Last night when we arrived home, Roman had a whole lot of questions. Austin told him how he had a huge nose bleed and needed my help, it didn't really explain why we needed to leave the house but thankfully, Roman never questioned us about that part. It was early the next morning, the day Roman's leaving for his two month business trip. I roll out of bed to say goodbye at 4am! He needed to be at the airport for 7am and apparently he needs to be there that many hours earlier, don't ask me why. While still half asleep, I follow him out the bedroom where Austin was waiting outside his room with a sleepy smile. We all head outside and down to Roman's car, the freezing night making me shiver and hug myself.
"Tell me again why you need to leave for this long?" Austin asks as we watch Roman put his bags in the car, I offered to help but he said he didn't need any."Because we want to see as many companies as we can, the more sponsors we can get the more of the product we can make" Roman explains for the hundred time, Austin for some reason can't wrap his head around that fact. "Are you sure you two are going to be okay, I won't come back to world war 3 will I?" He asks with a smile looking between us both, I roll my eyes while taking a look to Austin."As much as it may be hard, I'll think we'll get along" I smile knowing how hard I'm gonna have to try to achieve that goal, I just need to remember it's better to have a peaceful life.“I'll watch her for you, we all know how Payton can be" Austin says whilst Roman's pulls me in for a hug, I hold so tightly onto him knowing how long it's gonna be until we can do this again."I'll be back before you know it" he whispers placing a kiss on my lips before pulling away, where I immediately have to hug myself again due to the cold."Don't party too hard without me" Austin jokes while they do that weird guy handshake thing, even at 4am he's still got energy to be sarcastic."I promise I won't" Roman laughs climbing into the car as we back away to stand on the pavement, Austin nudging me slightly with a smile causes me to laugh a little. "Don't get too close, I'll call you later!" Roman shouts before he pulls his car out the parking space and fully out the carpark."It's just me and you" Austin smiles as I turn to walk up the stairs, I had two more hours of time to sleep before I needed to wake up for work. "I'll drop you off to work today, I won't do a Roman and leave you to walk in the rain" he laughs as we arrive back in the apartment, I laugh thanking him before heading to bed to get a few more hours sleep before work.When I walk into work a few hours later, my best friend Brooke was cleaning the counter. Her and I met when she started working here 5 years ago, as I'd already been working here a year earlier I had to train her up and teach her the ropes. I walk around the back to hang my coat up, where she joins me with her hands on her hips."Who was that?" She asks with a raised eyebrow, I send her a confused look whilst tying my apron around my back. "The man that dropped you off, he wasn't Roman?" She asks still standing in the doorway, luckily I still had to tie my hair in a bun so she wasn't blocking my way."That's Roman's best friend and our roommate Austin, you know him I've told him about you" I say now having to push passed her to sign myself in, once that was done I head out to the front to start working, like she should be doing."I thought you said Austin was super annoying and you wouldn't be able to stand being in the same room as him alone" she says following me out while her arms were still crossed, I take a woman's order whilst Brooke still stood behind me."Austin is annoying but Roman's on that business trip so I'm trying to get along with Austin, it'll just be me and him alone in the apartment for two months, normally Roman acts like the peace maker" I explain putting the little ticket through to the kitchen so they could make the food, whilst also pouring another person some coffee."Does Roman know he's dropping you off to work?" She asks which only confirms what she's implying, does she really think I'd cheat on Roman?"Okay first off, Austin and I are just friends even if you could call us that, second of all, Roman and I have been together for years now and I haven't even once had the urge to cheat on him, so why would I do it now? And lastly, my private business about my love life and the people I choose to surround myself with has nothing to do with you" I tell her point blank, yes she is my best friend but I'm not having her imply things that would suggest that I would ever cheat on Roman. "Now how about you go and do the job you're currently being paid to do" I say whilst the woman at the counter smiles agreeing with me, Brooke looks majorly shocked before she turns to clean off another table."Don't worry hun, she's obviously jealous" the woman I was serving smiles, I thank her before getting the food that was ready from the kitchen and hand it over to her.The day dragged on a little at work, Brooke didn't speak to me the entire time. But I couldn't just sit back and allow her to imply things that obviously aren't true. We both clock out at the same time, where as like a baby she barges passed me and out the door without saying a word. I roll my eyes signing out before grabbing my stuff and leaving, I didn't have the energy to deal with her school girl type drama. I wave goodbye to Johnson who was standing at the counter before leaving, where surprisingly Austin's car was sat outside waiting for me.I walk over kind of confused, I know he dropped me off but I didn't know he'd pick me up too. Once I reach the door he smiles at me, okay the thought that maybe he wasn't here to pick me up had left my mind."How was work?" He asks as I climb in the car, he was still in his work clothes which told me he's also just left work, I give him one of my looks with a smile."That bad huh?" He asks pulling the car out of the carpark, as I take a look out the window I spot Brooke climbing in her car who doesn't give me the happiest look."I had a mini disagreement with one of my work friends, she thought she could voice her opinion on something when it really wasn't her place" I say remembering her of accusing me of cheating, once again it's only been a day where me and Austin haven't been at each other throats! "how's your cut?" I ask looking over at the bandage which was now covered in black oil, I know he works in a garage but that doesn't mean he can cause himself an infection."Yeah I might need a new bandage" he says holding his arm up awkwardly, I just laugh shaking my head feeling quite glad that I brought a few packets of bandages. "Oh and on the way here I grabbed us some takeout for dinner, we don't have our at home house wife for two months!" He says reaching in the back and pulling out a bag of food, I laugh once again taking the bag from his hands to take a look at what he brought.I pull a chip out placing it in my mouth as he opens his mouth up, with a laugh I take another out and place it into his mouth."You know what Payton" he says whilst chewing his chip, little pieces falling from his mouth and landing on his lap. "This relationship is gonna be fine while Roman is gone, I can just tell" he says leaning his face down to take the chip right from my hand, I was gonna eat that one!"Yeah, maybe we will" I laugh as he shoves even more chips into his cakehole, thankfully, without choking.I had just changed his bandage when he gets a phone call, he excuses himself before walking into his bedroom closing the door behind him. I pack all the medical supplies and things from dinner away not wanting him to feel like I was eavesdropping. He soon emerges from his room looking rather flustered, I send him over a confused look while he begins to pace up and down."Is everything okay?" I ask leaning up against the counter, I did tell Roman I'd look out for him so I guess I'm gonna need to find out why he's panicking."What I'm about to ask you is gonna sound so crazy and weird, but please you have to understand I wouldn't ask you unless I didn't have any other choice" he rambled on still pacing up and down which not gonna lie, was starting to really worry me."You and I need to date" he says which does make my eyes go wide.What in the heck?!I stare Austin out for a few seconds, did I just hear him correctly? I stand there at a lost for words, has he just walked in the room and forgotten about Roman all of a sudden? "What do you mean we need to date, if you haven't already realised, I've been dating your best friend for years now!" I exclaim not really understanding why I would need to remind him, Roman's only been gone for not even 24 hours, he can't have forgotten about him. "I know but just let me explain, my boss has hated me for the longest time, whatever I do he strikes me down and I never knew why. But a few weeks ago, I was sat having my break when he walks over and starts having this weird conversation with me. He starts asking me questions about life and if I was with someone, I didn't want to feel lame in front of my boss so I said I had a girlfriend" he starts to ramble not really explaining his point really, just because he told his boss he has a girlfriend doesn't mean I become her! "He started asking me q
We were soon pulling up at the huge house the party's being held in, Austin keeps calling it at house but you could fit our apartment a hundred times over in this place. In my mind I knew this was a company event, but I didn't anticipate how many people from the company would turn up. There were cars and people everywhere, which does make me rather nervous. "It's gonna be okay, I'll be with you the entire time" Austin smiles pulling the car up in an empty space, which were really hard to find in this huge courtyard. "What if someone asks me a question that I have no idea how to answer?" I ask while he takes his seatbelt off fixing his suit, I didn't want to look dumb by saying something that was the total opposite to what he's already told them! "Hey you're gonna be fine" he smiles taking my hand in his smiling, I nod my head taking a deep breath in to get my head in the game. "Thank you for doing this Payton" he smiles before opening up his door, I nod my head about to reach for t
It was the morning after that weird party, Austin ordered us pizza where he would avoid any question I would ask about the party. If he was trying to be inconspicuous about the whole thing, he wasn't doing a great job by avoiding my questions. I don't know why but before Austin literally made us flee the scene, something was still standing out to me. Now I'm not one to categorise someone, but no one at that party last night looked like the type of people who would lay under cars all day and fix them. Again I know people can dress up and make themselves look totally different, but it wasn't just that. The type of cars these people were driving! Now I admit, I'm not someone that's into cars or knows anything about them, but these cars looked expensive! I would have to save money for my entire life to afford to buy ones like that, I don't think they'd be able to buy those cars on their salaries. But it's not only what those people looked like or the cars they were driving, but they way
I was sat in my bedroom for around an hour, I knew Austin hadn't left the house as I would have heard the front door open. This meant he was waiting for me to come out of my bedroom, but I didn't know if I wanted to have a sit down conversation with him about this all. I knew from that party that something was off, it was actually a feeling that I couldn't shake the whole night, well the little time we were actually there. What if we hadn't left when we did, could we have been one of those sixty people that lost their lives? My bedroom door knocks twice before it's opened, where Austin stood in the doorway holding a plate of food. I turn my head looking at him without talking."You never finished making your lunch, so here" he smiles walking over and handing me a full plate of food, way more than I could eat on my own. "I know you probably don't wanna talk to me, so how about we just eat?" He smiles looking down at the food on my lap, now I know why he gave me all this food, I have t
As soon as my shift ended I clock out and leave the building, I didn't even stop to have another heated conversation with Brooke, not that I wanted to stop and have that anyway. I walk down the road with the white envelope in my bag, I of course wanted to open it but didn't want to see the horrors that may be inside. Once I was down the street I pull my phone out, where Austin's missed calls light up the screen. He told me I had to ring him once I arrive home, why has he been ringing me? I click on his name pulling the phone to my ear, it rings twice before he picks up. "Payton are you okay, Markus dropped by an hour ago and told me he went to see you at the café?" He asks worriedly down the phone, if Markus was going to go and see Austin anyway, then why has he sent me to give him this? "I'm okay, he had lunch and gave me a white envelope to give you, I'm on my way over to the garage now" I inform him while crossing the road, I knew the walk to there would take around ten minutes.
We arrive home in no time, where Austin begins to make dinner. He wasn't kidding when he said he ordered some shopping, the whole kitchen area was full with shopping bags that were also full with food. I offered to help him cook and put the shopping away, but both times he told me he had this and I should go and have a bath to destress from work. I did really appreciate this and thanked him before getting all my stuff rounded up, where as I pass to go to the bathroom I see him unpacking the shopping doing a little dance as he went. With a shake of my head and a smile, I walk into the bathroom to have my well deserved bath. Once I was finished in the bath, I leave the bathroom with wet hair to see Austin had unpacked the shopping but was still cooking. I was in the bath for over an hour, what could he possibly still be cooking? "Are you sure you don't want any help?" I ask drying my hair with the towel, now it was wet my hair was mega curly. "As I've said dear Payton, you can relax
The gunshots continue for what feels like a lifetime, shouts and screams were also filling the air as people began to panic. Austin kept whispering in my ear that everything was going to be okay, he seemed calm though this whole ordeal which made me also calm down. My head didn't move from his chest as they continued, but in a single second they stopped. What followed was complete silence, the screaming or shouting that once was very evident was gone. With a scared expression, I look up at Austin who was looking down at me. Did we actually just survive that?"It's over, you're okay" he smiles hugging me slightly as I tried to calm down, I stare at the bedroom wall wondering what happened. One minute we were sat making dinner and joking around, the next complete chaos with Austin dragging me to my bedroom. "You saved my life" I say turning my head slowly to look up at Austin, while he shook his head with a smile. "I can't let anything happen to you can I?" He smiles looking me in t
I wake up the next day with a plate of breakfast from Austin, he told me he had already called my work to tell them what happened. He managed to bag me a day off work! I thank him taking the breakfast where I realise, I was in his bed. For a second I totally forgot that I fell asleep here, he said he also managed to get a day off so we could do something to put my mind off of what happened. I thank him before finishing my breakfast, I jump in the shower and start to get ready for the day. I wanted to take a look out the window to see what the scene looks like now, but I hadn't actually gone to the front of the house yet as my bedroom is at the back. I had finished getting dressed when my phone rings on my dressing table, hanging my wet towel up I walk over to see Roman FaceTiming me. I answer it while taking my seat, it connects for a few seconds before his worried face fills the screen. "Payton, are you okay I just saw the news?" He asks worriedly, but I did see his face flash an e
*Ten Months Later*I was peacefully walking up and down the market, as it was getting darker earlier once again, the pretty market was just full of fairy lights. This place always reminds me of a fairytale, the people are always so nice when you talk to them.We haven’t been able to come back here in way over a year, with all the chaos we had to stay clear of this place which was sad. But now I was back, the peaceful moment is what I really needed. But due to the peaceful moment, my mind was having its opportunity to start thinking about all the chaos that had filled my life for those months.Of course, my mind drifted to the one and only Roman first and what he was up to now. I know that might be very confusing but also, rather alarming to hear me speak about him that way. But I’m here to tell you, Roman never died that day, even though that’s what Jacob said. When the police looked more into what Markus did to the city, it was found that the device that Markus used to blow up all th
I continue to lay in Austin’s arms pretending to be passed out, the only flaw to my plan is I couldn’t see what was happening because of my eyes being closed. I trust Austin won’t let anything happen, but let’s all remember that Markus is about and when he’s involved, there’s no telling what could happen.“We don’t have time for this, come on” I hear Markus’s panicked voice says from somewhere, I didn’t know how long this was going to stale him but anytime, is better than us running with him.“Can’t you see that my pregnant girlfriend has passed out?!” Austin voice shouts which did nearly make me jump, thank the lord that I managed to not flinch.“Payton is going to be fine, but we really need to leave!” Markus says sounding like he was really losing his temper, but at this moment I didn’t care that much. “I know something that will wake her up” he says and before I know it, my eyes shoot open as he had just thrown cold water on my face.“What the fuck?” I ask looking down at myself,
Around an hour later, Austin and I were back in his car heading towards the seafront again. I feel like this is all I have done recently, just drive to and from the same places over and over again. We had both gone over the plan with Jacob and I felt confident, that we both knew what we had to do.The car was silent as we sat there, I think we were trying to come to terms with what we had just learnt, Austin more than me. While also, worrying if a certain part of this plan falls through, which is something we cannot let happen!“I still don’t understand how you were able to hide what you were doing from me for so long, either you’re really good or I don’t pay attention” Austin says breaking the silence, I look over at him laughing as he looked back at the road.“I did it to keep you safe and I knew what you would have said if I would have told you, I’m sorry I kept it from you, I hope you’re not too angry” I say looking over at him with a tiny smile, I would understood fully if he was
We soon head home and begin to pack our things, Austin told me that we would have to pack one bag each. We didn’t need to be lugging a heap of bags with us when we were trying to run, I kept agreeing with him before I start worrying about the plan that was ahead of us.I had packed a bag of important things before walking out into the living room, I could still hear Austin rushing around in his room getting his things ready. My eyes begin to scan the living room a place I had called home for a few years now, trying to take in any details that I could. I had no idea if we were going to be able to come back to this place once we leave, not because we’re going off with Markus as I know we’re not. But after he gets arrested, we’re going to be put in witness protection. I know for sure that we won’t be able to live here, this will be the first place that Markus will look.I still couldn’t really believe that this whole nightmare is going to end soon, the event that has taken over my life f
Austin just looks at me for a second, I had to try and act like I was somewhat surprised over what Markus had said. But I knew before Markus knew what was going to happen, Jacob gave me the heads up a few days ago.“I mean I’m happy that you’re taking us into consideration, but Payton and I can’t go on the run with you Markus” Austin says turning back to talk to Markus, I knew Austin didn’t want to because he knew I didn’t like being around Markus but also, because of the predicament that I was currently in.“I know it’s not the ideal situation, but you’re going to have to if you don’t want the police to turn their sights onto you” Markus says not getting why Austin was so hesitant, I was more shocked Austin was kind of telling Markus no for once.“We can’t psychical go on the run” Austin said looking to me as he said it, I think he was trying to spell it out to Markus who clearly, wasn’t getting what we were trying to say!“Sure you can, I have been on the run before I came here and
Austin soon spots Markus standing there too, lucky for us he hadn’t turn around to look at us yet so we had a few seconds. Now he was in my eye line, I couldn’t stop the scared feelings that were running through my body.“I know you’re scared Payton, but trust me you’re going to be fine” Austin whispers looking down at me as we walked, I take a deep breath in sending him a smile letting him know I was somewhat fine, even though my heart was going at a million miles an hour. As we get even closer to Markus, you could see from the way in which he was standing, that he was also panicking. We even managed to get right up behind him and he didn’t know it, this Markus is one I’ve never seen before!“Markus?” Austin says when he still didn’t turn around, this does make him jump and finally turn around to look at us standing right behind him.“You two don’t understand how happy I am to see your faces, you won’t believe the amount of shit I’ve had to deal with this morning and it’s only 10am!
In no time, we arrive at the sea front, my anxiety still off the charts at this point. One thing that I have learnt about Markus, you never know what his next move is going to be and there really isn’t much point trying to predict it either. Whenever you think a situation is going one way, Markus sweeps it from under you and sends you in a complete spin!We drive up and down for a few minutes, I was hoping we would be able to spot him and be able to stay in the car while we talk. That way if the conversation for whatever reason was to go south, we will be able to make a quick getaway. But I couldn’t catch sight of the man even once, even Austin said he couldn’t see him anywhere.“I think our best bet would be to park the car and look for him on foot” Austin says after a few more minutes with no luck, that plan was definitely not what I wanted.What if Markus has somehow found out that I have been the one helping police? Could this whole meet up be some kind of surprise attack? Markus
I was sat in my bed just letting my thoughts wonder, I don’t think I have fully had a chance to think over everything that has happened. Not only with Markus, or the feelings for Austin that are slowly taking over my thoughts. But the little life inside of me, I place my hand on my stomach just staring at the ceiling.I still can’t believe this is all happening, my mind has been so consumed with everything else that I haven’t fully processed what’s really happened. I just hope when the time comes, everything will be back to normal.The noise of my phone getting a message snaps me from my thoughts, I look over to see it sitting on the table. I had a thought I could just leave it, but I knew it might be urgent so I had to force myself to stand up to see who it was.I pick it up to see a message from Jacob, all it said was the plan was underway, but I knew exactly what that meant. I thought I would have more time to prepare myself, but it looks like it’s starting right now! The spies wer
We were soon pulling into the apartment complex, I feel like this is all I have done over the recent weeks. Just gone to and from seeing Jacob, Markus than home again, not how I thought my life would be going if I’m being honest. Jacob soon pulls up at the bottom of the steps where I send him a smile, I look over at see the lights on telling me that Austin had come home before I got back.“What should I tell Austin?” I ask looking over, I think I’m fully out of excuses at this point, I’ve had to use so many recently! “I can’t say I went to work today, he only told me yesterday that he had drove passed my work and saw it will be closed for a few weeks” I say my best excuse was out the window, he knows that most of my friends are out of town until all this trouble blows over and Brooke is missing.“Just say you got a call from the station telling you Roman wanted to see you, you were picked up by an officer and took over to see Roman” Jacob says which I soon think about for a second, th