The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 697: SCRUMPTIOUS BREAKFAST

ASTRID woke up in a good mood. It wasnʼt just because of his successful runway show—it was mostly due to last nightʼs conversation with Wulfric. Even as heʼd tried to sleep, he couldnʼt stop imagining Wulfricʼs reaction to his ʼrewardʼ. He was certain heʼd fallen asleep with a grin on his face because of that.

After brushing his teeth and completing his morning skincare routine, he changed into comfortable clothes. Though he had no work schedule today, he still needed to attend school, so staying at the mansion all day wasnʼt an option. As he finger-combed his hair, he opened his Terminal to check for messages.

There were messages from Reas and their parents, which he replied to quickly. He was mildly surprised to see one from his grandfather:

[You were amazing at your first runway show. Congratulations.]

It was a simple message—he could practically hear his grandfatherʼs flat tone as he read it. With a quiet chuckle, he typed back a quick ”Thank you”.

After scrolling through more messages, the last one was from Wulfric. Astrid smiled and opened it.

[Youʼre such a tease, Aster. Do you have any idea how much blood I lost over that photo? I nearly needed medical attention. I think itʼs fair I give you some payback.]

Attached to the message were several photos—each one showing Wulfric in various states of undress.

The photos captured Wulfricʼs bare upper body in all its powerful glory. His shoulders were broad and thickly muscled, the kind that could easily lift a person without strain. His chest was sculpted with well-defined pectorals that flexed subtly even at rest. The eight-pack abs were impossible to ignore - each ridge sharply delineated, the deep cuts between them shadowed in the dim light.

His arms were a testament to years of combat training; the biceps full and rounded, the forearms roped with thick veins running along dense muscle. A light sheen of sweat, or perhaps water from a recent shower, made his skin glisten, highlighting every contour of his battle-honed physique.

Astrid stared at the photos, his brain momentarily short-circuiting. At first, he just took in the sheer physicality of it—the raw definition of Wulfricʼs muscles, the way his body looked both powerful and unreasonably attractive. Then his pulse kicked up, a steady thrum building in his ears as he kept staring. Heat crept up his neck, spreading across his face and down his chest, until even his fingers felt warm and he had to grip the bedside table just to steady himself.

He let out a soft laugh. Payback indeed.

He typed out a reply.

[Thanks for breakfast. The dishes you sent were simply... scrumptious.]

It didnʼt take long for him to receive a reply.

[Aster, youʼre killing me here. Itʼs early morning. I just woke up and still have morning wood. And now, you just made it even harder. Do you really want me to have blue balls the entire day?]

Astrid had to read what Wulfric sent twice before laughing out loud.

-----

”Brother Aster, do you really have to leave?” Nicol whined.

They had just finished breakfast when Astrid received a message from Ellis—sheʼs already near the Grimaldi mansion, which meant sheʼd be arriving any minute now.

”I have school today. Doesnʼt Nikki have classes too?” Astrid said, amusement obvious in his eyes.

Nicol pouted. ”Yes.”

Astrid ruffled his cousinʼs hair. ”Stop sulking. Once my schedule clears up, Iʼll visit again and weʼll have the whole day together.”

Nicolʼs face immediately brightened. ”Really? You promise?”

”Promise.”

”Are you sure I canʼt drive you to school?” Casey asked.

”If youʼre concerned about being seen with Cassius, I can arrange a driver instead,” Thomas added.

”No, itʼs okay. Sister Ellis is already on her way.”

Right on cue, Astrid received a message from Ellis—she was already at the mansionʼs front gate. Simultaneously, Thomas also got an alert from the mansionʼs security system requesting permission to grant Ellis entry within the mansionʼs premises. After checking that it was really Astridʼs agent, he gave his permission to let the other enter.

”Miss Payne is here,” Thomas informed Astrid.

”Iʼll go meet her,” Astrid said with a nod. When he noticed the three Grimaldis moving to follow, he quickly added, ”No need to come with me. Iʼll just greet her and leave.”

Before any protests could form, Astrid quickly pulled each of them into a brief hug—first Nicol, who giggled and squeezed back, then Casey, who ruffled his hair affectionately. When he reached Thomas, the older man stiffened slightly under the unexpected contact, though he didnʼt push him away.

”Iʼll see you soon,” Astrid promised, already stepping back before darting out of the mansion.

Astrid strode down the mansionʼs driveway to meet Ellisʼs car halfway, so she wouldnʼt need to park. He could see the vehicle approaching in the distance, its familiar shape growing larger as it navigated the tree-lined path. Rather than waiting at the entrance, he kept walking at a leisurely pace until the car rolled to a stop beside him. Without hesitation, he pulled open the passenger door and slid in before Ellis could come down and open the door for him herself.

”Good morning, Sister Ellis,” he greeted energetically.

Ellis gave him a look that clearly questioned why he was so cheerful this early, but she only sighed and replied, ”Good morning to you, too.”

Ellis started the flying car, the engines whirring softly as it lifted off. She turned it smoothly toward the gate and accelerated forward.

”I take it you had a good rest?” she asked.

Astrid recalled last nightʼs conversation with Wulfric—and the photos sent that morning—and his small smile widened. ”Yes. The bed was very comfortable, and the food was great.”

Ellis only nodded. ”No wonder youʼre in a good mood.”

”Iʼm also glad that the runway show went well,” Astrid added. ”The reaction online should be positive, right? I havenʼt really checked.”

”Donʼt worry. Most of the feedback online was positive,” Ellis reassured him. ”There were a few negative comments, but theyʼre in the minority.”