Rob made his way to the student center which housed the school's bookstore, a pub and a few lounges along with the student meeting rooms and club offices. It was a large brick building, predominantly a historical structure, that they had attempted to bringing in line with the modern buildings on campus by adding a few contemporary additions. Fortunately nature helped it blend by encasing the newer wings in a dense growth of ivy. The entire complex was surrounded by a three foot high stone wall that was covered in students lounging, studying and people watching.
Settling into a booth inside the lounge; he spent the next 3 hours working on his courses in political science and middle eastern languages. He stood up and stretched to relieve the stiffness in his back. Damn this injury- but that was another objective and not for today. He packed up his bag and headed to the bookstore and see if they had the books he needed. And maybe get started on another objective.
…
When Marian approached the center, Rob was leaning on the stone wall outside.. She caught sight of him, dismissed her friends and headed over. He watched her, as he tried to guess what she would complain about first.
"What are you doing here...I told you to meet me at the lot."
"Hello milady." he glanced up at her,eyebrow cocked in assessment of the situation,as he rose from picking up his bag..."I have taken the liberty to purchase the books for the classes on your schedule. If there are any, that are incorrect or no longer necessary I can return them tomorrow for you."
He handed her the iced coffee that matched the one she had asked Allan to pick up for her during their phone conversation this morning. Scooping up the lionshare of her belongings, he headed back to the car leaving Marian speechless. This, he guessed was not a normal state for her.
Arriving back at the lot and starting up the car, he tossed Marians possessions in the back seat. and allowed the A/C to rev up before she got in, Then he leaned against the car, slipped on his sunglasses and waited. When she approached the vehicle she was lost in thought, absentmindedly sipping on the coffee, but she caught his eye just as he opened the door for her.
He smiled in return and opened the door with a nod and bow of mock chivalry...or was it.
"Thank you "...she said carefully
Maybe not as much of a hell job as he had first presumed, he thought as he hopped in and buckled the seat belt. Looking into the rear view mirror to check for cars behind him, he caught her staring at him. She looked away guiltily.
"Music... milady?"
"No ...no Thank you, I think I'll look through the books to see if they match the updated lists we got in class."
The ride continued in silence, but somehow it was a comfortable and not awkward silence, as if they had formed a truce; or maybe more correctly a ceasefire…. he mused.
When they got back,, he jumped out to open the door for her and found Edward waiting. Marian thanked him and set off for the house. Edward watched Marian and then turned back to Rob appreciatively. "Well, survived your first day my boy?"..he asked
"Yes sir, no problems."
"Right, well...let me show you your quarters", Edward gestured up the drive.
Rob got his bags; a large duffle, and a small box of personal items from the trunk and followed his employer along a side path to a carriage house. The went through the two large vehicle doors in front and up the staircase that led to the upstairs apartment.
He assessed his quarters over the garage. They contained two large bedrooms, and an open kitchen, living room, dining room...all traditionally decorated with a mix of comfortable new pieces and antiques. It was spacious and bright with cherry touches throughout.
"Very nice, thank you sir,...I'm sure I'll be quite comfortable here". he said politely…. And a site better than my typical lodging on assignment he thought to himself.
"So" continued Edward…. "You are free to do whatever you like when you are not needed. We will give you a schedule for each week with time for the time when you are on call, we'll try to give you notice at least the day before but try to stay on property in case we need you."
"You may dine as you please", Edward continued "and there is always food in the kitchen that you are welcome to. Tonight, I would love if you could join us for dinner, casual dress, six o'clock . I'd like to get to know you and I'd like to have you on my side- you somehow managed Marian for the day without bloodshed and I haven't been able to do that for years."
Edward smiled and patted him on the back, leaving him to unpack and get settled.
