SOLUTION FOR A FRIEND-E

Astrid, Girra and Enlil woke up much earlier at 6.30 am and left for the WOW building. Astrid calmed her mind with music. She was tensed and texted Matilda Meyer to meet up for lunch.

As soon as they reached the headquarters, Girra was on a business mode. She immediately met with the Executive Director and started talking to her in a hushed tone. Astrid and Enlil sat in the reception area.

`Kiddo, you alright?', Enlil sensed Astrid fidgeting with her bag and asked.

`Nervous. I am meeting with Matilda later. Hoping for something good.', she replied.

After 20 minutes passed, Astrid received a call from Alex Mann. She contemplated whether she should reply or not. The first call went unanswered, but when he called again, she gave in and replied. Might as well see what he is up to, she thought.

Alex: Hello?

Astrid: Hey.

Alex: How are you, Astrid?

Astrid: Okay. And you?

Alex: I'm good. Are you busy? Can we talk?

Astrid: I suppose we can talk.

Alex: Listen, our meeting last time wasn't good.

Astrid: And it took you weeks to realize?

Alex: I was judgemental.

Astrid: And?

Alex: Jealous, I guess. He laughed softly.

Astrid: Damn right you were. So why the call? What's up?

Alex: I am sorry if I hurt your feelings the last time. I didn't realize it until you left. I guess I was upset and perhaps pushed my luck.

Astrid: Well, lesson learned. We move on.

Alex: There is this dinner function of my parents' wedding anniversary on the 6th of June. I was wondering….

Astrid: You mean your surname is Mann, I mean your parents?

Alex: Yeah. I invited our friends from work, and they will be coming as well. So, I am officially inviting you to come.

Astrid: Alex, whey were you working in McPhearson?

Alex: Long story, perhaps next time I will tell you.

Astrid: Alright, I will come. Just send me the location and etc.

Alex: Thanks. That means a lot. To me.

Astrid: It's just a dinner, Alex.

Alex: Yeah, but you will make my evening more interesting.

Astrid: Someone is in a flirty mode.

Alex: (chuckled). Damn. I have an incoming call. So, see you at dinner.

Astrid ended her call and saw Girra walking towards them. She stood up and Girra held her hands.

`So what happens now?', Astrid was curious.

`Well I spoke to Mr Darcy White, the Executive Director and he has agreed to take you in as field staff, currently the lowest job position but with a wealth of experience to gain. And you can use your elements with discretion', Girra walked to the lift and pressed at number 11.

`What does the job require? And what will I learn? What's the timetable like? Can I help Matilda? Will she be able to change her current lifestyle?', Astrid pushed questions after questions towards Girra who smiled at her. Once the lift door opened, they walked briskly towards an empty conference room.

Girra sat comfortably and requested several pamphlets from an office clerk. After receiving her paperwork, she thanked them and made sure the door was closed before she spoke again.

`Field staff usually meet up with potential victims and talk to them. It may involve security or not, depending on the situation. You have been assigned with Team Bravo. There are 3 more members besides you. One of them is a vampire. Your superior is Project Co-Ordinator by the name of Jovan Wright.'

`And your first training will start next week. 5 days a week, for 2 weeks. There will be some training allowance, but your salary will only commence once your work is permanent. Do you understand?', Girra spoke at length and explained the nuances to Astrid.

Jovan Wright knocked on the door to their room.

`Come in', Girra replied, and Jovan walked in. Astrid turned to look at him and stood up. He was a good-looking guy, with dirty blond hair and green eyes. He had a beard and cropped short hair, almost like a military man. He was tall at 6ft, with broad shoulder, and from the looks of his well-fitted shirt, he was buffed.

Jovan was surprised to see Astrid, with her height and face, she suited to be a model, instead of field staff. He shook her hands and her firm grab was a total opposite of her looks. Enlil and Girra introduced themselves and all of them sat down to talk. After exchanging pleasantries, Enlil and Girra excused themselves, leaving Jovan to speak with Astrid.

`Are you keen in becoming a field staff?', Jovan enquired and started passed on some forms for her to fill up.

`Yeah, why do you ask?', she stared at the papers before her and started reading.

`Just curious. I mean your appearance suits modelling', Jovan scratched the back of his neck, sheepishly.

`Really, I mean you are the first person to tell me this!', she smiled at him and his cheek turned pink.

`Err…Ms Girra mentioned you wanted to ask about this job? Please fill up the forms and we can continue', he changed the subject quickly and his demeanour changed to a professional one. Jovan observed the beauty in front of her and admitted to himself that her eyes were captivating, easy going and it might help them in talking to their victims.

When she bit the pen in her full lips, he looked away, not wanting to be tempted by a simple action. He wondered why he was so bothered by her. He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. It has been a long time since he had a good lay. Time to hit the gym soon.

`Done, sir', Astrid looked up at Jovan and passed the papers.

Jovan read it and attached a copy of her ID. He cleared his throat and spoke,

`You can call me Jovan. Shift starts at 8.00 am until 10.00 am from Mondays to Fridays. 2 weeks of training then we will do a written assessment test before evaluation and finalize whether you are fit for full time.'

`Will you be providing reading materials?',

`Oh, I almost forgot', Jovan took a thick folder and handed it to Astrid.

`There are brochures, books and more info of WOW.'

`Um….um...If you don't mind me asking something?', Astrid pondered about Matilda.

`Shoot, Astrid', he folded his hands on the table and focused on her.

`The victim's identity is kept anonymous?',

`Yes, we keep the records and no one else knows unless it involves the law enforcement or healthcare', Jovan replied.

`I have um..a friend..who is…', Astrid was fiddling with her fingers, unsure to trust the man in front of her. He did not seem to intimidate, but his eyes were assuring her to speak. So she took a deep breath and blurted out.

`She is sucked into the escort service due to her financial insecurity. For now, she says she has no means of support and I was wondering if there is a way out of it?', her eyebrow was raised in hope.

Jovan released a breath and replied in a comforting voice `Does your friend want a way out?'

`I am not sure. But what if she is looking for an exit? Or isn't?', she mumbled.

`For starters, escort services provide short term money but at a huge amount. Something a regular job can't provide. Many girls I know who take this path refuse to come out of it until they are worn out or aged significantly.'

`Money is easy, but at the cost of their mental health and their body. We've had cases of ladies kicking us out when we approached them, citing nuisance', Jovan chuckled.

`Oh', she looked down at her hands, sad.

`Don't fret. If your friend wants out, we can arrange for counselling and job replacement. But she must face hardships because a regular job doesn't provide as much, and your friend has to change her lifestyle. The big question here is your friend willing to give up and start fresh?', Jovan was serious, and Astrid nodded in understanding. Matilda needs to make the decision for herself. 

`I am meeting her for lunch today and will speak to her about this',

`Any more questions?', he grinned at her.

`No. I will go through these first', she replied patting the folder.

Girra knocked at the same time and Jovan opened the door. Astrid shook his hands and waved a bye. Just before they reached the lift, Jovan speed walk to Astrid and asked for her number.

`Pass me your mobile and I will save yours. You can take mine', Astrid passed her mobile to him and both saved each other's name, respectively.

`Good. See you on Monday', Jovan gave a genuine smile of hope and walked away.

When they were finally in the lift, Enlil nudged her shoulder.

`Kiddo, how did it go?',

`Good. He told me lots of stuff, but I need to speak with Matilda', she frowned.

`Are you meeting up at lunch?', Girra raised an eyebrow.

`Yeah, then I will be going with Ace to his warehouse, dinner, school and back home I guess', she muttered her timetable of the day.

`By home, you mean yours or his?', Enlil teased her.

Astrid snapped her eyes at him and glared before answering `Depends on how I feel.'

Enlil smirked at her and the trio exited the building. Astrid received a text to meet at Dome Bistro and she excused herself. Enlil and Girra hugged her and told her to take things one step at a time. She thanked them and left.

`She is quite determined', Girra intertwined her hands with Enlil and he kissed her knuckles softly.

`That she is. But she trusts Ace Wagner tiny bit more than me'. He walked to the nearest mall, searching for clothes to shop for.

`Is that so?', she was surprised.

`She told him about the incident in high school. I happened to be there when she talked. Otherwise, I would not have known', Enlil had a faraway look in his eyes.

`Astrid has great potential Enlil. She is headstrong, smart, and kind. Why has she chosen the vampire as her lover? Of all the people in this world. I feel like it's a repeat of Nammu's story.'

`Hold your thoughts, he is not the ordinary kind. He has a fire element in him. By the looks of it, she has him wrapped around her fingers and she doesn't even know it', Enlil picked a shop selling men's clothes and walked in tow with Girra.

`I just hope you are right. I hate to tutor', she grumbled.

`Think of it as penance for missing in her life until now', he shrugged.

Girra kept mum, focusing on the clothes in the display to divert her mind. She has a long way to go and a lot of things to make up to before even coming close to Astrid.