Chapter Fifteen

We didn't speak for most of the car journey there, I think both of us were just trying to wrap our heads around what just happened. There were so many things swirling around my head, who was it that told the police that we know more? Was that a trap or some kind of test from Markus? But I saw the badges the guys were wearing, they were definitely police officers. Austin didn't fool that police officer back there, that's why he ended up giving me his card. I didn't want to show Austin that because I know he'd tell me to throw it away, but a part of me wanted to keep it just in case. I promised Austin that somehow I would figure out how to get him out of this, maybe that police guy is the way forward. We soon pull up at a huge mansion, I thought the one he held the party in was grand, but it did not compare to this. Why didn't he just hold that gathering here? Actually, with what happened that night I guess he wouldn't want all the mess. Or for the police to trace it back to him. "Thank you for doing this Payton, I know how much you hate this dude" Austin says breaking the silence as we pull up, who wouldn't hate him with everything he puts loads of people through?" I'll try to get us out of there as quickly as possible" he smiles where I just send him a nod, there is so much more things I could have done with my time other than being here. We both climb out of the car, where the freezing night air causes instant goosebumps to cover my legs. I hope we aren't having dinner outside, my legs would probably fall off. I walk around the car where Austin was fixing his shirt. This immediately, causing me to think of Roman. He could be wearing the most expensive suit, but he would still somehow make it look scruffy. Before he left the house, I would stand there for a few minutes making him look presentable. I wonder how he's managing with his suits before heading into those important meetings, hopefully his business partner tells him if he needs to fix himself. Austin nudging me slightly is what snaps me from my thoughts, he holds his arm out with a smile where I soon take it. Whenever I'm put in this type of situation with Austin, I can't help but think about Roman and what he would think if he knew this was happening. "What are you thinking about?" Austin asks as we make our journey over to the front door, which was massive might I add. "Roman" I say with a sigh before staring ahead at the door, I see him move his head to look at me as the front door opened. "You guys made it" Markus exclaims with his arms opened, this dude successfully stops Austin being able to make me elaborate on what I was thinking about. "Sorry we're a little late, the traffic was heaving" Austin says matching the same energy as Markus just displayed, so we're not gonna tell him about the whole police indent? "Oh don't worry, I must say Payton, you're looking dashing" he smiles placing his hand in his pocket, I nod my head with a smile not replying. "I'm glad you took my recommendation and kept your natural hair out, it really suits your face. Now enough talking, come in" Markus smiles before turning around and walking in, this was the first time I've allowed my natural hair out in public for years. Austin sends me a reassuring smile before he leads me in the house, a place I was dreading to step my first foot in. As soon as we were through the door, it was closed by a huge guy in a suit. I look back at him slightly where we make eye contact, his face remained emotionless as he looked at me. I quickly whip my head around as we arrive in a dining hall, where Markus walks over to a young girl in a rather tight dress. "This is Yasmin, she will be joining us for dinner" Markus informs us but when the girl went to take his arm, he pulled away and gestured for us to walk over to the table. She looks taken back at first but tries to hide it, I suppose this is his new side piece. I warned the girl back at the party that he'd move on, she just wanted to be cocky. Austin leads me to my seat where he pulls it out for me, I thank him with a smile before sitting down at the table. It looked as though the girl expected Markus to do the same thing, but he just sat in his seat leaving her standing. It's sad that he doesn't actually care about the girls, he just uses them as they look good on his arm. "I've wanted to invite you for dinner since Austin told me about you, but he's been very secretive until now" Markus says looking over at me, this does cause me to look up at Austin slightly before putting a fake smile on my lips, yeah that's due to the little fact of my actual boyfriend being in town. "Well with our work schedules, it's hard to find time to do anything" Austin jokes as people begin to bring food in, I smile as the food is placed in front of me, rather posh looking food might I add. We all begin to eat where the only people talking were Markus and Austin, the girl would try to speak but Markus would before she could. I send her a few smiles before looking back down at my food, I didn't want her to think I was making fun of her in anyway. I didn't speak at all, my eyes were drifting around the room trying to get a feel of the place. This whole place had cameras which told me, as soon as you enter this property you have eyes on you. I was also studying everything Markus did, I needed as much information on him so I can decide what the next plan of action will be. "Payton, circling back to work" Markus says turning his attention to me, this shocks me for a second where I turn to look at him. "Do you like working in that restaurant?" he asks placing a piece of food in his mouth, why was he asking about my work, could he be trying to make small talk? "Yeah it's a good job, would I want to be working there forever no? But it's nice for the time being" I smile talking for the first time since arriving here, Austin smiles placing his hand in mine under the table. "If you don't like your job, I could always find you some work working me" he suggests which was definitely not the replacement job I was thinking of, Austin immediately, tenses when he hears this and shakes his head. "No, I don't think that would be the job for Payton" he says looking up at Markus when he spoke, wait he's disagreeing with Markus to his face?! "I think she would make the perfect fit" Markus says looking Austin straight in the eyes as he spoke, are they challenging each other. "Well considering I've known Payton, much longer than you. I think I'm much more qualified to make that kind of decision" Austin says right back to him not standing down. "Payton is happy at her job in the restaurant, when she does want to leave she'll be able to find herself a job on her own" Austin tells him point blank before placing his fork down on the plate, he then takes a look down at his watch before taking my hand. "It's getting quite late so we best get going, thank you for dinner" he says standing up from his seat, pulling me to stand with him. "We can see ourselves out" he says before he pulls me out of the house, where the dude from before was still by the door. In no time we were driving out of the house, unknowing of the incident that would come from that encounter.