5 Days... 5 whole fucking days sense Michael put his number in Astrid phone. Then what does he do? A whole lot of Jack shit. What was the point of everything that morning? Seems like it was just another reason to mess with the blond’s mind. Not a single word from the man that literal stalked her. Now he has direct contact to the focal point of his strange affection on hand. Then to make matters worse, it was stressing her out a lot more than it should have been. Without probably even trying or caring, Michael stole more sleep from Astrid. No More than a couple hours each night for the past several days.
“Astrid~” Great and now his stupid voice was echoing in her head. Even with him not being here, she couldn’t catch a break. He had gotten so wedged into her thoughts that there was no escape. Without fail in a few more seconds, once again she could hear a. “Astrid~” Like a recording playing on repeat in her head. Like that very man stood in front of her.
“Miss Astrid!” A sudden jolt of being rocked by Nikki finally awoken her. Astrid’s head shot up from resting in her arms. Seem as if the store owner had dozed off at the front counter. Looking about the room, her eyes landed on her employee. Who was wearing a look of worry. “Sorry, didn’t mean to disturb you there. You fell asleep, and its closing time. I already took care of closing up everything and I was about to leave. Need Anything from me before I leave then?”
“Yeah, if you could hit me over the head with an encyclopedia. in hopes of knocking me the fuck out.” She replied with a half joking chuckle. Nikki Just looked more worried than before. “Ah never mind, don’t worry about it. Just some trouble sleeping lately.”
“Too Much Michael on the brain huh?” Nikki smirked covering her mouth as she giggled.
“Yeah that bastard won’t just text.... What?!? No no, what would make you think that?” Trying to brush off the comment without giving the other more ammunition, thus, to tease her with. Standing up from her seated position, Astrid stretched. Grabbing her coat from the back of her chair, joining Nikki as they left. Heading outside, they both quickly said their goodbyes before going their separate ways. The majority of the blond’s walk was spent looking at her phone. Opening up her text, only closing it right away with a huff. She knew that just checking wouldn’t magically make him finally text her. “Fine! I’m done waiting for his ass to get in contact with me. He has officially blown his chance and will just have to deal with it!” Fishing out her keys as she approached the front door to her building. Every action she took was filled with frustration. Followed by hushed profanities and insults directed towards a certain writer. Astrid opted to take the stairs up to her apartment, so she was able to stomp up them the whole way. Which helped relieve some of her anger but not all eventually making it up to the 6th floor. Slamming the door open with a harsh huff. “Thinking he's the next Shakespeare, and too good to text me.”
“Actually, I like to think I'm closer to Edger Allen Poe. A lot more darker themes and not so much drama.” Jumping from the unexpected response, before laying a hate filled glare to said speaker. Michael Stood before Astrid with a black bag draped over his shoulder. “Even with such a scary look, you are as beautiful as always.” The male cooed at irritated individual, who was now stomping past him. “Oh? Do I sense that I'm getting the silent treatment?” His question being met with yet another lack of response, causing a short chuckle. “Aw is someone upset that they didn’t hear from me all week?” Michael teased, only making her madder. Astrid shoved her key into the lock of her apartment. Quickly moving inside and shutting the door. Which was stopped from closing all the way by Michael’s foot being wedged between it and the frame.
“Move....your foot...now~” Astrid grit her teeth forcing a very unwelcoming smile. Michael only responded by shoving the black bag through the door. Leaning back as the object was put in front of her face. She placed a hand on top, moving it down to look at him. Her raised eyebrow and still very not friendly facial expression told him to explain or lose his hand.
“I wish to make it up to you. It is rude and not gentlemen like to not contact you after putting my number in your phone.” Astrid squinted eyes searching his own face to see if he was being truthful. After what seemed like a couple minutes, she sighed. Stepping away from the door, letting it open fully. She motioned him in, closing the door behind them.
“Make it quick and this better be good.” Crossing her arms and tapping the tip of her shoes against the hardwood. Michael looked around the entry way, turning to Astrid. Once again holding the black bag up to the blond. “What’s this?” He just rolled his eyes playfully passing it to her. Looking over it for a moment, finding the zipper. Pulling it down slowly revealing a red dress. Astrids eyes widened a bit in awe at the article. “You bought me a dress?” Pausing for a moment, squinting her blue eyes at him. “what’s the catch?”
“Oh, only for you to join me on a night of dancing and entertainment. I’ve been invited to a gathering in memory of the daughter of my publicist. Poor dear’s life was cut short by unforeseen tragedy. But do not fret it isn't a funeral or anything of the sort. They have done their grieving and wish to celebrate her life.” Looking at the dress once again, then back to him.
“Fine, but only because I like the dress.” Pulling the bag off the rest of the way. She moved to in front a mirror hanging from front closet door. Holding it against her body. Looking over it from side to side “So when is this shindig?”
“In two hours.” Michael answered. Astrid nodded still checking herself out in the mirror. A pleased smile on her face, being quickly replaced with panic.
“Two hours!?” Pushing past Michael, she ran deeper into the apartment. Feeding her cat, then rushing to the bathroom. Michael moved into the apartment starting to look around. Turning his head towards the direction of where Astrid had run off to. The sound of the shower turning on, and then a small squeak. Turning back to what he could guess was the living room. Nothing too outstanding. Pretty simple looking furniture, a medium sized tv, couple pictures of friends and family, and a cat tree by the window. His attention shooting down as he felt something brushing between his legs. Looking straight back at him were two large yellow eyes. The feline meowed at him, rubbing against his leg a couple times. Michael smiled and chuckled knelling down to the pet the cat.
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“Why hello there my furry fellow.” Scratching under his chin. Being met with soft purring. Michael scooped up Mr. Whiskers. Running his hands down the animal's back. Starting to look around some more to pass the time as he waited. Eventually Mr. Whiskers jumped down as the door to the bathroom opened up slightly.
“Look away, and I swear if you try catching a peak. You can forget about your plus one.” Michael threw up his arms in defeat and turned around. The sound of bare feet tapping quickly across the hall. Her bedroom door shutting close. With her back against the door, she pushed her wet hair back. “He’s luck that dress is pretty” The dress that she put on the back of the couch. Which is out there with him. “Shit.” Astrid hissed slapping her forehead out of frustration. Taking a deep breath, she cracked the door. “Hey Michael?” Instead of an answer, the dress popped through the crack.
“Way ahead of you my dear. I noticed it on the back of the couch while I was waiting.” Grabbing the dress, she pushed his hand back out, closing the door. Astrid rested her forehead against the cool wood blushing. Its coolness helped her burning face. Which felt on fire from embarrassment. She felt stupid for forgetting the dress, then shy for being in just a towel while Michael stood on the other side.
“Umm Thanks Michael. I’ll be out in a bit after I get dressed, and get some make up on. Won’t take too long sense I don’t like wearing too much.”
“Well, I don’t believe you would even need a little Mon Cher. You are breath taking in your natural state just as much as when you’re all dolled up” His compliment only deepening the blush. Astrid slapped her cheeks sighing, choosing not to respond. Michael snickered moving out to the living again taking a seat. Mr. Whiskers returned, lying on the back of the couch. Michael reached back scratching the top of his head. As the boys waited out in the living room, Astrid did her best to look presentable without taking forever. Simple eye liner, nice ruby red lipstick, and the tiniest amount of blush. Like she had told her sudden date. Loads of make up just wasn’t her style. Nor was it actually needed for the young woman. Michael’s words weren’t just a means to flirt, but also just him speaking the truth. Most wouldn’t consider themselves beautiful. In Michael’s eyes she was perfect, inside and out. After about 30 minutes, his blond beauty finally came out.
“Okay it’s not much so I apologize but I’m done.” Coming around the corner from the hallway. Astrid finished putting in a set of diamond shaped earrings. Her bright blue eyes slowly looked up to Michael. He stared in awe at her, slowly standing up from the couch. Causing a wave of embarrassment to hit her once again. Cheeks flushed; she turned her gaze away from the on-looker. “W-What? I told you it wouldn’t be a lot...” Moving a strand of hair behind her ear. Astrid looked back to him, who was now standing only a few feet away. Green orbs looking her up and down. Here is comes. Those words that for whatever reason have been implanted in a guy’s mind. A simple and lazy way to compliment a woman. Why do they all think that calling a woman “hot”. Was good enough to her to just rip off her clothes for them. Well better luck next time shitass. Astrid didn’t go through all this work to just take off this damn thing. She got ready to give a snarky comment. But was silenced by his next words.
“Absolutely perfect Mon Cher. I mean I knew this from the beginning, yet here you are.” Stepping closer, but not lifting a finger towards her. His eyes landed on her own. Not for a moment leaving to look back at her body. “I never thought I’d ever find a creature on this planet that could transcend the word of beautiful.” Taking one more step, he out reached a hand. “Shall we darling? Cause I simply must share with the world, what they have all looked past. Show them the literal gem that chooses to make their doll world brighter.” Astrid held a hand close to her chest. Covering the small amount of skin that the dress showed off. Looking down to his hand then back to his face. Using her other hand to take Michael’s.
“S-sure.” Giving it a slight squeeze, following out of the apartment. Both bidding Mr. Whiskers a goodbye. Astrid locked the door behind them before making their way to the elevator. Both staying in complete silence on the way down. Exiting the building moments later, where a black sedan was already waiting. Standing by the back passenger side door was a tall older gentleman. Opening the door, he bowed at them both. Astrid gave Michael a raised eye brow.
“What? I couldn’t simply let such a breath-taking woman be confined to a dirty taxi. Only the best for Mon Cher. Plus, from your dress I’m sure you can tell that this is a higher class of party.” Walking them forward, he stood to the other side of the door motioning for her to enter. Hesitant at first, Astrid eventually entered. Climbing in taking a seat, as Michael thanked the man and got in the empty spot next to the women. Closing the door, the older male moved across the back of the car and hopped into the driver seat. Adjusting the rearview mirror and nodding to the two occupants seated behind him. Once clear from traffic, the car pulled out from it parked postion. Making its way to their destination of the party. Couple car lengths behind them followed a familiar cruiser.
“Who did she just get into that car with?” Brian looked over to his partner before returning to the road.
“You don’t know? That’s Michael Maplewood. A relatively newer but quickly rising author. Already making the best seller’s list, spite only have 2 books out. He came into Miss Astrid's store the other day. From what I can tell, even with her denying it whenever I ask. It obvious they have formed some sort of relationship sense then.”
“And when exactly did Mr. Applewood?”
“Maplewood sir.” Nikki quickly corrected the detective. Sighing he rolled his eyes at her.
“Whatever wood. When did he come into the store?” The younger thought for a minute or two.
“The Monday after the club... incident. Hold on! You don’t think he could of possibly done it? He may be newer on the scene, but he has an almost occult following. Too Many eyes are on him right now, to where he wouldn’t even be able to get away with it.”
“That doesn’t mean anything Nikki. Famous fuckers get away with shit every day. And besides I’m just keeping an open mind here kid. I just find it too coincidental for him to just so happen to show up the day after all that shit happened.” Brian interjected to the obvious fan girl’s simple debate.
“Yeah, you’re right... then what do you suggest we do? Them going on a date doesn’t prove anything.”
“Simple, we just do what we have been assigned to do. Follow and keep an eye on Miss Von Rose. If hot shot writer boy tries anything. We will have a possible suspect. Or at least we can get another scum bag off the street.” Though not saying it out loud. Scottson had a weird feeling down in his stomach. Something about Mr. Maplewood didn’t sit right with him. He would be damned if he didn’t find out what it was.