Xavier

In the car, Xavier explained what happened. Basically, Xavier just retold me the same story I’d heard from Nora earlier. Meanwhile, the person I thought was his brother never got introduced. He sat at the back, humming to himself. I nodded to the back, but Xavier ignored my silent question. I was frustrated, because whoever it was back there was getting ignored too.

I wanted to know who the pale-looking man was. Could he be my next boss? Patience was a virtue, but still, the whole situation felt surreal.

I couldn’t speak—Xavier’s driving skills, or lack thereof, always made me nervous. Previously, I’d asked him if he was trying to kill me, and his response was always the same: ‘If I was, it wouldn’t be with my driving.’ Yep, my man had a very warped sense of humor. His cynical laugh told me it was his version of a joke. He nearly had me wetting myself; it was as if he drove with his eyes closed—stayed too close to the car in front of us, changed lanes without signaling, and even wor