Peyton didn’t hear anything for three weeks. Not that it made her memories of that night get any duller. Every time she heard a snap she flinched and couldn’t bring herself to go out at night. The one time she did was for a study session for a group project. She had almost run a mile when she bumped into a girl with her hood up on her way home that night. She was almost relieved when she was walking out of her Wednesday afternoon political science class and saw Stephen, the driver, sitting on a bench outside the building. She hadn’t recognized him at first as he was wearing sunglasses and had the collar of his woolen coat pulled up against the chill. Once he caught her eye, he gave her an enthusiastic wave and approached her.  

“Looks like your ankle is better,” Stephen said she came down the door’s step.  

“Yeah, it was just a bit swollen, are you here for your jacket?”  

“My jacket?” he looked confused, “No I'm here to bring you to the boss. You have a meeting with her today,”  

“Wait what?” She wracked her mind for a message she might have missed, but there had been no contact. “I haven’t heard anything from you people in three weeks and now you're telling me that there is some meeting I’m supposed to attend?”  

“Why does she always do this to me?” he half muttered to himself, then grinning said, “I know this is a little awkward but you still need to come with me? I swear nothing bad is going to happen, it’s she’s just going to give you your assignment.”  

“Right, my assignment?”  

“You know the thing you agreed to do in exchange for whatever the boss did for you in that diner. Listen, I know this might seem a little overwhelming but think of it as a free job you didn't need to apply for.”  

“Uh-huh. Can I at least dump my stuff first?” She had a massive backpack filled with books and her laptop and didn’t want to have to lug it around with her.  

He gave her another toothy grin revealing perfect teeth. “It’ll be better if well leave now. I’m supposed to have you there in 20 minutes and the boss hates it when you’re late.”  

Peyton swallowed, “Sure.”  

Stephen offered to take the bag, but Peyton shook her head and hefted it onto her back, before walking to the lot. This is not a problem, this is not a big deal I’m only going to meet with a lady who killed a guy in front of me, she thought as she followed him to his car. He stopped at a car, different from the one he had that night, this one looking a bit sportier compared to the elegance of that car, and opened the trunk for her to put her stuff into.  

“Nice car,” It was a sleek dark grey and reminded her of something you would see in a spy movie.  

“Thanks, I only got her the other day. It took three months but it was worth the wait.” He said it with a reverence that reminded Peyton of a child with a new toy. “I need to pay the parking but you go ahead and get in.” she nodded in response before he left her to go pay.  

Shutting the trunk, she went to the passenger side and opened the door. As she did, she noticed Ann standing across the lot staring her way. Peyton gave a small wave and got into the car. At least I have a witness, she thought to herself as she clipped in the safety belt. Stephen returned with a ticket and got in the car.  

“You don’t have to look so nervous. I’m a great driver.” He said pressing a button to start the engine, “I will never get sick of that sound.” The car leaped into motion before Peyton could say anything tearing out of the lot and onto the street.  

“What’s your major?” asked shortly after she had brought her hand down off his dash.  

“It’s English lit,” She had picked political science for an elective because it had looked fun after watching a drama about the field. “So, is it like your job to be a fancy taxi driver?”  

“Huh, no. You mean like a chauffeur?” he chuckled, “although I would kill that role, I’m her head of security actually.”  

It explained the gun he had that night, Peyton thought to herself. “Wow, impressive. And you had tonnes of time on your hands so decided to come pick up the new hire yourself?” 

“Well, I figured you might’ve wanted to see a familiar face. Good thing I did too, seeing as this was a surprise.”  

“Do you know what she wants me to do? It’s not going to be something weird, is it?” something about Stephen made her think that he would be honest with her.  

“Only thing I can tell you for certain is that it’s not on the security team. I’m sure that it will be nothing to worry about...”  

Peyton shrugged in response. She was appreciative of how he was trying to keep it light but was terrified about what was waiting for her.  

***  

They hit traffic on the way and Peyton was surprised to see that they weren’t heading to the new building she had seen in her research, instead they were heading into the older part of the city. She tried to think of where they would be going and was getting more anxious as the minutes passed. Eventually, they pulled up outside a beautiful old building with a clock tower and pulled up out the front.  

“This is where I leave you. Peyton, I have a few other errands to run but I will be back here for when you're finished and will take you home.” He hopped out of the car and ran around to open the door for her before she could respond. “And know the boss isn’t as scary as she seems.” He offered with a sweet smile and before she knew it, he was back in the driver's side and pulling away.  

“What about my bag?” she asked as the car tore down the street. I guess he will have it when he comes to pick me up, she thought with a sigh as she turned to face the entrance of the building.