All That Followed

22 - DISGUISE

"OH, CRAP."

Anders had just finished paying for dinner and was about to walk out of the restaurant doors with Emma, his oh-so-lovely date, when he came to a halting stop. He felt Emma stop abruptly behind him.

"Whoa," she laughed. "You forget something?"

She was looking at him with an inquisitive, amused expression, her brown eyes bright and eyebrows raised. Anders couldn't help but think again how pretty she looked. He had been trying really hard to not stare at her the entire meal, a task that had proved more and more difficult the more they talked. She was just so likable. And pretty. Had he mentioned pretty?

"Anders?"

He snapped out of his thoughts and shot her an apologetic grimace. "Sorry— uh, so this is bad. But— well, it seems we've been followed. Or found out."

She frowned. "Found out?"

"Yeah ... uh, well, just take a quick look outside."

Emma stepped around him to glance through the glass doors. "Oh, shoot. Is that what I think it is? Or who it is?"

Anders ran a hand through his hair, the elatedness of the evening quickly fading. "Unfortunately, yes."

The sidewalk outside the restaurant was packed with paparazzi and fans — cameras were poised, ready to capture at a moment's notice, and the overwhelming buzzing of the crowd could be heard from inside.

Anders turned to Emma again to apologize for spoiling the evening, but before he could say anything, she had started talking, a determined look on her face.

"The way I see it, we have two options. One— we talk to the staff and see if there's any possible back entrance we could take. Two— we run like there's no tomorrow." Emma glanced over at Anders with a grin. "Thoughts?"

He blinked at Emma in surprise. "Uh—"

"Because there's no way I'm going home without dessert."

Anders broke into laughter, shaking his head. "You know, you make a good point."

A man suddenly approached them, his bald head and name tag gleaming in the light of the restaurant, giving him an aura of importance. "Hello there," he said cordially. "I'm Gary. I'm the manager here at the Melting Pot. I see there seems to be a bit of a predicament outside, and I couldn't help but overhear— may I offer you the back staff entrance, Mr. King?"

Anders looked at the man gratefully. "Sir, that would be incredibly appreciated, if it's not too much to ask. I'm so sorry for any inconvenience this is causing."

Gary smiled pleasantly. "It's not a problem at all, Mr. King. It's an honor to have served you here at the Melting Pot. If you'll just follow me—"

He led Anders and Emma back through the restaurant and into the kitchen until they were standing in front of a door labeled "EXIT."

"Thank you so much, Gary." Anders shook his hand firmly and looked him in the eye. "Your kindness won't be forgotten."

The man smiled. "Not a problem, really."

Emma gently pushed open the door and peered outside. She turned back to Anders and whispered, "All clear."

Anders bid Gary one last farewell before following Emma outside, the two of them carefully going down the stairs that led to the street.

"Okay," Emma said, sighing as they turned onto the main road. "I think we should be good—"

"THERE HE IS!"