CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

'Hey, Astra. Are you free to go out for lunch?" Jared asked. Astra raised up her head and looked at him. She was working on Nicholas' case after she managed to gather herself. She was quite disoriented after the call. She did not even tell Jared about her feelings of him giving her flowers in the office. 'I am a bit busy," Astra replied, she looked up from her computer to study him. She knew that she viewed him in a different light since after the date. Yet, her refusal was default mode. Old habits die hard. 'Oh okay. Did you get my flowers?" Jared asked. He looked simple as usual in his white dress shirt and black trousers. Astra found herself comparing him with Nicholas again. Nicholas was much more taller and he rocked the office wear. Nicholas had been born into money and so he had a lot of confidence. Jared was rather tame. He was calm and not usually arrogant. It seemed that Nicholas brought out his arrogant side. 'You know what, we should have that lunch," she replied. Astra