Finally I can have a break to write! Life has been hectic, I still have a lot of problems ahead, but I really want to finish this. :D
Everything happened so quickly that Hermione lay wide awake throughout the night. The image of Lucius kneeling before her revolved in her mind like a carousel.
When the sun slowly rose from the horizon, the ring on the table gleamed. For some reason, Hermione did not feel quite ready to wear it, though she knew Lucius would want her to wear it at all times. She got up and walked to the table. The ring gleamed brighter as she put it on, as if giving her a warm embrace.
After putting on her suit and showering, she went to the kitchen. She turned on her phone as she stood before the stove. Normally she would prefer a slice of bread and a cup of coffee. But today she wanted a change. She opened her cabinet and took out a bottle of pancake mix powder. She was glad it had not expired, so she pour some out and mix it with warm water. Her phone buzzed and lit up. Lucius sent her a "Good morning". As Hermione poured the batter in the pan, she answered back with a "Good morning".
Within a split second, Lucius sent another message.
"Did you sleep well?"
She flipped the pancake and picked up her phone.
"Fair. You?"
"Same. Breakfast?"
"Making it now."
"Let me guess...pancakes with butter and honey?"
"You know me too well."
Hermione chuckled and carefully slid the golden brown thick pancake onto her plate. She turned off the hob and spread some butter on the pancake. Soon as it melted and seeped, she drizzled some honey on top. Though syrup was traditionally used as a pancake topping, Hermione liked honey sat down and started cutting the pancakes. Quickly she picked up the habit of using her phone while eating. She felt different, as if she wanted a new beginning. But Lucius did not send any messages back. She decided to wait, but after she finished half of her pancake, she broke the silence.
"What are you doing?"
"Thinking about you."
Hermione blushed. She did not know what to answer. Lucius then sent another message.
"Getting dressed and thinking we should address it when we arrive."
"Address what?"
"Engagement."
This brought Hermione to deep thinking. She had seen the clip everywhere, people kept commenting and sharing it. By now, the whole company and even the children would have known about this. Though it was a moment of happiness, Hermione felt awkward that everybody around her knew this before she was willing to she felt slightly more confident upon thinking of Lucius. She could rely on him.
Soon as she finished tidying up, she took her handbag and left the flat. Just when she walked down the front door stairs, she saw Lucius waiting for her. Lucius stretched out his arms. Without thinking, Hermione leapt into his embrace and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Lucius, in return, gave her a kiss on the forehead, then whispered, "Come on, let's go."
When she stepped into the office, she was greeted with blessings and cheers. After thanking everyone, Lucius gave her a pat on the waist, signalling her that he needed to go into the office. Hermione nodded and went towards her office as well.
Kath tapped her shoulder and said, "Good morning, Mrs. Malfoy."A pink tinge appeared on Hermione's cheeks and she quickly pulled Kath to the pantry.
Hermione whispered, "I'm still not used to hearing people calling me Mrs. Malfoy."
Kath stared at her with a look of surprise."Come on, you love him, don't you? You should be proud that you can bear the surname."
"Well, you have a chance too. I'm waiting for your engagement news."
Kath gave Hermione a gentle playful shove. Just then, Draco stomped into the pantry and quickly grabbed a cold drink from the fridge then walked away, completely ignoring the two ladies. Hermione whispered,
"I think Draco doesn't like it."
Kath did not seem to care, she said, "So? It's between you and Lucius, not you and him."
"Well I am his stepmother, I should at least try to understand him."
"I don't think you can do anything at all, he likes Narcissa a lot more than you do. And probably he hates you for pushing his 'real' stepmother away."
Hermione sighed. She never wanted this to happen. Kath gave her a supportive pat and went back to work. Hermione opened the cabinet and gently scooped some coffee powder into her cup, then slowly stirred the mixture as she poured the steaming water. Normally she would use coffee beans and brew her coffee in the professional way but she was not quite in the mood for now. Then she received a text from Lucius.
"Dinner tonight, my place?"
8 hours later, Hermione was glad that the day was over and she could finally take a break. Lucius was there to pick her up and drove her to the manor.
For dinner, they had spaghetti with spinach and salmon, something that both enjoyed. But Hermione seemed unenthusiastic and quiet. Lucius could not help but asking, "What's the matter?"
Hermione shook her head and aimlessly struck her fork into the spaghetti heap. Lucius wrapped her in his arms and said, "We need to be truthful to each other."
"I…Draco didn't seem to like me."
Lucius was mildly surprised by her thoughts, though it was no surprise to him that Draco was reluctant to welcome a stepmother, especially when the stepmother was not Narcissa. But he tried his best to comfort her.
"This thing about you and me. Don't worry about him. He will be fine."
A knock rang at the door and Lucius went to open it. His housekeeper was holding a canvas.
"Sir, your painting," said the housekeeper and immediately left soon as Lucius went towards her and got hold of it.
"What's this?" asked Hermione.
"Painting. Zelina painted it."
Hermione took a deep look at the painting. It was a sunny afternoon by the cliff. Clouds were fleeting in the sky and little boats were on the sea. Two ladies in thin gowns with umbrella were standing at the cliff, gazing at the sapphire sea. Colourful short strokes created a floral pasture. It was an eye-catching, and though it seemed like any impressionism painting, Hermione felt it was something special, but she could not quite explain it.
"She was really good at painting." said Hermione.
"I have put this away for a very long time. I was planning to put it on the study wall, what do you think?"
Hermione thought for a while, then said, "It's your study."
Lucius smiled and pressed his forehead onto hers, then whispered, "It's our study."
