Chapter 217: Valentine’s Day II

"Oh great, another one," I could hear Claire mutter.

"J-money!" Phil greeted enthusiastically.

"Phil!" Claire snapped, then turned toward me. "Hi Jake," she waved with one hand while holding her coat with the other.

Glancing at more people around them (apparently acquaintances), and already understanding the situation, I remarked, "I overheard security mentioning a woman got stuck on the escalator, and that someone was being sent to help. So you don’t need to worry, maintenance should be on the way already."

As everything seemed under control, one of the couples called, "See you guys."

"See you later," another did the same

"See you in school," Phil told the last person leaving.

"So, how long until the maintenance people arrive?" Claire asked as I stepped closer.

"What maintenance people?" I gave her a bemused look. "I totally made that up."

"If you’re stuck in there, why not take it off?" Scarlett inquired, approaching us.

"Um, I’m freezing cold," Claire replied.

"I would too, if I were naked under the coat," I murmured just for Claire to hear.

Claire swatted my arm.

When pulling didn’t really work, I called, "Sarah, a little help here."

Sarah walked over, assessed the situation, quickly pulled out a pocketknife, and cut the trapped section free.

"Voila, nicely done," I praised. "Exhibitionist lady liberated," I teased Claire again, earning another glare.

But soon she replied with, "Thank you very much," first to Sarah, then to me.

"You really know how to help and irritate her at the same time," Scarlett remarked.

"Irritating but likable — must be a family trait," Claire observed, possibly thinking about Uncle Charlie.

"Claire, Phil," another familiar voice called.

Claire sighed but turned with a half-forced smile. "Dad."

"Uhh, it’s only getting better," I muttered with a smirk.

Scarlett nudged me. "Stop enjoying other people’s misery," she lightly scolded.

"Slander! I’m enjoying this because I’m seeing another two people I like a lot," I countered.

Scarlett gave me a skeptical look before putting her mask back on.

After Phil and Claire exchanged greetings, I did the same. "Jay, Gloria, good to see you two!"

"Jake!" Gloria exclaimed in her usual high voice and accent.

"You here too? What a coincidence," Jay remarked, shaking my hand.

The other three with me stepped closer. "You’ve already met Scarlett, and those two are Sarah and Jimmy — or Jackie now," I introduced as everyone revealed their faces to say hello.

"We’re heading to dinner at Le Petit Jardin, don’t you all want to come?" Gloria proposed.

"Gloria, it doesn’t work like that at that restaurant," Jay responded, exasperated.

"What a coincidence, the four of us are going there too," I added. "And don’t worry, there are enough seats at my table."

---

The eight of us were seated in a private room at Le Petit Jardin (spacious, with even a piano inside).

"I didn’t know they had a room like this," Jay commented, admiring the space.

"It’s not usually available for reservations. This one specifically is because Gramma is one of the restaurant’s owners — this room is reserved for the Harpers," I explained.

Gramma is now a partner in several luxury restaurants in LA, and we have private rooms reserved exclusively for Harper family use.

"I heard Evelyn Harper made three million in commissions last month, but she donated well over half of it," Phil noted.

"Wow, your grandma is an incredible person," Scarlett told me.

Jay and I quickly turned toward her, then we exchanged a glance.

"Yeah," I affirmed, and Jay just nodded.

No need to speak badly about her (that might invoke her). And she is a good person to me

"So everyone can order without worrying, it’s Gramma’s money anyway," I joked.

"You have no shame. Where are you learning this?" Scarlett whispered to me.

"Oh, this specific case? From my dad," I pointed out, making her laugh.

I turned my head. "Jimmy, how are the recordings going?"

"I’m enjoying it a lot more than I expected. And Christopher Tucker is easy to work with — we’re becoming friends," Jimmy replied with a smile.

"Noice!"

There’s no Rush Hour without Jackie and Christopher.

"Now you need to convince Sarah to do the same," I encouraged.

"I’m trying, but she prefers the job she has now."

"Someone needs to protect your sorry ass, Jake," Sarah quipped, making everyone laugh.

I gasped. "But it would be nice to see you shooting in all directions, and half the time you wouldn’t even need special effects or multiple takes," I commented.

"Do you like shooting?" Gloria asked with interest.

"I was in the FBI; now I handle Jake’s security," Sarah replied with a nod.

"Oh oh oh, we should do a competition, Sarah versus Gloria," I suggested.

The waiter arrived right after, took our orders, and quickly brought wine for everyone (Scarlett and I asked for juice).

"For Valentine’s Day," Phil initiated a toast.

"For Jake’s nomination," Scarlett offered a second toast.

"Oh, that’s right — congratulations, Jake. Your mother told me," Gloria mentioned.

"What nomination?" Claire inquired. Jay and Phil seemed clueless too.

"Jake was nominated for an Oscar, for Scarlett’s movie," Gloria explained.

"Original screenplay," Scarlett added.

There was a collective "wow" from the three of them, followed by congratulations. I turned to Claire and joked,

"Unfortunately, the committee doesn’t have our good taste, Claire. I wasn’t nominated for any of the horror films."

---

After we finished eating, Scarlett nudged me. "Jake, you should sing for us."

I raised an eyebrow.

"I know that piano isn’t just for decoration — and I’m pretty sure it’s been used to charm other people before, not just to look nice," she said in a suggestive tone, narrowing her eyes at me.

"It’s all Uncle Charlie, I’m innocent," I defended myself.

She just playfully rolled her eyes.

"Hmm, there’s one song I wrote for a movie. It will be at the end of Million Dollar Baby."

It will play during the farewell scene and over the credits. Pepper loved the movie and asked me for a song to close it.