1934 Berlin

"Sophie! Sophie! Sophie, come quick! There is somebody important here to see you!"

"Coming, mother!"

In her mind, Sophie wondered who it might have been. Before she could make a thorough decision, she smiled to herself.

Sophie-Marie du Bois was a young, French woman of 18 years when the Nazis started to gain power in Germany. Before her 20th birthday, they had already taken over the political and economical situation of the country. Life had been marvelous. Sophie's father was a wealthy lawyer who owned his business by the medical district in urban Berlin. Sophie was attending the university in order to become a nurse; her hopes lay with meeting a wealthy doctor.

On her way home from the university this one afternoon, Sophie had noticed that a German soldier was following her around the campus. Growing nervous, the young woman turned and addressed the soldier.

"May I help you sir?" a wine color began to creep on her face as she caught a glimpse of the man.

"I am just curious to understand why a beautiful girl like yourself is walking by herself. Please allow me to introduce myself…I am Captain Amon Goeth, commandant of the SS. A pleasure, miss." He took her hand and pressed it to her lips.

His eyes were an icy-blue, however, his features presented themselves handsomely. He had dirty blonde hair that was hidden beneath his hat. The decorative uniform that was pressed so neatly against his body revealed that he was in good health. Sophie had been wooed and teased by many German soldiers, but this one was the first to come and actually make himself known-and a captain no less!

Sophie curtsied as she felt his chapped lips press against her hand.

"Merci. It is a pleasure meeting you, good sir. However, I must be going…" she slipped her hand out of his grasp.

Before she could finish her sentence, Goeth smiled and Sophie had grown taken by his charming face.

"Please allow me to escort you home, Miss…I'm sorry, what was your name?"

The girl was speechless. How could she answer him? Her eyes focused on his Germanic features before clearing her throat.

"Sophie…Sophie-Marie. And please, I do not want to trouble you."

Amon Goeth chuckled and shook his head.

"It would be no trouble at all. Please, join me."

Sophie looked around and felt jealous eyes staring at her. Should she have refused, who know what could have happened? She nodded as the captain offered his arm to her. Slipping her tiny arm into his, she followed him into the car…

Soon after, Amon Goeth and Sophie were the newest soldier-civilian couple in the ballroom. His sensitivity and charm had won her over; the talk of marriage had already been brought up several times whenever they were together. Gifts of exotic furs, diamonds, and precious jewels made their way onto her body as they continued to get more involved with each other.

Whenever he was away monitoring his SS troop, he would write her detailed love letters professing that she was the only woman he had ever loved. Although they were very much attached, Goeth respected the girl's wishes and her sexual boundaries. This created a deep love for Sophie; she was saving herself for their first moments as husband and wife. Soon their courtship allowed Sophie to miss class and drop out of the university; she no longer needed her rich doctor when she had her charming, loving Amon Goeth.

However, her parents learned of their romance and did not approve of it what so ever. News and rumors about Amon Goeth's true personality poured all over the cigar halls. Monsieur du Bois would rather send his only child to the convent rather than have her marry a cold-blooded killer. Sophie had not seen her captain for months. But today, the sudden visitor struck her curiosity.

"SOPHIE! What is taking you so long?" Madame du Bois was practically yelling up her staircase.

With nervousness and heart full of hope, she wished that her Amon had come to take her to dinner. As she put on some lipstick in her room, anticipating seeing him for the first time in months, the pace of her heart quickened. How she missed him! Her tight-fitting evening dress seemed to have wrapped itself tighter around her slender body as she walked down her stairs, adjusting her left earring as she walked. At first, she saw a pair of dress shoes, then a pair of grey pants. With a large smile, she raced down the stairs only to find another SS officer in the place of Captain Goeth.

This one had taken his hat and placed it on her family's hall table. His coat was folded neatly over his arm. He also had handsome features that were less sharp than the captain's. Sophie glanced at her smiling mother and then directed her eyes to the fully uniformed officer.

"Hallo…" her voice cracked with disappointment.

"Why hello there, miss. I am Colonel Hans Landa of the SS." he took her hand and pressed it to her lips, an action already perfected by her captain. Landa stood up and smiled again. "Your father has spoken much of you, dear Sophie."

Her green eyes burned with anger at the mention of her father. How dare he try to make her court some other man! Sophie smiled blindly at Landa before addressing him.

"It is a pleasure in its own to meet you. May I ask what business did you intend on addressing me with?"

"Sophie!' Madame du Bois was sharp to try and correct her daughter's tone.

Landa chuckled and turned to address the infuriated mother. "No, no, Madame. Do not get upset, children act like this all of the time." Landa then turned his attention to Sophie. "I would like to take you to dinner at this wonderful bistro. I insist on you coming."

Sophie paused, disgusted; how dare this man! She glanced around the room once more before sighing and agreeing. This was only one dinner that Amon did not have to know about. And if he heard about it, well she had a perfect excuse. The girl sighed and nodded.

"Let me get my coat…"

The stubborn blonde trudged by the smiling Colonel in order to get the fur coat that Amon had bought for her. She flaunted it in front of Landa, who seemed to keep his smile and pay attention to her. There was one objective of him being here and that was to accept her parents' proposal and marry her.

"Goodbye Mere. I shall see you in the morning."

Sophie walked up to her mother and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. The young blonde then turned her attention to Landa, who graciously offered her his arm. She took it with a false smile and exited her home. The two got into Landa's exquisite car that was decorated with Swastikas and eagles.

As she made herself comfortable, Landa turned his glance to her and placed a hand on her knee.

"Your parents tell me that you're in school to become a nurse! That is marvelous."

Sophie eyed his hand and pulled her knee away from him. She only nodded at his comment, hoping and praying that her beloved Amon would somehow be at the restaurant they were going. With another sigh, she stared out the window. She then felt Landa's hand travel lightly back and forth on her thigh. Her eyes glanced around before meeting his.

"Please stop. You are making me uncomfortable."

His grin made Sophie's stomach turn. What was he thinking now? The poor girl was defenseless against whatever plot this man had in his mind. Before she could question him again, Landa said something rapidly to the driver in a language she could not understand. The driver chuckled and pulled up in front of the bistro. Sophie quickly opened her door and jumped out of the vehicle and marched into the busy doors. Before she could get far, a hand firmly grasped onto her wrist and jerked her backwards.

"Now, now. This is not the time to get hasty."

The colonel smiled again at her. With every fiber in her being, Sophie withheld any sign of dissent. In fact, she told herself to relax; all she had to do was enjoy the free meal, leave, grab a taxi, and chastise her mother. Because of Landa's decorated rank, the two got a private table in the backroom. Sophie grabbed the hostess and in rapid French begged to sit where everybody else sat. The hostess smiled and then walked away. Idiot Sophie thought to herself.

Landa pulled a chair out for Sophie before seating himself directly across from her. With a smile, he reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a silver case.

"Would you like a cigarette?" he offered innocently.

"Oui. Merci." Sophie leaned forward and reached for the cigarette.

As she leaned in, Landa grasped her wrist again and pulled her close to him. When she was inches from his face, his eyes studied her.

"Goeth was right. You are some beauty, aren't you? And virginal as well…" Landa chuckled. "That is so hard to find in today's world of…French women."

Sophie pulled herself away from him and sat uncomfortably in her chair. Her cheeks were a full red and she angrily watched as he lit a match.

"You know…" his words were muffled because of the cigarette butt wedged in his mouth. "…your father has paid me your dowry. I sent Goeth away to the Auschwitz training camp. Dear Sophie, I am taking you to dinner tonight to celebrate…" he inhaled the toxic cloud of smoke. "…our engagement." he exhaled with a smile.