As Her lover left for his fated meeting, Astrid plopped down on the bed. Her arms shooting up, falling back to the bed. A small bounce following contact with the many fabric count sheets. Her hair falling around her face. It felt odd being left by herself after so many months of being by the writer’s side. It wasn’t like they were attached at the hip or anything. They had already spent several weeks apart when she visited her estranged parents. After the torture she just wanted to relax with her beloved. Her hand lifted to the top of her head. Rolling over to her side with a huff. “That shitass having actual important things to do.” Astrid was brought from her pouting upon a knock to her door. Her hand staying fixated to the top of her head when she rose. Another huff and a swift swing of her legs. Launching to her feet, slogging towards the sound. “Coming!” With a grab, a twist, and a slow pull of the handle. The door opened to the Woodlins women. Kathy standing at the forefront with a small wave. Kat was captivated by her phone, wearing the queen of all bitch faces. Both wearing similar rompers only different being their colors. The younger in yellow, and in Astrids opinion the more pretty of both in baby blue.
“Hello Astrid dear! I hope we are not bothering you?”
“Oh Kathy! No, not at all! As I’m sure you are aware, the gentlemen just left. So, I am without company for a bit.”
“Perfect!” Kathy cheeks flushed pink, as her hands laid upon them. “Excuse me. That sounded as if I was happy you were bored.” Astrid head shook in response.
“Don’t worry I didn’t think that at all.” Though she was sure Kat was probably happy for Michael’s absence.
“Oh good! Well, I reason I ask and for us being here. We’re about to head out to do a little bit of shopping. Of course, all on my husband’s dime.” The mother gave a small giggle, flashing a platinum credit card. “Would you care to join us? We would love for you to! Right Kat dear?” Choosing to ignore the question as a whole and keep your focus on her phone. Kathy sighed rolling her eyes flashing an apologetic smile. “Please don’t mind my daughter. Seems jet lag is giving someone a bit of the grumpies.”
“Once again no offense taken. I’m still feeling it quite a bit myself. If it wasn’t for the early mornings and late nights at the my store. I’d probably be in the same mood.” Even if Astrid knew it was purely from the fact Kat hated her guts. Luckily the feeling was mutual so by all means hate away. “But anyway! I’d love to join you both. Let me gather my things and ill meet you down in the lobby?” The older Woodlins, nodded and waved as they went to go wait. Closing the door once more, Astrid gathered her bag and phone. Typing off a quick text to Michael to let him know of her adventure. Getting a quick reply of “good luck” from him with a thumbs up emoji. “The support from that man is astounding sometimes.” She just smiled and sent a middle finger back. Not wanting to keep Kathy and to a lesser amount Kat waiting. The blond was off to join them both. A taxi awaiting along with them. The trio entered and off they went. Somehow against her’s and probably Kat’s secret wishes. Astrid was stuck in the back with the latter. Kathy riding up front with their more than friendly driver. He gave off that vibe of one of those men that likes to show foreign women around.
“And where will you lovely ladies be heading?”
“Oh well, we’re looking to do a little bit of shopping. Any suggestions on where to go?” The driver thought for a few moments. With a smile and a sharp turn, followed by several honks. The taxi swung around with no warning. Causing the unknown arch enemies to slide into one another. Once situated and not being put into danger by this French asshole. Kat pushed Astrid off with a huff. If not for her mother and the driver being present. She surely would have done much more to the other women.
“My apologies Dames! If shopping is what you seek for. Then we must make haste to Champs Élysées. Shops and boutiques as far as the eye see.” Kathy clapped her hands together in joy. The younger females both looking out of their respective windows. The rest of the ride taking only a handful of minutes. They exited the cab, and after paying the driver they started the planned shopping spree. Astrid had to admit, as weird as the driver was. He knew what he was talking about. Shops of all kind stretched down either side of the street.
“I’ve never seen such a beautiful spread of stores before.” Looking around like a kid in a candy store. Astrid was never one for shopping trips. Being out in public too long always drained her to no extent. Adding on top of that having to be with the sister and mother of the girl she murdered all those months ago. Most would think that she would have backed out right away. In most cases she would of, but she really needed to get out of that hotel room. She didn’t spend half a day on a plane just to stare at the walls of that blasted room.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
“Probably due to the lack of funds you make at that shake of yours.” The snarky comment of course came from Kat. Astrid sighed and took a deep breath before turning to her.
“I do pretty well for myself. Even with me not living off Mommy and Daddy’s money.” Kat’s eyes widened, then narrowed to small slits.
“How is that any different then you piggybacking off poor poor Michael.” Astrid’s smirked, which only hid the wanting to straggle the spoiled rich bitch.
“I don’t!”
“Enough! Both of you!.” both younger women looked to the older and wiser third. “I didn’t invite you both out to bicker back and forth. You are both grown women and need to start acting like it. Am. I. Clear?” Both flinched as they were scolded. Adding the now watchful eyes from other onlookers. The two blushed and nodded.
“I’m sorry Kathy.” Astrid being the first to apologize. While Kat huffed storming off into the crowd. Both Astrid and Kathy watched her leave. The crowd moving out of her way, then started to disperse. The younger looked to the Woodlins matriarch.
“Just let her be deary. Surprisingly enough Harmony was the more mature one of them both. Even being the younger of them both.” Astrid just nodded in hope to stop the conversation. It was one thing being on a shopping trip with her victims mother. It was a completely different thing to openly talking about her. Knowing very well that she had a hand in the murder. “She’ll be back in a bit, once she’s done pouting.” Reaching out and offering a hand to the pink headed Astrid. “Now come come! There is a certain store I wish to check out. I do believe it will be a good place to start.” With a smile in response the two were off. Making several stops here and there. Trying on dresses, hats, sunglasses, and all forms of clothing and accessories. Astrid couldn’t even remember the last time she ever had this much fun with another women. Her mom never one for shopping trips, or girl days. This thought hit her while looking into a pink sundress. Looking herself up and down in the mirror of her changing room. Her eyes moving up to her hair. The pink being so very close to that of the dress. Astrid’s hand lifted slow to run her slender fingers through the locks.
“Why couldn’t you ever be this understanding?” Her voice whispered out, followed by a sigh. Removing the dress so to get back into street clothes. Exiting out of the changing area, and she scanned the room for Kathy. Her face was buried in a rack of some tops. Using this moment to slip outside for some fresh air. The crowded streets being a bit too much for her. She slipped into an alley between two stores. “Even in a whole other country They ruin my mood.” Her hand once again finding her hair. Gripping gently before releasing quickly.
“My my, what is a beautiful femmes such as yourself doing in an alley such as this?” Astrid looked up to a man standing at the exit back out to the main street. Upon focusing a bit more on the stranger she recognized their driver from earlier.
“Umm... what are you?” Looking behind her to the unfortunate dead-end. Then back to the unwanted company when she just wanted to have a breather. “Don’t have some other foreign women to bother or show around?”
“Oh my. My fragile heart is braking! I simply saw a poor cher in distress.” Stepping closer as she took one back in return. “You have nothing to fear of me. I only wish to comfort you in an obvious time of need.” A smirk with almost an opposite effect of Michael’s touched his lips. Continuing his approach towards Astrid with his hands behind his back. All she could do was inch back more and more. The silence between them being overtaken by the volume of in the streets. In no time Astrid’s back hit the aged brick of the dead-end. The driver ending just inches from her, looking down at the shorter women. It baffled Astrid to know end how Michael could do the same thing when they first met. Yet, she knew it would feel more welcoming than this creep. His hands slowly removed themselves from behind him. Reaching in what seemed like slow motion. Stopping with a sudden jolt and a groan. His hand shook as his eyes lowered from Astrid’s to his abdomen. A rose colored handle of a switch blade sticking out from his body. Astrid’s hand holding the very handle also shaking. But not from fear or shock of what she did. For once the man looked back up to her eyes. He knew this was neither, but instead he reasoned it being from excitement. A wide smile that could match even Michael’s own overtook her face. The bright blues that adored her orbs, could almost be seen as purple. Being mixed in with the red of blood lust.
“Well sense you so kindly offered.~” An almost giggle escaping her enlarged smile. “Then do me a favor and va au diable.” With one swift motion, a second switch blade connected with his neck. A small red line began to form then open along his neck. Stumbling back into a dumpster, he slid down. A hand trying desperately to cover the wound. He gasped for air, as blood gargled from his mouth. His eyes growing slowly duller before slumping over. “Thanks for the good time.~” Astrid walked over to the now corpse kneeling down. Taking the hem of his jacket to whip off her blades. Returning both to her purse and standing up. Her smile lessened as she stretched and sighed. “Okay! Now that I've let off some steam.” Astrid strode to the sunlit main street. “That dress was way too cute not to get!”