After receiving the invitation the trio returns to the F.A.U Headquarters to relay what they found to the other relevant members of the group. They relay the information to Walker first then they head to the meeting room where the others were wrapping up a previous meeting while munching on the various snacks provided. Since only two more seats were remaining, Victor takes the seat next to Henry and Ralph takes the seat next to Sean and Astrid makes herself comfortable in his lap as he wraps his arms around her waist as she munches on mini mint Oreos.
Everyone stares at how at ease the two are with each other and how small Astrid is compared to the males in the room. She hands him an Oreo and he doesn't hesitate to take it from her hand as the others begin discussing the new information and start formulating a plan.
"Ralph and Astrid will be the bait giving them choice for who's going to be their human sacrifice and Victor will act as the bonus prize since they still need a vampire for their spell." Walker says and everyone nods in agreement except Henry.
"Why can't I go?" He asks annoyed by the fact he doesn't have a role in the plan so far.
"Because you're a pain in the ass and don't follow rules." Astrid says saying what's on everyone's mind as she takes a sip of water from Ralph's bottle.
"I can behave." He says looking at her sightly offended.
"I'll believe it when I see it." Astrid says as she nuzzles into Ralph's chest a bit more holding Henry's gaze.
"Anyway.....that's it for now. You're dismissed." Walker says and everyone disperses.
"I have some work to wrap up in the office." Ralph says and Astrid nods in understanding. They hug each other goodbye then go their separate ways. When she exits the building she's surprised to see Victor standing there as though he's waiting on someone while being lost in his thoughts.
Astrid walks past him and he gets a whiff of her honey lavender scent with a hint of orange snapping him out of his thoughts. He sprints to catch up to her then falls in step beside her. She gives him a glance out of the corner of her eye with a small smile on her lips.
"Can I help you?" She asks after a few moments of silence.
"Choose the day for dinner." He says with a charming smile.
"Easy. Sunday." She says with a smile on her face just as her phone starts ringing getting her attention. With a quick look at the caller Id, she smiles when she answers.
"Hey Katie." She says greeting her brother's fiancée.
"Hello, my little sunflower." Katie says happy that Astrid answered her call.
"How are you doing?" Katie asks her motherly streak shining through.
"I'm good, Katie." She responds with a soft laugh.
"Have you been taking it easy?" Katie asks and Astrid has a sneaking suspicion that she knows about her flux fever.
"I'm fine Katie. Just didn't think it through." Astrid says with a sigh running a hand through her hair.
"Are you sure?" Katie asks making Astrid laugh.
"I'm sure." She responds then Katie lets out a sigh.
"Enough about me. What about you? How's the wedding?" Astrid asks and Katie lets out a squeal of joy.
"It's coming along great. We already have the venue for the after-party and a place for the reception. We've decided on the cake now it's time to choose the outfits." She says sounding like she can't sit still while talking about it.
"That's wonderful." Astrid says.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Will you be my maid of honor?" She asks voice full of hope making Astrid skid to a stop as she processes the words then the question. She's silent for a long time making Katie nervous.
"Astrid?" Katie calls snapping her out of her unpleasant memories.
"I would be honored." She says honestly letting her joy be heard in her voice which is not normal for her.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Katie exclaims making Astrid laugh.
"You're welcome but look I gotta go." Astrid says.
"Oh of course. I know how busy you can get. Talk later. Bye." Katie says.
"Bye." Astrid says in turn then ends the call with a smile still on her face when she remembers that Victor is still next to her. She turns to face him to see him watching her with a gentle smile on his face.
"What?" She asks him curious as to why he's looking at her like that.
"It's nice to see the different side of you that interacts with her family." Victor says honestly making her blush for she wasn't expecting it.
"I guess I'm different when it comes to them." She says more to herself than to Victor and he nods in agreement.
"Thank you for walking me home." She suddenly says as they come to a stop in front of her apartment building. Victor looks up startled then looks at Astrid, their eyes locking on each other.
"Where do you want to eat?" He asks making her smile.
"You choose." She says before walking away heading into her apartment building.
After watching her enter her apartment building, Victor stays in the same spot for a few moments before he leaves heading back to Henry's City mansion. Upon entry, he's greeted by one of the mansion escorts, Sarah who's wearing her usual black silk robe revealing her red lace undergarments. She approaches him with a seductive glint in her eyes. For all the time she has been there, not once has Victor spared any one of them a glance but she's determined to have him and Henry at her disposal.
"Hello, Victor." She says softly as she places a hand on his shoulder to get his attention since he's lost in his thoughts.
"Sarah." He says curtly and removes her hand from his shoulder and steps away heading towards Henry's office. She watches as he puts more distance between them annoyed that he dismissed her as quickly as he usually does. She stays standing in the foyer for a few more minutes then heads to her room. He enters Henry's office to see him pacing as though he can't sit still.
"You called." I say to Henry.
"Yes, Victor. I need you to do something for me." Henry says stopping his pacing to look at me.
"What?" I ask emotionlessly getting down to business.
"I need you to get any information on Astrid." He says.
"Why?" I ask him.
"I need to have her. I need to make her mine." He says sounding slightly obsessed then takes a deep breath regaining his composure.
"Sire. She already wants nothing to do with you. Are you sure you wanna take another risk in approaching her?" I ask him.
"I'm forgetting who's the sire and the sired." Henry says looking at me coldly.
"Apologies." I say coldly looking at Henry who seems satisfied with my response.
"I expect results by Saturday." Henry says ending the conversation then I waste no time leaving his office.
'What's gotten into him?' I ask myself as I enter my room letting out a sigh.
'Hopefully, this doesn't come back to bite him in the ass.' I think to myself as I prepare for a bath getting lost in my thoughts once again.