JOURNEY TO WORK-E

`Stop the car!' he yelled, and the car screeched to a halt.

Astrid looked up from her mobile when she heard the sound of burned tyres against the asphalt. She stopped breathing. Wagner sibling! Approaching her and standing right in front of her now. She was trapped! Fuck, the bus stop had to be empty at this time and hour. 

`Astrid, right?' he questioned and arched his brow.

`How did you find my name?'

`Yes or no?', Ace snapped at her. She flinched slightly.

Astrid gulped and nodded silently. God, he looked so handsome with his smart suit and pink tie. She noticed he wore a diamond stud in the shape of a crescent moon and a star in another ear. She dares not stand so she craned her neck to look at him.

`I...I can explain' Astrid stuttered, and her heartbeat increased. He was staring at her.

Ace studied her face as if printing it in his memory. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her lips were pouted probably annoyed at him. Her pale brown eyes were mesmerizing. He noted one thing, her eyebrows were unruly as if never plucked.

`Let's cut the chase short, shall we? Did you save my brother from the accident and you know tied him around the thing' Ace gestured with his hands.

`Don't bother lying or I will not leave you off the hook' Ace threatened her.

Astrid was drawn in by his accent and his voice. It sounded just right when her name rolled off his tongue. His British accent was thick and sexy. Astrid felt a sudden burst of wind that jostled her out of her imagination.

`I did' she slowly looked down like a child being reprimanded for stealing chocolates.

Suddenly a long finger held her chin and gently pushed her face up.

`Look at me when you speak' Ace looked into her pale brown eyes and this time he moved a step closer to her. Her eyes widen in fear and shock.

`I did, I am sorry I did not mean to you know'. Her eyes darted to the back of Ace to notice a car parked behind him. `Punch him' she whispered the last words. He heard what she said.

`Thank you. He deserved it'

`Welcome. What?!

`He brought it upon himself. Drink driving is an offence'.

`But was he hurt?'

`Why? Care to visit him?' Ace smirked.

`No. I mean I have work to go to'. Her lips pressed into a thin line.

Ace did not let go of holding her chin, he further gripped her chin with his thumb resting on her cheek now. He probed further.

`Did you happen to see someone jumping off tree branches in the forest?' he looked at her intendedly.

Astrid was surprised but she did not show it. She did not want to share anything with this vampire.

`No'. Short reply.

`Are you sure?' Ace Wagner stepped closer and crouched in front of her. Her lips looked so rosy and full, that he couldn't help himself but move his face closer to her until he was just an inch away from her.

Astrid moved her body further back to avoid him from coming closer, but he did not stop until her body was arched to the back and he was leaning near to her face. One wrong move and she knew she would end up kissing him.

She knew where the vampire was going with his question. Intimidation interrogation. Her heart was beating loudly and she was afraid he could hear her.

`I wonder what the figure would do if I caught it and made it into my meal. Fit don't you think?' Ace looked into her eyes for an answer.

`I wouldn't know' she looked at him with no fear. She would not reveal her house to anyone, and she made a promise to her grandfather. She anchored her feelings and stared at him blankly.

`Perhaps the mirage and the light of the day must have tricked your eyes.' Astrid added quickly.

`I prefer being tricked into using more than just eyes', he whispered while licking the corner of his mouth and stopping at his elongated canines. He tilted his head slightly and breathed in her scent. He could smell lavender and mint on her. She smelled familiar to his nose.

Astrid blinked back at him and for once she kept quiet.

Damn! She is good at keeping her emotions in check. He brought himself to stand up and offered his hand to her motioning her to stand up as well.

She looked at him sceptically and wondered if she should take his hand or not. Ace did not wait. He yanked her hand and forced her to stand.

`I will drop you off to your workplace. I'm not done with you'. Ace dragged her towards his car.

Astrid turned left and right but saw no one who can be of help. She quickly put her phone into her pocket and tried to yank her hand away, but his grip was tight. It did not budge.

Gordon and the driver were shocked. But they dare not to show their emotions. The driver opened the door and Ace stood by the door and tried to push her inside. Astrid refuses to budge.

`Where are you going?' Where are you dropping me? Are you going to eat me? It's illegal unless I give consent', Astrid felt like crying. Her day started bright and cheery until this vampire turned up.

`Look, I won't harm you. I just need you to answer some questions'. Ace lowered his tone and spoke softly knowing well he was forcing her.

`But you asked me so many already' Astrid whined.

`Please', he pleaded.

Gordon almost coughed blood when he heard his boss mentioned the word, please. He never did! He was always demanding and domineering and hardly ever uttered pleas.

Astrid looked at his hand gripping her hand and he let go. Fight or flight? She thought. The better flight then fights. She made up her mind to ran and took a step to turn before she felt her body light off the ground.

Ace saw the glint of an idea in her eyes and swiftly took hold of her thigh and put it around his waist while another hand-carried her waist and slammed her on the side of the car. She was half straddling him when he pressed himself against her. Astrid gasped, at the close proximity, deep buried dark memories threatening to spill in. She needed to be in control.

So, she inhaled deeply, smelling his perfume. Masculine and crispy. She shook her head to clear her muddled head. Are all vampires like this? Why was not afraid of this man? Was it the fact that she knew she was not a threat? Or that a rich guy like him would never hurt a jungle girl like her?

Or did he intimidate her into submission? Then why did she agree? Don't tell me I fell for that charming accent and that god damn sexy face? Astrid rolled her eyes at her mental thoughts going off like machine-gun bullets. She needs to create a mental barrier, strong enough to block all these stupid ass thoughts.

`I won't repeat myself twice'. Ace carried her into the car before she can reply.

`You are kidnapping me!' Astrid sat on her seat further away from the vampire and glared at him.

`Am I now?' he smirked.

She turned her attention to the interior of the car, and she was surprised. It was decked in cream leather seats, wooden panels, dark brown leather trimmings and the best part was the roof of the car. It was covered in black velvet with hundreds of Swarovski crystals adorning it. It looked like a sky full of stars. She also saw a laptop and a briefcase near Ace.

`I am Ace Wagner. You met my brother Hadwin Wagner and my sister Abigail Wagner when you punched him.'

`Hi'. She replied short and curt.

`Where do you stay?'

Astrid had to answer carefully, she did not want to create any suspicion.

`Near Aries Street. Block 5'. She tried to unlock the door.

`It won't open unless I open it' Ace told her.

`I am sorry for my actions earlier. My parents, they just wanted to thank the person who saved Hadwin's life and I was assigned. I could not trace your house, so I figured you would be at the same station as yesterday', Ace spoke while typing something on his laptop.

Astrid thought the vampire to be smart enough to deduce her. That she used public transport, was an average middle-class family and happen to be at the accident site on that unlucky day.

`Okay'

`Okay? No demands?', Ace wondered.

`What shall I demand?', Astrid laughed at him.

`I don't know. Money, jewels, gifts? Something with respect to helping my brother', he was puzzled at her. Usually, women were always asking for something, in return of favours. At least the women he met were like that.

`No offence, but it is degrading to ask for favours when all I did was help someone who needed it', she shrugged her shoulders, as if it meant nothing to her.

Well, he did not expect that. He smirked looking away from her. This girl is something.

`May I have your number?' Ace inquired, turning his head back to look at her.

`Why?' Astrid narrowed her eyes at him, not believing him for a second.

`I will text you the address, time and date'

Astrid realized that she was forced to agree to whatever he said in his car, with the doors locked, she was practically caged in. She stopped being nice and polite altogether. Might as well give him her piece of mind.

`Listen to me you asshole. I did not help him with any freaking rewards in mind like I said earlier. I don't need any of your bull shit sympathy or money. And I most certainly meant my words when I said I don't want anything in return, not even dinner with you all. I won't cross any of your paths ever. And I certainly would not like to be a free meal to a bunch of lions', Astrid fumed.

Ace stopped his work and closed his laptop.

`One more word and you will regret whatever you said' his eyes blazed with anger and his eyes darkened at her bold use of words against him.

`Bring it on', Astrid looked at him and both stared at each other not backing down. Ace exhaled heavily and relented. 

`Why do you hate us, vampires, so much? Why the distrust? All I asked was for a formal dinner, not asking you to be served as the dinner', Ace grunted.

`You forced me into your car, forcing me to give you my number when all I wanted to do was to mind my own business',

`Look, I understand what you must be feeling right now. I am sorry if I was pushy earlier',

Astrid kept quiet for a while, digesting his words. 

`Sir, we are reaching McPhearson Fast Food Chain soon' Gordon interrupted. The girl is feisty. He smiled at the driver. What a perfect match!

`You know I can get your number from my sources, yet I am asking you politely….'

`By sources you mean your henchmen? You were stalking me? What the fuck is wrong with you, Ace Whinny Wagner? 'she touted him.

`You…how dare you!' Ace was pissed by now. He spoke to her like a child and now this?

`Says the one who forced me into his car, acting all goody-good.' Astrid was breathing hard and her cheeks turned crimson from frustration and anger.

Ace Wagner was stumped. He needed to calm himself. He covered his face with his hand and started counting 1 to 10.

`Are we there yet?' Ace asked the driver.

`In 5 minutes, sir', the driver replied.

Both Astrid and Ace turned to their sides with their back facing each other. Astrid was unhappy she had to face the Wagner siblings again. That too 3 times in a span of 2 days!

After a few moments, Ace spoke `I am sorry for the meal incident yesterday and this today. I just want to get over this dinner as you put it in a lion's den and never see you again. For the record we don't eat humans' He eyes stared at the city and its inhabitants passing by his car.

Astrid could hear the sincerity in his tone, and she answered him back. `The feeling is mutual. 016-686-8122'. She saw her office a block away when the car stopped.

'I don't want to create any scene. Goodbye' Ace spoke still staring at the window.

`Thank you,' Astrid quickly got down from the car and ran to Mc Phearson without turning to look behind her.

Ace sighed of relief and closed his eyes to rest. What a troublesome kitten!