Sophia tried to be as quiet as possible unlocking the front door. She was half an hour earlier than midnight to try to be sure she didn't run into Sebastian. He probably had Mey-Rin his soon to be bride working with him in the kitchen every night now anyhow. Sophia hesitates after she unlocks and opens the door. The crisp midnight air blows into her face through the half open door. Was Sebastian and Mey-Rin having sex yet? He had already been with Sophia and hadn't asked for her hand in marriage once so why wouldn't he be sleeping with Mey-Rin before marriage? Sophia had to find out. Maybe she could hide some place near the kitchen and see for herself. She stands in the open doorway contemplating the idea. She had a meeting with the red haired weirdo soon. Could she skip it? What if he waited and when she didn't show up he would knock on the door. That would start trouble. Sophia hadn't felt this unsettled in a long time. If she did hide in the house and they were being intimate she would be forced to watch in silence. She was on the verge of going on a killing spree and killing them all maybe seeing them together would push her over the edge. She had the desire because she wasn't just hurting anymore she was furious with Sebastian, and Mey-Rin. Even the way Master Phantomhive stared at her now made her upset. Finnian and Baldroy were the only two decent human beings in the mansion truth be told. They would most likely try to stop her killing spree and be murdered in the process. Afterwards she'd burn the place to the ground and start over somewhere new. That could work.
Sophia nods to herself but finally decides that she should meet the weird guy and steps out into the crisp night air. She had borrowed a long dark coat from the closet but a gentle wind blows underneath chilling her legs. She was already shivering as she tucked both hands into the pockets and headed for the garden. If she had estimated correctly she still had a whole fifteen, or twenty minutes to wait for this guy to show up. What if that thing that chased her here returned right now while she was waiting? She hadn't been outside because of the fear that made her chest feel tight whenever she remembered that night. She would be dead right now if the door to the manor hadn't been left open. Sebastian is the head butler and always so set on everything being correct the very first time. Why would he leave the door unlocked? If he didn't leave it unlocked than why hadn't he checked it? Was he expecting someone? Was he expecting her? How could he? She had never met the man well demon in her life. She would have remembered a face like his for sure. Could he possibly not be as genuine as he liked to put on? After all he is a demon and they don't have a reputation for being honest or kind. She must have been crazy. How could she ever trust him? He might have been using her to get to Mey-Rin all along. He told Sophia that someone else was controlling him didn't he? She couldn't remember his exact words. What if he had set Sophia up? What if she was nothing more than an expendable item in his plan? Sebastian didn't look evil to her even if he was a demon. The weirdo that she was meeting tonight fit that category too perfectly. They could be partners Sebastian and the weirdo. They could both be playing her that wasn't out of the question.
Something soft and hairy curls around Sophia's neck from behind and she screams. It was the monster from her first night back again to eat her. She takes off heading to the front steps. The monster laughs. Sophia turns around to look. The monster never laughed before it only gurgled. The red haired weirdo smiles at Sophia while standing in the place she just fled.
"What the hell are you doing? You scared the hell out of me you creep."
"I know. I like when you're frightened it's quite sexy." He says
Sophia exhales with relief and pulls off the feather wrap that the weirdo has put around her neck.
"What is this for?
"It's for you my beloved vixen."
He has bestowed upon her a wrap made with large red feathers.
"Where did you get this?"
"My secret. Shhh. You're worthy."
He draws closer smiling still.
"You're really different from most guys. What should I do with this gift? I don't mean to sound ungrateful."
"You wear it to my next party."
"Your party? The last party? Wait, your Mister Aglow? No you're not are you?"
"I could very well be."
"I'm confused."
"You remind me of a Shakespearean tragedy."
"Romeo and Juliet?"
"No I'm suggesting Hamlet Prince of Denmark."
"What?"
"Have you seen it?"
"No. I'm only a maid. My pay isn't that high. I am sure you saw me in my uniform earlier. Let's get down to business. What do you want?
"Were you always such a bad girl?"
"Just tell me what you want in exchange for keeping your mouth shut. You saw me at that party I know you wouldn't have tracked me down just for my company."
"Blackmail? That becomes an absolutely bloody mess my dear."
The weirdo gets wide eyed at the notion.
"Come with me."
The weirdo holds out his hand.
"Are you going to take me over there?"
Sophia eyes a big tree at the corner of the property.
"Shhhh."
"Why do you keep shushing me? If you want a sexual favor just say so. I don't have any money so you don't have many options.
The weirdo looks her up and down.
"I am sure we can arrange something."
"I figured that's what you wanted otherwise you wouldn't have come here."
"Tell me are your toenails still painted red?"
"Yes."
"Good good. Keep the red wrap on as well."
Sophia follows the weirdo behind the tree. Once they were out of view of the manor's windows and hidden safely on the other side Sophia expects him to paw all over her body but he doesn't. He stares at her in silence.
"So…what are we going to do?"
"Would you enjoy taking your clothes off for me?"
"Not outside its chilly but if I don't have a choice."
"Are your panties red?
"No. Does the color red give you a hardon or something?"
The weirdo smiles bigger.
"I don't have anything red besides the wrap."
The weirdo kind of nods then looks around as if making sure their alone. Sophia gets the feelings again. Her skin as if it's being pricked by a million needles and the hair on the back of her neck rises. This is followed the warm all over feeling. Sophia jumps and lets out a small yelp like a frightened animal.
"What the hell?"
Claude walks up next the weirdo and thanks him. They shake hands and the weirdo leaves but not before giving Sophia one last weird smile.
"Claude?"
Sophia doesn't know whether to be shocked, disguised, or both.
"You're working with that—weirdo?"
Claude stares at Sophia with his honey brown eyes. He seems very calm and composed.
Sophia shakes her head.
"Why? You know about the party?"
"Sophia your past is of no importance to me. I want you to be mine?"
He raises his hand and brushes his fingers through her fine dark hair.
"No."
Sophia almost shouts.
"Is there another?"
"Get the hell out of her Claude. I don't care if you're a head butler. You don't work at the Phantomhive manor so you don't belong here."
"Nor do you. You belong by my side in the Trancy manor."
"What? No."
"Don't be frightened. I won't force anything on you again. I apologize if my previous behavior was offensive I wasn't myself."
"Offensive! There's an understatement."
"My behavior was forceful and blatantly disrespectful to say the least."
"What do you want from me now?"
"Not one thing except a moment of your time to hear a request."
"And what's this request?"
"That you allow me to see you again publicly of course to assure you of my good intentions."
"When?"
"Tomorrow afternoon."
"But that's Saturday Sebastian basically does an extra close inspection of the house and property. I am sure you do the same thing at your manor."
"Yes. I am familiar with the process."
"So how could I go anywhere? If you think Sebastian will allow it—
"It is out of his hands. My master has already spoken to your master and he will allow it."
"What? Why would your master allow it? I'm only a servant."
"You're an intelligent beautiful young lady though you may choose to hide it."
Claude smiles at Sophia.
"Will you accompany me tomorrow for a trip to town?"
"I haven't been to town yet."
"I can expect you then?"
Sophia hesitates for a second.
"I could use a few things. Yes. I will go with you but if you try anything!"
"I will be nothing less than the perfect gentleman. You have my word."
Claude looks Sophia in the eye with sincerity.
"Okay."
"Goodnight Sophia."
"Goodnight Claude."