Part 2

Faith stood in the elevator and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Lucien had told her to wear something nice. As much as she would have wanted to do just the opposite, she had tried her best to comply. She had to, for her dad and her family. She still didn't know why Lucien had agreed to make this deal with her, but she was grateful either way.

If only she could be sure that he would keep his word… He had said that she would have to trust him. Obviously she didn't, she wasn't an idiot, but right now she didn't have much choice. She could only hope that he was a man of his word. The elevator doors opened way too soon, she wasn't nearly ready. Not that she thought she would ever be. She would just have to grow herself a backbone and get this over with. After taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the elevator and determinedly walked over to Lucien's door. It opened almost immediately after she knocked.

"Hello there," Lucien greeted her smiling. He was wearing a pair of black pants and a light blue shirt; he looked just as cocky as always. Maybe he had pleasant physique and undeniably handsome face, but she was aware that it was all just a mask. Behind his smile, there was something very dark and predatory. She had sensed it since the moment they had met. He had been very charming, planting a kiss on her hand like a gentleman, but she had always been cautious around him. Her father hadn't trusted Lucien at all and obviously he had been right.

"Please, come in, sweetheart," he said, taking a step back.

She obeyed without saying a word. Hopefully he wouldn't expect some meaningless chitchat. She had never been in his penthouse and despite the situation she couldn't help but to admire it.

"Well," he stated after a brief moment of silence. "When I told you to wear something nice… This wasn't exactly what I had in mind."

She turned to look at him and frowned.

"What's wrong with my clothes?"

She was wearing one of her nicest sweaters and a knee length black skirt.

"Nothing," he replied, visibly amused. "If you're on your way to the Sunday school."

She glared at him and crossed her arms.

"I tried my best."

"Oh, I know you did," he hummed. "That's one of the reasons I'm going to enjoy this even more."

She pressed her lips together, determined not to show him any fear. She was afraid, of course she was, but she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of breaking her.

"So," he continued, walking over to the bar cabinet. "Can I get you a drink?"

"Yes," she replied, way too quickly. "Sure," she added, trying to sound careless.

He smiled, clearly enjoying this.

"What's your poison?"

"Anything is fine," she murmured, silently cursing herself for not thinking about having a drink before coming here. Of course she hadn't thought of it, that wasn't what good girls did. She had always been a good girl, wanting to make her father proud. He had often said how proud of her he was. How lucky he was to have a daughter like her. Those words had meant the world to her.

As long as she could remember, she had wanted to be the perfect daughter. Her father deserved nothing less. He had always been there for her, looked after her, given her everything she could have ever asked. He was the most important person in the world to her.

"Alright, how does scotch sound like?" Lucien asked.

"Fine," she replied, trying her best to sound confident.

She had in fact never tasted scotch or any other alcohol except wine, but right now she needed to calm her nerves.

"Thanks," she murmured while taking her drink.

"You're welcome," he replied cheerfully. Bastard.

The light brown liquid tasted terrible, but she forced herself to empty her glass.

"Easy now, darling," Lucien hummed. "We're in no hurry."

She didn't reply to that, she simply asked him to refill her glass.

"Alright, one more." He paused and gave her a charming smile. "If I wouldn't know better, I would think that you're trying to get drunk. Surely that's not something that a sweet girl like you would do."

"Bite me," she snapped before she managed to stop herself. She wanted immediately to kick herself; that had been an incredibly stupid choice of words.

Lucien burst into laughter.

"My my, someone's impatient," he chuckled. "Don't worry, sweetheart, we're getting there."

Faith turned her back on him, trying to hide the flush rising in her cheeks. She really hated him.

"But as I said, we're in no hurry," he continued and took a seat on the couch, patting the spot next to him. "Come, sit."

She really didn't want to, but she didn't think that arguing with him would do her any good. He was lingering. Toying with her like a cat with a mouse. Once again she told herself not to show him her fear. Her guess was that would only turn him on. Reluctantly she sat beside him and emptied her glass.

"Better?" he asked, still smiling.

She didn't reply, she really didn't want to talk to him.

"I'm curious about something," he continued after a moment of silence. "You're a virgin, aren't you?"

She tensed, struggling to stay calm.

"So what?" she muttered. She didn't see any reason to deny it, he would see it soon enough.

"No, no, don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong about being a virgin. I'm just wondering why. Is it a religious thing?"

"No," she snorted.

"What then?"

"That's none of your business," she snapped, refusing to look at him.

"Perhaps not, but I'm still curious. My guess is it has something to do with daddy dearest…"

"You don't know anything," she cut in tensely. "Just drop it."

"Touchy subject?" he hummed smiling.

"Private subject," she snapped.

"I see. Well, I'm going to tell you what I think anyway." He paused and leaned towards her. "I think you're still daddy's little girl. That's how he sees you and you could never do anything to let him down. Am I close?"

"No," she muttered angrily.

"I think that I am," he hummed smirking.

"Think whatever you want, I don't care. You don't know anything about me."

"Oh please," he snorted. "The fact that you're here right now tells me everything I need to know about you."

She didn't ask what he meant by that, she didn't care what he thought.

"Do I need to remind you that you were the one who came to me, not the other way around," he continued.

"I'm aware of that," she replied coolly and hesitated for a brief moment before continuing. There was something she really wanted to know. "Why did you agree to make a deal with me? I mean… I don't think you have any trouble finding willing women in your bed."

"True," he replied smiling. "But this isn't about sex, not really: This is about vengeance."

"Yeah," she huffed. "I know you hate my family…"

"Yes, I do, but the person I hate the most happens to be your dear daddy."

Faith frowned.

"Why?"

Lucien's eyes darkened.

"Let me think… Oh yes, he took everything from me. He compelled me to think that I was Niklaus and that compulsion lasted for over a century: So yes, I was a bit upset."

Faith didn't know what to say, her father hadn't told her anything about this. Not that it mattered, she was sure that he has had a good reason. Her father was a good man, practically perfect in her eyes.

"Don't get me wrong, I don't like any member of your family, but your father is the one I want to suffer the most."

"I see," she murmured and tried not to flinch as Lucien touched her hair.

"The thing is that I have already won," he hummed. "I'm better than them in every way; I could easily kill them if I would so choose." He paused and ran his fingers over Faith's cheek. "What I want is to make them suffer and there is no better way than this. When your daddy hears what I have done to his little girl… It will destroy him."

Faith shivered, she couldn't help it. She knew that Lucien was wrong; her father was much stronger than he thought.

"How do I know that you'll keep your word?" she asked as calmly as she could.

"Well…" he hummed smirking. "As I said, you'll have to trust me."

"I don't."

"Clever girl," he chuckled. "However, I intend to keep my word. I'm not going to kill your family, not if you keep your part of the deal."

"I intend to," she muttered as calmly as she could.

He smiled and parted her lips with his thumb.

"I know you do. Shall we start the festivities then?"