I apologise for the lack of update, I am not abandoning the story. I just could not find a time to sit down and write. Exam and assignments deadline are coming but then currently I am enjoying Easter holiday, so I hope I can still push myself to write more in the following few weeks.

Also, I planned to write from a different perspective from another character apart from Lucius and Hermione for the next chapter. If you like it, I will certainly do it more often, so I hope you will enjoy it.


With Lucius's insistence, Hermione's seat was upgraded to first class and this made her felt particularly uneasy. Sitting at the waiting lounge beside Lucius, she had nothing to do but to look at her phone. She received a message from Kath.

Kath: Don't be surprised if you found the seat on your left was occupied by another person.

Hermione was confused.

Hermione: What do you mean?

She saw "Kath is typing" for a while, then it stopped. After a while, her message popped out and quickly her eyes scanned the message.

Kath: I don't really know how to explain and start from where, but Narcissa brought someone into the company and says she will be Draco's assistant.

Hermione: Who is she?

Kath: Well, you might as well see for yourself. Not sure if Lucius knows about this, but well he is currently not in the company and so I guess he knows nothing about this.

Hermione: So you mean it's basically Narcissa's idea to employ her?

Kath: Guess that's the story.

Hermione looked at Lucius, who was busily typing on his laptop and glancing at his watch. He did not seem to know what had happened, but perhaps he knew this far before anyone did. Lucius turned to her and said,

"You seem disturbed."

"Did you employ a new secretary for Draco?"

Lucius raised his brow and replied,

"News does spread fast, does it not?"

"So you do know!" exclaimed Hermione.

"Why shouldn't I?"

On second thought, Lucius was the president of the company, though Narcissa might make all the decisions, he would be informed of major changes in the company. Narcissa would not want to cross him.

"First class passenger, you may now get on board."

Lucius and Hermione got up and headed towards the cabin. A flight attendant led them to their seats and left soon as they settled down. Though the seat was far more comfortable and roomy than the ones in economy class, Hermione still felt uncomfortable.

"Relax," hushed Lucius. "If you can't relax, I will help you, but I am not sure if you want my assistance."

Hermione blushed and she turned her head to the window. Soon as the plane took off, a flight attendant came with two bowls of nuts and steadily poured white wine into their wine glasses.

"Stag's Leap Cellars Aveta Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Napa Valley," said Lucius as the flight attendant left. "Try it. Refreshing and calming."

Hermione lifted the glass and took a sip. Perhaps it was because she was on the plane, perhaps she was rather intolerant to alcohol, she could sense her mind slowly shutting down as the alcohol reached her abdomen, but it was so captivatingly delicious that she took another large gulp.

"Slow down, Hermione," said Lucius. "Take it easy."

Slowly, the flight attendants served the dishes and before Hermione took the fork, Lucius snatched it and began feeding her as if she was his child. Bit by bit, Lucius cleared the dishes and Hermione had never felt so bloated.

"I feel like a pig," said Hermione.

Lucius smiled and offered her some wine. Without hesitation, she drank all in one go. Dizziness started emerging and she said,

"I really shouldn't drink wine."

"Just rest for the time being," whispered Lucius and he gently placed a blanket on her. "I will wake you when we are there."

And so she drifted off to sleep. Strangely, she dreamt of the quarrelling scene of Lucius and Diana at the hospital. She had not thought about it until now. What was the relationship of Lucius and Diana? Who was the 'him' they were talking about? Could it be Draco?

No, it did not seem possible. If he was Diana's boyfriend, he would visit her, and never had Hermione seen him.

Before she could think more, a pat fell on her shoulder and she woke up. Lucius said,

"We are almost there."

"How long have I slept?"

"Slightly more than two hours," answered Lucius.

"We need to get back to the company," said Hermione and she stretched her limbs.

"You need some rest."

"I have had enough rest, I can get back to work."

Lucius patted her shoulder and helped her fasten the seatbelt. Looking at the scenery outside, tiny little buildings emerged beneath Hermione and her heart was racing, for an unknown reason. As the plane descended and stopped, she got up and followed Lucius out of the plane and down to the baggage claim area the moment they walked pass the custom.

The chauffeur was waiting for them at the carpark and soon as he saw Lucius carrying both his and Hermione's luggage, quickly he sprinted over and took over the luggage. Lucius then ushered Hermione into the car.

"Drop us off at Indigo," said Lucius.

"Yes, sir," said the chauffeur as he got in and fastened his seatbelt. He took a swift glance at Hermione through the mirror and then back to the front.

Lucius reached her hand and grasped it tightly, with his reassuring eyes Hermione felt a lot more comfortable.

And not for long, they arrived at the entrance of Indigo. Hermione followed Lucius into the building and headed straight to the office. Despite it was merely a 10 day trip, Hermione did not seem to recognise some parts of the building, as though somebody had refurbished the area when they were gone.

The office had indeed changed a lot, at least Hermione did not remember her desk was piled with documents and boxes of chocolate. Kath was not sitting beside her desk either, she was moved to the desk near the pantry.

Just then, Narcissa came out of Lucius' office. Behind her was a young blonde lady with emerald eyes, it was difficult not to appreciate her appearance. Soon as Narcissa noticed Lucius, she was slightly shocked, still she maintained calm and said,

"Welcome back, Lucius."

"Nice refurbishment," said Lucius, but Hermione could not hear any hints of excitement and joy in his tone.

"This is Daphne Greengrass, Draco's new secretary," introduced Narcissa. "For convenience, she will sit here at Hermione's original seat. Hermione, your new seat is over there beside Alexa."

Alexa, who was near the office door, pointed at the empty seat beside her. Hermione could remember that seat was for trainees. She looked at Lucius, she could sense his body stiffened. He cleared his throat and said,

"Nice arrangement, but where shall our new trainee sit?"

Narcissa's face slightly twitched, then she said,

"Since Daphne took up our quota this year, it can wait."

"That reminds me we have a vacant office beside mine," said Lucius. "After all, it's not appropriate for Hermione to sit near the entrance. People will easily come to the conclusion that we like mistreating our staff."

Hermione stared at Lucius, then Narcissa. Like her, Narcissa was also shocked, she said,

"The office was vacant for years," said Narcissa. "And Ms Granger is a Public Relation Offer—"

"Did I not inform you that Hermione is now my external secretary?"

The office fell into silence, Hermione could only gawk at Lucius, Lucius continued,

"Narcissa will be responsible for internal affairs, I want the room to be ready for Hermione before tomorrow morning."

Despite not understanding what had happened, Narcissa nodded and said,

"Yes, Lucius."

"Good. Hermione and I are having a meeting in two hours. We shall leave now."

Quickly, he left the office, with Hermione quickly followed behind.

"Wait!"

As Lucius nearly got to the bottom of the stairs, he halted and turned around, which surprised Hermione. She stumbled a little, and Lucius quickly propped her with his arm wrapped around Hermione's waist, pulling her close to his chest. Hermione asked,

"Since when I became your external secretary?"

"Since you became my special someone."

Hermione rolled her eyes and Lucius released her, then she said,

"You are mad."

"Of course, madly in love."

"I do not want to be the source of hatred and a symbol of privilege," said Hermione, protesting as she walked out of the building with Lucius. "And I certainly don't need an office room."

"Who's the chairman here?"

Lucius gazed into her eyes, Hermione knew she could not make him change his mind, so she huffed and said,

"Fine!"