Sugar quietly walked around the mansion. Because of what happened at the garden party, Crimson had forced her into doing maid work for two days. The most humiliating part was the traditional maid dress she was assigned to wear. The long skirt and sleeves felt restrictive compared to her more looser style of dress but she made it work by adding her own style to it. She sewed pink lace to the white apron and wore platform Mary Janes as her choice of shoe. Cleaning was not something she was used to but the maids around the estate were willing to give her precise instructions.

The living room was the place she hated the most to clean because it meant having to dust off Crimson's family portrait. She groaned as she took the duster and started to brush off the various photos sitting on the fireplace mantle. Her wings were fluttering because of her irritation.

"Stupid Crimson. Stupid house. Stupid Fortuna."

The gush from her wings caused the family portrait to fall into the fireplace.

"Ahhh!"

She screamed as she watched the photo shrivel up into ashes. She was terrified of the consequences for this possibly. Before she could think of what excuse she could make, she heard the front door open. The light steps of Crimson's heel tapped as he dragged himself into the living room.

"Oh. Would you look at that? My girl is here working hard. For once" Crimson sneered

"Hahaha yup. Just doing some dusting." Sugar nervously chuckles as she moves herself in front of the area where the photo would have been.

"Oh really? Why don't you come over here and join me for a drink? Unless you're still pissed at me." Crimson jumps onto the couch and leans back into it. His face appears tired and worn out as he looks at her. He patted the seat next to him playfully.

Sugar was weary of sitting next to him. Not only was she pissed off about being trapped inside but also how he ignored the fact that he hurt her. She decided she would sit next to him and hope he didn't notice the missing photo.

Crimson wrapped his arms around her shoulder and smirked "Good girl. I know you're mad at me for hitting ya and trapping you here and I ain't gonna ask for your forgiveness. Ya gotta understand how things work around here. When you're part of this family you-'

"I don't need to hear this again. If you wanna justify kissing up to those bitches then fine. They're completely right about me. I don't know how anything works. I don't know anything about social etiquette nor am I a skilled killer. I can't even do laundry right without discoloring them. So why haven't you just dumped me by now?" Sugar looked away from him after she spoke. She tapped her foot on the ground lightly as she patiently waited for Crimson to respond. After a few minutes, she decided to look over at the expressions Crimson was making. He took a deep breath and took a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. As he lit one of them, his eyes wandered over to the fireplace. He stared at the green flames of the fireplace flickering and crackling. He pulled Sugar closer to him and laid her head close to his chest.

"I didn't hire you because of your table manners or strength. I hired you because you're entertaining. I'm a lonely man. Not any different for your customers if you think about it." As he took a puff of cigar, he looked up and noticed the missing family portrait. He smirked and winked at Sugar. "Wanna know why I have no plans on ditching you Cookie?All my life I've gotten rid of anything that gave me any inconvenience. Lost a lot of men. Lost a lot of family. But times are different now. I realized that the power I have over others is waning. My connections around this Ring are leaving. I realize I can't just leave the projects I start despite how painful it is. That's why I put up with your shit. I put a lot of time and money into you. I put a lot of heart into might not see yourself as a demoness worth being around women like them but you are."

Sugar was surprised by his statement. It felt good to hear in the moment but something about it felt disingenuous. Unlike most of the compliments he had given in the past, this felt more preachy. In her opinion, it sounded like something from a cheesy sitcom. No one in hell had ever spoken to her like that before.

"Boss. Why tell me all that?"

"That's what you wanted right? Ya wanted to be a part of my world? Ya want to be the boss' number one girl? You want to be my family. That's why ya burned my fucking picture." Crimson chuckled

"It was an accident I swear! Dusting is really hard. I dunno whether to do a light brush or a heavy I start getting confused and think really deeply my wings will sometimes start flapping without me realizing it. It didn't burn it on purpose. It was an accident." Sugar said as she looked at him with eyes full of guilt.

Crimson let out a loud laugh and caressed her wings. He clearly didn't give a damn about the photo. "Nah. You think I'm pissed? I've been meaning to remove it for ages. Makes the ladies question if I have a wife or not. Worst if they ask about my son. You can think of it as a metaphor for you, my sweet Cookie."

"Metaphor?"

"My deceased wife, Bella, she was a bitch. She got in the way of business. She got in the way of teaching my son to be a proper imp that could take charge and be versatile. She wouldn't even let me touch her most days. So I got rid of her and thanks to that decision I got to do whatever the hell I wanted with my kid. Unfortunately, he still turned out to be a sissy. So, best to just scorch them all. Right?" Crimson laughed

"Is that how you see your family?"Sugar shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "I guess I wouldn't understand that."

"Baby did I scare ya? Don't worry about it. Despite all your complaining. You do your job well. That's all I want from someone that works under me. You ain't trying to be my wife or anything right?" Crimson smirked. He spoke in a very jovial manner despite the subject matter which really bothered Sugar. He looked at her with knowing eyes. Like he could tell how much thoughts of being with him had plagued her mind. The idea alone gave him power and he reveled in it.

Sugar wasn't sure how to answer his questions. She never thought deeply about what her ultimate goal with him was. This situation was something most of her friends strived for. He was a demon that was completely fine with her using his money on whatever she desired. He let her live in his home rent free. As things stand now, the relationship was completely transactional. Despite the facts of the situation, she did find Crimson charming in some aspects. He always opened the door for her whenever she entered a room, he was more courteous to her than her clients when they went out together,and he always held onto her tightly when they were alone. It was fun to be treated this way, but she knew it was only temporary deep down.

"No boss. I would never think that way. I have a friend named Stormy who works at a club near Crystal stadium. She had a huge crush on a very popular celebrity in the Lust Ring. She liked him so much she gave him private dances and other favors that were against the rules of the club. Eventually, she was found out, lost her job, and the celebrity dumped her for some girl from Sloth. I would never let my feelings get in the way of my work. I promise you Crim. I'm not that stupid."

"Oh but you are Cookie. Definitely." Crimson looked down at the Shark bite that marked the left side of Sugar's neck. He brushed his hand against it which caused her to shiver. He then took his opposite hand and lifted her chin. " .Ignorant." With each pause he leaned closer and closer. He kissed her neck lightly and his hands started to move down her body.

"Boss. No. I'm serious. I have zero interest in you." Sugar felt the heat rising to her cheeks as she squirmed and pulled away from him. She was irritated by his comments but felt herself weakening the more he touched her.

"You're a really bad liar. I know that crap I said earlier about not ditching ya turned you on. You're so fucking easy." He chuckled to himself as he pulled her on top of him. "Now stop whining and do your job. Show me what the hell I'm charging demons for."