"No, I'm fine, Danny. Really." She insisted after about three weeks of careful evaluation of the course of events. "I can help at the banquet tonight." The Gardens had been selected as one of the classier restaurants in California, and as a result more people wanted to hold parties there. The one that night was a dinner party that benefited The Make A Wish Foundation.
"Are you sure, Mika? You don't have to come if you don't want to."
"I'm sure. Taylor's coming too, we both need to get out of the house." Mikayla told him. Taylor had been just as sad as Mika to see the guys go, especially Justin.
"Alright. The banquet starts at eight." Danny told her.
"Okay, see you later." She hung up the phone.
JC had felt miserable from the moment he had set foot on the plane. He hadn't known that he'd be back, attending some big dinner party benefiting the Make A Wish Foundation, especially at the Gardens. It was just a huge coincidence. But then again, maybe fate was at his side this time. Maybe he was being given a chance to redeem himself.
He glanced at the rest of the guys. Lance and Joey were laughing hysterically at Joey's corny jokes, and Chris was trying to solve one of those cubes with different colors. Justin seemed to be in deep thought, his eyes focused on nothing in particular. JC glanced out the window to the plane. He didn't know if Mika would be there, but he hoped she would be. He would handle her yells and accusations, he knew he'd hurt her terribly by just packing up and leaving, but after that he'd make her love him.
Justin had been thinking about Taylor ever since they had left. He remembered how angry and scared he had been when she had nearly passed out, and then how hurt she had looked when they said they had to go. He had no idea that Taylor had cried for days after. He had no clue if she would be at the banquet tonight, maybe that was all for the best. They hadn't exactly left on the greatest terms. But deep inside of him, he was hoping that she would be there, so he could just see her again. This thought confused him throughout the whole flight.
"Wow it looks great, Danny," Mikayla said, looking at how elegantly decorated The Gardens was. "I wish I could have helped you out," She added apologetically.
"Don't worry, Mika," Danny reassured her, "I understand. But it does look great, doesn't it? You and Taylor look beautiful!" He studied their dresses.
Taylor blushed, "you shouldn't have to flatter me so much, Dan. Who's coming tonight?"
"Well, " Danny said, studying the list. He made sure that Mikayla and Taylor couldn't see it. "The Backstreet Boys, a buttload of music producers and such, Britney Spears," He laughed when Taylor made a face, "Sandra Bullock, Joshua Jackson, etc." He made sure to leave out N Sync.
"Oh, that's cool!" Taylor answered, trying to keep her tone light. Mika agreed. It was nearly eight, and the amount of journalists, and other types of media, had nearly tripled compared to how many had been there an hour ago. Several guests were already getting out of their limos in the front and Danny and Mikayla went to go and introduce themselves and help them in.
"Maybe we'll see Mika tonight? Wouldn't that be cool?" Joey said while the five of them were inside the limo on the way to the restaurant.
"Yeah, it would be." Justin answered. JC was staring out of the limo's tinted windows at the scenery. They would be several minutes late, since the plane had landed off schedule, but that wasn't a big deal. At events like these, no one cared if you were tardy, but the guys were also due to perform towards the end of the banquet.
"Maybe Britney's gonna be there, eh Justin?" Chris teased. Justin groaned, grinning for the first time that night as he covered his face. Even JC cracked a smile. Britney had been pursuing Justin since their MMC years, despite his continued insistence that she stop. Now it was a huge joke between the rest of the guys to badger him about it.
"I really hope not," he said, making a disgusted face. Everyone laughed.
Mikayla and Danny only had to sit back and relax as they watched the rest of the guests come into the restaurant. The leader of the Make A Wish Foundation was in charge of seating the guests and they only had to supervise the meals. Mikayla glanced towards the front doors curiously when she heard loud female screams become suddenly louder. The Backstreet Boys walked in shortly, all grinning. One of them winked at Mika, and she smiled back at him trying to be polite. Taylor had wandered off, probably just to go and see who was here and to chat with people.
"Hey there," She heard a voice say. His voice carried a twangy Southern accent to it. She glanced behind her and recognized one of the Backstreet Boys, but she wasn't sure which one.
"hi," She said politely, "Mikayla Watson."
"Brian Littrell," The blue-eyed man answered, extending his hand.
She accepted it. "It's a pleasure to meet you." She said, sincerely. The smile on his face made her relax.
"I was wondering, what's a pretty girl like yourself doing standing over here alone?" He asked, studying her face.
She laughed. "Well, as the owner of the restaurant, I was just making sure everything's running smoothly."
"You own this place?" Brian said, his eyes wide.
"Yes. Why?"
"It's gorgeous!" He told her, looking around at the decorations and the gardens outside.
She blushed. "Thank you."
"Do you want to go and dance or something? It'll only take a couple of moments?" He asked her, his eyes hopeful.
She hesitated. Was this what she really wanted? She glanced back into his honest, light blue eyes and nodded, "sure."