~ Chapter 7 ~
July, 03, 10:49
"MAIL TIME!"
Fandral hollered before he started to hand out various letters and packages to the people in the room. The group had returned to one of their secured houses that had been purchased about a year ago. They never stayed long but it was enough for them to get a break and check their personal life. Since most mail tended to arrive while they were away, it could be weeks or even months before they opened them.
Sif walked by him and snatched a letter while Charles sat locked to his computer as a package was laid next to him.
When Fandral came up next to Thor and handed him a standard white envelope. "And this is for you."
Having not expected this, Thor looked at it like it was a prank before he took it and turned it around to see who it was from. While Fandral moved on he slowly opened it and took out the nicely folded piece of paper and started to read the fine hand writing. In the span of seconds, Thor's face transformed from curious to blank.
The big man stood up and walked out the room just in time for Loki to walk in with the newspaper under his arm.
"What's wrong with Thor?" Loki asked as he watched the door close behind him.
"Dunno." Fandral said, "His letter must have been bad news."
"Letter?" Loki repeated.
"Yeah. It didn't say who it was from but it looked fancy."
"Bet's on who it was."
"10 bucks on his ex."
"5 on his parents."
"5 on some friend."
"10 it was just some random letter."
"Maybe a bill?"
"Nah. Looked more personal."
"Hey! Knock it off guys."
"What's your bet, boss?"
Loki looked around the assembly. All waiting for his answer. "Twenty it was his ex." he placed the money on the table, earning a good laughter from his people.
Much later that day, the door to Thor's room opened and out stepped Thor in one of his best costumes. By now, most of the others had gone their separate ways. It was only Hogun who walked by with a towel around his shoulders who saw him.
"Going out?" the quiet man asked in a neutral voice.
Thor nodded, "Yes. Tell Loki that I will probably be late."
"Sure." and he watched the bodyguard leave the house without another word.
Once he was sure the bigger man was gone, Hogun boldly walked to Thor's room and entered without a second thought.
"Boss?"
Loki looked up from his report and at Hogun who stood before him with a towel over his shoulder and a letter in his hand.
"What is it?"
"This..." Hogun handed over the letter.
Without a word between them on where the letter came from, Loki began to read it and let the words pass through his mind. "Did he leave?"
"Yes, boss."
Loki leaned forward with the letter in one hand and his chin resting in his other. "I see."
The street was busy with people still arriving at the event outside the big house that Thor remembered so clearly. He had come here many times with his family in the past. Despite his own humble line of work, Thor was actually son to a wealthy father who ran an enterprise. Their family line was not small by any means, there was many who shared the surname Odinson like him. That's why it never really drew any attention, because no one really thought that he was the son of Odin Odinson. Heir to the whole Odinson fortune and part of the main family.
Growing up he had felt special. To the point where he was arrogant and a bully. But it wasn't until he was kidnapped by some seedy people that he learned what being truly special meant.
To this day, he could remember the soldiers that had rescued him from the kidnappers. While he had been beaten to the point where he cried for his mother, those men had gone in there without a single thought about their own safety and taken him out without a scratch.
They had taught him who was the great ones. After that he had grown to admire and love the military and law reinforcement. They were the true heroes, and Thor wanted to be one of them.
That's why he changed from 'Economy Management' to 'Law' in his first year of high school. While his mother had supported him somewhat, his father had been angry that his son would chose such a lowly education.
If it hadn't been because Thor was Odin's only child then he would have been disowned long ago. All his achievements and honors meant nothing to his father. Being discharged from the special ops was only a laugh for his father.
He hadn't seen them for years because of his work and continued training. That was why he had been surprised when he had received that letter.
Because nothing in the world could prepare him for this.
Thor walked up to the main ballroom when a snobby manager came running into his path.
"I'm sorry, sir, but there's a strict 'invitation only' tonight." he said in forced politeness. Despite his suit the bastard only saw his long hair, muscles, sun-tanned skin, and took him for an outcast.
"I know. I was invited too."
"In that case, may I see the invitation?"
Thor wanted to shoot the man in the kneecap but refrained from it. Instead he pulled out his wallet and opened it to show his ID card. "If you want to go the long way around you may go tell Odin that his son is here."
The effect was immediately as the face of the manager paled to unhealthy.
"That will not be needed." a voice said behind them. Both turned to look at the newcomer, one bowed deeply in fear and respect while Thor just gave the old, white haired man a hard look. "Your mother have been waiting for you to respond to the invitation."
"I just read it today." Thor stared into the identical eyes. "It's been a long time, father."
Odin looked his son up and down with a disapproving look. "I didn't count on seeing you here." the words cut.
"Don't have a heart attack. I'm still alive."
"Sadly yes. Come. There's others that want to greet you." Without waiting for a reply, the old business man walked into the party room and Thor followed behind out of habit. Nothing would come from being stubborn with an old donkey.
But as the crowd parted to let the two men through, Thor felt his throat go dry as he saw someone he hadn't wanted to see again.
"Oh, it's so good to see you again dear." Frigga said as she embraced her son.
The curvy woman standing behind Frigga smiled charmingly at Thor like the last year hadn't happened.
"It's so good to see you, love."
"Hello, Freya."
TBC
