At six the next morning, Astrid was already up and is curious to see her phone light up due to a new message. She opens it to see that it's from Victor telling her what time he'll pass to pick her up for dinner and wishing her a good morning. A smile makes its way to her face as she re-reads the message. Smile still on her face she gets up and pets the sleeping Ollie on her bed before heading to the kitchen to get something to eat. When she exits her room and enter the kitchen she sees a note on the counter from her brother saying he had to return home to help deal with the wedding preparations.
She prepares herself a meal while checking her cameras while she cooks and prepares herself some tea. Sitting down for breakfast she glances at her wrist to see her bracelet missing strange but she doesn't panic instead she's calm. She's able to find it next to her apartment keys on the entryway table and clips it onto her wrist then returns to her breakfast.
For the rest of the morning, she stays in her apartment and cleans up, and spends some quality time pampering herself before she knows it hours have passed and it's time to get ready. After a refreshing shower and putting on simple black lace undergarments then into a simple long sleeve silk dress that reaches her knees with black red bottom heels and not in the mood to but on much make she goes with a natural look, mascara on her lashes and a bit of gloss on her lips and her hair styled into a classy low bun with pearl studs in her ears. She gets a message on her phone from Victor telling her that's he's waiting for her outside. With a gentle kiss on Ollie's head after making sure his food bowl is full along with his water dish she leaves.
When she exits she stops short at Victor who wearing a pair of dark blue jeans with black dress shoes and a white short-sleeved shirt showing off his lean muscular arms his hair styled back neatly with a Rolex watch on his left hand. Shaking herself out of her stupor she approaches him and he stares at her in awe as she smiles at him.
"You look beautiful." He says to me and I blush at the intensity of his stare and compliment.
"Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself." I say to him and he gives me a gentle charming smile.
"Shall we?" He asks opening the passenger side door for me and I smile in thanks. Once he enters the vehicle we leave the parking lot making small talk and cracking jokes until we arrive at a modest family restaurant called Sam's. Not original I know but it's simple enough to remember.
When we enter I'm surprised by the classy yet welcoming atmosphere as we approach the front desk where another couple is waiting. The woman turns around and I feel Victor tense where his hand rests on the small of my back. Her companion turns around but when his eyes land on me he can't help but stare much to her dismay.
"Your companion has a talent for attracting men." She says showing me her fangs for a brief moment.
'Lady I can take you out in one go. You don't scare me.' I think as I roll my eyes at her.
"And you revel in it but you can't get the man you want, can you?" I ask and she looks at me shocked but I turn to look at Victor.
"Nothing but a woman who doesn't know her self-worth trying to get a man who wants nothing to do with her. Nothing unusual. The situation is as old as time." I say and he smiles at me and I smile back before I turn to look back at her to find her scowling at me.
"I advise you to find your self-worth before you look for a man. Not a boy." I say glancing at her date who's absorbed by whatever he's doing on his phone. She looks at him and grabs the phone out of his hands crushing it and startling him.
"Sorry." He says sheepishly as his gaze returns to me.
"I'll buy you another one." She says through clenched teeth just as a waitress informs them that their table is ready, leading them away.
"You deal with women like her often?" Victor asks reclaiming my attention.
"Like I said it's not unusual, especially for me." I say with a sad smile.
"Your table is ready sir." Another waitress says leading us up to a Vip box that overlooks the twinkling lights of the city outside. VIctor like the gentleman he is pulls out my chair for me for taking his seat.
"You didn't have to do all this. I would have settled for a diner." I say looking around uncomfortable by the flash but the welcoming atmosphere makes up for my discomfort.
"You deserve this and more." He says to me smiling and the remaining tension leaves my body.
"Thank you." I say and he nods in response then looks down at the menu.
"What are you having?" He asks startling me as I put my chaotic thoughts on hold.
"Why don't you order for me?" I ask with a challenging gaze and he smirks accepting the challenge. When the waitress comes with glasses of water for us he places his order and then whispers my order but I don't use my enhanced hearing for I want it to stay a surprise.
"How come you and your brother are so close?" Victor asks and I smile at his blatant curiosity.
"We're orphans. Had to go through a lot together due to our abilities. Always looking over our shoulders and assuming the worst of everyone until we got older and we got better at running until we didn't have to." I say reliving the memories one by one as it goes by in quick flashes in my mind.
"Astrid." Victor says and I look up at him to see him looking at me in shock then it dawns on me. I was projecting my memories to him.
"Sorry." I say and look out the window.
"There's no need to be sorry." He says to me.
"Then I don't need your pity." I say still avoiding his gaze.
"I'm not pitying you. I admire your strength in not giving up. For making it this far." He says with pride in his voice and I slowly turn to face him to see him looking at me gently.
"You're strange Vic." I say trying to lighten the mood and thankfully he catches on.
"We both are so what?" He asks and I giggle.
Finally, our dinner arrives, Victor ordered himself the seafood special, lobster in clarified butter with a cheesy fondue dip with broccoli and pasta while he ordered me creamy Tuscan noodles with baked potatoes and baked fish. There is a moment of silence as we enjoy our meal then the conversation picks up again then after sharing strawberry cheesecake as dessert we head out taking a walk through the nearby park hand in hand.
"Thank you for the wonderful night, Victor." I say stopping and he turns to look at me, cupping my cheek gently and I slowly start to tense.
"Thank you but there is one more thing I would like." He says gently tracing my lips with his finger.
"Vic....." I say and he smiles at me.
"Please?" He asks his voice becoming deeper due to the anticipation.
'Is it weird that I want to kiss him too?" I ask myself then with a soft sigh I lean towards him and he slowly closes the gap then I feel his cool lips on mine. Hesitant he pulls back then kisses me again and again each kiss deeper than the last until we're consumed by the feeling of each other's lips. Remembering that I have to breathe he pulls back resting his forehead against the crook of my neck inhaling my scent.
"You smell so damn good." He says softly making me laugh.
"So do you." I say and he laughs. With one last gentle kiss on my lips, he pulls away, and not needing to say anything at the moment we return to his car hand in hand so that he can take me home. With a smile on my face, I exit the car feeling his gaze as he watches me enter the building then I hear him drive off. After I enter the apartment giving Ollie a hug I have a bath and then head to bed feeling as though I am on cloud nine.
"I guess that's what it feels like.' I think then drift off to sleep with Ollie next to me.