In Bristol, Jessica was getting ready to go to work at the shopping centre. She left the rented apartment she used to live in, and set out on the streets of London. She got to the nearby park and took a taxi from there. When she reached the shopping centre, she got out of the cab and went through the staff entrance to the 3rd floor of the building. She was in charge of the clothes and accessories display. Suddenly the door opened and a beautiful woman came in. Tall, elegant, wearing a dress that would only flatter a model. “Jess! Is that you” she exclaims. “Catherine!! Oh my god! It really is you. I thought I would never see you again” Jessica says as she pulls Catherine in a tight embrace. The friends hadn’t seen each other in 2 years. “Oh Jess. I came here looking for you only. Thank goodness I found you here. What are you doing these days?” “Well I’m into fashion designing and I’m doing this job as a side hustle for money till I can save up to open my own company. What about you?” “That’s wonderful! I’m an actor now and next week I have to go to a gala in France. I was actually looking for a dress and a stylist since my assistant left. You could also come with me there. Think of all the new opportunities you would come across in a country full of fashion. Will you help me? “Of Course! But how will we get there? “Oh don’t worry. My company will pay for the flight and hotel stay.” Jessica practically shook with excitement. Could this be the miracle she was hoping for? “Meet me at Clayton hotel on Wednesday, by then our flights will be booked.” She left the store just when the manager came up to Jessica and said “What are you doing? This is no time to chit-chat, we have customers in here.” she said as she stormed away. “Oh that woman! Always has to find a way to get on my nerves.” Jessica muttered to herself, but that wouldn’t matter as soon she was going to Paris. As she reached she quickly indulged herself in packing and getting her best designs out of her closet. Soon enough it was finally Wednesday, the day she had been waiting for. Jessica quickly left for the Clayton Hotel in the morning. “Jess! Come quick, I want to show you my room and you can help me in some last minute packing”. Jessica quickly followed Catherine to the lift. As they went in they saw a mysterious figure. A man tall, strong posture, wearing a cloak. He had an aura of menace. Jessica was glad the lift ride lasted only a few minutes as she couldn’t stand being in the lift with that person, it creeped her out. Catherine’s room was a luxury suite and Jessica felt like she was in a castle. It was grand and decorative. Jessica helped Catherine pack her shoes and some more things while they continued chatting. “Do you know that person in the lift?”Jessica asked. “No, not really. I’ve seen him around but I have no clue who he is. Soon their cab arrived and it was time to leave. As they were checking out they saw that mysterious figure again. Even Catherine started to notice and was getting uncomfortable. Finally, they were getting further away from the hotel. After what felt like eternity, they were in a dark tunnel. “This is nowhere near the airport,” Jessica said. “Wait. What!? Where are we going then?” Catherine replied. “You’ll see,” said a hoarse whisper. The cab driver was the mysterious figure at the hotel! “Stop the car, let us out of here!” They protested. But the driver wouldn’t stop. They soon screeched to a stop in front of a large building. “Go out of the car and into the building or else. And I will watch you the entire time.” Catherine couldn’t stop shaking from fright. This was a total nightmare. They did as they were told in fear of finding out what “or else” meant. The inside of the building wasn’t better either. There was a long black hallway and a person sitting in a throne-like chair. They were pushed on their knees with their hands tied behind their backs. “And what do we have here?” The person spoke. The voice felt familiar. “You! What are you doing here?”said Jessica.”Nice to see you recognise me Jessica.” the person replied. “Wait. you know each other?” asked Catherine. “Oh yes. I’m sure your friend Jessica remembers me very well.” said the person. Then she lifted her hood back only to reveal a devastating truth. “You are the store manager!” Jessica said. She was fuming with rage. “Yes I am. I got you because I heard a famous actor was coming and she just happened to be friends with the person at the store. You have to give me some credit for this elaborate scheme.” Meanwhile Catherine was trying to send a hand signal to Jessica, but she was too frustrated to pay attention. Catherine decided it was time to get out of here. She carefully came out of the rope with a clever escape trick she learnt. She waited for the right moment and then CRASH! She dropped a device and suddenly the whole place was covered in smoke. She went and untied Jessica then shouted “Jess follow me”. Jessica held Catherine’s hand and both of them escaped. They ran out of the building as fast as they could. “Now what” asked Jessica. “Get in that cab,” Catherine said. She drove them all the way back to the hotel. They slammed the door of the taxi and went back to Catherine’s room. “Oh Catherine! Thank you so much. You just saved our lives.” thanked Jessica. “It’s no big deal. They taught me those tricks in my acting career. Now how about we go to Paris.”