The television in the background is on the news channel reporting about the bizarre symbols scattered across towns. Mallory procrastinate at the dinner table, testing the sharpness of the utensils. He impaled the broccoli with his fork as he blankly stared into the air. He held a cigar on his fingers, which he promised to his lover that it'll be the last one for the week. 

He turned to Don, who casually watched him eat beef with broccoli. "How was your meeting last night with your fellow coworkers?"

"It was fine. We talked about being careful about the situation and such. Then they pulled out a PowerPoint presentation about washing hands and social distancing." 

Mallory laughed at the absurdity of the last sentence. The blonde man gazed at his adorable giggle for a moment.

"Chew your food before you---" 

Mallory stopped and choked from his food. 

Don urgently patted his partner's back persistently until he stopped choking. After his friend managed to breathe normally again, he bit his bottom lip to stop himself from laughing. 

"Laugh, I dare you." Mallory glared. 

Don grinned. "Well, It's just that it turns out, I learned something new"

"Learned about what?" Mallory asked. 

Don stood up and stretched. "Your gag reflex is not that good." 

Mallory took five seconds to realize what he meant and tried to grab Don, who instantly ran away. "Come back here, you dirty bastard!" 

After a minute, Don stops running away after his hair gets pulled. He turned around and tried to stop and wrestle Mallory's hands before his sharp and long black nails could scratch his precious face. 

"Mal, wait, wait." Don begged. 

"I'm just going to hurt you!"

"I had enough mild injuries in my body from last night, you stop. I beg of you."

Don overpowered Mallory, turned him around and wrapped his arms around him tightly. "Pinch me and I won't invite you to a party downstairs." Don whispered as Mallory struggled. 

Mallory stopped moving as soon as he heard the magic word party. "I thought it's not allowed."

"Only hotel occupants are at the party. Thus, I'm the guest singer."

"What are you going to sing? Frank Sinatra?"

'I would if I want the party-goers to fall asleep." Don jested. "I am singing Maroon 5. My friend requested me to sing a song from them." He checked his watch, and then clapped his hands once. "Oh, It's almost time. Thirty minutes 'til the party." He exclaimed. 

Mallory gasped and panicked. "What will I wear?"

Don walked towards a door and opened it wide, revealing a spacious walk-in wardrobe full of apparel. Mallory gazed with awe, rushed to the varieties of clothes, examining them. 

-----------

An hour has passed. Don already finished tidying up- he combed his hair, brushed his teeth, and sprayed himself some expensive perfume called 'Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male'. He then decided to fix his black hussar jacket, which has the flag of Britain on the back. He sported some dark pants and shine his most prized formal Corthay shoes - a footwear with the colors black and red blend seamlessly together. He tossed a bowler hat to his head five times until the hat finally landed on his head. 

After twenty minutes, He knocked impatiently on the door and gave the calmest voice he could muster. "For hell's sake, Mal. We are late." 

"Just perfecting the cat eye... And done!" Mallory finally goes out of the comfort room, donning a pearl choker, a see-through shirt, crop top leather jacket, white jumper jeans,  and some boot stilettos. 

"Can you turn around for a bit?" Don requested with furrowed brows. 

Mallory spun once and anticipated the blonde man's feedback. 

Don stared at his amour's high heels and pointed at them. "Are you sure you can walk around the club with those heels?"

"Don't underestimate my power." Mallory answered. "I wore them all my life." 

"Gotta admit, you make it look easy, but are you a hundred percent sure?" 

"A thousand percent sure, let's just go!" Mallory said as he pulled Don's arm out of the door. 

--------------
They rushed to the club entrance and opened the door. They were greeted by the sound of loud energetic music and voices. 

Don pulled Mallory's arms all the way to a table—occupied by three men and two women. 

"Hey, It's our rising star!" The man wearing a striped black and white polo yelled, gathering the other's attention. 

"What's up, ladies and gents? Don greeted enthusiastically. 

One of the women stared at Mallory head-to-toe. She wore a red glittery dress that matched her high heels and  ruby earrings. Her hair was black with silver highlights. Her eyes were dark brown and full of pride. 

Mallory stared back at her and lifted his head up, giving her a suspecting glare. 

She patted Don and pointed to Mallory. "Who is she?"

Mallory gave off a cheeky smile and silently glanced at Don. 

"I think it's time to introduce ourselves. Guys, this is Mallory. Mallory, these are my friends." Don grabbed Snake and introduced him. "This is Ace, we call him Snake - cause he is a proud adoptive father of seven snakes. He's only here because Alicia is here." Snake punched Don at the arm jokingly then shook Mallory's hands. 

Don walked to a man in a polo and patted him in the back. "This son of a bitch here is my best friend, Brooks. He's a lawyer, a party animal, and a real ladies' man." 

"Come on, we all know you're the ladies' magnet. You like to steal all the girls!" Brooks said. "Nonetheless, I'm proud of him!" 

"Impressive." Mallory sarcastically whispered to Don. 

Don nudged Brooks and coughed. "I changed, you know." 

"Haha! Changed." Brooks laughed. "You're a funny guy, Don." 

Don ignored Brooks and beckoned the woman with the retro glasses and  introduced her. "This roast Queen here is Alicia, my favorite drinking buddy."

Alicia hugged Mallory warmly and offered him a glass of beer, which he gladly accepted. 

The tall woman in the red dress coughed and caught Don's attention. "The last but not the least... Beretta. She won 1st place in the local pageant at Golden Meadow last year."

The group applauded and cheered as Beretta waved her hand. She put her head on Don's right shoulders flirtatiously. "This is not about me, you guys. This is for our favorite singer, Don Vasco, here."

"You two seem close." Mallory darted his eyes at her and Don, overflowing with jealousy. 

"Yes. We are very close." Beretta replied with a smile before sitting down. Mallory rolled his eyes discreetly and sat down near Alicia. 

Don raised his hands to announce. He pulled Mallory to his side and grinned. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Mallory. My lover." 

Beretta stood straight and her eyes widened from the news. The gang collectively gasped from disbelief. They also secretly glanced to see Beretta's furious reaction. 

Mallory felt a heavy sharp stare from Beretta. He shot a smirk and retorted. "Yes, we are much closer than you think."

The group became more surprised from hearing Mallory's voice. 

"Wait, you're a man?" Brooks asked shockingly with a hostile tone in his voice.