SHOPPING-PART1-E

`Hey, Astrid how do you feel?' Hadwin munched on crackers and sipped something red. She assumed it to be blood. So early?

`Ace missed his work today because of you'

`Oh, my god. I am sorry. I did not mean to..how?'

Ace waved her nonchalantly and sat pulled the chair for Astrid to sit. `You should be apologizing to her'

`Damn I forgot. The last time we conversed, I dropped wine all over your dress. I am sorry. Truly', Hadwin actually stood up and bowed lightly at Astrid, who giggled at his antics.

`There are biscuits, bread, butter, jam and pancake sans egg, maple syrup, fruits, yoghurt, milk, and tea. This meat here is for us' Hadwin pointed to Ace and himself. `Enjoy your breakfast'

`Morning, Ms Astrid. Feeling better?', Butler Lionel butted in.

`I guess, Mr Lionel.' He placed a napkin on her lap.

`Ms. Astrid, if you don't mind me asking, do you drink often?

`No, Mr Lionel, that was my first time. Did I do something?', she frowned.

`Enjoy your meal, Ms Astrid'. Butler Lionel did not want to delve further when Ace gave him a stink eye.

`Do you remember what you did Astrid? Hadwin spoke in between munching his beef jerky.

Astrid facepalmed herself and groaned.

`I did not know what came over me. I am sorry if I offended you, but thanks for being my knight in shining armour', Astrid gave both the Wagner brothers a dazzling smile, showing her pearly white teeth.

Ace nodded and continued eating. Why was he quiet in front of his brother? So the flirting back in his room was meant nothing? Astrid could not understand the quick change of personality. Was he bipolar?

Astrid started filling up a glass of milk and placing fruits and berries on her plate. She needed to keep her train of thoughts away from Ace. Maybe he is bipolar. Hot and cold at the same time. 

`You know, Astrid. It is a rarity for Ace to plead, but yesterday he was practically begging for mercy.' Hadwin was enjoying himself, spilling beans of Ace's character.

`I…I…How can I..I..make it up to you? For whatever I did wrong?', Astrid was blushing profusely by now. She remembered what happened back in Ace's room. Wishing none of it was real. 

`Aren't you working today?' Ace buttered a toast, placed some berries and apricot before placing it in Astrid's plate.

Astrid shook her head.

`Shall we go shopping?'

`But..Ace..I..do...don't think I need to shop', she did not want to waste time or money on trivial materials things when she rather scouts for herbs and plants for her business.

`I promised', he gave her a penetrating gaze, leaving her numb against his argument.

`What about me? Can I come along?'

`Aren't you grounded, Hadwin?' Astrid stuck her tongue out.

`No fair, if I did not ask Butler Lionel to prepare the lemon juice, you would not be able to talk to us now. Your hangover could be worse.'

`Awwwwww. Thanks, I am so touched by your care', Astrid mocked him. Somehow, she found Hadwin to be talkative and more attentive than Ace.

`Finish your breakfast. I am driving.' Ace concluded.

Hadwin and Astrid bantered each other. Astrid learned more about the amazing world of alcohol from Hadwin, he was a walking alcohol dictionary. When Astrid mentioned the types of drink she had, Hadwin sneered.

Apparently, it was at the lower spectrum of good liquors. Hadwin suggested some lady-friendly drinks but Ace chided him for giving the wrong idea to Astrid. Ace mentioned safety being the utmost importance, being a girl, it is relatively safe if you are sober but easy to be taken advantage of if intoxicated.

Ace selected his Mercedes-Maybach S650 for his trip to City Square Mall.

`You keep your ass behind. She is sitting next to me', Ace put his aviator on and pushed his brother out of the car.

`But I always get the shotgun', Hadwin pleaded with puppy eyes.

`I am ok sitting back here. Please, don't mind me',

Ace adjusted the rear-view mirror to reflect Astrid. She was looking around the mansion, drinking in the view of the gardens and trees surrounding it. She failed to see a small path from the gazebo which trailed to a swimming pool, hidden in plain sight.

`Where is this mall. Is it far from here?' Astrid text her grandfather of her sleepover in a friend's house, omitting the Wagner not wanting him to worry for her.

`Ever heard of City Square Mall?'

Astrid blew a small whistle` That is one posh mall'

`Yeah, welcome to our world', Hadwin thumped his chest.

`World of booze, babes, and money' Astrid continued, this time both the Wagner siblings laughed at her joke.

`True that one', Ace said in his British accent. 

`That arrow of honesty strike through my heart' Hadwin pretended to die and slumped back.

Astrid giggled. Ace took a good look at her neck to see the bruise has subsided to dark brown colour. He opened a glove compartment and pass her a Louis Vuitton scarf. Astrid did not know how to tie one, so Hadwin turned his body back and helped her.

`You are choking me, Hadwin'. It was too tight.

`But you keep fidgeting',

`We are in a moving car, for God's sake!'

After trying for 10 minutes, the car stopped, and Ace snatched the scarf from Hadwin. He gently tied it around her neck and made a loose ribbon on the side. All 3 of them stepped out of the car and walked towards the mall. She was flanked by both the Wagner brothers on her sides as if she were an important guest and they were guarding her. She smiled while looking down on the floor.

Wow, who would have thought she stood a chance to get to know two men who were actually nice to her after her scare with boys back in high school. I guess not all men are bad.