Claude returns to the guest room and Sophia is waiting for him.
"Thank you for kindly cutting in." says Sophia to Claude
"It wasn't a bother. You appeared to be in distress. Besides Mister Damian is known for being too touchy with pretty girls." Says Claude
"You think I'm pretty?" asks Sophia
"Of course you are but I am confident that you already knew." Says Claude
"Well I'm okay…I guess."
"May I confide in you Ms Sophia?"
"What? Why did you call me that?"
Sophia's expression goes from calm to deeply disturbed.
"It is your name?" asks Claude
"Sophia is my name."
"I am not here to offend you Ms…."
"Don't call me that!"
"If you insist. What would you like to be called?"
"Just Sophia is fine."
"Very well Sophia."
Sophia can see sadness in Claude's honey brown eyes.
"What did you want to tell me?"
"A butler's life can be very lonely."
"I know what you mean."
"Sophia you share my longing?"
"Longing?"
"For a companion a mate?"
Sophia can't believe her ears.
"Yes indeed." says Claude.
Sophia doesn't know rather to nod in agreement, or shake her head. Would she be giving away too much personal information if she did nod? Claude had confided in her, and was looking for something in return.
"It's nice to have someone around who understands you." says Sophia.
"Not to mention someone that you can trust no matter what." says Claude.
Sophia nods.
"Yes, that would be perfect." she says.
Claude comes closer.
"Do you trust me Sophia?" he asks.
"I don't know..."
"Of course you already know." he says.
Claude takes Sophia's hand in his and strokes her palm.
"I am asking you to give me your trust Sophia. I will protect you." he says
Sophia doesn't know how to respond she is caught off guard by the statement. Claude looked to be so genuine.
"Trust me." Claude says again.
His eyes seem to glisten and Sophia finds herself getting lost in them. Claude takes a small sewing needle from his pocket and pricks Sophia on her index finger.
"Ouch! What was that for?"
"I only ask that you trust me."
Claude never takes his eyes off Sophia as he puts her finger in his mouth and sucks at the spot of blood.
"What are you doing?"
Claude sucks on Sophia's finger for about a minute before he stops.
"Are you into drinking blood or something?" she asks.
"Sophia will you be mine?" he asks
"Be your what?"
Sophia is rightly confused.
"My companion, my mate?"
"What? But you don't even know me." says Sophia.
"I do now."
Sophia feels the all too familiar warmth on her skin just like when she's alone with Sebastian.
"Will you belong to me?" asks Claude
"I can't marry you Claude I just met you."
"Of course. May I begin courting you?"
"Now? This is so sudden." says Sophia.
Sophia gawks at Claude.
"Are my looks not to your liking?"
"No—no your very handsome Claude it's just that..."
"Is there another?"
"Um...not really." says Sophia
She can't really answer the question without revealing what went on between her and Sebastian. Sebastian did sleep with her but did that make them an item now, or was he just using her to get what he wanted? Well she wanted it too so it wasn't all his doing. Why hadn't Sebastian asked to court her and here was Claude that only looked at her twice and had already asked. Sophia couldn't help but feel deeply disappointed in Sebastian. Why hadn't he asked her? Did he want to keep her a secret and for how long?
"I am a head butler my wages are in order—I mean if you chose to marry me there is no need to worry."
Sophia stands there with her mouth open.
"Excuse me but I don't feel so well right now." Says Sophia.
She starts to feel as though she might faint.
"Take my hand. You should lie down." Says Claude
Before Sophia can make a move Claude wraps his arms around her and looks her in the eye, their lips almost touch. Sophia can feel Claude's warm breath on her skin. She knows this is wrong but she can't seem to break away.
"What are you doing?" she asks.
"Giving you what you desire. You reek of secret strength and incredible lust."
Sophia can't believe Claude is being this forward.
"You can't speak to me this way. I have not agreed to be your wife!"
"What about your past and how you got even? I know everything about you now Ms. Sophia."
"How dare you?"
Sophia pulls away from Claude with such shock and anger.
"And don't you ever call me that again!"
"Why should Sebastian only get the privilege it seems hardly fair?"
"You go to hell Claude! Do you hear me? You make yourself out to look innocent but you're really the devil in disguise."
"Then we're both the same you and I wouldn't you agree?"
Sophia is so stunned that she can't even answer.
"You stay the hell away from me okay."
"Sophia I am not here to harm you. I want you for myself."
After this sentence Claude's tongue comes out of his mouth and he licks the bridge of his nose. Sophia is freaked out and backs toward the door.
"I can give you passions far better than Sebastian. Think it over. We can have our own little secret."
Sophia isn't sure how to feel. Claude was being disgustingly sexual and it kind of made her feel warmth down below as well as on her skin. What was happening to her? What kind of girl was she becoming? She liked what Sebastian did to her it felt like he unlocked a secret part of her soul. Would Claude do it even better than him? Who cares? She shouldn't even be entertaining the thought.
Sophia runs from the room, and feels as if running has been her only way out lately.