To Astrid, With Love

4

Astrid

Present

I picked up the last of my things from my desk and put it inside my box. Pictures, notes, pads, everything. While I was doing so, Tyler and Mandy were peeking from their desks.

"Okay, so this is really it?? We won't get to see you every day?" Tyler sniffed, fake tears merely coming out from his eyes.

"Oh, shush. Don't be so emotional, it's not like I'm flying to another country and marrying a prince that will lock me inside a humungous castle forever." I rolled my eyes at him to which he snorted back to.

"Yeah, first of all we all know you can't fly. Then, a prince locking you inside a humungous castle is a dream that you won't ever fulfil until you go and call Mason." He enumerated,

I gasped, "Why, you're a sneaky little bitch, aren't ya?"

He stood up and did a little curtsy, "Taken after you."

I chuckled and shook my head, smacking him. He straightened his posture and went on to laughing with me. It was lunch break by the way so it wasn't like we were disturbing officemates.

Mandy got up and went over to us then nudged me, "I would really like to ask you to go to lunch with us but I think someone's planning to already,"

I raised my eyebrows in question and she motioned to Dean who was walking over to us.

"Hey, did you guys have lunch already?" he asked while I carry my box in my cradle.

"We were just about to, you want to come with??" I nodded at him,

"Well, actually I remembered I had to finish a transcription, I might have to work over lunch," Mandy rambled, I look over to her with a confused stance. Tyler wasn't saying anything until Mandy nudged her,

"Oh—right, I have something to finish too. You two can go have lunch," Tyler nodded firmly and got the box from my grip.

"What are you guys doing?" I hissed at them under my breath, shooting daggers with my eyes.

"Are you guys sure?" I heard Dean ask,

"Yeah, yeah. We have to finish this, ya know." Mandy nodded hastily, "Go, shoo." She pushed me,

"You guys are going to pay for this, big time." I turned to them before turning to Dean.

"Hey, but if things go well. You might be the one who'll owe us." Tyler winked at me as I did a muffled groan.

"Okay, now. Buh-bye, let's have dinner later together." They both waved at us as I picked up my coat, Dean waiting for me.

"Let us?" he asked me as I nodded back at him.

"Tyler and Mandy are hardworking, aren't they?" Dean chuckled while we enter the elevator.

"Oh, they're enthusiastic souls." I agreed sarcastically,

"So, where are we headed?" I asked him,

"You'll find out," he winked at me. Now, any girl he would do that to would seriously swoon, but the fact that I've gotten used to it by now after a decade of friendship makes me lesser the butterflies or such. Except with the knowledge of him.. actually liking me.

I tried to shake away the thought of it, though. I didn't want it to show all over my face.

"Where are you going?" he asked me,

"Uh.. hailing a taxi??" I gestured with all the obvious reasons.

"I have a ride, remember?" he chuckled shaking his head as he walked off to his car.