Chapter Twenty-Four

Markus was now sat at the counter eating his food, for whatever reason he always decides to eat there. There were many tables around which would be so much better to eat at, but he always takes up the counter! I knew this was to be close to me more, the only time I'm away from the counter is when I'm cleaning tables off. After Brooke and I's little conversation, I would see her sending me worried looks which I'd have to ignore. I had just taken someone's order when I hear Markus sigh, as I look over I see he had finished eating and was pulling his wallet out to pay. Thankfully, this little encounter was drawing to a close! 'The food here never fails to impress me" he says whilst handing me the money, I send him a smile opening the register before handing him his change. 'Oh before I forget, I want you and Austin to join me in a little meet up this weekend, it's with some high up members in my company" he tells me which does make worry start to feel my body, last time I went anywhere with Markus the same night I was attacked. 'As Austin is my best worker, I want to show these people all the things he can do. I want you to join us as a beautiful woman makes any man look good" he tells me sending me a smirk, I have to hold back a sigh at his annoying comment while also, trying to come up with an excuse and why we might not attend. 'That sounds really nice, but I can't agree without asking Austin first" I say with a little smile, with the fact of Austin not being in town made that excuse more believable. 'We all know as soon as you tell Austin it's me, he'll agree on that second" he says with a smirk which I know was true, Austin didn't really have any other option than to agree with him. 'I have that effect on people" he jokes whilst getting out of his chair, why does he enjoy making people feel that way? 'True, I'll let him when when he returns home" I smile taking his empty cup and handing it to the kitchen, how long is all of this going to go on for? 'I got word that he's just returned home" he corrects me whilst looking over at Brooke, who instantly looks terrified before turning her head to look away, that's a man you don't want to mess with Brooke. 'Then I'll let him know as soon as soon I get home" I smile hoping to make him look away from Brooke, which he does and turns back around to look at me with a smile. 'Have a lovely rest of your day Markus" I smile as he turns and walks out of the building, which allowed me to release the breath I was holding the entire time. I watch him climb in his car that was across the road, maybe I should make a note of the type of car he's driving. But let's be honest, I don't know a thing about cars to make a note about anything! I clean the counter he just sat at as Brooke walks over, she places a tray of empty plates on the counter while looking at me. 'What's the deal with that guy, I can tell by your face you're scared of him, do you need my help?" She whispers while taking a look at Markus, who was looking right back at us which scared the heck out of me! 'No trust me Brooke, that's one man you don't want to mess with" I tell her sternly before picking up the tray and taking it to the kitchen, I know first hand what happens when you do just that thing. My shift soon comes to an end, after Markus left Brooke wouldn't stop asking me what I meant. I obviously couldn't tell her, all I said was I'm not discussing personal things at work. She knew I was trying to avoid the topic, but she still wouldn't quit. She asked if I wanted a lift home after my shift, I wanted to say yes at first but I didn't know if Markus would be watching. I can't let anyone else get wrapped up in this mess, I told her no thank you as I liked having fresh air on the walk. I wave her goodbye as I take my bag out of my locker, as I was placing my apron in my locker I see something sticking out the pocket. Being a little confused, I pull whatever it was where two £20 notes fall. They were wrapped up in a little piece or paper, which read. 'You thought I would leave without giving you a tip? Use this money to buy a nice dress for the meet up. Markus" Of course this would be about Markus! With a sigh, I place the note and money in my bag before locking up my locker. As I opened up the back door, the wind was the first thing that caught my attention, walking home is going to be fun. I place my bag over my shoulder before starting to walk out, I make it a few steps away from the door before I hear my name. I turn around a little confused and alarmed, to see a man stood by the bin waving me down. At first I didn't have a clue who the guy was, but when I clocked his face I knew straight away. 'Jacob?" I ask as I take steps towards him a little confused, he nods his head gesturing for me to get closer. 'What were you thinking with the wig?" I ask pointing at the blonde wig on his head, it looked as though an animal had just perched itself there. 'It's meant to be a disguise, we can't let Markus or anyone associated with him see us talking here" he whispers looking around to check the area. 'Don't you like it?" He asks which does make me laugh, I mean there could be some things to like about it. 'It's different" I say still laughing slightly, I've never seen anyone have hair like that in my life before that's for sure! 'So what are you doing here hiding near a bin?" I ask pointing to the rather disgusting bin, the smell of gone off food lingering in the air. 'You text me saying do you wanna grab a coffee, I came straight here where I saw you talking with Markus" he tells me which did make sense, but that was a few hours ago now! 'You've been here the whole time?" I ask pretty shocked, I don't know if I could stay by this stinking bin for ten minutes tops. 'Of course, I have many ways to entertain myself" he smiles while I raise an eyebrow, that was a very weird statement which could mean a lot of things. 'Do I want to know?" I ask crossing my arms with a smile, there isn't a lot of things I could think you could do when hiding out behind the bins of a restaurant. 'That's highly classified" he says pointing at me where I let out a laugh. 'So tell me, what did you and Markus talk about?" He asks placing his hands in his pockets, where do I start with that kind of conversation? 'We spoke about when I was attacked and he told me if I had any problems, to call him and he'd deal with it. But just before he left, he said Austin and I have to join him at this weird meet up place this weekend. Apparently, all the high members of his company are going to be there and he wants us to attend" I explain not thinking that was a big deal, it'll be the third event I would have attended of Markus's, but Jacobs's eyes light up which tells me maybe this is a big deal. 'That's great Payton, this is a chance for us to get a closer look on who Markus is doing business with!" He exclaims rather excited at the whole idea, while this only aids me on how nervous I felt about the whole thing. 'This is a huge operation you're helping to take down" he smiles while I just shake my head, I wasn't interest in that part of this all. 'I'm not doing this to take any operation down, I'm doing it to keep the people I care about safe" I say which was totally true, I told Austin when I found out what's happening that I'll find a way to get him out, that's what all of this is building towards. 'I can just see what an amazing person you are Payton" he tells me with a smile, I just take a look down at the ground not knowing how to react now I've been complimented. 'We better part ways before people start looking, I'll be in contact soon to explain the next steps" he tells me whilst pulling the hoodie over his head, I also start looking around scared I'd see Markus somewhere. 'Okay, I'll speak to you soon" I smile before pulling my bag tighter over my shoulder and walking away. Unknowing of the crazy events that would happen after this shift alone.