Thor sat, watching the blonde sleeping on his bed. He had mixed feelings going through him, but he was sure of one thing- she's the most beautiful woman he's ever met and been with for that matter. He couldn't fight that much.

What was bothering him though was everything she'd told him about herself. There were many loopholes in the things she said, especially regarding her past, but it was her present that was bothering him anyway.

She sighed, turning over, and he continued to watch her from the chair in the corner. They'd come back to his apartment and he'd served her coffee. She was sober by the time she made the decision to make a move on him, and he let it happen.

Despite knowing that she was a married woman.

He wouldn't know what possessed him to do that, but deep down he had a feeling it had to do with how she was being treated. She'd told him all about her dismal marriage, even though she failed to mention who her husband is.

He's never slept with a woman on a first date, let alone after meeting her in a club. He's not very good at approaching women, which is why he was taken aback when she agreed to talking. Most people expect to be asked to leave the club for a one night stand.

He only asked her to leave the club much later.

He was already partying in the VIP booth thanks to his best friend Scott. They were celebrating securing one of the biggest deals they've made in their construction company thus far. He took the woman there to talk, and for whatever reason, she sang like a canary.

He hadn't managed to tell her about himself because it was like she needed to offload, so instead, he sat and listened. He watched the way her hands moved, and the different expressions she made as she let it all out.

After she'd offloaded, she apologized and went on to explain that she'd been pushed over the edge by her husband who had officially decided to go public with his mistress. He found himself not understanding why any man would choose any other woman over this beautiful woman.

Astrid.

Even her name is out of this world, but it was that very thought that had stalled his thoughts. He'd never been the kind to fall fast, having learnt his lesson from doing that once before, but there was just something about Astrid that was calling out to him.

"What are you so deep in thought about?" she asked him, bringing his attention to the fact that she was awake. She was leaning on her elbow, the sheet just about covering her breasts.

"Why aren't you panicking?" he asked.

"About what? Waking up in your bed?" she questioned.

He nodded. "I thought you'd freak out."

"I was well aware of what I was doing the whole time," she replied.

"So you're aware that you cheated on your husband?" he asked.

She sighed, turning to face the ceiling. "He cheated first, but that's not why I slept with you. You're the first man to ever take an interest in listening to me, even if I was ranting about my husband."

"What exactly do you mean by that?" he questioned.

"When men see me, they see an airhead who's only good for sex, which is funny since up until last night, the last time I was touched was almost five years ago," she said, ending on a low note.

Thor scowled. "Five years? Isn't that how long you've been married to your husband?"

Astrid looked at him, stunned. "You actually listened to everything I said?"

"You live a deeply troubling life, and when you wouldn't stop talking, I settled for listening," he replied.

"Well, you're right. He stopped sleeping with me because after six months into our marriage, I still hadn't given him a child and that's when we learnt that I can't have children. He was a manwhore before that, but after that, he just got worse, which is funny because five years later and he still doesn't have a child," she said, laughing bitterly.

"And let me guess; you haven't left him because he's one of those pricks who have threatened your life if you ever try to leave them?" he asked knowingly.

She nodded. "I'm his trophy wife and I need to know my place."

Thor had to muster up some strength to ask his next question. "Does he hit you?"

She shook her head. "He's only ever hit me twice. The second time, our helper walked in on us and she threatened to have him arrested, so he hasn't dared since."

There was something about the way she spoke, as though she'd accepted that this is the life she was meant to live, and it unsettled Thor further. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so invested in trying to understand someone.

"You told me that you have no purpose. I'm guessing he's kept you on a leash and the only thing you're allowed to do is shop?" he guessed.

She nodded. "Even then, my shopping gets evaluated to ensure I'm buying things he considers useless. I'm not allowed to spend money on anything that will make me grow as a person."

"And you have nothing in your name?" he guessed again.

She shook her head. "Everything is in his name. He says things are this way so that I remember that if I ever leave him, I will have nothing."

He knew then that he didn't even need to ask about a prenup.

He sighed, resting his elbows on his thighs as he leaned forward. "I got a whole lot more than I bargained for by approaching you last night."

"If you want me to leave, then I'll leave," she said plainly.

He shook his head. "That's not it. I'm in a bit of a situation here because I don't want you to go back."

She didn't mean to laugh. "And what are you going to do about it? He will kill you."

"I can handle myself, thank you very much," he defended.

"I'm sure you can, but there's no way I'm leaving him. I'm not putting my life, or anyone else's for that matter, in danger. It's safer that I just stay with him and accept that this is my life from now on," she stated.

Thor knew that nothing would change her mind. She'd mentioned to him that she has three best friends, and given the fact that she was still married to the asshole she calls her husband, he quickly figured out that they'd probably failed too.

Who is he to win this battle with her?

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

"I am, but I need to get going. I've already been here for too long," she said as she stood up. He was surprised that she wasn't ashamed of her body.

It's one hell of a sexy body in any case.

"You don't have to leave," he argued.

She shook her head. "Except I do. I appreciate you listening to me and all, but I'm sure that even you know that this was a mistake."

"Not all mistakes are bad," he tried a different approach.

"I need to go," she repeated, this time dressed.

"Can I at least take you home?" he asked.

She shook her head once more. "I'll catch a cab. Besides, I need to go and see my best friends first. They must be worried about me."

Thor sighed, giving up. There was just something about this woman that unsettled him, and her stubbornness was something he wasn't sure he could handle. She was persistent on leaving, so he would just have to let her.

When she was ready, he walked her out and they waited together outside for her cab. Nothing was said between them and when her cab arrived, she got in without giving him so much as a second thought.

He'd never felt cheaper than he did in that moment.

He couldn't help it. He felt used. While he understood that this was probably a one night stand, he couldn't understand how the woman could be so cold after how accommodating he'd been of her. It just didn't sit well with him.

And the sad part was that he knew it would take him a long time to forget her.

Astrid sat in the cab that was heading back to her house, and all she could think about was the stranger she'd just left. She knew she'd been a bitch to him, but she didn't want to form an attachment to him.

Especially since she knew he already cared about her.

It was obvious in how accommodating he was with her. She blushed when she thought back to them having sex. She couldn't remember it ever feeling so good. He took his time with her, and she'd been thoroughly pleasured.

She knew then that Raymond never wanted to sleep with her in the first place. Even when he did, he wasn't nearly as gentle, as passionate or as attentive as the man who had taken her to the heavens earlier that morning.

Everything was starting to come back to her and she realized that she really did spill her entire life to him. The poor guy listened to her the whole way through, but the more she remembered, the more she realized that he was attentive.

Not many people would listen to the ranting of a rich blonde bimbo, and yet he did. People tend to think that rich people don't have normal problems, or problems for that matter, but Astrid knew otherwise.

Her entire life was a sign that money doesn't make you immune to problems, and neither can it buy you happiness.

She got home, well aware of the walk of shame that she'd be partaking in. The security at the gate opened up for her, surprised to see her having caught a cab. They asked her if she was fine, and she assured them that she was more than ok.

She crept into the house, hoping to avoid Yuna, but the woman was already waiting for her. "Rough night out?"

She jumped, her hand to her chest. "Yuna! Don't do that to a person!"

"See, I wouldn't have, except you look like a guilty person," Yuna said amusedly.

"Please arrange food for me. I'm famished and I need to go out and see my friends," Astrid requested.

"You just got back," Yuna said in confusion.

"And my husband isn't here right?" Astrid asked.

"Well yes, but are you sure it's wise to go out again?" Yuna questioned.

"I'm just going to see them. I'm not actually going out this time," Astrid argued.

Yuna shot her a wary look. "Alright fine. Do you need my brother to take you through?"

"No, I'll take my regular driver. Was Raymond looking for me at any point?" Astrid asked.

Yuna reluctantly shook her head. "They went to the benefit and headed straight to the airport from there."

"I thought as much. Are things bad in the press?" Astrid unwillingly asked.

Yuna sighed. "Since he only confirmed what people already knew, it wasn't that great of a reveal. However, people are wondering what your take is on the whole thing."

"Which means my phone must have a thousand messages," Astrid groaned.

"You don't have to say anything," Yuna pointed out.

"Oh, I have no intentions to. I'm just irritated by the thought of being hounded. Anyway, let me go and take a shower," Astrid said.

"I'll arrange that food for you. Do you want anything in particular?" Yuna asked.

"Since that asshole isn't here to watch my diet, I feel like some greasy food," Astrid confessed.

Yuna laughed. "Greasy food coming right up!"

Astrid headed up to her bedroom and a little part of her had hoped she'd find a note from Raymond, but nothing. She took her phone out of her clutch bag and as she'd suspected, she had many messages from people wanting to know her take on Vienna and Raymond.

But there wasn't a single message from her husband.

She opened the messages from her best friends and found that they were freaking out about where she ended up. Cree even threatened to kill her if she isn't already dead, and she figured that it would do no good to respond via text.

She'd just go and see them as planned.

She took a much needed shower before choosing to get dressed in a Burberry casual dress with black knee high boots. She let her hair dry on its own and it left lots of unstructured curls on her head. She put on some light make up with a dark red lipstick before packing her things into one of her black handbags.

"I thought you weren't going out?" Yuna asked her when she got to the dining room.

"I'm not. Why do you say so? Am I overdressed?" she panicked.

"Considering the fact that it's five in the evening and you claim to only be visiting your friends, then yes," Yuna replied.

Astrid shrugged. "I don't have lazy clothing in any case. Raymond doesn't allow me to."

"That man is a man with deep issues," Yuna commented.

"Tell me about it! Anyway, let me eat and head out. As I suspected, my best friends are worried about where I am," Astrid informed.

"Why would they be worried? Weren't you with them last night?" Yuna asked in confusion.

Astrid blushed. "I was."

Yuna gasped. "Astrid, did you have a one night stand?"

"You tell anyone and I'll have you deported," Astrid joked, giggling. Yuna's a year older than her and is originally from Israel.

"Oh my goodness! Look at you! You can barely keep a straight face! Who was he?" Yuna asked.

"Some guy I met at the club, but Yuna, the way he touched me. I've never been touched like that before. He took me to places I never knew existed," Astrid confessed with tinged cheeks.

"I have never seen you like this before! Do you plan on seeing him again?" Yuna asked.

"NO! I can't risk his life like that. Raymond would kill him or have him killed," Astrid said in fear.

Yuna was sad for her. "I'm so sorry Astrid. Life will get better."

"Thanks Yuna, but I don't believe that. I'd rather not raise my hopes like that," Astrid said dejectedly.

Yuna didn't say anything after that. She'd already noticed the mood change in her boss, and she didn't want to make things worse. She just wished that life would truly turn around for her, but it wasn't up to her.

It was all up to fate.

When Astrid was done eating, she headed out to the salon, hoping that she would at least find the girls there. She wasn't all that shocked to find Joe there too though, and the three of them looked both furious and relieved to see her.

"Wait here," she told her driver, who nodded.

"Where have you been?" CJ asked lowly.

"I'm sorry I left without saying anything. I just got really overwhelmed, so I went back home," Astrid lied.

They instantly felt bad. "Are you ok?"

"I'm as ok as an abandoned wife can be. I've been avoiding going outside because of all the reports," she continued to lie.

"Oh honey, I'm so sorry," Cree told her.

"I don't want to be depressed! How do you guys feel about going away for the weekend?" Astrid offered.

"And who's paying for this trip?" CJ asked.

"I am," Astrid replied.

Joe shot her a look. "With what money?"

She shrugged. "Raymond's money."

Their eyes widened. "Miss Thang say what now?"

"We are going on vacation and we're going to spend Raymond's money," Astrid said slowly.

"We heard you the first time. No need for the sass," CJ commented.

"So? You in?" Astrid asked.

Cree narrowed her eyes at her. "Are you sure about this? Aren't you going to get in trouble with him?"

Astrid shrugged. "I'm so over what Raymond thinks. He clearly feels nothing for me, so why should I care about what he wants?"

"This sounds like a bad idea of so many proportions, but I'm loving this side of you, so I'm in," CJ replied.

"That goes without question. We're all in. How long will we be gone for?" Cree asked.

"Three days at best," Astrid replied.

"And is this all expenses paid?" Joe asked.

"Yep, so we're leaving right now," Astrid decided.

"Wait! You mean you're going to buy us clothes too?" Cree asked in shock.

Astrid nodded. "Let's go and have fun!"

Her best friends shared a wary look. While they loved seeing her like this, they weren't sure if testing Raymond was the best way to go, but if there was one thing they knew for sure about her, it's that once she's made up her mind, that's it.

Astrid wouldn't know where the idea came from, but she found that the more she thought about Raymond, the more she wanted to test him. He'd disrespected her by taking his mistress to a public event, and then proceeding to take her on vacation.

She wanted nothing more than to make him pay in some way.

The four of them headed to the luxury car after CJ had locked up and Astrid told her driver where to take them. The man looked confused, but was fine when she told him that she'd just confirmed the trip with Raymond.

"Are you going to respond to the media?" CJ asked her curiously.

"Nope! I have nothing to say. Besides, what would I say? Do I support them or not?" she replied.

"Makes sense! Well, we're here for you the whole way," Joe told her.

"Thanks! I know I can always count on you guys," she said happily.

Thor was sitting in his temporary apartment, dreading having to pack up and move for the millionth time. Because he travels so much for his job, he's constantly renting in different places. It's a specialty service that their company gives to their clients.

It had been two days since he'd seen Astrid and he still couldn't stop thinking about her. He wanted to go after her, but he knew that she wouldn't want that. Something told him that a person like Astrid doesn't like being bothered by people who barely know her.

Though to be fair, that's probably how every normal human being would feel.

"Why do you look like you got run over by a truck?" Scott asked him once he opened the door.

"What do you want?" Thor asked him.

He walked right in, unbothered by his best friend's attitude. "I know you're always lazy to pack. I came to help, and yet you greet me with such loving words."

"I'm not in the mood Scott," Thor said, sighing deeply.

"Yeah, your face says it all. You've ignored me for two days. Does it have to do with Mrs Watson perhaps?" Scott asked.

Thor scowled. "Who?"

"Oh this is priceless! You don't even know who you slept with!" Scott said incredulously.

Thor was trying to figure out why the name Watson sounded so familiar.

"Who is Mrs Watson?" he asked his best friend.

"The beautiful Astrid Watson is the wife of the CEO of Astrix Technologies Raymond Watson, also known as our most recent client," Scott informed.

"Shit!" Thor exclaimed.

"That's right! You my friend have gone and slept with one of the most influential people's wife, and judging from how shitty you look, I'm guessing you've somewhat fallen for her," Scott said knowingly.

"I haven't fallen for her," Thor denied.

"But there's something there," Scott noted.

Thor nodded. "She's trapped in that marriage Scott, but she doesn't want to be saved either."

"She's a wise woman. She knows not to mess with the likes of Raymond Watson," Scott commented.

Thor shook his head in disagreement. "I don't care how dangerous he is Scott. She deserves a hell of a lot better than the life she's living."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! I'm going to take up my best friend duties and stop you right there mate. Leave her alone. This is not something you need to be messing with," Scott warned.

"She poured her fucking heart out to me Scott. She's miserable. She's so pure hearted to be putting up with this crap!" Thor said angrily.

"Stop with you hero complex Thor! It didn't work out well for you the last time, and I refuse to pull you from that situation again," Scott said, his own anger simmering.

He'd seen what had happened the last time his best friend tried to be the hero, and he watched what it did to him from the sidelines. He had to work his ass off to bring him back to even half of the man he used to be. He knew that Thor wasn't fully healed, but he was still better than the man that almost took his own life.

"It's different this time. I'm telling you Scott. I know you're just looking out for me, but I would never put myself through that again. I haven't even thought about being with a woman until two days ago. Even if I don't end up with her, I still need to at least try and get her out of that situation," Thor argued.

Scott sighed. "You're playing with fire Thor, and I hope you don't burn us in the process."

"I promise I won't," Thor said confidently.

Now that he knew who Astrid was married to, he was able to do some research on her. He wasn't all that surprised to find that in every picture, she was either with Raymond, or she was caught being a socialite wife.

What astonished him was the most recent buzz around the Watsons. When he saw the articles about how Raymond had gone public with his mistress, he checked the date and wasn't surprised to see that it was the same night he met Astrid.

"This is what made her snap," he said to himself, but Scott heard her.

"Snap?" he asked.

Thor nodded. "She told me everything Scott. Him going public with his mistress must've been the last straw for her, which probably means that having a one night stand isn't going to be the last thing she does."

"What do you mean?" Scott asked.

Thor headed to social media and what he was looking for happened to be at the top of his timeline. An article had been released saying that Astrid had been spotted in Palm Springs with three other people.

They were reporting that she clearly couldn't care less that her husband is on vacation with his mistress, and that she was clearly intent on having a good time on her own. Thor knew better though, or at least he wanted to believe that he did.

"We have to go," he told Scott.

"Where are we going?" Scott questioned, puzzled by his best friend's sudden energy.

"Palm Springs."