Chapter Four: This is Your Life

"Okay, move that like about 6 inches to the left. No, no, no, my left. Okay right there. Thanks so much Jason."

"No prob Peyton. What exhibit is this for anyway?"

"Oh, this is for the new artist exhibit that debuts next week."

"Why aren't I hanging any of your stuff? You know its good enough."

"Oh please Jason, you know the only way they'll put any of my stuff up is if my last name is Hilton or Riche."

"Oh child, if it was the work would be finger paintings or should I say stick art."

They both laughed and Peyton helped Jason down from the ladder.

"But all I'm trying to say is that your stuff rocks. You shouldn't just be putting this stuff up; you should have someone putting yours up."

"You wanna know a secret? I am showing some of my pieces. Not here though, abut at some little artsy place down in the village." Peyton shows a little grin of satisfaction as she said this.

"S-H-U-T UP! I can't believe you didn't tell me. I thought I was suppose to be your best friend? You traitor! No I love you anyway but how come you didn't tell me?"

"I was nervous about it. If I told anybody it would become more real to me. And I think part of me wants to still be under the radar. I don't know I just…"

"What are you two doing? Do I pay you to just sit around and chit-chat?" yelled this very tall Nordic looking woman with ice blonde hair and over sized sunglasses.

"No Angelika" they said in unison.

Angelika is the gallery owner and she is a bitch. All she cares about is herself and her dog. She carries her dog around everywhere she goes. It is a black and white pug with a red polka dot jacket with matching boots.

Peyton just stood there in awe of the woman thinking this is not what she wants to become. She hated everything about this woman but needed the job and was grateful for the opportunity to working around some of New York's rising artist. But Peyton thought how long was she going to endure the horrors that this woman puts her through. And poor Jason, Angelika doesn't even notice him half the time and she thinks his name is James.

"Peyton did you and James put up the Burton paintings for tonight? Because you know Marc wants his paintings in 5 point formation and we can't afford to have anything go wrong. Marc said that if everything goes to his liking he will be donating us ½ a million dollars for our new wing. So I need this to go flawless, do you think you can handle this?

"Yes Angelika, I have it all under control"

"Oh and James, Annabelle needs to be walked and taking to the groomers. Make sure they give her a manicure and they use hot pick nail polish."

"Yes Angelika" Jason said and as he went to retrieve the dog from her he gave Peyton a look of pain. He looked as if he was going to throw that dog across the room. Peyton gave a little chuckle when her cell phone rang. Angelika looked at her and Peyton took the phone call out side.

"Hello? Oh hey Brian, what's up?"

"Nothing much, they guys wanted me to ask you if we are still playing the Dell this weekend?"

"Yea, I got you guys booked there for Friday and Saturday. And then we go upstate to play some college clubs and I've arranged for a music exec to come see you guys this weekend. Are you psyched?

"Oh Hell Yea. I can't believe this Peyton. Thanks to you we can really make this happen. Oh you don't know how much this means to me. I can't wait and tell the guys. Thanks a million babe. Bye"

"Bye Brian, I'll call you later to see how it went." Peyton hung up the phone and went back inside. Angelika was walking around the gallery inspecting everything and she was driving Peyton crazy but that wasn't different from any other day. Then the door opened and a UPS delivery man walked in.

"I'm looking for Peyton Sawyer"

"That's me"

"You have a package. Sign here and initial here. Thanks have a nice day."

"You too." Peyton opened the thin envelop and a smaller one slipped out. The letter was from her dad. Peyton's dad now lived in Tree Hill permanently now since he retired from the shipping business. She opened the letter and read it. Like Nathan and Broke before her she had a look of horror on her face. Just then Jason came back with Annabelle and saw the look Peyton had on her face.

"Peyton are you okay?"

"No, I have to go back home."

"To your apartment?"

"No, Tree Hill. Something's happened and I need to be there."

"I'll come with you. You look like you need a friend. You can tell me what happened on the way."

"Angelika, I have to go out of town. It is a emergency."

"What? What do you mean emergency? I need you here tonight. What about the show? Who's going to set it up, James?"

"No Angelika, Jason is coming with me. I'll call Sarah to come in. She knows all the details of tonight. I'll call you when I can to tell you when we'll be back. Bye Angelika."

"But…But…But…"

"Come Jason we have to go Now."