CHAPTER 340: ASTRID

The girl wasn’t oblivious; she had noticed Isiah from the moment she sat next to him.

His decision to engage in conversation caused an instant blush to spread across her face.

"Please, tell that to my superiors," she replied, her tone carrying a feminine touch as she tried to capture Isiah’s attention.

As Isiah looked ahead, trying to appear preoccupied, the girl seized the opportunity to flirt.

"You know," she said with a playful tone, "if you were my superior, I’d never complain about working overtime. I might even volunteer for more shifts just to spend time with you."

She flashed a teasing smile, clearly enjoying the playful banter.

She leaned in slightly, her tone playful and flirtatious. "Maybe you could convince me that breaks are better enjoyed with good company. We could ditch the work stress and share a moment under the shade," she suggested, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Who knows, a charming guy like you might just make the whole job feel less exhausting." She finished with a wink, leaving an air of flirtation hanging between them.

Isiah, allowing a hint of teasing to enter his tone, responded, "Well, as charming as that sounds, I’m afraid my priorities involve a different things "

She laughed, a flirtatious smirk gracing her lips. "Different priorities or not, I’m sure we can find a common ground. Let me know if you ever want to explore those ’different things’ together," she replied, her tone laced with unmistakable suggestion.

As she subtly edged closer, still seated next to him, she whispered with a teasing smile, "I’m Astrid. And what should I call someone as intriguing as you?" She leaned in, waiting for Isiah to share his name, the flirtatious atmosphere lingering between them.

Isiah, maintaining a mysterious air, chose to ignore her question about his name, leaving an enigmatic silence between them.

With a mischievous grin, she looked at him and confessed, "Okay, I’ll spill the truth. I sat next to you because, well, you caught my eye first. Couldn’t resist the temptation."

Despite her candid confession, Isiah maintained his air of ignorance, choosing not to engage with her playful admission.

As Isiah noticed someone approaching who seemed to be associated with her, he promptly stood up and started to walk away, aiming to avoid any potential confrontation. However, she quickly spoke up, saying, "Wait for me."

Isiah sensed he was heading in the right direction when she said, "Wait for me."

After Isiah nodded in agreement, she enthusiastically headed toward the person approaching her.

However, instead of swiftly dismissing him, she engaged in a brief but focused conversation about work.

Isiah, still within earshot, strained to catch the snippets of their discussion amid the energetic exchange.

He picked up on some mentions related to Triavert:

"...runners spotted near the path leading to the outskirts of Triavert..."

"...increased surveillance to monitor Triavert activities..."

These brief snippets suggested that there were notable developments and concerns regarding Triavert.

The specifics, however, remained somewhat unclear due to the rapid pace of their conversation.

Isiah remained vigilant, determined to gather more information.

As she concluded her conversation with the guy and turned back to face Isiah, he couldn’t help but notice that the hour was growing late.

The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting the city into the dim glow of twilight.

Isiah realized he had been on the move for hours, traversing both the journey to the city and exploring its intricate streets.

As Isiah observed the nearly deserted roads, it became evident that the city was winding down for the night.

The absence of people on the streets signaled the late hour.

Astrid’s frustration, palpable for a specific reason, hinted at the ongoing work within the mansion, where individuals seemed dedicated to their tasks even into the late hours.

The quietude of the city streets set the stage for Isiah’s next moves .

Astrid’s presence triggered a familiar recognition in Isiah’s mind, reminding him of corporate girls he had seen .

With a playful glint in her eyes, Astrid exclaimed, "Finally, freedom! Oh, just so you know, he’s not my boyfriend or even my work husband. It’s just work between us."

Astrid’s flirtatious demeanor persisted, but Isiah, harboring intentions that were far from amorous, found himself growing increasingly uneasy with the playful dynamic.

"Fortunate for me, you stuck around!" she exclaimed.

Isiah, maintaining a composed demeanor, responded, "I have my reasons."

The air between them carried a subtle tension, as Astrid’s flirtatious remarks collided with Isiah’s calculated intentions.

Astrid boldly took Isiah’s arm and asked, "How about joining me for a drink?"

Astrid’s attempt to grab his arm left Isiah visibly annoyed. He gently pulled away, a flicker of irritation crossing his face..

Isiah, despite his annoyance, decided to redirect the situation. "Somewhere quiet, maybe," he suggested, steering the conversation towards a more controlled setting.

Astrid, seemingly undeterred by Isiah’s reserved demeanor, walked alongside him, leading the way to her apartment.

Despite the distance, her enjoyment of the stroll next to him was palpable.

As they reached Astrid’s apartment, the atmosphere seemed to shift.

The door opened into a cozy space adorned with soft lighting and a subtle fragrance.

The quiet ambiance suggested a contrast to the lively city outside.

Astrid motioned for Isiah to take a seat, offering a glimpse into her personal sanctuary.

In his mind, Isiah took note of Astrid living alone, silently acknowledging, "Good."

Astrid excused herself for a few minutes, disappearing into another room to change out of her work attire into something more comfortable.

The distant sound of a wardrobe opening and closing echoed.

Soon after, she returned, now in more relaxed clothing, carrying drinks she had fetched from the kitchen.

Astrid reappeared, a vision of grace in a short dress adorned with a delicate array of white and rosy flowers.

The fabric gracefully draped over her curves, revealing a subtle allure that seamlessly blended with her youthful charm.

Her dark eyes sparkled with an inner radiance, reflecting a hint of mystery.

The cascade of her thick, dark hair, left untamed, added a touch of wild elegance to her appearance.

The dress, with its playful short length, captured the essence of a carefree spirit.

At almost 23, Astrid stood as a captivating embodiment of both sophistication and vivacity.

"Make yourself comfortable," Astrid said to Isiah as he settled onto the couch.