Sweet For You, Ruthless For Others

"Selena, please," Hermia said, her voice trembling with desperation. "Consider this—I'd help you if you ever needed it. You know I would." she didn't know why that man showed her so much attention but she didn't ask for it and she'd never see him again so they didn't have to bother.

Selena scowled, her patience snapping. "Hermia! Move out of the way." She stepped closer, her tone laced with menace. "Or I'll have the guards remove you myself." she threatened.

Defeated, Hermia stepped aside, her shoulders slumping as Selena climbed into the car with a smug smile. She left without pity for her sister who was outside this evening when she could drop her home.

Moments later, her Uber arrived. Hermia slipped into the backseat with a downcast face, her mind racing. 

She didn't feel the weight of the gaze watching her from the shadows, unseen but unwavering, until her car pulled away.

As the city lights blurred outside her window, she clutched her bag tightly. Whatever awaited her at home, she could only hope they would understand. 

But deep down, she knew Selena wouldn't keep this quiet. Trouble was coming, and she could already feel its shadow looming over her.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Upstairs in the building, where the distant hum of the birthday party carried through the floors, Niklaus stood by a large window. 

His hands were shoved into his pockets, his gaze locked on the driveway below. He'd watched Hermia and her insufferable sister argue, their interaction replaying in his mind. 

He couldn't understand why Hermia allowed herself to be treated so poorly—but then again, it wasn't his place to judge. Not yet. First, he needed to know her better.

"Anything you'd like me to handle, boss?" Steffon, his ever-loyal assistant, asked from a few feet away. 

He had been standing by since Niklaus stormed out of the party after his outburst at his brother.

Niklaus didn't turn away from the window. "Make sure those kids downstairs don't overdo it tonight."

Steffon, dressed in a suit as crisp and serious as his boss's demeanor, let out a faint sigh and rolled his eyes. "That's not my job, boss. Security's there for that."

Silence stretched between them as Niklaus considered his assistant's point.

"Steffon," Niklaus said after a moment, his voice softer.

"Yes, boss?"

"You gave me everything there was to know about Hermia, right?" Niklaus asked, though his tone hinted at lingering doubt.

Steffon straightened. "Yes, sir. All the files are complete. Is there something specific you're looking for?"

Niklaus shook his head slowly. "No."

The silence returned, heavy and contemplative. Steffon studied his boss's profile—the sharp lines of his jaw, the way his blue eyes seemed both thoughtful and troubled.

"You don't look happy," Steffon remarked carefully. "You should be elated—you finally got to hold her today."

Niklaus let out a low sigh, his lips pressing into a thin line. "She thinks I'm trouble."

Steffon's eyebrows shot up. "She said that?!"

Niklaus nodded once, his gaze still fixed on the driveway below. "She did. Do you know what that means?"

"That she's going to avoid you," Steffon replied without hesitation.

Niklaus smirked, the corner of his mouth lifting in a way that sent a chill down his assistant's spine. "It also means I get to do everything and anything to make her mine. That excites me so much," he murmured, "I can't even smile."

Steffon resisted the urge to shudder. "I… understand," he said, though the words were a blatant lie.

In truth, he didn't understand his boss or this strange obsession with the quiet, unassuming Hermia. But Steffon had learned long ago not to question Niklaus Hathaway. 

So, he did what he always did: he nodded, smiled, and silently hoped his boss wouldn't go too far this time.

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Lights and life of people in the city teased Hermia as they traveled through the evening back home.

But none of this mattered to Hermia as she sat in the back seat of the Uber, gripping her purse tightly.

The towering iron gate loomed large and imposing it was a barrier to the sprawling estate beyond. 

When they reached the gate of their estate, the guards, dressed in sharp uniforms, stepped forward. One of them, an older man with a stern face, glanced at the car and shook his head.

"The Uber can't go in," he said gruffly.

"But it's me," Hermia protested weakly, leaning forward to make herself visible.

The guard didn't even blink. "Orders are orders, ma'am."

Hermia sighed, frustration and embarrassment blooming in her chest. She muttered a quick thank-you to the driver, paid him, then she stepped out, her heels clicking against the pavement.

As the Uber drove off, she glanced at the guards, who avoided her gaze. They knew exactly who she was but treated her like a stranger. 

'What life is this?' Hermia mused as she turned and began the long trek through the estate.

The walk was grueling, the path seeming to stretch endlessly. Her feet ached in her heels, the straps digging into her skin. 

Her dress, once immaculate, now felt suffocating, and her hair clung to her damp neck. Each step reminded her of how poorly the night had gone.

'I shouldn't have gone out,' she thought bitterly. What an unnecessary outing.

Finally, she reached the main house, its grand double doors looming before her. She hesitated for a moment, then pushed one open and stepped inside.

The foyer was as grand as ever, with marble floors gleaming under the chandelier's soft light. Everything seemed to echo wealth and power. 

Hermia glanced around and found no one in sight. Relief washed over her. If she could just slip upstairs unnoticed, she could avoid further humiliation.

But her hope was short-lived.

"Hermia!" Mariela's sharp voice rang out, slicing through the quiet.

Hermia froze mid-step, dread coiling in her stomach. She turned slowly to see Mariela emerging from a side room, her expression a mix of fury and disdain. 

Selena stood at the base of the grand staircase, arms folded and smirking as if she'd been waiting for this moment.