"But I have to admit that I do miss you Annabelle", He told me. He patted my back and pinched my nose. "STOP IT!", I yelled at him. I walked away from him and didn't look back at all. I was frustrated. I could hear footsteps behind me. Like it was following me. I ran for it. I didn't look back. I ran as fast as I could. I turned back and saw no one. I headed for the apartment. Clicked on the button and ran to my room. I curled up in my covers and began to dose off. I dreamt of things going upside down and I was the right way up. I dreamt that I could see myself skipping barefoot on the ground and rolling like a child. I felt calm and relaxed. I finally woke up and saw the ceiling. I leaned to my left and faced my door. My eyes were still at blur, I was trying hard to look at the blurry lights flashing in front of me. I blinked twice and saw the time. -9:30- 'CRAP' I overslept!. Dani must be here already!. I washed my face and brushed my teeth and ran for the door. When I opened it, I saw Dani's art set and suitcases. Where was he?. I smelt pizza coming from the living room. I followed and saw that Max was actually having a conversation with Dani. They were talking about the Art Gallery whilst eating the pizza. Dani wasn't really the type to talk to people about his work, except for me and Mom. I walked in and pretended to cough. Max and Dani stood up like gentlemen. Surprising. Usually they'd just ignore that I'm here and go on with their lives. This time, it's different. Dani has finally grown up. haha.. I was actually giggling. "Well hello there sleeping beauty, you're not going to give your Dad a hug then?", He played. I laughed and hugged Dani. Did I miss him. "How was your walk? have you already thought things through?", Max asked me out of the blue. I was a little angry about Carlos this afternoon and I didn't want to talk about it. "Someone was trying to catch me today, I ran of my life and eventually made it to the apartment", as I turned to Max with wide eyes. He understood what I meant and I wanted to talk to him about Carlos's habits on revenge. I took a large bite on the pizza and it was pretty huge. I don't think that I could finish it. "Anna, did you see the news this morning?", Dani asked. "No, why? what's wrong?", I answered. "There was a Tsunami in Indonesia and it had hit your school apparently", he said. I was shocked. My mouth dropped and I look like the girl from that scary Japanese movie. I wanted to sit down and take a break from all this madness that I was in. I needed to breathe. I asked myself, "What if Miss Sate was still there?! What if Aunt Lacey was stuck under a tree and washed away", I panicked towards Dani. "Relax.. relax, there is nothing to be afraid of, Everyone is fine. No one got hurt and they're flying to Brunei tomorrow. I was frustrated that they were going to Brunei and I wasn't. I missed everyone. Their the only ones that understand what I'm going through, due to the fact that they are girls and I'm not with them. On the contrary, If it weren't for New York I wouldn't have met Max. I stared at him for a while, I thought. 'How did I get so lucky to have a guy like him?'. I finally got out of the little bubble that I'm in and asked Dani if we can go out for Dinner at a restaurant or something. Max interrupted. "Actually, I forgot to tell you that I was going to bring you both to the annual fashion show that my Mother designed and it'll be in an hour", as he glanced at his watch. I have never been to a fashion show and I guess this might be the first for everything. I asked Max if he could pick out the dresses that I kept in the end of my closet, I never actually worn any dresses and it's just one night. I think. I stepped out of the closet and put on my earring that my Mother had worn on her wedding day, just pain pearls and locket that Max gave me for our first date. I didn't realize that Max was standing there in my room. I saw him, very handsome and wearing tux. I was wearing a peach dress because I really didn't want to stand out. He looked at me with dazzling eyes and I thought that there was something wrong with my dress. " What? is there something wrong? is it the shoes?", as I twirled in front of him. "Uh.um.. nothing, you look beautiful", he said. I blushed. "Shall we go now?", as he showed his arm to me and smiled. I held him and felt like I was going to a ball or some sort. I feel like a princess. "You deserve every right to feel like a princess", he whispered to my ear. "Wow Dani, you look spiffy. I like your bow tie", I complimented him. He smirked. "Are we set?", I asked Dani. "Yeap!, let's go!", I held both of them and smiled. My two gentlemen. I was excited and scared at the same time. Knowing that it'll be the first time ever that I'll be going to a fashion show and meet Max's Mother. My hands were shaking and I couldn't help but fidget. Max kissed my hand to calm me down and touch my face with his warm hand. "It'll be fine, I promise you", as he rubbed my shoulders. We were in the car and as I see lights flash by, I know that the people I love are still with me and yet I am still wondering about Dani's picture in his Den the other day. Was she really Mom? or was it just a girl he just met at the Art Gallery?. How was I suppose to know , if he doesn't tell me anything. I'm his daughter of gods sake!.
To that very thought I became angry and I wanted to talk to Dani alone.
We finally arrived and the valet opened the door. As we stepped out of the car, photographers were taking pictures of us and reporters asking questions to Max about his Mother and about me. One of them asked if I was his girlfriend and he agreed. I was smiling the whole time. "EXCUSE ME! MISS!! EXCUSE ME! HELLO?!", Someone behind me trying to call me. "HUH? Yes?", I replied back to the reporter. "What is your name miss?", she asked, "My name is Annabelle Board", I replied nicely. "Are you Mr Miller's New Girlfriend?", she questioned. "uhh... um..", I didn't know what to reply. "Yes she is", Max replied. I smiled. He pulled me close to his chest and kissed me in front of the reporters and photographers. I was getting chills down my spine. The way how he doesn't care and how he doesn't mind people watching us. Exposing our love to the press. Just wonderful. I opened my eyes and realized that we were inside already. Was I seriously inside my own bubble when it stopped?, I guess I was. "Mom, I want you to finally meet Annabelle Board", as he introduced me to his Mother, She had a humble look and a beautiful smile. "Hello Annabelle, what a lovely name, I've heard so much about you and it's a great pleasure to finally meet you. I love your dress by the way!", she said all at once. I couldn't take it all in. I breathed and replied, " Hello Mrs Miller, Thank you so much for inviting Dani and myself to your fashion show, it is so spectacular and the place is amazing", "haha oh shush dear, call me Marisa. I'd rather be called that then hearing myself sound old, OH excuse me, I must go now. Please find your seats and enjoy the fashion show!", she answered. I held Max's hand and sat down with him. The fashion show has free seating and you could sit anywhere you want. We know that everyone wanted to sit in front but Max insisted that we should sit middle row. Just the right spot for us to see people coming in and out of the stage. It was thrilling.
