AN: Wow. It has only been 3 chapters and I've received 21 reviews in total and we've banded already into the beautiful number 30 followers and 17 favourites. It's a huge flattery so thank you for your ceaseless support :)
The bottle cap snapped open as Jack forced the new water bottle open. The gruelling interview finally came to an end and Jack finally had the chance to sigh a deep breath out of his lungs.
He eagerly swallowed down mouthfuls of water and the cool, refreshing liquid cooled his burning throat and Jack was surprised when Elsa came and sat next to him on the navy blue couch.
She looked exhausted as her eyes were clouded with fatigue. Jack felt guilty as she was running through the mill because of his nephew's incredibly stupid stunt. Jack passed the bottle of water to Elsa while she tried to hide the big yawn with her small hands.
As she hesitated to take the bottle from his hands, Jack initiated their conversation with a question, "Are you tired?"
Elsa smiled weakly and answered, "More like exhausted."
She continued to hesitate from taking the water bottle until Jack firmly placed the bottle into her cold hands. Jack faintly smiled back and said, "It's alright, you know. Take a sip. Should help you a tiny bit."
Elsa finally took the bottle and Jack noticed her face perk up as she became rejuvenated with the aid of the water. She sighed and said, "I have no idea on how we are going to get out of here."
Jack nodded his head at her statement; it was fair for her to worry to be currently trapped in the publisher's building. It was quite unbelievable to know that this massive ball of knotted problems began with the photo that Benjamin created on his who-knows-what. Jack, his family members, his manager, Elsa, and her manager called and pulled favours wherever they could so the photo wouldn't be used for a cover story.
However, there had been a single company of writers who refused to budge away from the falsely made photo. They were insistent to use it as a scoop to gain more readers and they refused to make any deals except for one. They would get an exclusive story with Jack and Elsa. The topic would be a complete one-eighty: their current relationships. They discussed how their relationship started, but they were playing cool as friends. The article would be totally innocent and dirt-free.
Then another issue was piled onto their plates the moment they completed their three hour interview. They grilled them with gruelling questions and comments. Jack felt like he was playing an intensive rounds of 20 Questions. His brain was pounding inside his skulls when he remembered the interview. The problem they were facing now was the fact that there was an army of fans and media guarding the front, the sides, and the back.
Jack wondered quietly: how did the situation turn this way? He and his manager arrived in the area a week prior to the interview while Elsa and her manager arrived on the day of- tonight. It was taxing to know how sensitive the world was these days whenever it concerned him and Elsa. It was mentally draining from the both of them.
Another question popped to his head: why does the media need...no. Why does everyone need to sexualize everything? For example if he were to march outside right now and give an appreciative, friendly hug to one of his fans, there would be a deafening amount of screams while the piranha like paparazzi attacked him and his fan with blinding clicks of camera. Then an article such as: 'Jack Pine and Another Woman?!' would be printed. There was also a good, fat chance that he'd earn another stalker; another problem.
Earlier, Elsa also hesitated sharing a beverage with him. Yes, he was perfectly aware that it was an 'indirect kiss', but so what? If she was tired and thirsty, it should be normal to drink water or whatever she wanted to drink- even if it meant sharing a bottle with him. It was weird for him to comprehend although he was a thirty four years old man. The world and the social norm moved far too fast for him to grab its concept.
Still the more important question was: How in God's name were they going to leave the damn building? Jack scratched his head and his manager, Spencer, came running from the hallway. The poor man looked equally tired and he said, "I'm sorry Jack, but it doesn't look like the crowd is ebbing away."
Jack peeked through the curtains and Spencer was correct. The mass hasn't decreased in the last two hours. Jack frowned as he realized that everyone was hounded in this place for five hours. Suddenly, Jack had a brilliant idea and he quickly dialed Dominos, one of the biggest pizza franchise.
On the end of the receiver, Jack heard a bored, flat voice. Why can't people actually sound happy when they were phoned for delivery? On the television, the workers always looked so vividly happy behind the cashier. Then again, they were actors too. The woman said, "Domino's Pizza. How may I help you?"
Jack smiled wickedly and said, "Hi, this is Jack Frost. I wanted to order a pizza right now."
Everyone turned their heads with an incredulous face. Elsa abruptly snapped, "You're ordering a pizza now of all times?!"
Jack brought his index finger over his lips and smirked when the end turned silent.
He repeated, "Hello? Anyone there?"
The woman spat, "Don't joke with me. You aren't Jack Pine."
Jack snorted and said, "No, it's me. Really. I'm Jack Pine. Hi. I just want a pizza ordered to the 'Us Weekly' company."
He gave the woman the address of their location and the woman continued to refuse to believe that he was in fact, the flesh and blood of Jack Pine. Jack said, "Miss, I swear that I am Jack Pine so could you please come to the back of the building? I'll get security to push the crowds back a bit so that you can come in. Get me two boxes of BBQ Chicken Pizza."
The woman spat, "Fine. But I still don't believe that you're Jack Pine. There's no way that a celebrity is calling me for a cheap pizza."
Jack rolled his eyes and said, "If you come in and you meet me and I turn out to be Jack Pine, I'll give you an autograph on the shirt I'm wearing. You get to keep my dress shirt and my autograph."
Jack eyed Elsa and added, "You know what? Elsa Menzel is also here so you can even get her autograph."
The woman murmured, "Yeah and if you turn out to be Jack Pine. I'll give you the bloody car."
Jack grinned and said, "Okay. Bye!"
Spencer shouted, "Jack! What on Earth are you thinking?!"
Jack relaxed next to Elsa and replied, "I just wanted to order a box of pizza for you."
Spencer shouted, "Hell you did."
His manager was getting sleep deprived. Jack would make sure that the man can go home and sleep peacefully with his family tonight. Jack calmly watched people fidget about the room and the light looked as if it was dimming like the sun. Slowly and slowly, his eyelids fell down and his breathing went into a calm state.
Jack was mildly surprised when the phone in his hand vibrated to warn him about an incoming phone call. When he groggily woke up, he found nearly everyone soundly asleep. The workers who belonged to the company were sipping coffee and continuing with their tasks. His manager had his arms secured around his body and his head hung sluggishly.
Jack smiled when he saw Elsa's manger also soundlessly asleep. The woman was very well dressed with her professional black suit and knee-length skirt. The woman fell asleep with the glass still hanging on the ridge of her nose. She was resting her head on Elsa's shoulder and Jack smiled faintly when he noticed his manager's jacket barely cover Elsa and her manger. This proved to be another
Jack flipped his phone open and he heard the woman from earlier say, "Well, Mr. Pine, I'm here with your pizzas."
Jack replied, "Give me about five minutes. We just need to get prepared. I'll let the security to escort you in."
First he shook Spencer awake and then he woke up Elsa's manager who in turn woke up Elsa.
Jack smiled broadly to everyone and said, "The pizza's here."
Elsa stared at him with red eyes and sarcastically said, "Yippee!"
Spencer cleared his throat and asked, "You woke us up for pizza?"
Jack said, "Yeah. And it's also our ticket home."
Everybody stared at him as if he became Jack Frost and disappeared before them. At that precise moment, the pizza lady entered the room and dropped the two boxes of pizza.
Jack grinned charmingly at the lady and said, "Nice to meet you, missus. I'm Jack Pine."
The woman squealed, "OH MY GOD! IT'S ACTUALLY YOU! AND ELSA MENZEL! OH MY GOD!"
Jack faked a surprise and said, "OH MY GOD! IT'S ME! LIKE I TOLD YOU EARLIER!"
The woman laughed to tears and Jack smiled back. Jack said, "Well, I made a little deal with you earlier didn't I? I said that I'd give you my autograph on my shirt and Elsa can also sign my shirt."
Jack paced to a wooden desk and snatched a sharpie. He unbuttoned his shirt to the woman's astonishment and whipped the clothing off of his body. Spencer groaned and wiped his hands across his face. Jack snorted at his manager's reaction and didn't hesitate to sign his autograph on his expensive, Italian dress shirt.
He approached Elsa and asked, "Would you do the honors?"
He smiled confidently and passed the sharpie to Elsa who remained frozen in place. She quickly scribbled her autograph onto his shirt and her jaw remained down. Before he turned his attention back to the pizza deliverer, he gently closed her gaping mouth shut.
Then he exchanged his garment with the two pizza boxes and joked, "Now, I kept my end of the deal. Can I have your car now?"
The lady stammered, "I am really th-thankful for your autographs. I really am, but I can't give you the car- sir."
Jack chuckled and said, "I know. But can you give Elsa and I a ride home?"
The lady looked stone shocked by the proposition and Elsa raised her voice, "Jack?! What on Earth are you thinking?"
Jack coolly responded, "Trying to get everybody out of here. Listen to me. The media identified our managers' cars and that's why they are here. Everyone is beyond tired and we all want to go and get some rest. So if have our managers use our vehicles to go home, not only will they get home safely, they'll be a good bait for distraction. Meanwhile we can get a ride from this lady in a plain, old, pizza delivery car. Nobody will look at this car when our own cars are leaving the building. The photographers will hound them like rabid dogs. Then we can all go home."
Everyone stared at him and blinked. Jack said, "This was the only plan I came up with. This is the only way for us to leave this place without having them write more bogus about us. We can't be seen together. We need to leave this place without being seen at all. So can everyone agree to this plan?"
Spencer said, "You have the craziest plans out there, Jack, but it will work. I'm more than willing to be your distraction."
Elsa's manager stepped forward and said, "So can I. Elsa, please go with Jack and the pizza lady."
Jack smiled gently as everybody soon came to a positive conclusion. Jack also gave a box of pizza to Spencer, "You two can share this box. Everyone must be hungry. Elsa and I can take this one."
Elsa whispered, "So you were actually thinking of something."
Jack grinned and said, "Yeah. I try to be reliable when I can."
Their managers went to the their designated cars and turned on the engine while Jack, Elsa, and the pizza deliverer waited at the back door. The security man said, "Yeah, everyone is swarming away now. It's safe for you three to leave."
They moved swiftly and jumped into the old, red car. Jack gave the lady his address. Then Elsa asked, "Are you going to go home that way?"
Jack looked at his bare chest and said, "Yeah."
They went into the car and the lady said, "You'll need to hide because we're going to pass the mob."
Jack grunted before lying on the floor of the car. Elsa stared at him blankly and asked, "What are you doing?"
He murmured, "If we lye on the seats, they'll still see our heads so...yeah. Guess we need to lie down together."
Jack opened his arms and she refused to get into the car. She asked, "Is this the only way to leave?"
He nodded his head in response. She hesitantly got into the car and relaxed on top of Jack. Jack involuntarily held his breath and felt her weight pressing down on his naked flesh. On top, he could feel her warmth radiating while beneath him, he felt the car rumble. For safety, he snaked one of his arms around her back while the other hand gently pressed her head against the drumming beat of his chest so her head wouldn't be seen. Her silky, platinum blond hair tickled his nostrils as the top of her head nestled directly under his fuzzy chin.
She smelled nice. Her hair smelled citrusy; scent of tangerine, lemon, bergamot, and grapefruit played tauntingly at his sensitive nose. It was very relaxing to hold her there in his arms. It just made him feel peaceful and warm. He should buy some scented candles or essential oils for relaxation the next time he had the chance.
The car finally came to a low rumbled soft and to their surprise, his gate was also blocked by a cluster of people. Jack sighed in a defeated manner and whispered the passcode to unlock the solid, metallic gate. Outside, he could hear the metal scraping against the pavement.
Fortunately, it looked like his manager already guessed and prepared his home to be guarded heavily. The guards only permitted the car to squeeze past them as the crowd were forced back from trespassing.
Against his chest, he could feel Elsa whisper, "Can I please get off of you now?"
Jack scooped his keys from the depth of his pockets and noticed how red her face was. His finger pressed the button to open his nearly packed garage. The driver slowly pushed the car into his garage and Jack pressed the button again to lower the garage door.
He politely said, "Thank you for the ride."
The woman fumbled for words and quickly said, "No, thank you for your autographs! And Mr. Pine, I'm really sorry for not believing you from the start."
Elsa eagerly escaped out of the car which reeked of pizza. Before he also got out of the vehicle, he winked at the lady and said, "I should be the one apologizing. I tricked you so you would get us out of the building."
Jack shut the door behind him and the woman pulled her window down and said, "Mr. Pine... I'm team Jelsa too. Good night."
Jack smirked and escorted Elsa into his house. She seemed amazed by the interior design and the layout of his house. She quietly tiptoed deeper into his house while Jack watched her.
He leaned against the wall and wondered three things.
1) It was his plan to use the pizza lady, but was it also his plan to bring Elsa Menzel to his house?
2) What in God's name was he supposed to do now with her in his house?
3) Why were these questions making him nervous?
Review Time With My Readers:
anotherOUATwriter: Would you laugh if I said that I'm using my personal life references for this specific story? Yes, yes, yes go have fun with your Emma Morrison.
13: Hmm, life can preoccupy people even when they wish for leisure time. I'm sure Elsa enjoyed spending a peaceful evening watching ROTG while her peaceful night was disrupted once she read Fanfiction :P
JohnTitor: I will try to keep up the pace, but university will be starting next Tuesday so I can't offer a solid promise to my readers. Nevertheless, I will always give a good input of effort to my stories. As for the last chapter, I do have my reasons to dedicate the whole chapter Elsa's past. As a writer, I always want my readers to be able to relate themselves to the stories; the good and the bad. It offers more pathos that way. Cheating is definitely cliché, agreeing with you a 100% here, but I'm certain most people can relate to that emotional pain or some sort of betrayal from their loved ones. I also want to convey my thoughts throughout the story so it has some kind of meaning behind it. It also gives some depth to the character when they have a background story. Plus I promise that the chapter will be linked to another chapter in the future. Hope that makes my reasons more understandable. However, I definitely enjoyed your constructive review. Thanks :)
: sí, sí. :) Gracias para su crítica.
snowlitbutterfly: Thank you for your compliments :) I'm happy to know that you like reading my story! I hope to hear from you again :D
gerardienea: I didn't want to write a chapter where she reads it alone. *hint, hint* *nudge nudge* *wink wink* take a wild guess what next chapter will be about ;)
Puteri Tina: Mhm, I think your excitement level is at the same level as gerardienea. I'm sure you read my reply to her so ;) thanks for the review!
Feyfa: [Chapter 2] So glad to hear that the chapter brightened your day with big loads of laughter. Laughter is always the best medicine on Earth. [Chapter 3] It's not that I got upset because you missed a chapter. I just noticed that your name wasn't there so you could say that there was a miniscule void floating on my screen. Just missed hearing from you :) Thanks for your double review :)
ElsaTheSnowQueen2: [Chapter 1] Once again I'm always happy to hear that I managed to make a person laugh although I wasn't near them! It's always good to make another person smile. [Chapter 2] Thank you for your compliments! Glad you enjoy my work. Makes it worth to write the chapters out at 2AM. [Chapter 3] Thanks for loving my story. I hope to hear from you in Chapter 4 :) *Warning, Elsa may target you next chapter*
Guest: Thank you for reading and for your review! :)
QUICK END NOTE: Promise next chapter will be deeply involved with Fanfiction for our protagonists :D See you soon! Thanks for reading and please review!