262 Really Like You

Looking at the enthusiastic lady, Cari could not help but sigh mentally. 

He really hoped this whole thing would end and he could catch some time with Astrid before grumpy Jareth showed up. 

From where Astrid hid at the side of a house, she saw Elena pull Cari along with her and they walked to the house close by. 

Katrina wunoef at her when she caught sight of her at the corner of the house causing Astrid's  heart to skip a bit. 

After making sire Cari wasn't coming out any time soon, Astrid came out to look for Jareth. 

Her eyes darted to and fro every now and then in search of him but he didn't show up. 

Astrid was being impatient at the whole situation. Why would he miss the get together. 

She understood he was avoiding her but at the very least, he should come there. 

Snow could feel her fear and sadness and he felt sad as well. He knew his master was hurting big time and Jareth was being too much of a chicken to just tell her how he feels. 

'If only I can talk some sense into that elf. He his hurting master so much. Is this what it means to love someone? If it causes so much pain, then I wouldn't want master to fall in love anymore.'

Snow shook his head as he stared at her face laced with worry. "Phew, only mother can help her now. Mother," Snow called through their mind link. 

"Yes, baby. What is wrong with Astrid?"

"Oh, I was just about to ask for your help on what to do. Sigh... "

"I can detect a heavy weight of sadness coming from her. Why? What happened?"

"Herself and the elf are not on speaking terms. Master doesn't know what she did and she is sad because he doesn't sleep with her or even talk to her."

"Wait! Sleep with her?!" White-Fire's eyes opened wide in Snow's mind. 

"Yes," Snow replied innocently, unaware of what his statement had meant. 

"They have done the deed already? When? How come I did not detect anything?"

"Which deed? What are you talking about, mother?"

"What do you mean when you say he refused to sleep with her?"

"He doesn't sleep in the room at night. He is always out, leaving master to be lonely and now the merman is swooping in. He wants master, but I do not like him, mother."

Snow complained to his mother, giving her tad bits of what was going on. 

"I see. ???? Hmmm."

"Mother," Snow called out to White-Fire, grasping her attention. 

"Yes?"

"Why won't Jareth admit his feelings and accept master? He clearly loves her. You need to have seen the way he claimed her as his in front of everyone. So why now is he acting like they are strangers, sworn enemies?"

"I would. Thanks. Greet everyone for me."

"I will, baby. And keep her safe for us all."

"I will."

Their mind link cut off and both went to tend to other things. 

Astrid who was busy assisting Sabrina in serving, was not included in their conversation, so she knew nothing about what was spoken about. 

By the time the evening was far gone, Jareth still hadn't come and Astrid lost hope that he would. 

Cari on the other hand got pilednwith lots of work and things to help the ladies. 

As soon as he finishes with one, they would bombard him with another one. 

This they did till the get together was a few minutes away from being over. 

"Cari, please I need your help once more with this... " before she could finish, Cari raised his right hand to stop her. 

"I am sorry. I cannot do so anymore. I have to get going now."

Without waiting for them to respond, he moved past Elena and went out of the house. 

What greeted him when he came out was an almost empty arena. 

Cari felt very angry at the sight in front of him that his veins could literally be seen popping out at the side of his head. 

'Damn it! Where is Astrid! I think these ladies intentionally delayed me. Urghh!'

He walked over to the arena and did a quick sweep with his eyes. 

He only found Snow not too far from where he was, resting on the ground. 

'No matter what you ladies do. Astrid would be mine. I would win her heart over from that elf. He doesn't even want her, why are they siding him? He couldn't even appreciate her beauty and person. Tsk. There is always tomorrow. I would not let you escape my grasp Astrid.'

In frustration and a new found determination, Cari walked away from the arena and headed for his house. 

At the end of the event, Astrid had helped Sabrina in cleaning up and was so tired, she decided to rest early. 

Together, she and Snow made their way to their house and talked a little bit about the activities that went on. 

Unknown to her, a figure was watching her from afar. 

By the time she got to their house, Cari came out from his, which was only two houses away and called out her name. 

Hearing her name, Astrid turned in the direction. Upon seeing who it was, her brows creased a bit but quickly she replaced it with a pleasant smile and took some steps back. 

Cari left his house and ran up to meet her. When he got to where she stood, he stopped as his jaw dropped.

He could not get enough of her beauty. If he thought she was beautiful before, now she looked like a goddess. 

'Which guy in this realm wouldn't want you? I do not know why your lover is delaying to make you his, but it is my luck. I cannot complain.' Cari thought to himself as his eyes raked her body, enjoying the pleasant view. 

Even though Astrid was pretty tired and not as fine as before, she was still beautiful. 

"Hey, what is it?" Astrid asked pulling him out of his trance. 

"Umm, sorry I just got lost in... Never mind me. You look beautiful."

"Thank you. You're not so bad yourself," Astrid complimented him. 

"Thank you. I didn't see you tonight for the get together so I could not talk to you when you were free, " Cari explained. 

"Ohh, I see. I did not see you as well. I never knew you came, perhaps becaiseni was busy and all that."

"Nah, it is okay. I got busy helping out Elena and Katrina. It was endless till I eventually ran away."

"Hehhe, sorry about that." Astrid lifted her hands and pretended to scartach her head as the converse was becoming awkward and she wanted to leave. 

"I need to go in and rest mow, so I would be saying goodnight," Astrid informed him and turned around. 

Just when she was about to leave, Cari stopped her and said, "Wait." He held her left hand preventing her from moving further. 

"Is there any problem?" She arched her brows at him in a qieationing manner, waiting for his response. 

"Well,  not really. I have something I would like to tell you."

"Okay, go on." She turnedbback, so she was now facing him as her brows furrowed. 

The seriousness on Cari's face told her it was important, but Astrid could not phantom what would be so important for him to tell her this night. 

"Astrid," his voice came out softly and Dee with a gentle feeling about it which seemed to sooth the air when he spoke. 

"Right from the day I let you, your melodious enchanting, authoritative voice drowned me in. Your compassion and care had held me spell bound right from day one. No one in this simple village can compare to your light, your shining star."

"Thank you."

"Yes, all I want to say is that, Astrid I cannot seem to get you out of my mind. You may think I am just being forward and all and I know we have barely known but it feels as though it is rushed and not true, but I do not want to spend my life regretting, thinking of wasted time and all."

"But it is okay, really. There is no need for that, Cari. I did what needed to be done and nothing more."

"That is one aspect I like about you. What I am saying is that, Astrid I really, really like you."

~~~~~~

Yipeee, Cari confessed. Jareth where are you?

Thanks so much guys do understanding. 

Thanks for supporting and encouraging me.