The airport was louder than usual but that wasn't the problem, the main problem was Q4 trying to act normal.
Four most recognizeable faces in the industry dressed in all black like they were attending a meeting no one invited them too.
Face caps pulled low, dark glasses and dark face masks.
They looked like they were planning something illegal instead of boarding a flight.
Jeremy stood slightly ahead of others, scanning the area like a bodyguard who had seen too many action movies.
"Remember boys" Mr Han muttered quietly. "No removing anything, no drawing of attention, you are normal people today".
Behind him, Vic nodded calmly, hands in his pocket, effortlessly blending in like someone who had been undercover his entire life.
Jax was already uncomfortable.
"This mask is suffocating me". He whispered, adjusting it for the fifth time in two minutes.
"You are breathing just fine". Vic replied without looking back.
"I am not breathing fashionably".
"Is that not even a thing?". Jeremy asked, giving Jax a questionable look.
"It is for me". Jax responded.
Foxy snorted quietly, pretending to be busy on his phone.
Mr Han turned to face them one last time.
"I'm stepping outside to make a call" he said firmly. "Do not take off your disguise, don't talk too loudly and most importantly, don't attract attention. Is that clear?".
They nodded same time.
Mr Han squinted slightly, clearly not convinced.
"Especially you Jax". He said.
"Why is it always me?. I am the most responsible one here ". Jax placed his hand on his chest, offended.
Jeremy coughed loudly to hold a laugh.
Mr Han didn't answer, he just walked away like a man who already accepted his fate.
The moment he was out of sight, Jax lifted his mask off slightly.
"I can finally breathe". He said.
"Put it back on" Foxy said nonchantly without looking up from his phone, he was so certain Jax was up to no good.
"I just lifted it one inch" Jax replied.
"That one inch can ruin our cover, put it back on. We don't want our faces everywhere". Vic said, still as calm as ever.
"Technically our faces are already on that giant screen". Foxy added.
They turned around to see a giant digital billboard, flashing brightly across the airport walls.
Q4 latest campaign photo for their new album flashed boldly. Perfect lighting, perfect styling, perfect....
Jax froze.
"No..."
Jeremy sighed. "Don't".
Jax slowly pulled down his mask completely.
"Why would they use that picture of me?"..
Vic closed his eyes slowly. "Jax".
"My Jawline looks confused". He said.
"You approved that picture". Foxy responded."
"I approved the idea, this is emotional sabotage". Jax said, pacing around already.
"Also why is my eyebrow raised like I know a secret" He asked again.
Vic just bent his head in embarrassment.
"You always look like that". Jeremy whispered.
"No I don't, My face right there looks like it's screaming stress".
"Trust me, your entire presence screams stress to us everyday". Foxy responded fustrated by the drama already.
"This needs to be fixed Vic". Jax said, walking up to Vic.
"Okay...Okay it will be fixed, just put your mask back on before someone notices". Vic pleaded.
"Alright...Surrrree" Jax said reluctantly as he took four steps backward slowly without turning. "You all are just bothered for nothing, no one knowns it's..." He didn't complete his statement before bumping into a lady, who was rushing with her huge box to board her flight. Her handbag fell and things scattered all over the place.
Jax quickly bent down to pick them up, apologizing at the same time.
"I am really sorry, so sorry".
He said, picking up the last item from the floor and her bag, then slowly looking up at the lady. He totally forgot he was no longer wearing his mask.
Their eyes met....
Her eyes moved from Jax to the billboard...then to Jax...then to the billboard....then to the other three standing...back to the billboard.
The guys stood stiill, frozen as if making a sound would let the cat out of the bag..
"Don't move" Jeremy whispered.
Too late
"OH MY GOD!.."
Jax lowered his head.
Vic quietly pulled his cap lower like this was no longer his problem.
Jeremy turned slowly and covered his face in embarassment.
Foxy whispered. "Abort mission".
"What?"
Jax blinked.
"It's Q4!" She screamed so loud, they had to cover their ears. Just like that, they knew it was over.
People were already turning, the lady kept screaming and jumping joyfully.
"IT'S THEM...IT'S Q4!".
The crowd slowly gathered around them to confirm if it's real.
"Is that them?"
"It looks like them."
"No way, why would they be here?"
"Wait that is Foxy—"
"My Jeremy...."
"That's my sweetheart Vic".
"Jax my idol".
Jax quickly moved closer to where his friends stood.
"This is terrifying". He said, laughing awkwardly..
If looks could kill, the intense stare Foxy had on, would have eaten Jax alive.
Jeremy pulled his cap lower again. "We should run".
"We are not running" Foxy said through clenched teeth.
"Mr Han is going to kill us". Vic said calmly. "Thanks to someone, we can't have a peaceful trip". He added, facing Jax.
"That wasn't my best angle, you all ain't bothered cause you looked perfect in the picture". Jax said.
"They should have given you the 2022 hairstyle". Foxy added.
Jeremy let out a small sigh "Someone save me"..
Securities were already moving toward them, trying to control the growing crowd.
Phones were everywhere, recording the moment, people rushing closer.
Inside the Airport, everything became chaos within that short period of time.
Mr Han stood near the entrance, speaking calmly on the phone.
"Yes we will arrive on time... Everything is under control..."
He smiled softly and paused... He noticed something strange, people were suddenly rushing into the airport.
Fast.
Excited.
Security guards were moving quickly, trying to manage the sudden crowd.
"Let me call you back".
He lowered his phone slowly.
"...What is happening?"
He stopped a girl who was hurrying inside.
"Excuse me what's going on?".
The girl looked shocked he even had to ask.
"You don't know? The Q4 are here!".
He nodded and repeated her words.
"Oh..the Q4 are here".
Then paused as if the information just settled in, he blinked slowly, his expression blank.
"What? The Q4 are here?!"
He shouted, the girl nodded excitedly.
"I know right, calm down, everyone is super excited too. Quickly get in line". She said as she hurriedly join the crowd.
Mr Han stared at her, then slowly lifted his hand and dragged it down his face.
He didn't even need any more confirmation, he already knew they didn't listen and it started from someone.
"Jax". He whispered.
He adjusted his tie immediately and walked back inside like a tired father who knew exactly which child caused the problem.
They had boarded the flight already, all the five seat in the first-class section was occupied. The cabin was quiet, too quiet.
Mr Han sat across them, staring.
No one spoke.
The guys bowed their head slightely, suddenly very interested in the floor.
Vic cough slightly.
Jeremy pressed his lips together, trying not to smile.
Jax looked like he was thinking about apologizing...but not really.
Foxy avoided eye contact completely.
Mr Han inhaled slowly.
"I gave one simple instrustion".
Silence.
"Just One".
Still silence.
"You all could not follow it".
Foxy cleared his throat carefully.
"We did follow it..."
All four heads slowly turned towards him.
Foxy continued. "But someone decided his face was not looking fine on a billboard".
Jeremy lost control first, laughing into his hands.
Vic looked away, shoulders shaking slightly from trying not to laugh.
Jax defended himself immediately.
"That picture was misleading".
"The problem wasn't with the picture, it was your face" Foxy added, making the entire situation funny.
"It's not my face, I always have the best angles... The media team are the ones to blame". Jax responded.
Jeremy laughed harder, even Foxy smiled faintly.
Mr Han looked at all of them.
Laughing.
Relaxed.
Completely unserious.
He closed his eyes briefly, and for a second, he actually looked like he might cry..
"I need a new job". He whispered.
That one made Jeremy laugh even more.
Foxy leaned towards Vic.
"But honestly...the lighting was not fair on him".
"Thank you... You finally admit it". Jax said.
Vic covered his face.
Mr Han simply stared at them, exhausted, wondering how four grown men could cause this much stress before even boarding a flight.
The plane hadn't even taken off yet but he was already tired.