Reflection
Episode 10
Taylor Swift
Her post went viral, just as she predicted it would. She was already receiving numerous requests for interviews. She let her team handle that, as she had done her part. Now it was time to focus on rehearsals.
The next morning she headed to the stadium for rehearsals. Officer Routh accompanied them, but he joined his partner in their car instead of accepting her invitation to ride inside her spacious van.
She felt annoyed at his rejection and decided to focus on the preparations. The sound checks and the timing for the lights took the better part of the whole morning while her dancers and musicians rehearsed their line-up of songs.
He drew her attention from time to time as he walked around the stage. She even saw his tall figure at the far end of the VIP area, keeping an eye over the hundreds of crewmembers, technicians and sound engineers that prepared for her concert tomorrow night.
She wondered how she could convince him to join her on tour, since his musical talent was too good to waste being a police officer. She knew that if he recorded his song Sugar in a proper studio, it would surely top the charts.
She had invited Jack and Angela to join her and her team for lunch in her suite, and it was there that she made her pitch to him. He politely rejected her offer once more.
"C'mon boot, you got to give her something if you keep rejecting her offers." Angela teased her partner while she finished dessert. She had asked Angela why she kept on calling Jack a boot, and learned it was a term for rookie cops, since they were the lowest-ranking officers in the totem pole.
"How about you perform one of your original songs right now?"
"Yeah!" If she couldn't bring Jack on tour with her, the least he could do was give her a private performance. "Please, Jack?"
Jack finally agreed and asked for a pen and paper to write the lyrics and also asked to borrow a guitar. She wondered why until he told her she would sing his song in a duet with him. She hugged him in excitement and eagerly waited for him to finish writing the lyrics and the chords that accompanied them.
Once she read the lyrics, however, she frowned and looked at him with confusion.
"Who hurt you this badly?" She couldn't help but ask.
"It's a long story." Jack replied as he received a guitar from one of her staff. "Can you do it? You can just strum along the chords once you see how I do it."
"Deal. Show me." She demanded.
Then he opened his mouth and started singing.
[We don't anymore – Charlie Puth]
We don't talk anymore
We don't talk anymore
We don't talk anymore, like we used to do
She was not prepared when he skillfully played the guitar, his plucking producing crisp and clear tones that traveled around the room. She was instantly entranced by Jack's voice and his singing style.
We don't laugh anymore
What was all of it for? Ooh
We don't talk anymore, like we used to do
He was talented, but she hadn't expected this quality of playing from him as he masterfully plucked the strings and even tapped on the soundboard with his fingers to add a beat.
I just heard you found the one you've been looking
You've been looking for
I wish I would have known that wasn't me
'Cause even after all this time, I still wonder
Why I can't move on
Just the way you did, so easily
Jack started singing louder, showing his vocal range. She heard murmurs of surprise from the people in the room but ignored them as she focused on the song. It had a very unique melody and musical style.
Don't wanna know
Kinda dress you're wearing tonight
If he's holding onto you so tight
The way I did before
I overdosed
Should've known your love was a game
Now I can't get you outta my brain
Ooh, it's such a shame
He gave her a nod, and she started strumming the chords in time with the lyrics.
That we don't talk anymore
We don't talk anymore
We don't talk anymore, like we used to do
We don't laugh anymore
What was all of it for? Ooh
We don't talk anymore, like we used to do
It was now her turn, and now familiar with the melody, she started singing her part that she read from the paper on the table. Jack accompanied her voice with his guitar, enhancing her performance.
I just hope you're lying next to somebody
Who knows how to love you like me
There must be a good reason that you're gone
Every now and then, I think you might want me to come show up at your door
But I'm just too afraid that I'll be wrong
She started gaining more confidence and she immediately picked up the song with Jack's guidance. She started to smile as she continued singing, and even started plucking her guitar, totally in sync with Jack and their duet.
Don't wanna know
If you're looking into her eyes
If she's holding onto you so tight
The way I did before
I overdosed
Should've known your love was a game
Now I can't get you outta my brain
Ooh, it's such a shame
They both started singing, the last parts as their voices harmonized instantly. She was delighted.
That we don't talk anymore
We don't talk anymore
We don't talk anymore, like we used to do
We don't laugh anymore
What was all of it for? Ooh
We don't talk anymore, like we used to do
Jack continued playing for a few more moments and slowed the tempo. She matched him and by the time the music ended she knew she was wearing a big smile.
"We have to do that again!" She demanded over the applause from the room.
She asked for his phone, called her personal number, and then saved her contact details on his phonebook, determined to remain in contact with Jack. She wondered what other songs he had composed yet no one else had ever heard before. She'd love to have him around when she got around to recording her new songs.
During dinner, when she again asked for the food to be sent up, she saw another side of Jack. One of her friends had asked him about his education, and she was surprised to learn he had studied at UCLA and graduated with a degree in ancient and modern history.
"That's his plan B." Angela added. Jack's partner was easier to talk to, and she learned more about him from her than from the man himself. She had been giving him hints all night, but he didn't react to her flirting.
"Plan B?"
"In our line of work where we deal with danger every day, we cops learned to have backup plans in case we decided for whatever reason, to leave the force." She explained.
"So that's your plan B?" She asked. "A history teacher?"
"A lecturer at a university." Jack's reply caused her to laugh.
"I really enjoy giving out lectures." He insisted.
"He's pretty good at it too." Angela added. "You'd be surprised."
"What will you do there? Do a lecture on the history of the chair?" She teased.
"Chairs are part of our ingrained culture, you know." Jack replied as he touched the backrest of the empty chair beside him. "It was a sign of great respect and honor. In fact, we use that word for the most respected positions in our society."
"Really?" One of her backup singers asked.
"In medieval times, the most powerful person always had the chair. And the tables back then were called boards, because they were literally rectangular wooden boards." Jack tapped the dining table they were now sitting in front of. "The only person who gets a proper chair with a backrest and everything is called the chairman. The others sat on stools."
She never thought of that, as her hands touched the armrests of her chair she was sitting on. She continued to watch him with fascination as he continued his impromptu lecture. She noticed that even Jack's partner Angela had stopped eating her truffle pasta to pay more attention to him.
"In fact, the chair is used for powerful figures with authority. That's why faculty members have a seat, and judges have the bench." He added.
"Huh." She looked at him and slowly smiled, Angela was right, he could be a fantastic professor. She could totally see him in a university setting, his classes popular with college girls. "Maybe you could be a history professor. I would totally attend your classes."
"Me too!" One of her friends added. "That was interesting!"
Angela Lopez
With their dinner finished, they escorted Taylor as she decided to visit the roof deck. The two of them took positions at the entrance to give the pop star her privacy with her friends, but she often gravitated to Routh, asking him to join them. Her rookie would comply, but then return to his post after a few minutes when attention wasn't focused on him.
She was laughing inside, as she started noticing how frustrated Taylor was becoming at failing to gain any attention from her rookie. She had to admit the pop star was persistent though.
"Everything secure?" She asked Fred Adams when he approached her. So far this VIP protection detail was not bad. The food and her accommodations were top-notch. Guarding the VIP was easy, since Taylor Swift was sensible enough to listen to her and the head of her security when it came to her safety.
"No incidents so far." The head of Taylor's security detail replied. "The entire floor is reserved for Ms. Swift and her entire entourage and staff. The hard part is the concert itself."
"How difficult?" Routh asked, joining their conversation.
"For rehearsals like this morning, we usually have to maintain a constant perimeter at the entrances of the stadium." Adams replied. "Then we have to keep an eye on Ms. Swift herself, she's usually friendly with local staff and indulges them a bit when they ask for autographs and selfies, but we have to be ready to step in just in case."
"Understandable." She replied.
"The real test is on concert day. Tens of thousands of fans. Local security staff will assist, on the outer perimeter. Exiting the stadium would be difficult."
"You do use decoys right?" She asked.
"We do. But you know some fans can be persistent."
"I received news from the station about the names you gave me. So far nothing stood out, no violent records, just a few parking tickets and speeding violations. We're still taking the threats of kidnapping seriously." She informed Fred.
"Thank you, officers."
"I'll take a break, you got this Routh?" She asked her rookie.
"See you in three hours mam." Her rookie replied.
She headed to her room and sat on the most comfortable and luxurious bed she had ever felt. She closed her eyes for a moment and was soon sleeping.
Taylor Swift
Her friends were enjoying a dip in the pool on the roof deck and drinking fruit juices, she couldn't drink until this leg of her tour was over. Pity. She needed the courage as she glanced at Officer Sugar standing by the entrance.
She wasn't the only one. Almost all of her girlfriends were looking at the hunk of a man from time to time. Even her make-up artist was giggling like a schoolgirl as she checked out Jack, and she was over forty with kids in high school!
She sighed in disappointment. It really was a shame that she couldn't convince him to join her tour. That kind of musical ability and songwriting talent, coupled with his good looks were a sure path to stardom, and he didn't want it. He wasn't even that star-struck upon meeting her, it was his partner Angela that showed her inner fan girl moment.
Jack was just… unfazed.
"Look, Officer Sugar is trending." She looked at her friend's phone and looked at the picture she posted that morning. There already were sixty million likes and hundreds of thousands of replies. Even A-list celebrities commented, asking if Jack was her new beau.
She scrolled further and saw a trending video and played the clip. It was Jack playing, but the video was of poor quality. Only Jack's face was shown as he sang a song she had never heard before.
She pulled the volume up and played the song again.
[I'm Yours – Jason Mraz]
"Oh my god." One of her friends whispered. "That was beautiful."
"It's a catchy song, and can you see how he played the guitar?"
She nodded as she played the song again. It was heartfelt- the lyrics of this new song were full of love and promise, the total opposite of the one he sang with her earlier.
She remembered the first song she heard from him Payphone, and it's more popular counterpart, Sugar. Then there's We don't talk Anymore and now I'm Yours.
She saw the pattern and stared at Jack and finally understood his theme.
There was no fairy tale, just real life and how to deal with the ups and downs that came with it. It was fantastic. If only he could create an album, she would gladly produce it herself, just to be able to have Jack's songs reach others like her who had their hearts broken and then healed.
Night came, and most of her friends turned in for the night. Sadly Jack also retired for the night, so she called it a night as well and crawled to bed.
The next morning, she was surprised the two officers were awake and in uniform before even she woke up. There were more people now, as backup dancers, musicians, and other artists wandered in and out of the main suite. Her friend Selena arrived eager to see Sugar.
She decided to play a prank on her friend, and claimed he already left. She was amused that Selena didn't even recognize Jack and he was just standing a few feet beside her.
The ride to the stadium was quick, as they made sure they beat the early morning traffic.
By noon she and her team locked in, and left the stadium to rest back at the hotel. Her afternoon schedule was booked, meeting with media at the conference room was arranged for her by the hotel management on the lower floors. She did notice the press were more behaved in the presence of two uniformed police officers inside the room.
Finally, the press conference had ended and she stood up to leave the room through a side exit.
"Taylor! Please! I really want to have an exclusive…" A large man rushed at her, and she was surprised by his actions as he bulldozed past other reporters. He was stopped when Jack suddenly appeared in front of him, and physically blocked the man from reaching her with her security right behind him.
"Sir." Jack said sternly. "You are violating the rules set by the organizers of this press conference."
The large man seemed to have come to his senses and nodded. He was quickly escorted out by the security team. Feeling a bit shocked, she headed back to the elevator, sandwiched by the two officers and the rest of her entourage.
"That's what I was telling you about." Fred, her chief of security explained to Jack as the elevator moved up to her floor.
"Any closer and we would have arrested him for assault." Angela commented.
That night she couldn't sleep and suddenly felt hungry for a snack. Knowing there were still fruit slices in the fridge, she headed to the main suite, only to hear Jack's voice in the dim light.
"Yes, I miss you too, love."
She listened in, realizing that Jack was talking to his girlfriend. He was in a relationship. Damn.
"I didn't sleep that well either." She could see him talking while he sat on the bench of the grand piano, his back facing her. She moved closer, until she could hear the faint traces of a woman's voice speaking through the phone. Jack had propped it up on the piano, so he could speak easier.
"I'd love to listen to one of your songs right now, I really miss you."
"Why do you think I moved here to the main suite? I can't very well sing inside my room without any instrument to use."
"… hear?"
"The doors are pretty soundproof. I couldn't even hear Angela as she binge-watched on the TV. I'm pretty sure they're all asleep since they had a punishing schedule today. They're amazing. I swear Taylor Swift must be some kind of Olympic athlete with that level of stamina."
She smiled when she heard the compliment, but felt a bittersweet moment when she realized Jack Routh was already taken.
"So, do you want to hear it so you can sleep better love?"
"I'd love to."
"Okay. I call this one, One Call Away."
[One Call Away- Charlie Puth]
The melody he played on the grand piano was beautiful. It was simple and elegant, just like Jack was. Then he sang with that distinct voice of his.
I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I'm only one call away
She held her breath as she listened to the beautiful song. She wondered why no one sang something like this for her?
Call me, baby, if you need a friend
I just wanna give you love
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon
Reaching out to you, so take a chance
No matter where you go
You know you're not alone
She didn't realize she was clutching her chest as her emotions overwhelmed her. This was unfair.
I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I'm only one call away
Come along with me and don't be scared
I just wanna set you free
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon
You and me can make it anywhere
For now, we can stay here for a while
Cause you know, I just wanna see you smile
She smiled through her misty eyes as she watched the beautiful, genuine moment, with Jack singing a song to the love of his life through a video call. She was insanely jealous of that woman, whoever she was. She didn't even bother to get to her room to record his impromptu performance. It was too precious in her eyes to waste even a single second of not hearing his song.
No matter where you go
You know you're not alone
I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I'm only one call away
And when you're weak, I'll be strong
I'm gonna keep holding on
Now don't you worry, it won't be long
Darling, and when you feel like hope is gone
Just run into my arms
I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I'm only one, I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I'm only one call away
I'm only one call away
She covered her mouth to stop herself from cheering him. His performance deserved a standing ovation! That was such a sweet and beautiful moment. She quickly blinked back tears, feeling glad and guilty for eavesdropping but she also felt lucky to hear such an intimate and heartfelt song.
"Do you like it love?"
"It was beautiful. You jerk, how can I sleep when I'm crying right now?"
"I'll see you soon. It's only a few more days."
"I can't wait. I have a surprise for you when you get home."
"What is it?"
"I'll wear that for you."
"You mean the one with the skirt…"
"Yes, and we can even do it on the balcony, even if someone can see us. I just want to have your fucking big dick inside me."
"You're such a naughty girl."
"What if I am?
Okay, that was too much information. She retreated back to her room as quietly as possible, though that was hot. Now she wouldn't be able to look Jack in the eye without thinking about his fucking big dick… How large was it? It had to be large. She was pretty sure the woman in the video call wasn't just using dirty talk, but stating a fact.
She went to bed hungry and decided to call room service instead to bring up some snacks. She started humming Jack's latest song and sighed in disappointment. He was already taken, but she was still determined to push him to create a full album even if she had to pay out of her own pocket.
The world needed to hear Jack's songs.
Performance day.
She barely saw the two police officers, as she focused on giving the best performance possible for her fans. That was her focus on every show, and this time was no different. Her team was a well-oiled machine by now, her managers, her staff, and the crew working in tandem as they made the necessary preparations.
She avoided looking at her social media accounts during this time, as she didn't want unnecessary distractions. She had her staff handle that part.
Her manager handled the V.I.P.s, those with backstage passes, but she only made sure those who were her close friends and family had access to her dressing room. Concert days were strange. Time flew too fast, but when she was on stage, it was as if every minute lasted an hour.
Every second wasted changing into another outfit felt like minutes to her. She wanted a synergy to her concerts, with no dead spots to hype up her fans and give them a show worth the tickets they paid for.
"Ready Taylor?
She nodded as she stepped on her cue and formed her pose. The lights turned on and the roar of the crowd physically shook her. If it wasn't for the earpiece she wouldn't be able to hear her own voice despite the massive speakers around the stadium.
It was like a marathon. She thought as she emptied another water bottle. The lights were unbelievably hot, but thank god for waterproof make-up as she was soaked with sweat due to the unusually hot and humid Los Angeles night.
She went back on stage again.
1 hours.
2 hours.
3 hours.
She performed the fan favorite songs in the last act, encouraging the crowd to sing with her. She waved her hands, mesmerized by the lights that surrounded her. The crowd continued to scream her name. She loved it.
The final curtain call and she decided to dedicate her last song to Jack.
"This one's for you, Sugar!" She shouted at the microphone.
The fans screamed in excitement as she sang his most famous song to end her concert. It was her surprise gift to him, and while singing, she wondered what Jack looked like right now. Was he touched by her gesture? Did he like her rendition?
She was tired and a little bit disoriented as she was herded by her security team to the back entrance. She didn't even think why they were taking another route under the stage and through the equipment. Those wires nearly tripped her. Someone should check that at the next event.
"Where are we going?" She asked.
"This way Ms. Taylor, we're taking you back to the hotel. The planned route has changed." One of the security men answered. They had been walking for five minutes and her legs were getting tired, but at least they were out of the stadium now. The cool air was refreshing. She looked around but she couldn't see any member of her staff.
"Does anyone have water?" She asked. She frowned when they didn't even bother to acknowledge her.
She wondered what changed. Fred said that they could even pass by an In and Out and get some takeout on the way back. A black van parked near the stage opened, and she was about to enter when she heard Jack's voice.
"Police! Stop!"
One of the men tried to drag her to the van, but her sweaty arm allowed her to slip through the man's grasp and she immediately ran to Jack. He caught up to her and he immediately pushed her behind the large boxes that contained their equipment.
She heard fireworks, wait, those weren't fireworks! She looked up to see Jack shooting back, his face set in a grim, determined look. This was real. Those were gunshots.
"Control 7-adam-07, shots fired, parking lot behind the stadium. Need immediate backup!" She heard Jack speak on his radio. He had never heard him shout before. She tried to move but Jack practically sat on top of her, shielding her with his own body.
"Move!" He whispered.
They ran back, but her heels made running difficult. She gasped as he picked her up and carried her like a princess, and they ran for nearly a minute, she didn't know how long exactly. She could hear his labored breathing as they ran through densely parked cars.
It was all happening too fast, she couldn't comprehend what was happening.
They stopped and hid between cars as Jack put a finger to his lips and she nodded at what he meant. She got deposited into the flatbed of a truck and her wide eyes met Jack's deep brown eyes.
"Stay low, I'll lead them away, don't make a sound." He whispered, then darkness.
He pulled a tarp over her head and she remained still as she heard Jack run away, and heard more gunshots. The tarp had a few holes in it, and she peeked through and saw the men chasing Jack, wearing suits similar to her security team.
"Shit! Where did they go!"
"Find her!"
She had a good vantage point, and she slowly raised her head a bit over the tailgate as she watched the fake security team, three large men run past her. They were searching the second row of cars where Jack had led them to.
Suddenly one of the men disappeared as if he slipped. She blinked, and now there were only two men. She saw a figure creeping up behind the second man and realized it was Jack, moving gracefully and silently as a cat as he moved behind the second man. He covered his mouth with his hand and started choking him from behind.
It took a few more seconds as the second kidnapper fell unconscious and Jack lowered his unconscious body to the ground.
"Fuck! Where are you guys!" The remaining man shouted. "Rico! Martinez! Damn it! Talk to me!"
"Police! Drop your weapon or I will drop you!" Angela Lopez suddenly appeared behind the remaining kidnapper. Yes, she now realized this was an attempted kidnapping. She was nearly kidnapped.
She soon heard the sirens of police approaching and suddenly a bright light illuminated the previously dimly lit parking lot.
The third kidnapper dropped to his knees and then to the ground, with his hands above his head. More police officers arrived, but she was frozen in shock as the reality of the situation dawned on her.
"Taylor." She looked up as the tarp was removed, and she didn't mind the dust as she saw Jack looking at her, relief visible on his face. "Are you hurt?"
"Jack!" She cried out and jumped at him from the flatbed. She cried. She was nearly kidnapped, or worse by those men. She buried her face on his chest, and she could see flashes of light but ignored them.
"You're fine Taylor. I got you." She heard Jack murmur to her ear. "Can you walk?"
She shook her head as she started shivering. She felt herself being lifted again in Jack's strong arms.
"She's shaken up, but she's uninjured." She heard Jack report to Angela.
"Ambulance?"
"No, let's bring her back to the hotel. She'll feel safe there." She agreed with that, she wasn't even injured. She found herself being placed inside an ordinary sedan with another officer, a woman behind the wheel. She didn't mind, as long as Jack, and even Angela were there beside her.
"Here." Angela offered her a small bottle of water. She grabbed it and emptied its contents within moments. She was so thirsty.
"Thanks." She whispered. She didn't even realize they had reached the hotel when she was led to her suite. How did they get here so fast? All she could think about was those men and that black van.
"Taylor! Oh my god!" She saw her friends and reached out to hug them, relaxing in the familiar presence of her friends and crew. She was safe. She wasn't kidnapped.
"I'm sorry for what happened to you, Ms. Swift." A woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a grey suit and skirt, with a badge on her waist escorted her to her bedroom. Her friends and a few of her staff followed her inside.
"Who were those men? How did they get past my security?" She asked as her panic slowly subsided. She started to feel angry and frustrated that she was exposed to that kind of danger. Why did she hire them if she could be kidnapped that easily?
"We're still determining that. However initial investigation indicates that someone caused a disturbance in your planned exit route, distracting your security team. They used the chaos of thousands of people moving out of the arena to stage their attempted kidnapping."
Her phone started ringing, but she ignored it for the moment. "I'm too exhausted to even think."
"That's the adrenaline." The woman replied with a kind smile. "Why don't you rest for now? We'll get more answers once we interrogate the suspects."
"Can… Jack and Angela stay?" She asked.
"They technically need to submit a report to me, but their assignment doesn't end until tomorrow." The woman replied. "So yes, they can stay for another night. We'll add a few officers as well to supplement your security team."
"They're useless. If it wasn't for Jack…" She shivered, refusing to think what could happen to her if he wasn't there.
"I understand." The woman replied and left her bedroom. Her friends were all in a daze as they tried to comprehend the situation. The people around the bedroom remained silent but since the door was partially opened, she could hear the conversation outside. She held up a hand for her team to remain quiet.
"How is she, Captain?" She heard Angela ask.
"Still shaken up, but better." So the woman she was speaking with was a Police Captain. She never even realized she was talking to a high-ranking police officer. She looked too young and too pretty for that role and thought the woman was around her age.
"Orders mam?" She heard an unfamiliar voice ask.
"Bradford, Chen, stay here as backup to Lopez and Routh." The woman started handing out orders. she could see why she was a captain, she wielded her authority with ease and confidence. "I don't need to remind you that you should remain professional at all times, Office Chen. No asking for autographs."
"Yes captain." A female voice replied. She didn't mind that if they asked. These police officers saved her.
"Bradford, head to the lobby and arrange a location for a press conference with management. I'll see if the Chief wants to speak to the press."
"Yes Mam."
"Lopez, coordinate with Ms. Swift's head of security. Don't be too harsh on them." She could hear the stern tone in the female captain's voice when she spoke. What a woman. Now that a real girl boss.
"Captain, they were supposed to be ex-military. Professionals." Angela sounded annoyed. She agreed with her.
"I know. But mistakes happen, and that's why we train to respond to unpredictable situations. Get to it." The captain replied. "Routh, a word?"
She crawled on the carpeted floor to get closer to the door so that she could hear better. She saw Jack and the captain's reflection on a wall mirror and her eyes widened when they suddenly kissed.
"Missed me?" She heard Jack whisper as she continued hugging the pretty police captain.
"Terribly." The captain replied returning the hug. "I needed more than just a song."
Oh wow. She couldn't believe Jack's girlfriend was his own boss. She blushed as she remembered the… heated conversation between them in the video call. The one were the police captain wanted Jack's… and then doing it on the balcony for everyone to see.
Fuck. She was aroused. She wouldn't mind having Jack take her from behind as she leaned over the balcony. The thrill of discovery…. She wondered why she was thinking about sex when she was nearly kidnapped an hour ago.
"You did a good Job." The captain replied. "I'm proud of you."
"Thanks, Zoe." So that was her name. She would look her up on social media later.
She told her team she didn't want to see anyone aside from close friends and family.
"Taylor look!" One of her close friends showed her the image on the phone. Pictures of her being carried by Jack, and in the background other police officers were leading the kidnappers, their hands cuffed behind their backs into a waiting police van.
She and Jack were illuminated by the powerful flood light from the police helicopter above them and the red-blue lights from police vehicles. It was like a poster for a movie, but this time it was real life.
She could see her face crunched up in anguish, tears falling down her cheeks as her hands clutched on Jack's uniform.
Jack looked like a movie star, his face dirtied and bruised, his hair messed up in a way that still made him look ridiculously handsome. He was looking at her in the picture with concern clearly etched on his face. The quality of the photo was impressive, since she could even see the veins in Jack's powerful arms as he carried her. She was a tall woman, but Jack carried her effortlessly like she weighed nothing.
She remembered he had knocked out two kidnappers and led the men with guns away from her as a decoy. It was an incredibly brave thing to do.
She swiped at other photos, and this one she could see herself with open eyes, relief in her face as she stared up at Jack, who was staring straight ahead, determination etched in his face. She didn't know what photo she loved more.
"Turn on the news." She asked her friends.
[Breaking News]
[Hero Cop saves Taylor Swift from attempted kidnapping!]
[Who is the Hero Cop?]
As usual, the reporter speculated, not really giving out any facts. They did post the picture of the unknown police officer who rescued her from a kidnapping. The reporter even included the word handsome as she described Jack in the picture. She switched channels and found they just kept repeating the same information, and she took the remote and turned the TV off.
She barely slept, and she tossed and turned on her bed. It took her a long while before she finally fell asleep.
The next morning was more chaotic as her team fielded calls from concerned friends and other individuals. Producers, fellow musicians, and artists reached out. Some were genuine in their concern, but some just wanted more inside gossip.
She met with Mayor Stevens and the chief police in her suite, as the rest of her family finally joined her. Her dad, mum, and brother were relieved and thanked the chief of police when they finally heard the full story.
"So Gang members?" His dad seethed in anger.
"Yes. They finally confessed, and we arrested seven more co-conspirators in your daughter's attempted kidnapping. The investigation is still ongoing with the FBI stepping in." Mayor Stevens replied. "If your daughter's team didn't reach out to me at the last minute…"
"Yes. Things could have gone much worse." Her mother replied as she blinked back tears.
"Thank you, Mayor Stevens, for sending your best officers to protect my daughter."
Mayor Stevens proudly smiled at the praise. "Chief Williams and I agreed to send one of our best rookies. He has already a record that matches most veterans in the force."
"Why is he still a rookie then?" Her mother asked.
"Of course, that would change very soon." Chief Williams promised.
"Can we meet him?" Her father asked.
"Sure. Get Officers Routh and Lopez in here." Chief Williams looked at one of his officers who was standing by the door. The other cop opened it, allowing Jack and Angela to come in.
"Dad, Mom, Austin. I want you to meet Police Officer Jack Routh, and his Training Officer, Officer Angela Lopez." Angela finally corrected her and told her Jack wasn't her partner. She was amazed to hear Jack was still on probation as a rookie police officer. She decided to introduce them herself since she was incredibly grateful to the two for taking care of her these past few days. Especially Jack.
"Thank you." Her father shook their hands.
"You're certainly as handsome as the pictures showed." Her mother told Jack, trying to lighten the mood. "Do you have a girlfriend Jack? Because Taylor is still single and…"
"Mom!" She hissed as she flushed red with embarrassment. The mayor and the chief laughed and she sighed and gave Jack a look of apology. He merely smiled at her, and that did not help her blush go away. Stop smiling and looking at me like that you stupid hunk!
"I'm afraid Officer Routh is already engaged. When is the wedding?" The mayor asked.
"We're still settling in our relationship, Mayor Stevens." Jack replied. "Once I have vacation days, I'm traveling to the east coast first to meet Zoe's parents."
"Traditional. I like it. That's what been missing in our country." Her father remarked.
"Who are you getting married to, Jack?" Her mother inquired. "She must be quite the catch!"
"He's engaged to the youngest police captain in the force, Zoe Andersen." Chief Williams replied. "It's a wonderful match, the youngest police captain and the super rookie of the force."
"Super rookie?" Her dad looked confused.
"It's the name the rest of the higher-ups call Jack here." Chief Williams explained. "First day on the job in Mid-Wilshire, and he saves his fellow cops when they were ambushed by gunmen wielding semi-automatic weapons with armor-piercing rounds. He took out two gunmen with a single shot."
"Two headshots, one round." Chief Williams mimed a gun with his hand and pretended to shoot.
She widened her eyes when she heard that and she looked at Jack. He looked uncomfortable as Angela started to tease him by nudging him with her elbow.
"Quite a marksman." Her dad was deeply impressed.
"You should attend one of his lectures." The mayor did not want to be outdone and joined in. "Don't let his youthful looks fool you. Jack has a degree in Ancient and Modern History from UCLA. He gives incredible lectures and is well versed in the subject."
Since it seems like it was praise Jack Routh hour, she also added her own two cents and looked at her younger brother. "Austin, Jack is also Sugar. The mysterious indie singer you were looking for. You said you liked his music, didn't you?"
"He is?" Her brother's eyes widened as he connected the dots and gave Jack a closer look. "Oh my god! You're Sugar! Dude!"
The mayor looked confused, so she quickly explained Jack's hobby and even showed his recent videos, at first of him playing the piano as she sang Love Story and then their duet. Austin then showed a copy of Jack singing Sugar, to the surprise of her parents, the mayor, and the chief.
"It seems you've been holding back a lot on us son." The mayor stared at Jack. "What else can you not do? Aside from golf."
"It's just a hobby mayor. I want to focus on being a police officer." Jack explained. She noticed how pleased Chief Williams looked when he heard Jack's explanation.
Their breakfast ended, and she grinned at how uncomfortable Jack looked. She hooked her arm around his and dragged him to the elevator.
"C'mon Officer Sugar. Time to face the press." Having her family with her already made her feel better.
There had to be dozens of reporters in the conference room that the hotel allowed them to use. The table was set up, and arranged in a way that she was in the middle. The mayor and the chief were to her left, and Jack and her father sat to her right.
The questions came quickly, and most of it answered by the mayor and the chief. Then the questions turned more personal, and she started to remember her harrowing ordeal. She took a deep breath and told her story in a now quiet room.
"If it weren't for Officer Routh and Officer Lopez, I would not be here sitting in front of all of you." She leaned back on her chair as she finished her story.
Her father answered next, expressing his deep gratitude to the LAPD and the Mayor for protecting her. It was then Jack's turn, and he answered in short sentences that she was pretty sure frustrated many reporters. In his defense, she thought the questions they asked him were stupid to begin with.
"Are you continuing your tour, Taylor?"
She answered yes, but she added she would have to delay it for a few months. Her father then stepped in, explaining the necessary precautions they would have to prepare for her concerts, along with coordination with local law enforcement units in those cities.
After a late lunch, it was a bittersweet feeling as she finally said her farewells to the two police officers. She gave Angela a couple of her CDs with her personalized message for her and of course, merch with her signature that she signed that morning.
Routh gladly accepted the gifts she gave him, though she did remind him to remain in contact with her and answer her calls. She intended to use the long break to collaborate with Jack and make some deals.
A last hug to Jack, and she even gave him a kiss on the cheek, she watched them leave the hotel suite with their personal bags and gear in hand.
"Poor Taylor." Her mother teased her. "Falling in love with a handsome young man who is set to marry another woman."
"Mom! I am not in love with him!" She insisted.
"Crush then?" Her dad suggested.
"Not helping!" She called out.
She could sense a business opportunity in collaborating with Jack.