As they walked into the kitchen, Hermione remained silent.
"What's your problem?" Candace asked. "You wanted to own one business, now you own four! You didn't even have to make a big pitch."
Hermione clenched her fists. "I wanted to own one by myself. And I was willing to pay for it."
"I know. You know, I was thinking about what you said when you wanted to buy my dad out, but I was thinking that I would like it if you bought me out."
Hermione whirled around and stared at Candace. "You want me to give you my parent's money?"
"No! I want you to work it off."
Hermione stared at Candace some more. "What do you mean?"
"You work for me. Anytime time, day and night, every day, no excuses."
"For how long?"
"Until I get married, which, if I meet a rich bachelor at the Malfoy ball, would be very soon."
Hermione bit her lip. "Can I think about it?"
"No! You can either compete against me and gravely upset my father, or you could just keep doing what you already have been doing! And once I marry my rich prince, I'll be out of your hair and you can have everything you want! What do you say?"
Hermione closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"At you service," she whispered.
"This is the place I should be living in," Candace complained.
They were in the kitchen of the Malfoy Manor, preparing and sorting ornaments to decorate. Rather, Hermione was sorting and preparing. Candace just stood near the counter, watching her work.
Candace picked up an "S" hook and snorted. "I can't believe people think you have a knack for this. Your ornaments are hideous."
Hermione sighed and explained, "Those are not ornaments, they're hooks to hang stockings."
"Not for that stupid game you were babbling about is it? And tell me you didn't send that idea to Draco Malfoy."
Hermione paused and bit her lip.
"He's probably on his way right now to fire us," Candace ranted.
"Am I interrupting something?"
It was Draco Malfoy, coming in with a smug expression on his face. Although Hermione was reluctant to admit it, Malfoy had grown to be quite handsome since his days at Hogwarts. He had a slender and pale face, with his hair ruffled casually. He wore a tight suit that fit him well, showing his well-toned muscles.
"Um, no Mr. Malfoy, not at all," Hermione said.
"Well, shouldn't I be? The Ball is only a day away. And please, it's Draco."
Hermione narrowed her eyes at Malfoy, but he merely smirked back at her.
Candace quickly stepped in front of Hermione and said, "What my cousin means is you can never interrupt."
Malfoy stared down at Candace. "Well then, I should visit my kitchen more often. You must be the one sending the sketches and ideas to me right?"
Candace tucked a strand of brown hair behind her ear and plastered a fake smile. "That depends on what you thought of them."
Malfoy chuckled. "Well, I'm insane for the Malfoy Masquerade ideas. The castle and the moat designs for the pool house...and that names are forbidden…"
Candace gave a giggle and batted her eyelashes.
"And the Christmas stocking game," Malfoy continued in a husky voice."That is a real winner."
Candace beamed. "Well I thought you seemed like the kind of man that would like to party outside of the box," she whispered seductively.
Hermione stood in the back, watching their little moment. Once again, Candace took her credit, and once again she decided to let it slide.
"You'll be there won't you?" Malfoy asked Candace, pulling out an invitation from his pocket. "As my guest?"
Candace looked at the invitation and smiled wickedly. "If you insist."
Malfoy gave a small smile and walked away.
Candace clutched the invitation to her breasts and sighed. "I can already see my future and it is Mr. Draco Malfoy himself. See Hermione? Your dreams can be realized sooner than you think. And on that note I have a ton of work to do to get myself ready for the ball, and I can't do it alone."
Hermione grimaced and said, "Well, I have quite a bit of work to do here actually."
"Helping me is helping you," she reminded.
Hermione turned around and picked up a notebook. "What do you need?"
"I'll need an infrared body wrap, a facial, spray tan, mani, pedi, eyelash extensions and tint. A full body wax, teeth whitening, makeup, and a hair stylist. And a one of a kind dress. Custom made, obviously. Don't forget the shoes."
Hermione's pen sprinted across the notebook, trying to catch up to Candace's many demands. "And the stocking of course," Hermione gently reminded Candace.
Candace raised an eyebrow. "I am not getting a spray tan and a pedicure so I can wear a hose..."
"No, the Christmas stocking for the game! It's a requirement for you to attend."
Candace rolled her eyes. "Fine, and a stocking."
"And you have to fill it with five things that only have value to you."
"Okay, whatever. You'll think of something," Candace said while handing Hermione the invite. "Make sure I don't loose this. I'm off to get my beauty rest."
When Candace was gone, Hermione let out a sigh. What did she get herself into?