Chapter Seventeen
Austin needed to get out of the house to try and calm himself down, what Roman said to him just angered him in more ways than he could have imagined. Austin only wants what is best for Payton, everything he is doing is to protect her from Markus and anyone affiliated with him. But Roman calling the police has put that on record, if Markus was to look he'd see that police went around their house to talk. What could Markus think if he saw that?
Roman telling him Payton was his girlfriend also bothered him, yes he knows they're together and have been for years, but he can't shake the feelings he has for Payton. He has liked her ever since they met back in school, before Roman and Payton ever knew each other. He told Roman the feelings he was having back then and Roman said he needed to back off, he had eyes for Payton first and there was no way Austin was going to come in and take his potential girlfriend. A few weeks later, Payton and Roman began dating where Austin had to just deal with it.
Roman came up to him after and asked if he still had feelings for Payton, Austin not wanting to make things awkward told him he didn't and was actually interested in someone else. The feelings never went away though, which is why for years Austin would make it seem like he didn't care about Payton so the feelings wouldn't show. Roman being away has made that hard, the feelings have came back and are stronger than ever.
Austin had just pulled up at the traffic lights, he leans his head on his hand that was on the door. Beside him pulls up a car, where the door opens and out walks Markus. He lifts his head up as Markus comes to his window, he rolls his window down looking at the man confused.
'Hello Austin, I don't like being spoken down to the way you did when I was kind enough to invite you for dinner" he says looking him dead in the eyes as he spoke, this worried Austin that he was going to pull a gun out or something. 'Normally, I would have got rid of the guy in that second, but considering you're my best worker, I'll let it slide this time." He says which was shocking, but Austin couldn't help but feel relief at that point.
'But you still need to learn a lesson, I'm not one to just forget about things and let you do as you please. I've been racking my brain trying to think of something that will really hit home for you, then I realised, Payton" he says which immediately, makes the relief vanish and Austin's heart to sink. 'It's such a shame that Payton had to be used to teach you this vital lesson" he smirks before he stands up straight and walks away, just as the lights turn green.
Austin without thinking anymore, turns the car around and starts speeding down the head heading towards home. What has he done?
I'm woken by my ears intensely ringing, my eyes open slightly where I discover that I'm laying on the floor. I turn my body so I was laying on my back, the world still a little hazy. I start to look around the house, where I discover all of the smashed objects around me, even the back window was smashed. Whatever happened, these people really wanted to leave a message.
Before I could register what was going on, the front door opens and in runs Austin. He scans the room for a few seconds, before his eyes land on me laying there. He was soon by my side.
'Payton" he says putting his hand behind my back to help me sit up, I slowly sit up where my eyes snap to his looking down at me worriedly.
'You promised" is all I say looking up at him, his face changes where he pulls me in for a hug holding me so tightly in his arms.
'I'm so sorry Payton" he says while I just lay my head against his chest, I was worried this would happen.
It was the next morning, after what happened Austin helped me sort all of the wounds out on my face before I went to bed. We didn't really speak the entire time, I didn't know what I should say. I kept warning Austin that something like this would happen, but he kept telling me that it was fine and he'd look after me, but look where we're at now.
I rang work telling them what happened while apologising for taking so much time off, my boss is really nice and told me it was fine and to take off as much time as I needed. I had just gotten ready before sitting at my dresser, staring at myself in the mirror scared me. What else are we going to have to go through until this stops? I know Austin can see how bad this is, but just doesn't know how to get out of this situation. He keeps telling me that he will sort all of this out, but I'm scared that he's in way over his head and can't even see it.
My eyes move to my draw, opening it slowly I see the polices card sat on the top. I reach in and take the card in my hand, could this be the way out we're hoping for? If I do ring, what if they try to rope Austin in with what Markus does? What if Markus finds out and finishes the job? But I also knew that things were starting to get out of hand, something has to give before this gets worse. Taking a look back at the door to make sure no one came in, I pull my phone out and dial the number on the card.
My heart was racing as I clicked the button, within a few seconds it began to ring. After the third ring, I started to rethink everything and debated whether to hang up or not. That idea left my mind immediately, when the phone was answered.
'Hi it's Payton, you came and spoke to me at my house yesterday" I say hoping he would remember me, I take a look at the door once again just in case.
'Hello Payton, it's nice to hear back from you old friend. It'll be nice to finally see your face after all these years, are you still working at that restaurant?" He asks sounding as though he knew me, how did he know I work at a restaurant? Realisation soon hits where I realise I should play along.
'Yeah I do, would you be able to meet there within an hour?" I ask changing my voice to seem like I'm speaking to a friend, I wanted to get this meeting over and done with.
'That sounds perfect, I'll meet you there" he replies before hanging up, I stare down at my phone shocked for a few seconds, well that all happened quite quickly.
When I woke up this morning, I mentally decided I would stay at home today to try and recuperate from what happened. But also, I didn't want to leave the house where people I know might see me and ask what happened. I obviously, couldn't tell them the real reason behind this and I hadn't thought of an excuse yet. But knowing I had to leave the house now, I get up to start trying to make myself look presentable.
After around half an hour, I leave my room and walk into the living room. Austin was boarding up the broken window as I walked in, but as soon as he spotted me he stops.
'I thought it would be best if I cover this window too, we don't want any birds flying in and trashing the place" he says jumping down from the cabinet he was standing on, I smile with a nod of the head looking around at the still pretty destroyed living room.
'I don't think it could trash it more than it already is" I smile looking around before walking to the counter to grab my purse. 'I'm just heading out to work to talk with my boss, I think he wants to see proof on why I'm asking for more time off" I explain placing my phone into my bag, I didn't like lying to him but I knew what he would say if I told him the truth.
'Oh I can drop you off, Markus also called and asked if I can head in for a few minutes" he tells me walking over to the counter also grabbing his keys, yeah maybe he wants to discus the horrible thing he ordered to happen to me.
'Careful, he might attack you too" I say looking down at the floor, I don't know if I'll feel comfortable being in the same room as Markus again, not that I felt comfortable at all before this point.
'I'm really sorry Payton, I know it's my fault all this has happened and what happened to you last night, I shouldn't have left you here alone" he sighs also looking down at the ground, I did agree with him on those points but I also didn't want him to blame himself or feel bad for what happened.
'Hey don't feel bad, you wasn't to know what would happen if you left. We've been over this, you don't have to blame yourself for anything that's been happening. One day soon, I just know we'll get out of this situation" I smile reaching over to take his hand, he smiles giving my hand a little squeeze as a thank you. 'Now come on, our bosses won't want us to be late, yours more importantly won't be happy and apparently, we won't like it when his angry" I smile rolling my eyes while dragging him out the door, he laughs while I pull him away and out the door.
At least I was hiding my nerves successfully.