to herself, and walked into her office.

Cynthia walked in shortly after. "Ms. Davis, Ms. Jagielski wants to see you in the board office."

Brooke froze in place. "Cynthia, is it one-on-one?"

"No, I think it's the whole division." Cynthia replied.

Brooke squeezed the stress ball a couple times before leaving. She carried it with her.

She entered the board room, and took her seat beside Jake. Ms. Jagielski walked in and took her seat at the head of the table.

"We're here because time is running out and I haven't had a progress report since our last meeting. Now let's start with Jake. How was Dubai?" Jennifer asked her son.

"Um…well the attractions are very well put together, and I think we should really add it as one of the stops on our trip. The customer service is phenomenal, and the adventures will really attract more customers." Jake explained.

"I asked you for report on my desk, and I don't see one. Can you care to explain that?" Jennifer interrogated.

"We were trying out the attractions most of the time, seeing if its worth it, and I didn't have time to write a formal report."

"Let me get this straight, you were there in Dubai for two weeks, and all you did was enjoy your time?" She started to raise her tone. "This wasn't a vacation, this was a business trip!" She paused and looked over at Brooke. "How about you? You went with him, didn't you find it odd?"

"Ms. Jagielski, we did work." Brooke assured her.

"By swimming and snorkeling?" Jennifer scoffed. "And I had a very upsetting conversation with Mr. Romero. He turned us down, and said to ask you why. I've been working with the Romero's for years, and this is the first time he turned out company down. What is the matter with you?! What exactly do you do here, except for flirting with my son?!"

Brooke stood still, she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"What part of 'next week is our deadline' don't you understand? We should've had all of this ready. You guys are a disgrace! I want a progress report on my desk no later than 3:15 this afternoon! And you," she looked to Brooke. "I want a list of all our investors by 3:15, on my desk. I am very disappointed. Get out." She ordered her staff to leave.

Brooke was the first to leave, and she went to the roof. She screamed to let out all of the steam.

Shortly after, Jake went to the rooftop. He screamed also, undoing his tie, and throwing something off the building.

Brooke turned around, and found Jake angrier than she's ever seen anybody. "Jake?"

"I didn't know anybody was here." Jake said without emotion.

"Yeah I needed some fresh air. That was intense. I can't even imagine how you feel. If my mother called me a disgrace and a disappointment. I don't know how I would take it."

"She just…she doesn't understand how hard I'm working. I joined her team because this was the perfect way to get closer to my mother, and to sow her that I'm actually worth something."

"I know how you feel. I used to do everything my mom said just so I can show her what a perfect daughter I was. But it was never enough. So I stopped trying. I realized I was trying too hard to make her happy, and I was ignoring my own happiness. I can't do that anymore, and neither can you. If your mom can't see what a great son you are…"

"Then it's her loss, right." Jake scoffed.

"I know it sound repetitive, but yeah, it is her loss. You can't make someone love you, even if you love that person." Brooke paused. "Look, why don't we get outa here? I know this great place. It's high on the mountains, and it's totally isolated."

"Right, and what about my mother?"

"If your mom can't see how hard you're working, then what's one report going to do? Look, we'll be back just in time to write those damn reports. But if you don't wanna go, then I won't force you."

Jake paused to think about it.

"Look, Jake. Your mom is never gonna change. She is always going to stay like this. But you, you're young enough to change, and not grow to become her. People always say we turn into our parents, but you can change that."

Jake exhaled, "let's go."

"Yeah?"

"Yes, before I change my mind." Jake smiled, and Brooke took is hand.

They were on the road before anyone knew they were gone.

Peyton woke up, and Lucas was making breakfast. She stretched and walked over to Lucas. "I thought you'd be at work by now."

"No, I took the day off."

"Sorry about last night. Where'd you sleep?"

"Oh, just on the bed. How did you sleep?" Lucas asked with his back facing her.

"Good. I hadn't had a good sleep in the longest time." Lucas smiled, as he remembered what she said about him last night.

"Yeah? Do you remember what you dreamt about?"

Peyton paused. "No, I don't. Well, not really."

Lucas' smile faded.

"But I think you were in it."

Lucas' smile came back.

Brooke drove to Jake's house for him to get some clothes, and then drove to her house so she could do the same. In an hour and a half, they were driving on the highway.

"So where exactly are we going?" Jake asked with curiosity.

"Well, it's a surprise. I hope you're up for some hiking though." Brooke told him.

The top of her car was down, and their hair was flying with the wind as they drove.

Jennifer was at her desk, and she looked at the clock. It was 2:30, and she picked up the phone. She called Jake's secretary. "I'd like to speak with my son." She said to the secretary.

"I'm sorry Ms. Jagielski, but Jake isn't here. He took the day off."

"What?! Where did he go?"

"Ms, he said he was taking the day off, and to just take messages until he got back."

Jennifer hung the phone up angrily. She then dialed Brooke.

"Cynthia, give me Brooke NOW!"

"Ms, she's not in. She left a couple of hours ago."

"Where did she go?"

"She didn't give the details, but she said to take any messages."

Jennifer quickly hung up the phone. She couldn't believe that they both just ran off together.

Lucas was sitting on the couch, and Peyton walked over to join him.

"You're quiet today." Peyton said to him.

"There's nothing to say." Lucas replied.

"Are you sure you're alright? I mean, you don't look so good."

"Peyton how long have we known each other?"

"Uh…coming on three months in a couple of days, why?"

"Never mind."

Peyton sat back, and thought she said something wrong.

A/N: Okay, so thank you all for the reviews. I'd just like t say something. This fanfic is based on Jake and Brooke, with minor Lucas and Peyton. I just wanted to get that straight. Lucas and Peyton will show up occasionally, but they will continue to show up more as the story progresses. But right now at this point, this shows how the relationship between Brooke and Jake develop, that's why Leyton doesn't show up that often. But don't worry Leyton fans, they'll show again really soon. Please continue to review.