(Chapter 133) The Day Before

Lewis and Astrid were both extremely busy today, but despite that, they continued to stay sitting together doing work in a quiet harmony.

"Winoa, make sure all the agents are prepared. I want nothing to go wrong." Astrid ordered as she stubbed out her cigarette.

Winoa nodded. The mission they had been preparing for ever since Astrid showed her the dark side of the world... Attacking and baiting Jukovic's resources and slowly taking and turning over his allies.

The plan had actually started when Astrid was in England, she made close partnerships with some people Jukovic was involved with. Of course, they had no idea they were going to be used, and of course the partnerships heavily benefited Astrid in the short and long term.

Instead, Lewis was typing on his laptop, replying to emails and invitations. He wasn't as busy as Astrid, nowhere near. A normal male would let their pride get in the way at such a thing, but he instead was content knowing that both of them had the idea that a couple should always be equal.

Lewis then came across an email that piqued his interest. Clicking on it, he started to tap the keyboard. 'Maybe I should brush up on my skills, I'm sure it was only average before... That wouldn't be good enough.' Lewis inwardly thought, before leaving Astrid with a quick kiss.

Astrid hummed and continued to work. She didn't want to keep Lewis away from the work he needed to do, and she also didn't have the time to stop her own work...

....

"Miss, here are some snacks." Winoa opened the door and placed a tray of chocolate and vanilla biscuits along with cup of tea that suited her tastes.

"Mmm, how is Anya doing?" Astrid hummed and picked up a biscuit to eat.

Winoa watched as the biscuit entered Astrid's mouth. "The Youngest Miss is currently watching a film with Madam." Winoa answered, as she saw Astrid move to grab another biscuit.

"Oh. Alright then..." Astrid proceeded to put another biscuit in her mouth. Using brainpower required sugar and calories... So she already was hungry.

As Winoa quietly sighed in relief and started to turn around, she heard a question from behind. "Who made these biscuits?"

Astrid was very happy with what she was eating. She couldn't explain it, but the food normally made by the same person tasted different today... And she liked it.

Winoa turned slowly, but seeing Astrid move to eat another biscuit, she was confident she wouldn't get into any trouble speaking...

"Lewis did Miss." Winoa revealed, making Astrid suddenly stop.

She looked at the biscuits, they looked like they could be part of a bakery... "He can bake? Jeez... Shouldn't that be the wife's job no?" Astrid mumbled, she only knew stereotypical families in books and especially in her old life the females often cooked meals... She never was taught that skill.

Winoa didn't hear those words. But If anyone could hear them, they would be able to identify jealousy along with awe in her tone.

"Alright... Your dismissed." Astrid said nothing more, but since she started to eat slower and sit with a subtle smile on her face. Winoa didn't need to hear anymore.

'A way to court a female is through her stomach... Just like a man. Gosh, it tastes good. He even knows how sweet I like my tea.' Astrid was in bliss and started to giggle over some biscuits and tea...

"She liked them right? I guess I didn't lose my touch then... Alright, that's all I need for now." Lewis said to Winoa who had walked back into the kitchen.

Winoa nodded. She supported Lewis and Astrid being together. She would have to blind to not see how much they liked each other. And just the fact that such cold people could turn so heartwarming when around each other easily showed their feelings...

Lewis put away the apron and put the next batch of snacks he baked in the fridge for later. He had baked those biscuits when he had forced Astrid to sleep... He could already imagine her look of glee while eating now... He felt it was the best decision in his life to cooking for himself when not in the main mansion.

He might not be the best cook in his mind, since it was difficult to judge one own's cooking. But if Astrid was happy with his baking, then he would be happy. And continue to make her happy.

....

In a lavish hotel in Italy, Mr. Bagna sat with a small glass of wine and a slightly familiar face.

"Mr. Bagna, my boss is glad that you accepted their invitation, here is a gift of appreciation from them." The figure was masked, but Mr. Bagna could easily tell it was a woman based on her figure which wasn't hidden.

He had seen this masked woman before, she was the driver for Astrid during one of the banquets they ended up being at. He only had the chance to see the figure because he saw the car he had exclusively given to Astrid, and she was inside at the driver seat.

But what he didn't know, was that this woman in front of him was a totally different person. The person in front of him was actually Winoa, and she was completing her only mission for the day.

Winoa had her own very special team that specializes in disguises, combat and negotiations. All the members were women that could be used to swap around identities at will. This team was also in reach to Astrid herself, since members of the team had been used to disguise as Astrid, and vice versa.

Winoa held out the palm of her hands, and there was a small cloth. Mr. Bagna slowly picked the cloth out of her hands, and opened to see what was in between...

"This! ...A gift like this is much too precious for doing something I must do anyway." Mr. Bagna spoke slowly, and put the cloth and piece of metal to his side.

Winoa smiled beneath the mask. The gift was a freshly mined black opal, that was engraved with special markings indicating the place of discovery if people knew the special meaning of the cave structure. It also was valued in the tens of millions. Just based on recent information that black opal was incredibly rare in this world...

In reality, Winoa knew that Astrid held basically trillions in her back pocket. Sure, Black opal was expensive. But Astrid made sure to make a mining operation in Africa... And one of the caves was a literal gold mine. Full of gold, silver, and also other rare metals...

This was just one cave. Astrid and Lewis made sure the cave location would never go public, and make sure it is mined in total secrecy.

The miners themselves aren't sure what they mine half the time, they don't have a look at the end products of their operations. They do get paid handsomely though... So their loyalty isn't in doubt.

"No, our boss insists. The gift is an advanced acceptance of some dealings in the future." Winoa made sure to give Mr. Bagna a hint.

Mr. Bagna violently moved his head with shock. "What? What business deal?" He asked, how come he didn't know about any rumors of a large-scale deal from Astrid's English companies...

Winoa shook her head. "Sorry Mr. Wagna, I do not know the answer to that question... Boss implored you to stay safe and to enjoy the banquet tomorrow night, I shall be taking my leave now."

Mr. Bagna nodded and stood up. "I understand... I thank Astrid for her gift." He was old, and knew the words that were hidden in the masked woman's words.

'We have a potential deal with your business. A small gift is to ensure your confidence in us. You gain to profit from the deal as much as us. That is all my boss wants to say for now.'

Winoa made Mr. Bagna stay sitting down and left the room. Walking down the hotel hallway, she ended up hearing something...

"Hey, I hear there is a real important meeting going on tomorrow." An older woman wearing expensive jewelry pushes her bust against seemingly her husband.

"You heard as well? Some of my partners had mentioned something like that. But I'm not invited, so it's probably involving some big conglomerates." The businessman had a slightly bigger than average body, but had a kind smile looking at the woman pushing against him.

"Really? Isn't there also a big news announcement tomorrow? The Guilliano family mentioned something on national news! When was the last time they used their influence for the news? I'm guessing it's something really important." The woman says as they walked past the masked Winoa and reached their room.

"Hmm, I guess your right... But I know something that is more important right now..." Winoa then went into the elevator, as the couple quickly went into their room.

Winoa disappeared into the night as the sun came down, she became untraceable to any enemies, or even Mr. Bagna's men who could be following her for knowledge of her identity.

As she sat in her car, her phone vibrates. Taking it out, she sees a new message. 'Good work, prepare yourself for the banquet tomorrow. Remember, not only is it my debut, but also yours. No need to enter my room when you are back, unless you are interested in seeing me naked that is.'

Winoa sighed, only Astrid could be so shameless when talking about her sex life. She wasn't interested in any of that, she was more than happy working under the person she was in awe to.

'Understood, I'll inform the others.' Winoa replied, essentially meaning she will tell Francesca and Leone to not skimp out on their makeovers.

A:N - Just want to apologize for the slowing down to released chapters recently. But unfortunately, it will stay that way for a while. I just don't have time in my life to write as much as I did before. This is a hobby for me, and even if no one reads this now, I will continue to publish my writing. Anyways, thank you to those who read my chapters! And I can already say the next will be 18+... Mm, saucy!