Finally, last week of Semester 1! My assignments are done, the only thing I have to do is revising French (I flunked in my listening practice...).
My tutor forced to me attend those Christmas party (saying that I am shutting myself too much), I went there and my face grew so hot and red that I felt like fainting. Just when I thought I could sneak out, my tutor spotted me by the door.
I wish I could stay in UK for Christmas...
And yeah, we are celebrating more than 40 followers! Thank you for your interest in the story.
The one-week performance finally came to an end, Hermione was glad to hear that it was a success. Draco finally stopped yelling and from Narcissa's smile, Hermione guessed her mind would be spared for the next few days.
The next project would be the spring concert, which was a lot smaller than the Nutcracker. Still, Hermione had to work hard and find sponsors whenever she could. Fortunately, many sponsors continued their sponsorships and this lessened her burden. The only two things she had to do was writing a news article for the concert and coordinating with a television programme that discussed about different institutions in the community. Not only would she had to let the production team follow her and Lucius around whenever activities were held, she also had to bare a crucial part, selecting children to participate in the documentary.
From her previous experience, she knew Lucius would want to select children with amiable appearance than to children that were truly gifted. She scrolled through the children's profiles and managed to find a few girls and boys that would fit into Lucius' criteria. Still, she gave a few more names that she thought would be appropriate, seeing that Lucius did not immediately reject her, she knew Lucius had already given in and let her handle the situation.
Draco would also be involved in the documentary due to his position in the company, and Hermione wished she worked as another position. He had never got on with her, at least every time they met, he would glare at her. Hermione wished her place could be replaced by Narcissa, then the filming would end quicker.
Circling the dates on her calendar, she smiled and continued emailing the producer. So far everything was going smoother than she imagined and she could finally have some quality lunch break.
Just when she was about to stand up and leave, Lucius texted her and ordered her to go to his office. The moment she went into the office, she immediately asked,
"Is there anything you need?"
"You'd better give me back what was once mine."
"Huh?"
Lucius raised his brow, then Hermione realised she still had not yet returned the suit.
"I am sorry, I will go get it now."
As she turned around, Lucius said,
"Are you sure you should give up your lunch?"
"I have to return—"
"The suit itself won't get out of your flat," said Lucius. "I will come to your place and get it myself, in case you damage it during the journey."
Hermione's face reddened, then said,
"I am not that careless. I knew how valuable the suit is to you."
"Good, wait at the main door at five, I will drive you to your place."
Seeing that Lucius insisted, Hermione nodded and hurriedly went back to her seat. Kath immediately asked,
"What did Lucius say to you?"
"He just told me to wait for his car at five."
"Car…" said Kath, smirking.
"What?" asked Hermione, puzzled.
"He offers you a ride…how…interesting…"
"What are you talking about?" said Hermione. "Last time I borrowed a suit from him and I did not return. He just offers me a ride to my place so he can pick it up. That's all."
"Are you sure he's not going to stay overnight—"
"Hey! His sole purpose is to get his suit back, is that not clear enough?"
"Wait…you wore his suit?" exclaimed Kath. "Is the suit Narcissa's?"
"I think it's more likely to be his wife's…"
"How did you know?"
"I heard those people saying that the suit looks familiar, and they know his wife…"
"No way! He lends his late wife's suit to you! If I were him, even when my wife is dead, I wouldn't lend anything of hers to anyone."
"That's the point! I just don't know what he is thinking."
"Only Narcissa would be able to guess what he is thinking—" mumbled Kath.
"I hope you two are working as ordered," said Narcissa from behind, giving Hermione a huge shock. "We don't keep staff who doesn't work."
As Narcissa left, Kath said,
"Oh no…now she knows, I am dead."
"We are dead," corrected Hermione.
"You have Lucius, what are you afraid of —"
The office door of Lucius opened and Hermione quickly stopped talking to Kath. Narcissa quickly got up and said,
"Draco was asking if you would dine at home tonight—"
"I have an important appointment this evening," replied Lucius curtly.
As soon as Hermione's eyes met his, she gasped and buried herself between the piles of documents on the desk.
Time passed quicker than she imagined. By the time she finished work, it was ten minutes to five. Hurriedly, she tidied her desk and snatched her bag before getting up. Just when she was about to leave, Narcissa said,
"Hermione!"
"Yes, Narcissa?"
"Have you finished the article?"
Before Hermione could reply, Kath said,
"Mr. Malfoy just gave her the job this morning—"
"The job started this morning and after 10 hours, you still haven't yet finished it?" asked Narcissa. "Our interns can write a 5,000 dissertation within a night and still get a first. Are you telling me that your ability is lower than an average university student?"
Hermione was unable to answer, clearly Narcissa was trying to make her stay until she finished her work. So she sank back into her seat and turned on her computer. Lucius came out, puzzled, and Narcissa immediately said,
"I told her to hand in the article before leaving."
"Ms. Granger is having an important important with me," said Lucius. "The article is not that urgent, we can wait till tomorrow."
He swiftly came over and pulled Hermione away, much to Narcissa's surprise. Hermione said,
"Mr. Malfoy—"
"If you don't mind, I'd prefer you stay silent until we get into the car."
Being pulled all the way to the car, Hermione made no sound. As Lucius started the engine and drove away, Hermione began,
"Just drive to—"
"I know where it is."
After a while, Hermione mumbled,
"I thought you have a chauffeur."
"He's taking a day off."
"Oh."
That was the only word Hermione could come up with for the rest of the journey. As Hermione opened the door, Lucius was slightly surprised. Books were everywhere, stacked neatly on the shelves, on the floor and all over her table. Hermione said,
"I will go get it, wait here."
She quickly put her bag on the couch and went inside the bedroom. The moment she took the suit and turned around, she saw Lucius eyeing on each and every detail in the apartment. Feeling uneasy, she placed the suit in a shopping bag and handed it Lucius.
"I have cleaned and ironed it."
Lucius took it, he looked at the bag, then he gave it back to Hermione.
"Mr. Malfoy, it's yours, I can't have it!"
Strangely, he did not force her to take it, after a weak smile, he carried the bag and left.
Next chapter? I think I better keep it a secret, nobody would want to see Lucius in pain...
