Thank you for the reviews, follows, and reads. I appreciate every one! Ill be updating soon again! I apologize for the wait;this is a short chapter unfortunately, since I have not had much time to write but I will try my best to update soon. Please continue reading and reviewing; they truly help.
Much Love.
The water was served scalding hot in fine china, laid before the young woman seated at the glass table. Different cups held strange herbs and spices.
Clarice felt extremely out of place in her simple dress. She was sitting in a gorgeous burgundy-colored room, a small elegant chandelier illuminating the area above her. Although it was already getting dark, it seemed even darker in the Counts mansion.
Candles were placed on the intricate wooden furniture near her. The air was chilly.
She was alone, waiting for the mysterious potential employer, growing ever more nervous. Was this the right decision?
Clarice truly needed the income but there was something about this house that made her hairs stand on their ends. She could feel her heart beating fast in her chest.
Footsteps echoed in the halls.
Soon a dark figure emerged from
the corridor.
Count Hannibal Lecter stood before, looking strikingly handsome in a dark rouge suit. His coat was black against the walls. His lips curled into a smirk.
"Miss Clarice Starling...good evening."
"H-Hello, sir. Your home..it's very beautiful. "
"Ah yes, thank you. Just a little decoration here and there. But it's quite too large, and with my busy schedule, I do not think ill be able to clean it all by my lonesome. Do
You see the dilemma?" The Count asked, sitting down in front of Clarice.
She could smell his strong perfume; alluring was an understatement.
"I do hope I can help," Clarice stated, smiling kindly.
The Count poured the water on some herbs, filling the room with a sweet tenderness. He then mixed it gracefully with a silver spoon, adding the remaining herbs. Clarice could smell chamomile, but the rest was a mystery.
"It's my own little concoction. I do
hope you will enjoy it."
"I don't doubt that, sir. Thank you."
She took a sip after watching the Count take one himself. It was probably one of the most delicious teas she had ever tasted. Her tongue was tasting heaven.
"This is wonderful! How did you-?"
"A secret, dear. My quaint little secret," The count smiled mischievously.
"Now, unto the boring part. Business then. "
He folded his legs together smoothly, putting his hand under his chin. The counts dark eyes were burning into Clarice's.
"5 pence. A day. You may help yourself to my kitchen any time you would like. There are countless of rooms if you are in need of a place to spend the night. All I ask is for you to dust and sweep the house. And anything else that might be...out of place, perhaps. This employment is quite flexible..."
The count was watching her closely. She was beyond astounded; Clarice was usually paid less than a pence per day.
"It's too much really, sir. A pence would be completely fine with me. I would be satisfied with that."
A low chuckle escaped the Counts lips.
"I will not pay any less..."
His eyes burned again.
It seemed like negotiating was useless with this man.
Although conflicted morally, Clarice knew it would be foolish to deny his offer.
"It's a deal then, sir."
Clarice smiled again. The Count indulged in her beauty once more.
"Perfection. "
The Count calmly got up from his gold trimmed chair; he walked toward Clarice. Within seconds he was behind her, too fast before Clarice could begin to move. His lips were close to her neck. He was so very close that she could smell the spices of the tea on his breath, mixing with his strong cologne. Her mind was spinning.
"When can you begin?"