Mike smiles, noticing my nervousness. “Yes, ma’am, they willbe there. Don’t be nervous. They’re mostly nice people.” He tries to reassure me, but I’m not sure it’s working all that well.
“Will you be going, Mike?”
He chuckles again. “Yes, but not for the function. I’ll be there to drive.”
“Oh, that sucks,” I reply without thinking.
“It’s the way it is. It’s my job. I’m not much of a party person, anyway. Not anymore.” I can’t help but think about what Mike must have been like when he was younger. Why isn’t he married instead of spending his life serving Aiden and his family? I’m assuming he’s not by the lack of ring on his finger. There’s more to his story, but I need to know him better before I can push him for further details.
We haven’t been driving long when we pull into the underground parking garage of an apartment building. A large electric sliding gate opens, and we drive into a reserved parking spot right by the elevators. I open my door to see the Aston Martin parked next to us and smile, knowing I’m now a lot closer to seeing Aiden again.
Mike rushes to my door to help me out. “Oh, Mike, you really don’t need to do that,” I tell him honestly.
“It’s my pleasure and also part of my job.”
“But I don’t expect it.”
He smiles and nods. “I know. Thank you. You’re very kind.” He takes my arm in his and escorts me to the elevator. Mike holds his key card to the reader, pushing the button for the top floor.
“That’s high tech,” I say in awe with a nervous giggle.
“Got to keep safe these days, Miss… Jeni.”
I laugh. “You’re really struggling with calling me by my first name, aren’t you?”
He winces. “Yes. I’m not used to it. Again, all part of my job with Aiden, which I’ve been doing for nearly twenty-three years.”
My eyes widen as shock floods through me. “You’ve been driving Aiden for twenty-three years?”
“Yes, since he was five.” I smile at the thought of a five-year-old Aiden and quickly do the math in my head.
“He’s twenty-eight now?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I laugh at his answer. “Mike, if it’s more comfortable for you to call me Miss Taylor or ma’am, then I’m happy for you to do so.”
He sighs, his body slumping with the obvious relief rushing through his body. “Thank you, Miss Taylor.”
I don’t want to make his life hard, so I laugh and tighten my grip on his arm.