The Man Behind The Beast (BWWM) ✓
wambuimuiruriii · 34 chapters · 39,409 words
Chapter 1: Introductions
T H E M A N B E H I N D T H E
B E A S T
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A
B E A U T Y A N D T H E B E A S T
•R E T E L L I N G•
“You’ve got to be shitting me.” I whispered, glancing up at the large, enclosed, Victorian mansion I was staring at. Quite literally, this place looked like something out of the stories. I had to hug my coat closer against me as the late autumn chills rushed through the cracks of the iron gates.
“Mr. DeGramont? It’s Maxwell. The woman is here.” The man spoke into the gates intercom as he juggled my suitcases in his hands.
“Come in.” A man replied through the speaker. His voice was much deeper and richer than anything I had ever heard. It sounded almost animalistic, like a growl.
The gates suddenly jolted to life, making this horrid screechy noise as they were pushed back to reveal the most under kept courtyard I had seen yet. The grass was cut, yet vines had overgrown the entrance gates and the house itself. They wrapped around the houses old bricks, creating an even more fantasy image.
I slowly walked through, approaching the home with Maxwell not far behind.
“Is there anything I should know before entering?” I asked Maxwell nervously, as we trudged up the steps.
“I’d recommend speaking when spoken to when it comes to the boss. He can be a bit… As you would say, rough around the edges.” Maxwell offered. Looks like this job wouldn’t last too long. If my tendency to talk a lot didn’t get me fired, my even larger tendency to talk back would.
Before I could wrap my fingers around the door handle, the door was thrust open by a little boy with an eager smile on his face. I noticed one of his front teeth were chipped. “Hello.” I greeted smiling back down at him.
“You must be the new cook.” The boy nodded, taking my hand as he lead me into a large open entryway.
“Chip! Leave the poor woman alone.” Another maid scolded, wiping her hands down on her uniform before grabbing the little boy and flinging him up over her shoulder. “Hello! My name is Mrs. Pottingham. Everyone just calls me Mrs. Potts.” The woman nodded, shaking my hand gingerly, as the boy giggled over her shoulder.
She was a bit older than I had originally thought, but her smile made her look much younger.
“Why is everyone taking it upon themselves to greet the guest when that’s my job?” Another man asked, walking into the room. He had longer hair that was tied back into a loose ponytail. “My name is Lundwerg. Everyone calls me Lumiere because I clearly light up the place. Literally. All these candles here are my doing.” He noted, as I started to take the home in. I had only just noticed that nothing in this home was lit with electricity. Everything was lit by gas and flame.
“Oh. It’s nice to meet all of you. I had no idea there’d be more staff here.” I nodded, trying to not notice how intently everyone was looking at me.
“We’re staring, aren’t we.” Lumiere sighed. “We tend to do that. We haven’t seen another house guest in here for years, please excuse our rudeness.” Lumiere noted, his French accent starting to pour in.
“No worries.” I answered, pulling the suitcase further into my side.
“Let me show you were you’ll be staying.” Mrs. Potts nodded, grabbing my suitcases for me.
I followed her though the hallway on the farthest right towards a room that stood at the end. As she pushed open the door, I could already see a very elegant room before me. “Wow. This whole house is just… Wow.” I noted, setting the suitcases down beside the bed.
“Get ready soon. You’ll be meeting the owner of the home shortly. I must warn you, he can be a bit…”
“Rough around the edges?” I offered.
“Precisely.” She nodded, setting my second suitcase down before leaving me to prepare.
I sighed, pulling off the six layers of clothing before settling for leggings and a light sweater. I couldn’t help but breath this home in. Everything seemed so attentive and detailed. I mean, all 200 candles on that chandelier were lit each day? Who the hell was this man?
I gathered up the rest of my things and quickly unpacked them into the wardrobe before leaving the room and heading back down the hallway.
“Mm…” Lumiere sighed distastefully. “Did you really decide upon that to wear for meeting the master of the home?”
“He owns a fine establishment,” I noted, “ but he’s not the kind of England. If he can’t handle me in leggings and a sweater, I’m not sure this will work out.“ I replied, taking a seat next to the other house workers.
“He’s coming!” Chip chirped, running down the hallway into Mrs. Potts legs.
“Alright, chip, go into the kitchen. You know how he feels about you running around.” Mrs. Potts nodded, ushering him through the door. We heard steps as someone descended down the winding staircase, as he appeared around the hallway, I almost couldn’t believe who I was looking at.
His eyes quite literally bore into mine as he held my eye contact through the remainder of the steps. “What is your name?” He asked, his voice raw and deep, as he stared at no one else but me.
“E-Elle.” I replied, doing everything in my power to sound more put together than I felt.
“I see you’ve met the staff.” He nodded, tearing his eyes away from me to whisper something into Lumiere’s ear.
“Yes.” I nodded, unsure of what else to say in this situation.
“You’ve been brought on as part of the staff. I expect you to wear a uniform.”
“No.” I replied, shaking my head almost instinctively. Something instantly flashed in his eyes as he stared back at me.
“Excuse me?” He asked, taking a step forward.
“It’s part of my agreement. I work, but I’m allowed to wear whatever I see fit provided the meals are made at the appropriate time.” I explained, my body starting to shake with visible fear as he took another predatorily step towards me.
“I don’t recall seeing that in the contract.” He growled.
“Check again.” I replied. It felt like I was pulling the tail of a psychopathic killer right now. What the hell are you doing, Elle?
His eyes flashed with rage, before they were replaced with curiosity. “Very well, wear whatever. It’s the cooking that really matters. It’s time to put the great Elle Mallerie to the test.” He nodded, taking a step back to put some distance between us, before he turned around and walked out.
I glanced back at Lumiere for some help. All he did was motion for me to follow the man, wherever the hell he was going.
••
Authors Note:
An update!
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Chapter 2: Prepare The Food Like Your Job Depends On It
“You see Ms. Mallerie, in this home, there are rules. Every staff member follows them, and this place runs smoothly. This beautiful home is the product of that work ethic. Due to your reputation, I expected arrogance, but understand now… That won’t be tolerated.” The man spoke, leading me through a large dining room setting towards what I presumed to be the kitchen.
This man wanted to scold me about arrogance? The irony.
“You are to prepare three meals a day. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. The choices are yours as to what you’d like to prepare, but if I do not fancy the meal, you will most likely be fired. Choose wisely.” He nodded, moving with quick strides as we drew nearer to the kitchens entrance. It took a lot in me not to practically die from how good this man smelt.
It was… Wild. The scent of woods and the outdoors-
Wait.
Did he just say I would be fired?
“I can request small meals in between the three larger ones at any given time, so always be prepared to cook. The room at the end of this hallway here has been sealed off due to plumbing, you’re not to go in there under any circumstances.” He explained, pointing at a set of double doors that were located near the far end of another hallway, before we walked into the kitchen.
Oh, did I say kitchen?
I really meant “another home with a few pots and pans inside it.” Literally. The room was larger than my apartment back by the campus. Everything was stainless steel and marbled countertops. I couldn’t help but drool… This place was the promise land to all chefs.
“By your silence, I take it everything is up to your satisfaction?” The man asked.
“Can I make love to it?” I whispered unconsciously, gracing my fingers against the cold marble. I wasn’t sure if he had heard me or not, but he made no comment.
“It is now 5:37pm, I expect dinner to be ready by 6:30, nothing later. If it’s not done by then, you will be fired. If it’s not up to my satisfaction, you will be fired. Do I make myself clear?” He asked, as I turned to find him much closer to me than I originally thought.
My breathing hitched immediately. I wasn’t sure what it was, but as my heart hammered, it was like he could hear it’s beating. His eyes held mine as I tried so very hard not to faint all over these beautifully tiled floors. “Crystal.” I breathed, backing up a bit to put more space between us.
Everything about him was so… Intense. So incredibly frightening.
“Good.” He nodded, clearing his throat. “I’ll leave you to it.” He replied, giving another short awkward nod before leaving me to this enormous kitchen.
“Jesus.” I whispered, clutching my chest in hopes to catch my heart before it decided to beat right out of my chest.
“Is there anything I can help you with, love?” Mrs. Potts asked, waddling into the kitchen with Chip close behind.
“I think I’ll be okay… Just have to make the most amazing meal of my life to keep the most equally amazing pay. No biggie, right?” I asked, glancing up at her as I started to pull pots and pans down from the hanging rack.
“You’ll do fine. I can tell you this much, Master has never given us a personal tour of our job environment before, I think he’s taken a liking to you.” Mrs. Potts nodded, taking out some vegetables from the fridge and pantry.
“Something tells me that that man isn’t capable of liking anyone.” I replied. The vegetables looked absolutely exquisite. So colorful and prime as I placed them under the faucet.
“He was once.” Mrs. Potts whispered, setting the last of the ingredients out on the island. “Then again, no one has ever spoken back to him before. Maybe he’s secretly planning your murder.” Mrs. Potts shrugged, before wobbling back out the kitchen entry. I glanced back at her, but she had already disappeared.
Something about that statement sounded way too honest.
~
“Time!” I called out to Mrs. Potts, as my hands chopped at the speed of light.
“15 minutes lefts!” She called back over the clunker of dished as she set the table in preparation. 15 minutes until dinner was supposed to be ready.
Cool. I had 15 minutes to create an avocado purée that would put my mother’s cooking to shame. Awesome… No fucking pressure.
“Okay okay, you’ve got this, El. You’ve sat beside Dior fucking Gevastoné, if you can’t prepare a goddamn avocado purée in 15 minutes, so help me God, no one can.” I chanted to myself, dicing up the last of the onions before clearing off the knife and starting to peel the avocado.
I slipped the avocado slices, with the lemon pepper and a dash of lemon juice into the blender and began the tedious process of puréeing the ingredients. It was a fine skill, knowing exactly how many pulses the sauce needed to maintain its thickness, yet loose the chunks.
“8 minutes left, darling.” Mrs. Potts announced as she entered the room. “It’s time you start preparing the multiple dishes for the meal.”
“Got it. The first course will be a virgin olive oil and lemon seasoned salad. Something fresh to accommodate for the Salmon that will be the main course.” I explained, pulling up the plates as I prepped the salad.
“Okay. He’ll be here any minute so I’ll come get you when he’s ready to have the first course.” Mrs. Potts spoke, walking back out through the kitchen.
After a few moments pause, Mrs. Potts returned. “He’s ready.” She nodded, before leaving once more.
“You are Elle motherfucking Mallerie,” I reminded myself, “You’re going to serve the fuck outta this food.”
My hands slid under the first plate like it was apart of me as I walked out through the kitchen and into the dining room. I focused on everything but the man’s face as I approached the head of the table and set the plate down with grace. “The first course.” I nodded, pulling the plate cover back to reveal a very beautiful, freshly tossed salad…
… And so this began one of the most pressured nights of my entire existence.
I’m glad you guys like it so far! :)
Chapter 3: Prepare The Food And Don’t Forget Dessert
“What’s in it?” He grunted out, as I poured some red wine into his glass.
“Freshly tossed Romanian lettuce with baby spinach and fresh basil leaves. I sprinkled a few sunflower seeds on top then topped it off with an extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice dressing.” I explained. He glanced back at the salad skeptically before finally digging his fork into it.
Watching him slowly bring that fist bite to his mouth was probably the most nerve racking thing I’d ever had to witness. I literally just about died as he finally started chewing. “Good?” I asked nervously, doing everything I could not to drop this damn wine bottle.
“You have survived the first course.” He announced, piercing his fork in for the second bite. I let out all the oxygen I was holding in as I finally retreated back to the kitchen.
“Well done!” Mrs. Potts cheered, as she accompanied me in the kitchen with an empty salad plate. “He’s never cleared a salad that fast… Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen him eat a salad.”
My eyes grew wide as my head whipped around to face her. “You didn’t think to mention this before I made a freaking salad?” I asked, leaning against the island as if I was going to faint at any moment.
“I had faith in your cooking. You said so yourself, the salad complimented the main dish.” Mrs. Potts replied, setting the empty dish in the sink. “You can bring out the next course.” She added, before walking out. I sighed, massaging my temples slightly as I got back to work.
I slid the cooked salmon on to the plate gently, so the skin at the bottom remained intact, before tossing a bit more lemon pepper on top. I then added more of the baby spinach at the side, and topped everything off with the avocado purée that slid with ease from the beautiful stainless steel drizzler.
Placing my hand under the plate, I slid it up with grace before placing the cover over it and walking back out. The heat from his gaze as his eyes analyzed every inch of me became more intense as I drew nearer to the head of the table, I couldn’t tell whether he wanted to throw me over this table and have his way with me, or kill me. It kinda read both.
I set the plate down gently before removing the cover. “Course two.” I announced. He glanced down at the plate again and nodded. “It is a freshly cut salmon slab, smoked to perfection with herbs and a light peppery hint. It’s then been accompanied by some baby spinach leaves, and topped with an lemon avocado purée.” I added, removing the lid from the table while I added some wine to his glass.
I watched again as he dug into the crisp and flaky salmon. Bringing that first bite up to his mouth was every bit nerve racking as the salad.
I heard, what I thought could have been, the faintest moan as he slowly chewed, but it was quickly concealed by him clearing his throat. “You have survived the second course.” He nodded, before all too eagerly, dipping in for another bite.
I made my way back to the kitchen, thanking every God in existence for how well this was going tonight.
Seriously, landing a job like this was a miracle within itself. After leaving culinary school, I literally had nothing lined up. Finding this job request in my PO box the day after leaving was definitely a sign from the universe. There was no room for failure with this one.
“Ms. Mallerie?” Mrs. Potts called, entering kitchen with another empty plate. “He’s ready for dessert.” She nodded.
My eyes grew large as I glanced back at her.
Oh no.
Oh no.
“Dessert?” I asked, tipping my head to the side.
“Oh honey you didn’t….” Mrs. Potts replied, her eyes brows knotting in sympathy. My entire existence flashed before my eyes as I realized I had made probably one of the biggest mistakes of my career.
“Nope, no I got this, give me like 5 minutes. 5 minutes, okay?” I asked, as I began to rummage through the fridge and pantry like my life depended on it.
How the hell did I forget to make Dessert?!
“Okayokayokayokayokay, you got this. Uhm dessert, right.” I whispered to myself. My eyes then, by the grace of none other than His Majesty, spotted a tub of frozen vanilla yogurt and some honey.
Alight, bitch, make it work.
I took a few scoops of the froyo and drizzled a bit of fresh honey into it, before reblending it. I also found some fresh vanilla beans and grated those into the mix to add a stronger vanilla flavor. I then scooped the thickened treat back out of the blender and placed a few scoops inside a small cup. Sprinkling a bit of caramel, I then added some salt on top of the scoops before garnishing with a few edible flower assortments. I made sure to place the cup onto a small plate, accompanied by a dessert spoon, and quickly left the kitchen.
Hiss eyes penetrated through me as I entered the dining room scene.
“You’re late.” He barked out.
“Right, yes, well, better late than never, right?” I asked nervously, setting the small platter down. He snatched the spoon off the plate and immediately dug in, not allowing me to explain what it even was as he put the first two bites into his mouth.
He took his time with swallowing, allowing the froyo to melt away in his mouth, and leaving what I hoped was a sweet and savory combination. He went in for the third scoop, but froze before he brought it to his mouth. For the first time, he actually glanced up at me while the food was on the table.
“What is it?” He finally asked.
“I-I-I’ts a frozen yogurt blend of honey and fresh vanilla grates. I added a drizzle of caramel to top it off with some salt.” I explained nervously, as he continued to stare at me.
“You’ve failed the third course.” He announced, setting the spoon back down on the plate. “Clean up the kitchen and back your bags, I want you out by tomorrow morning.”
Chapter 4: Prepare The Food And Get Your Job Back
“Now, Mr. DeGramont-” Mrs. Potts started, as I stood there in total shock.
“It’s final. Dinner is dismissed.” He spoke, standing up from where he sat at the head of the table, and walking out of the room.
“D-Did he just… Fire me? “ I asked, finally tearing my eyes away from the leftover dessert to look at Mrs. Potts.
“Listen honey, just clear up the table and kitchen, I’ll go have a word with him.” She nodded, patting my back gently as she waddled down the now darkened hallway. I hadn’t even noticed the hallway had grown so dark until my eyes caught sight of Lumiere literally blowing out every candle.
“What has happened?” He asked, as he approached me.
“I’ve been fired.” I replied, as I unconsciously began to clear the table.
“Wow. I cannot say I’m surprised.” He admitted, as he started to help me with the plates. Being this close to him, I had only now noticed just how handsome he was. He looked like he was… From a different era entirely. His long hair and chiseled face wasn’t something familiar. Then again, neither was his accent.
“Where are you from, Lumiere?” I asked, pouring the lemon scented kitchen soap onto the wash rag before he handed me my first plate.
“You’ve just been fired… And you want to know about my heritage?” He asked, while neatly stacking the dishes for me before moving to the other side to act as my dryer.
“My mother always believed me to be the optimist. Besides, the second I met the man, I knew he was a bit…”
“Rough around the edges?” Lumiere offered.
“Exactly. I’ll figure something out… I hope.” I replied, picking the the plate that held the cup which had the remaining frozen yogurt inside. “What should I do with this?” I asked.
“Place it in the fridge for now. We can toss it out tomorrow morning.” He instructed. “And to answer your previous question, I am from Burgandy, France.”
“Oh wow,” I whispered, “if I remember right, Burgandy is known for its châteaux (castles).”
“Y-Yes… Your pronunciation… It’s almost spot on.” He noted, stalling for a second to glance at me. “Where are you from?”
“I was born in New York City. My mother is- was a very well known artist. For some time, she accepted a job in France to paint a very intricate mural. What was supposed to be a few weeks, quickly stretched into a year and a half when she and I both fell in love with the country. I finished Highschool there, so naturally, I caught on with the language.” I explained, closing the fridge, and returning to the sink area.
“Your mother passed?” He asked, placing a few plates onto the drying racks.
“Breast cancer. A year ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear about that.” He sighed.
“It’s not something one gets over, but it is something one learns to deal with. I decided to get serious about cooking. Her artistic specialty was creating something from nothing. Essentially, that’s what cooking is. Ingredients were my form of paint, and the plate was my canvas. I finished culinary school a year later.”
“That’s impressive.” He commemorated. “Why would you choose this job? I’m sure you could get a better one, where your boss isn’t a prick.” He joked. I chuckled slightly from our similar word choice.
“I don’t want to work in a kitchen. I don’t want to have to prepare the same meal every day for a high end restaurant, and I can promise you from experience, most of my potential bosses in the culinary world all have the same spatula shoved up their ass.” I explained. “My mom never signed on to a company, she just did what she loved, whenever she wanted. I guess you could say I want the same for myself.”
“That’s understandable.” Lumiere nodded, as we continued to work on the measuring cups and blender parts.
“So what brings you here, to Mr. DeGramont’s lonely castle?” I asked, steering the questions back towards him.
“Well, I am from a very influential family, as you may have guessed by my hometown. Mr. DeGramont is from an even more influential family. My family has an… Agreement of sorts, to serve his family. I am here, attesting to said agreement.” He spoke. His explanation was very vague.
“So this “agreement.” It has you lighting and blowing out candles?“ I asked incredulously, as we cleaned the last of the dishes and supplies.
“I actually requested this job.” He admitted. “I have a certain… Appreciation, for a flame.”
“I’m not even going to ask.” I shook my head, placing the last dish on the drying rack. Our conversation was interrupted by someone clearing their throat from somewhere behind us. Both Lumiere and I turned around to find Mr. DeGramont at the entryway.
“S-Sir. May I be of assistance?” Lumiere asked.
“Leave us.” Mr. DeGramont answered shortly. Lumiere bowed slightly, then left immediately after. I just glared at the man as he stared back at me. His once beautiful eyes were now just annoying.
“What.” I snapped, not even trying to conceal the resentment anymore.
“You’re angry.” He noted.
Was he fucking serious right now?
“Yes. One tends to get that way after they’ve been fired.” I hissed, wiping my wet hands on my sweater.
“Yes. About that.” He started, walking further in, to lean against the kitchen island. I only just now noticed it was almost 8 and this man was still in a crisp, just ironed, suit. Talk about weird.
I heart began to beat uncontrollably once again. Why did I have to notice how perfect this man was while I was mad?
“It has come to my attention-” I heard someone clear their throat from somewhere out in the hallway. “ Mrs. Potts has brought to my attention, the fact that I may have jumped the gun with my decision to fire you.“
I just stared at him. Was this happening? Was I dreaming? Was this man about to actually… Dare I say, apologize?
“Now I won’t apologize for my actions-”
I spoke too soon.
“But I will give you another chance. The same rules apply. If you make something I don’t like, you will be fired.”
“Why should I accept those terms?” I asked, as I crossed my arms.
“Because I rather not live off dinner boxes until I can find another cook. Because I’m not sure if any other cook is as desperate for this position as you are.”
“Desperate?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You crave the freedom and free will to create a masterpiece that is your own. You don’t want structure, you want to experiment, to experience a new kind of art. There is no room for that in restaurants. Here, I will allow you to create whatever you wish for me, provided I like it. It’s a high risk, high reward, but I’m willing to bet you will take me up on my offer.”
I stood still and thought. There really was no “thinking about it” though, I needed the job, and it paid well.
“Fine. The uniform is still off the table.”
“Fine. Consider wearing an apron though, you’ll ruin that cashmere sweater.” He noted, before pushing himself away from the table. “Goodnight, Ms. Mallerie.”
“Breakfast will be served at 8.” I reminded him as he disappeared around the corner.
“7:30. Any later and you’re fired.” He called back from somewhere down the hallway.
Chapter 5: Prepare The Food At The Asscrack Of Dawn
“Hurry up.” Mr. DeGramont barked, as I slowly slid the eggs out of the carton.
It was currently 7:25 in the morning, and I was just about ready to kill a bitch.
“I would really recommend you be nicer.” Mrs. Potts suggested as she set the table and poured him a glass of cranberry juice.
“Why should I?” He demanded, his voice raspy and raw from sleep. He was currently in a new crisp suit, with his hair neatly pulled back into a tight bun. Even at 7:30 in the morning, this man was terrifyingly sexy.
“She’s probably contemplating poisoning your food right about now.” Mrs. Potts called from the dining room, as The man finally left his post inside the kitchen to go sit down. I couldn’t even be bothered by the closeness of our bodies when he hovered over me to watch me cook. Usually I was bothered by someone peering over me as I prepare food as well, but today, I was honestly searching for a fuck to give.
As soon as Ms. Potts entered again, I thanked her gingerly.
“He just gets this way in the morning. He was out all night attending to- business. Just came in at around 5:30 this morning. I attribute his grouchyness to his lack of sleep.” She explained, opening up the cabinets to pull out some more glasses. It wasn’t really Mrs. Potts job to set the table, but it never went by unnoticed as I continuously thanked her. This woman had a heart of gold.
I hadn’t yet had the chance to thank her for getting my job back either. I wasn’t sure what pull she had on Mr. DeGramont, but it must have been strong.
“Are we going to completely set the table for every meal?” I asked, doing everything in my power to pull some gourmet breakfast out of my ass and not burn these eggs that I was trying to attempt a sunny side up with.
I’ve never consciously breathed air this early, let alone attempted to cook.
“Yes. Every meal, as crazy as it sounds.” She replied, pulling out some vegetables, including avocado, for me.
“I never got the chance to say this last night, but thank you for talking to him.” I whispered to her while she stood by my side and handed me vegetables to chop.
“No worries.” She replied. “I’m sure you must be contemplating whether or not you still actually want this job though. I know it might seem like the lord himself is testing you with the amount of bullshit that has been displayed these past 24 hours, but give it time. Mr. DeGramont was right when he said this job was meant for you, I’d be damned if I saw you give up too soon.”
“Can I like, consistently pay you to motivate me every morning, Mrs. Potts?” I asked, placing the cut greens into a bowl, before sliding the cooked egg on top. I then started peeling the avocado.
She just chuckled at me, as she watched me start to slice the avocado. “So what exactly do you do here?” I asked, breaking the comfortable silence as the clock read I had about two minutes left.
“I clean the home. Mostly the interior, because we have a gardener that comes around every couple of days. I’m in charge of cleaning Mr. DeGramont’s room, all the bathrooms, and just making sure the inside of this home looks absolutely stunning.
“It’s true, now that we have a cook, I’m no longer in charge of cleaning the kitchen and dining, but I’ve grown to like your company. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but most of the staff that Mr. DeGramont keeps around here are predominantly male. It’s nice to have a woman here that I can gossip to.” She replied, I gave her a large smile, before finishing the arrangement of the avocados. The timer went off immediately after that.
“Go go go.” Mrs. Potts hurried me, as I quickly made it out into the dining room.
“Breakfast is served.” I announced half heartedly as I all but slammed the plate down on the table as I approached the head of the table.
“Why do you keep feeding me salads?” He asked, halfway through chewing a mouthful. I said nothing, as I grabbed the plate cover and made my way back to the kitchen to clean. Silence is the only way I’d be keeping this job this morning.
“The lord is testing me.” I grumbled, basically sleepwalking back to the dishwasher to start cleaner. I heard a chuckle from over by the stove.
“Good morning, Ms. Mallerie.” Lumiere greeted. I glanced over at him, and noticed he was in a new freshly pressed suit, like Mr. DeGramont, but his eyes looked extremely tired.
“Have you slept yet?” I questioned, sliding the few measuring cups and chopping boards I used into the drying rack after washing them.
“Is it that obvious?” He asked as he tried to wipe some of the sleep from his eyes.
“Does no one sleep around here? Jesus. Getting me up at the asscrack of dawn to prepare breakfast. Mr. DeGramont coming back at 5:30am. You looking like you dealt cocaine out of your ass all night long. And how would Mrs. Potts know when Mr. DeGramont came back if she wasn’t already up? Like sleep, people, have you all not heard of it?” I rambled, sliding the last of the utensils into the drying rack before turning back to him.
“With our… Duties, sleep comes when it comes. There’s no structured time. You’re free to head back to your chambers after breakfast, Mr. Delagore will be stepping out for a few minutes before lunch.” Lumiere replied, sliding off the counter.
“What do you do?” I asked, my eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
“What do you mean?”
“Well your job literally requires you from 7pm to 10ish 11pm… I mean, not to make your job sound less important, but you light and blow out candles.” I replied.
“I also welcome guests, but like I told you before, we hardly get those. During the day, I help Mr. DeGramont with whatever he needs me to.” Lumiere replied. I simply nodded, as he left the kitchen.
“I’m going to go get started on the cleaning pretty soon. How about I give you a grand tour of the place?” Mrs. Potts asked, as she returned to the kitchen with empty plates and glasses in hand. “Mr. DeGramont has already stepped out.”
“Okay.” I replied. Maybe this place could give me a hint as to what these people really do…
Because business owner, my ass.
Lumiere
Chip
Elle Mallerie (Beauty)
Stefan DeGramont (The Beast) *at first I envisioned Scott Eastwood… But then I came across Jason Momoa who is an actual beast 😍
Maxwell
The Home
I’ll have things like this for visuals inside the actual story because the header will most likely be food. Because… Food. Thanks for reading! :)
Chapter 6: Prepare The Food And Know Your Boss
The walk through the castle was, dare I say, magnificent.
I hadn’t realized the extent of how large this place was, until Mrs. Potts took me down hallway after hallway after hallway. Dozens of Windows lined the walls as natural light shone though the panels, illuminated the deep rich wood.
Everything here, along with the staff, seemed so out of place. It was like I just walked out of the 21st century and into 18th century England. They all had some kind of accent that wasn’t American. Lumiere’s, for sure, was French. I think Mrs. Potts had an old English charm to her voice, but Mr. DeGramont was something else entirely. His accent was undetectable, but I was certain it wasn’t American.
“Mrs. Potts?” I asked, as we continued to make our way down yet another hallway.
“Yes, love?” She replied.
“Chip. The boy. Are you two related?”
“No,” she shook her head, “I’m actually his godmother. I knew his parents very well before they had him, so they made me his legal adversary if anything were to happen to them.”
“Something happened?” I asked.
“They got into a car accident few months back, so Chip is now my responsibility.”
“I think I heard about that on the news. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay, Chip has taken it as well as any boy possibly can. I take it you’ve now guessed Chip isn’t his actual name. His real name is Charles, but about a year ago, he was learning to ride his trolley and accidentally fell off. There was a rock nearby that he hit the top part of his mouth against and chipped his tooth. His parents wanted to take him to the dentist to get it checked out and hopefully refilled, but he refused. He thought it added character.” She joked, as we entered another living room. This one held a large glass piano, against a few bookshelves on the far right of the room.
“Why does Mr. DeGramont live here?” I asked, taking a seat against one of the large window panes at Mrs. Potts dusted away the book shelves.
“This was originally his fathers estate. He inherited it after their passing.” Mrs. Potts explained.
“What exactly does he do?” I asked, finally getting to the question everyone had been dodging since I arrived here.
“I think it’s better if he tells you himself, my dear.” She replied, skillfully diverting my questions once again.
I was interrupted from asking anymore, by the coins of someone clearing their throat. Mrs. Potts and I both looked back towards the noise.
“Mr. DeGramont has arrived. He skipped lunch due to a few unexpected meetings and He’s asked for an early dinner tonight. I must whisk Ms. Mallerie away so she can begin cooking.” Lumiere announced.
“That’s fine. Good luck, love.” Mrs Potts, whispered to me as I reluctantly joined Lumiere at the door.
“Thank you.” I replied, before following him out the door and back down the series of corridors.
~
“What were you planning on serving tonight?” Lumiere asked, as he leaned against the kitchen island to keep me company.
“Let’s check what we have here. I might have to do some grocery shopping tomorrow.” I replied, opening up the pantry. My eyes instantly zeroed in on the fettuccini pasta and cheese that was stored near the back. “Could you pull out some whole milk and heavy whipping cream from the fridge for me?”
“I’m here all of five seconds and you’ve already put me to work?” Lumiere joked, walking towards the fridge.
“Could you also grab that dessert from last night and toss it out? I don’t think Mr. DeGramont is going to finish it.” I added, shooting him a quick grin, as I poured water into a pot.
“It’s gone.” Lumiere spoke after a short pause.
“What do you mean?” I asked, glancing over.
“The cup is empty.” He explained, setting it inside the sink.
“Mrs. Potts probably finished it.”
“She’s lactose intolerant.” He replied.
“Chip?” I offered.
“He doesn’t stay here overnight. He attends a boarding school further up north and only visits during the day sometimes when he finds time.” He explained.
“Mr. DeGramont must have eaten it… But that makes no sense. Why fire me over the dessert when he actually liked it?” I asked, sprinkling some sea salt into the pit of water, before placing it on the electric stove.
“I’m not sure either.” Lumiere shrugged. “Why did you add salt to the water?”
“It actually helps add flavor to the pasta. Every bite now is guaranteed to taste delicious whether there’s sauce on it or not.” I explained, starting to grate the cheese as the water came to a boil.
“What’s the cheese for?” He asked, while he cleaned the empty cup in the sink.
“I’m going to make a creamy, rich, chicken Alfredo sauce. Could you also take out the chicken slabs in the fridge and cut them up into diced pieces?” I asked, giving him a doggy face pout as he reluctantly walked back to the kitchen.
“I’m about to demand a cut of your pay here.” He sassed, placing the uncooked chicken onto a cutting board.
“Oh shush. I’m sure, even with your candle lighting job, you still get paid more than me.” I sassed back.
“I’m also Mr. DeGramont’s personal slave, let’s not forget that.” Lumiere laughed, tossing the cut up chicken in a bowl for me.
“About that. What exactly do you do for Mr. DeGramont? Wait, scratch that, what does Mr. DeGramont do precisely?” I asked, trying to nonchalantly pry into this mans not so personal affairs.
“I think it’s best if-”
“If he tells me himself, I know I know.” I grumbled, pouring some milk into a saucer then placing it onto a different spot on the stove.
“What should I do with the chicken pieces?” He asked, conveniently changing the subject.
“Grab another frying pan from the rack. Only put a small amount of olive oil onto the pan before laying the chicken down. I want the chicken to be tender yet flavorless so it can absorb the flavor of the sauce.” I explained, as we continued to cook.
~
“What is it?” Mr. DeGramont asked, as I set the plate down and removed the plate cover.
“Fettuccine Chicken Alfredo.”
“Mm. Out with it.” He barked, digging the fork into the pasta.
“W-What?” I stuttered, taken back by his directness.
“You clearly want to ask me something. What is it?” He asked, his voice as rough as ever.
“Well, I was just wondering- you know, you’re paying me quite a lot, and I just didn’t-”
“You want to know what I do.” He spoke, cutting me off.
“In a sense, yes.”
“My family has created an organization overseas that has grown itself quite substantially since then. We’ve… Networked our growth to some… Uncanny people-”
“Criminals?” I whispered.
“Your words, not mine.” he replied nonchalantly.
“Waitwaitwaitwaitwait… Y-Y-You’re in the Mafia?” I asked, my eyes growing wide.
“You’re words, not mine.”
How is it so far? 😁
Chapter 7: Prepare The Food Over An Argument
“You!” I all but screamed as I pointed a firm finger at Lumiere. We were now both standing in the kitchen as Mr. DeGramont, not to my surprise, continued to eat in the dining room area like the conversation that had lead up to this, never happened. “How could you! You knew, you all knew!” I hissed.
“It wasn’t our place to tell. Mr. DeGramont is a very private man.” Lumiere replied, raising up his hands in innocence as his stupidly cute French accent infuriated me even more.
“I-I thought this was a friendship blossoming! Hell, I let you help me cook! I let you cut the fucking chicken. “ I sneered, forcefully placing the dirty dishes into the sink.
“I think your overreacting-”
“ Overreacting?!“ My eyes shot back to him. “Oh I’m sorry, a mere 5 minutes ago, I was under the impression that I was working for a goddamn entrepreneur !”
“He is… In a way. It’s all about your perspective on the situation.” Lumiere nodded, as he tried to convince me. Before I could reply, we were both interrupted by Mr. DeGramont entering the kitchen with a bowl of pasta in hand.
“So… will there be dessert tonight, or…” He asked, twirling the fork into the pasta. My eyes went wild, as I glared back at him. “Right right, got it, carry on.” He replied, doing a quick twirl with his fork before exiting the kitchen again.
“If you’re to blame anyone, it should be him!” Lumiere shot back at me.
“Oh yes, A profoundly well known business man who just so happens to lowkey be a Mafia Boss, forgot to mention he was
a Mafia Boss! Whatever is this world coming to?“ I hissed sarcastically.
“My family is tied up in this, his means of discretion now apply for me as well.” Lumiere argued.
“And Mrs. Potts?” I asked.
“Longtime family friends with the DeGramont family. Mr. DeGramont has been in her care since he was born actually.”
Well, now I understood why she had such a strong influence over him, she was his nanny.
“Mhm, Maxwell?”
“He actually just works here, believe it or not. No Mafia ties, he’s just really good at not caring about whatever Mr. DeGramont has himself wrapped up in.” Lumiere admitted.
“Oh wow. For the first time, the butlers not wrapped up in all this?”
“Oh, don’t be confused, Mr. Mallerie. Maxwell it quite literally just the chauffeur. We don’t have a butler in this home. If we did, I think my job description would fit those credentials.”
“I-I-” I was interrupted again by Mr. DeGramont walking back into the kitchen with an empty plate.
“Oh no, don’t stop on my accord.” He announced, setting the plate into the sink. “But while you’re arguing,” he added, walking to the fridge to grab the froyo, along with some fresh honey and vanilla from the pantry, “do you think you could continue your services… You know, the services I’m paying you for, and make me some goddamn dessert?” He spoke, his voice low and vibrating. It sent literal shivers down my back.
“F-Fine. But don’t think I’ll let this issue slide.” I grumbled, popping open the lid of the frozen yogurt.
“Yeah yeah.” He replied, already disappearing through the entrance.
“Oh, so you’ll forgive him and not me ?” Lumiere asked.
“It took all of a minute for him to confess about his shady cooperations!” I shot back.
“ Confess? You call what happened back there a confession ? He told you close to nothing!“
“Still more than you and Mrs. Potts offered!” I replied, scooping the dessert into the blender before adding the honey and vanilla. I then went to the fridge and pulled out a fresh coconut that was already cracked open.
“Are you planning on quitting?” He asked, his voice sounding… Different. I couldn’t detect what it was, but it made me turn around.
“You know I can’t.” I simply replied, bringing over the coconut.
“So you’ll accept the situation?” He asked.
“Accept? No. I don’t think I can accept the fact that my boss is probably a cocaine dealing, gun smuggling, cock fighting, arrogant asshole!” I hissed.
“I can still hear you from out here.” Mr. DeGramont called. My body froze instantly. “But that’s besides the point. Where’s my dessert?” He sounded like a man child. A very large, very sexy, very very scary man child.
So like Chucky, but sexier.
Bad visuals? I know I know.
I scooped up the ice cream, and placed it on the clean part of a broken coconut piece, before walking out. Mr. DeGramont stared at me intensely as I sat the dessert down in front of him. “Took you long enough.” He grumbled, digging in. I awkwardly started making my way back to the kitchen but he stopped me before I could leave the dinning room. “Now that you know my true line of work, do you plan on quitting?” He asked, though he knew the answer.
“You know I don’t.” I replied, turning to him.
“Carry on then. Breakfast tomorrow morning at 7:30, no later or y-”
“I’m fired. Yeah yeah, I got that.” I grumbled again, leaving him to his dessert as I returned to the kitchen. Mrs. Potts had joined Lumiere.
“I wanted to tell you, love.” Mrs. Potts started. “It just wasn’t my place.” I glared at the both of them, but less at Mrs. Potts. She was just too nice to be mad at.
“Name your price.” Lumiere spoke after some time.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“What’s it going to take to buy your forgiveness.”
“E-Excuse me? How dare you think so lo-”
“Just name it, already.” Lumiere cut me off.
“Fine. Mrs. Potts, you do too much around here for me to ask anymore of you, so I forgive you. Lumiere on the other hand, the candle lighter, you’re going to help me cook for the next two weeks.” I instructed, putting the washed dishes into the drying rack.
“You do know I have other work, right?” Lumiere asked.
“Oh. Right. Remind me again. Is it the candle lighting, Or working with the Mafia, that will be taking up your time?”
“Touché.” He nodded, grabbing the remaining ingredients off the table and putting them away. “You have a deal, Ms. Mallerie.”
Chapter 8: Prepare The Food And Meet The Malfacini Family
“Why are you even here?” I questioned Lumiere as he handed me fresh spinach and romaine lettuce.
“Well, first, I’m here to make up for-”
“Lying?” I interrupted.
“Not telling the truth.” He clarified. “Secondly, I was actually sent in here by Mr. DeGramont to make sure you don’t poison our guests who’ll be arriving tonight.”
“And why would I do that?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.
“They are very important people, within our company.”
“Criminals.” I confirmed.
“Hey, I think tonight will confirm your suspicions that we are, in fact, the good guys.”
“Mm, we’ll see.” I replied, pulling out fresh tomatoes.
“So what’s on the menu for tonight?” Lumiere asked.
“Well, judging by the fair skin and heavy accents all the men in the dining room share, I’m guessing Mr. DeGramont is meeting with Italian mobsters.”
“Please don’t call them that to their face, I rather not find you in an alleyway somewhere with you fingernails filed off.” Lumiere joked. My face paled regardless.
“Anyways.” I replied, shaking off that horrible visual, “I’m making an authentic Italian meal. Grab these ingredients listed here, and pull them out for me. I’m not going to have you do the actual cooking, but if you can pull out everything, it’ll make this process quicker.”
~
“Is it done?” Lumiere asked, rushing to dump all the used utensils into the sink.
“Yes. First round served will be a salad.” I replied, as I loaded all the plates onto a food cart.
“Okay. They are all seated and ready for the food now.” Mrs. Potts chirped, entering through the doorway with empty bottles of wine in her hand.
“Thank you.” I nodded, placing the last of the food into the cart before pushing it out through the kitchen. As I entered the dining room, the conversation instantly ceased. All eyes were on me now while I set the plates in front of each man.
Could we just take a second to appreciate quite literally every man sitting at this table?
Because the lord himself must have laid with their mothers.
There were a total of four gentleman, including Mr. DeGramont, who sat at the table. Every last specimen looked so outrageous delicious, including Mr. DeGramont. His hair was let down for the occasion, going too well with the dark blue suit he was wearing. I hadn’t seen him all day since he had meetings, so the intensity of his gaze was something I forgot I had to grow used to.
“Oh wow, Amico, you have found yourself a very beautiful cook.” One of the men commented, turning fully to me as I set his plate down. He was in beautifully patterned vest, with a gorgeous black suit, and champagne colored tie. “When you entered the room, the whole place lit up with your beauty.” He spoke, his words as smooth as velvet leather and heavy with an Italian accent.
“T-Thank you.” I stammered, blushing furiously as I continued to place food at the table. “This first dish is a fresh cut Romaine lettuce, with a blend of spices and authentic Italian dressing.” I explained, setting the last plate at the head of the table for Mr. DeGramont. I noticed his body looked more rigid than usual.
“It’s delicious, Il mio amore.” The man farthest from where I stood, commented. He was in a more casual black suit with a grey undershirt. His accent was identical to the first man who spoke, but the first man’s voice was a bit deeper.
Not as deep as Mr. DeGramont’s though… And not as sexy as his accent either.
“What will it take to have you come cook for us?” The third man asked as I filled his glass of wine. He, too, was in a dark blue suit that wasn’t as crisp as Mr. DeGramont’s, but it’s loose personality seemed to fit him.
“Can your kitchen, top Mr. DeGramont’s?” I asked, playing along.
“There isn’t a kitchen in the world that is more beautiful than Mr. DeGramont’s, I’m afraid.” The man with the vest replied, as he, too, began to dig in.
“That will be all, Ms. Mallerie. I’ll inform you when we are ready for our next course.” Mr. DeGramont nodded, as I took my leave. Out of all the beautiful men in that dining room, why was I still so hung up on how good Mr. DeGramont looked tonight?
“How’d it go?” Mrs Potts asked once I entered the kitchen.
“Please tell me you refrained from using the word mobster.” Lumiere added.
“It went very well, and I did.” I replied, prepping the second course.
“You look flustered.” Mrs. Potts noted suspiciously as she drew nearer to my face.
“Is someone overwhelmed by the amount of fairly handsome men in that room?” Lumiere questioned, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
“Fairly?” I scoffed. “All those men have been conceived by the goddess of beauty.” I replied, loading the food into the tray as Mrs. Potts went out to pour more wine.
“They couldn’t possibly as beautiful as Pierre Lundwerg… Aka Lumiere.” He replied, taking a bow as I rolled my eyes at him.
“Keep telling yourself that, love.” Mrs. Potts replied shortly later. “They’ve finished their salads and are reading for the main course.”
I nodded my head at Mrs. Potts, before rolling the cart back out. This time, I caught a little bit of their conversation.
“The Russians are nothing of our concern.” The man with the really nice vest assured Mr. DeGramont.
“They’ve been after my position as head of the cartel and commissioner for as long as I’ve been alive, Mariano.” Mr. DeGramont replied, taking another sip from his wine glass. So his name was Mariano, okay. I mentally nodded.
“You know our family with come to your aide whenever you need us, no questions asked. The Malfacini and DeGramont family have been allies since before there even was a business.” The man in the dark blue suit replied.
“Thank you, Beto.” Mr. DeGramont nodded. Apparently that man’s name was Beto.
“We will keep you informed on if that situation escalates.” The man with the grey undershirt added.
“Sounds good, Giulio.” Mr. DeGramont replied. It was only when I set down the second course, which was the spaghetti, did they finally look up at me.
“This smells delizioso, Bella.” Mariano commented as I set his place down.
“Thank you.” I replied, blushing once more.
After I set the last plate down in front of Mr. DeGramont, he cleared his throat. “You may leave now. I will let you know when we require your services.” I nodded, pushing the empty cart back towards the kitchen.
“Second course a success?” Mrs. Potts asked, while both her and Lumiere relaxed at the marbled kitchen table.
“Yes.” I nodded, as I set the plates into the sink.
“It looks like Mariano Malfacini had taken a liking to you.” Lumiere noted.
“Malfacini?” I asked. The name sounded slightly familiar. Someone must have brought it up in the conversation earlier.
“Yes, The Malfacini family. All the guests at that table are brothers. They are the head of the Malfacini family.” Mrs. Potts explained.
“The head?” I asked, my eyes growing wilder.
“Actually, it just so happens that, the overseer of the family is Mariano Malfacini himself.” Lumiere commented.
“H-H-He’s a Mafia Boss?” I asked, turning completely towards them now.
“Yes… It looks you might have two Mafia Bosses’s silently fighting for your attention.” Mrs Potts replied, wiggling her eyebrows like Lumiere had done earlier.
Oh great. Two Mafia Bosses.
Just when I thought my luck couldn’t get any worse.
Visuals!
Mariano Di
Malfacini
Beto Malfacini
Giulio
Malfacini
Chapter 9: Prepare The Food To The Melody
The song is Johanna from the musical Sweeney Todd. Please listen!! It’s sooo beautiful and fits the scene so well. On the off chance that this video doesn’t work, here’s the link: https://youtu.be/SI0rTwpIE24
The dinner had gone well… Besides Mariano doing everything in his power to get me to come be his personal cook. I would be lying if I said I didn’t consider it, but I had already grown so attached to this job. Lumiere, as much as an handful as he was, also had this humor to him that made cooking with him enjoyable… Of Course, after he tried heating the salad, I told him to stick to pulling out the ingredients and chopping the vegetables.
Mrs. Potts had been the breath of fresh air in this madness. She would sing to me as I cooked, or as she helped me do the dishes. Her voice was beyond anything I had ever heard before… It was so raw and beautiful.
Chip, on the other hand, was definitely a handful. I would find him in the pantry, curled up with a bag of chocolate chips as he played on his hand held device almost every day during his lunch period. I swear, I was about to put a lock on that door.
I was awakened by the sound of faint music as my body slowly stirred. I wasn’t usually a light sleeper, so I couldn’t necessarily figure out why I was up, but needless to say I got curious. Tossing the thick comforter off my body, I slid my feet into my house slippers, and got up.
House slippers were mandatory in this castle. December had arrived a few days ago, and the days had gotten much colder. While this home was heated perfectly, the wooden floorboards were still a cold, unpleasant surprise on my bare feet.
The music was still faint as I entered the hallway, but I could now distinctly hear that it was a piano. The way it was played was… Something I’ve never heard before.
I followed the sway of the melody as it brought me down corridor after corridor. Some looked to be familiar, but the lighting became more scarce, the further down I wandered, so I couldn’t be too sure.
I ended up outside a door I did indeed recognize. It was propped open against some books, and there inside, at the right corner, sat Mr. DeGramont on the piano. I almost couldn’t believe my eyes because first off: he wasn’t in a suit, he was in a loose fitted shirt and some sweatpants, and secondly: his hair was in a carefree bun. The man I saw playing the piano had every resemblance of Mr. DeGramont, but there was just no way he could be him. I never saw him this… This relaxed before.
I almost felt as if I was intruding.
Almost.
Instead, I walked further into the room. I wasn’t sure how, but immediately, it was as if he sensed me there because his body tensed up and he stopped playing. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.” He spoke, his voice low and rough, but this time, not as scary. I walked further up and took a seat beside the piano, so that I could see his face and clarify that this was really, in fact, Mr. DeGramont.
“It’s okay.” I replied, my voice slurred from sleep. “Please don’t stop on my account.” I added.
He nodded, placing his large hands gently back onto the keys, before he started once more. I noticed this song from the movie Sweeney Todd almost instantly. It was the melody of Johanna. The sound carried through the room, surrounding me as if it were a blanket of warmth.
As he played, I couldn’t help but stare at him. Id never been this close to him before, yet, it didn’t scare me like his proximity usually did.
If anything, I felt… Safe.
The song was beautiful, and he was playing it in such a soothing tone, I couldn’t stop myself from laying against the edge of the piano. He glanced away from the keys to look at me every so often, and a few times, we held each others gaze.
Were his eyes ever this beautiful before?
I could feel my eye lids grow heavy.
Stefan DeGramont’s POV
I couldn’t help but stare at her, as her chocolatey brown orbs stared back. It was as if I was solely transfixed on her, and nothing else. I hadn’t even noticed I was still playing until her head slightly moved with the rhythm of the music. She propped her arm up against the side of the piano, and laid her head into it.
When she first entered this home, I couldn’t believe her… Her beauty. She had this weird charm to her that drew me in, and it frightened me.
I glanced back at her resting self again, and she was now fast asleep, as I reached the hook of the song. It had been a long while since I had even touched the piano, yet I forgot just how far the sound could carry through these empty halls. I had no intention of waking her, yet I was glad to see her. The week had been a busy one to say the least, and I hadn’t spent much time at home.
As the song came to an end, a different problem presented itself. I wanted to go do some work before the sun came up, yet I didn’t want to leave her in this room alone. I also didn’t want to wake her.
Sighing, I finally came to a decision. I stood up from the bench, and walked around her. “Elle.” I whispered, trying to see if she was still somewhat awake. I got no response.
I slid one hand underneath her legs, and the other, around her upper back, before pulling her up into me. She weighed close to nothing in my arms, as I carried her bridal style out of the piano room. Before I could even make it past the first hallway, I ran into Mrs. Potts.
“Well well well, what do we have here?” She asked, smile playing on her lips.
“She fell asleep while listening to me play. I’m just bringing her back to her room.” I replied, dodging Mrs. Potts knowing eyes. She could read any and every emotion I expressed better than anyone else. I couldn’t let her catch the faint redness of my cheeks, yet I was sure she already had.
“Mm, carry on, love.” She nodded, walking past me and disappearing down another corridor.
Once I made it to her room, I was surprised to see that she had completely curled into my side. Her body emitted waves of warmth, and as I laid her down, I all but whimpered at the loss of heat.
She stirred slightly, before cuddling into the pillow as I pulled the comforter back over her. I took one last glance at her beautiful complexion, before leaving her chambers, and closing the door behind me.
“She glanced this way, I thought I saw
And when we touched she didn’t shudder at my paw
No it can’t be, I’ll just ignore
But then she’s never looked at me that way before…“
Chapter 10: Prepare The Food The Morning After
I felt something warm against the side of my face.
My eyes fluttered open to try and see what it was, but I was quickly blinded by the rays of sun that were piercing through the large windows. “Jesus.” I hissed, trying to shield my eyes.
“It’s not God coming back for the rapture, Elle, it’s the sun. Even if it was, I’m pretty sure you’d be one of the few left behind.”
Well damn, Lumiere. Shots fired.
Wait.
“Why the hell are you in my room?” I asked, practically shooting up into an upright position against my headboard. My eyes were wide with sleep deprivation.
“I was sent here by Mr. DeGramont to make sure you, uh, slept okay.” He replied a little awkwardly.
“What do you mean?” I asked, trying to remember what could have happened last night to have him worry. I recalled waking up to the sound of the piano…
Following the music into a room where I found Mr. DeGramont playing. I think I sat for a bit to listen to him play. Had I fallen asleep? But then, how did I make my way back to my bedroom? Did he carry me?
My face heated up at the thought of Mr. DeGramont holding me in his arms-
“You really should get up soon. Breakfast is supposed to be served in the next fifteen minutes.” Lumiere announced, pulling me out of my thought.
“Wait what?” I asked, blinking up at him.
“It’s 7:15.” He replied nonchalantly.
Shitshitshitshitshit!
I threw the comforter up off my body and jolted to life.
I swear to god, who the hell even eats this early?
“What can you prepare in 15 minutes?” Lumiere asked, as he followed me out into the hallway.
“Maybe a Belgium Waffle? The mix takes a short amount of time to prepare.” I nodded, entering the kitchen with Lumiere shortly behind me.
“Well, I’m at your disposal. Tell me what to grab.” Lumiere nodded, washing his hands after me as I pulled the waffle maker out from the cupboard. Ugh, I could serious just live in this kitchen.
“Could you pull out the pecans from that cupboard over there? And a banana from the fridge as well.” I instructed, pulling out the measuring spoons and ingredients.
“Are we working off a recipe?” Lumiere asked, as he set the pecans and the banana on the counter beside me while I stirred up the batter.
“No, it’s one of the few recipes I have engraved in my soul. It’s what my mother used to make for me when I was younger.” I replied, pulling out some cream and confectioners sugar.
“Oh wow. Maybe you’ll consider making them for me some time.”
“I’d love to.” I nodded, adding both the sugar and the cream together, to create a delicious icing for the waffle.
I approached the head of the table with the food in hand and did quite literally everything in my power not to just die from how perfect yet frightening Mr. DeGramont looked.
Like every single damn day, this man was terrifyingly gorgeous, yet so intimidating. His looks must have fit so well with his line of work.
He glanced up from his phone once he noticed me approaching, and his eyes caught mine. They were no longer as cold as I initially thought they were, and I couldn’t stop my cheeks from heating up as he stared at me with those softened blue irises.
“I know a cooking uniform wasn’t in the agreement… But why are you still in your nightwear?” He asked, breaking eye contact to slide the utensils out of the napkin.
“How did you know this was my-” I stopped myself short, remembering I was wearing the same thing last night. “Right.” I whispered, poring more cranberry juice into his glass. I swear I saw the corners of his mouth curl up into a slight smile, but before I could confirm that, he tilted his head back down to his food.
“Did you sleep well?” He asked, directing his attention back to his phone.
“I-” I stopped myself short, taken back by the question. “I did, thank you.” I nodded, picking up the cover of the plate.
“It’s come to my attention, that you were hoping to go grocery shopping.” He spoke, looking up from his phone to make eye contact with me once again. My heart had started to beat sporadically by his intense gaze.
“I- Yes, I was hoping to pick up some fresh produce.” I replied.
“Maxwell had some… Business to attend to. I have a meeting in a few hours, but I would be willing to drive you before then. If you still wanted to go, that is.” He added.
“Y-Yes. That would be great, thank you.” I nodded, leaning against one of the dining room chairs to stop myself from doing something stupid like fainting.
“Okay. I have a few things to take care of this morning. We’ll leave at around 9, so you have some time to shower and get ready.” He broke the eye contact finally, to take a bite of the breakfast. I started to walk back towards the kitchen, but his words stopped me again.
“Elle?” He called, causing me to turn around. “This is good.” He spoke, nodding towards the food.
Hold it together hold it together hold it together.
“You too.” I replied.
Well done, Elle. Well fucking done.
I caught a glimpse of another glorious smile playing at his lips as I made my way to the kitchen to shoot myself. You too? Really?
As I entered, I noticed Mrs. Potts was sitting at the table as Lumiere started washing the used dishes. I could tell by the way they both looked at me, they heard Mr. DeGramont and I’s conversation in the dining room. I was just waiting for first one to speak.
“You too.” Lumiere commented under his breath, grinning like a maniac, at the pot he was washing.
I could have guessed it would have been him.
••
Chapter 11: Prepare The Food On Your Way To Shop For More
The song is Awakening by Taylor Davis (one of my favorite violinist). It’s what was playing in the car later on in this chapter so please give it a listen!
Okayokayokay this is not a date, Elle, stop freaking out. I glanced back up at my bare face in the mirror as I tried to hold it together. After taking an extensive shower, I had left myself exactly 15 minutes to get ready, before I was to meet Mr. DeGramont in the courtyard.
I was currently staring at about $200 worth of makeup as I tried to decide whether to go with a winter red eyeshadow, or just a plain Snow White under eye eyeliner. I mean, it’s not like he’s taking you apple picking Elle.
Wait.
You do need to buy apples!
But it’s not the same… Right?
“Elle?” Lumiere asked, letting himself into my personal bathroom.
“You really need to learn the term: privacy.” I grumbled, applying contour to my deepened cheek bones.
He chuckled back at me as he leaned against the door frame. “You do know Maxwell was given the day off this morning, right?” Lumiere asked.
“What do you mean?” I replied, blending out the dark winter candy apple red eyeshadow into the edge of my eye lid.
“Maxwell… He didn’t have “matters to attend to,” Mr. DeGramont gave him the day off.“ My head swiveled back to Lumiere as he spoke.
I couldn’t stop my heart from pounding its way out of me. “No no no no nooooooo. Why would you tell me this now?” I groaned, grabbing my liquid eyeliner to add another coat.
“I mean, it’s not like he conveniently gave his only chauffeur the day off so he could personally spend time with you or anything.” Lumiere added, quickly bolting out of the room before I could end his life with the end of my hair brush.
Ugh, why did he have to mess with my nerves like that!
I pulled the loose strands of my hair, back into the bun, and got to work on finishing my face.
“Don’t touch that.”
“Okay .”
“Or that.”
“ Fine.“
“Not that either.” Mr. DeGramont grumbled.
“Oh come on! I’m dying in here.” I shot back, moving my hand to fiddle with the cars A/C controls.
“Everything is preset in here to my preference. I’m the one offering you a ride, stop being ungrateful.” He growled, turning off on to another street.
“I’m grateful you’re driving me, I just know you won’t be grateful when I pass out in this car from this heat.” I replied.
“It’s 38 degrees outside, Elle.” He countered. I grumbled some more, before turning my head to stare out the window.
The melancholy sounds of whatever Mr. DeGramont had playing on his radio, quickly took me. It was a beautifully composed piece of a violin that exemplified the thickened forest terrain. As I listened, I felt a beautiful haunted feel seep through the cracks of our comfortable silence.
This man really knew how to choose a piece.
I hadn’t been out of the home’s compound since I had a arrived about a week ago. I had forgotten just how deep into the forest we were. It surprised me that there was even a market around this area in the first place. Long thick trees blocked out any hope of seeing past the curve of the road ahead of you. It felt as if we were leaving our safe spot, as we drove further away from the home.
I didn’t like it.
I glanced around his car once more, still completely baffled by how anyone could afford this thing. The car itself was a beautiful matte gold covering that looked stellar against the sharp edges of the body. I couldn’t help but drool when he first pulled this baby out from the garage.
First off, could we talk about the garage? Because that was, in itself, a whole other home. It was literally a mansion, filled with at least 6 expensive looking cars and a glimpse of a motorcycle peeking out behind them. My jaw unhinged, as I tried to find words to describe how stellar these motor vehicles were. I felt so hesitant to even touch the door handled for this thing at first, but after Mr. DeGramont looked over at me like I was insane from the drivers seat of the car, I quickly got over it.
“Do you play any instruments?” Mr. DeGramont asked, as he turned off onto another paved road.
“My mom tried to get my to play the clarinet when I was in the 5th grade.” I replied, smiling slightly from remembering just how hard the woman had pushed for me to pick up that damn instrument…
“Come on baby, you might actually like it. Who knows?” My mother asked, pushing the clarinet she had bought me, back into my hands.
“It’s not happening.” My 11 year old self hissed, thrusting the case back into my mother’s arms.
“Why?”
“Mrs. Kalhutz is a twat.” I groaned.
“A twat who will help you learn a thing or two about the art of music.” She countered, placing the instrument back into my arms once more.
“Fine.” I hissed, picking up the carrying box, and
stomping my heels
towards the band class.
“How did that go?” He asked, another smile playing at his lips, as he tried to conceal it by looking out the window.
“Lasted about a month, before I personally shoved all of my reeds into Margeret Millers flute, after she told me her instrument was better than mine just because she didn’t have a reed. Well, now she had 12 jammed into her perfect little blow holes.” I replied sinisterly.
“That’s sounds slightly disturbing.” He chuckled. I glanced over just to make sure my ears weren’t deceiving me. Nope. This man fucking chuckled and it was fucking glorious.
“Where did you learn to play the piano beautifully like that?” I asked, turning the evasive questions back on him. He paused for a few minutes to think before replying.
“My parents enrolled me in many different classes as a child to prepare me for… This. Among the many things I was forced to learn, piano was the one thing I chose. I hadn’t played for some time until last night, but I’m glad you enjoyed it.” He spoke, pulling in to an older cottage looking building that read the sign MARKET in large print at the entrance. “We’re here.”
The building itself was very beautiful, with worn down bricks that gave it an even older appeal.
There was so many layers to Mr. DeGramont… And I suddenly felt an urge to know more about him, to peel back each and every one of those layers. I found it very challenging to focus on the beauty of the building, when I was still hung up on the beauty of the man in the drivers seat.
Or rather I should say, the man behind the beast.
His car 😍
Chapter 12: Prepare The Food At The Market
Hey guy! Sorry for the lack of uploads these past few days. My boyfriend came back from the Air Force for a little while, and just got deployed again. I wanted to spend as much time as I could with him before he left because we both never know for sure when he’ll be coming home. Thanks for being so understanding!
“Listen. Once we enter, we will be greeted by a long time friend of mine and my family. Her business with my family’s is detrimental, so under no circumstances do I want to hear the words Mafia or Mob mentioned during this visit, understood?” He spoke, as we walked up the steps to the entrance of the little market.
“My lips are sealed.” I replied, grinning slightly while my fingers wound their way around the door knob.
“Elle… Elle, I mean it. Elle-”
“Is that Stefan DeGramont I hear?” An older woman asked, as she suddenly appeared from around a back office area. She, much like Mrs. Potts, looked older than her body language gave on. Her walk held a certain youth to it, yet as she drew closer, I could see her age much more apparent on her face. Nevertheless, this woman was absolutely stunning. Her bright blue orbs contrasted so drastically with her now salt and peppered hair that once must have been black.
She probably juiced.
The inside of the market took me by surprise. As I looked around, there were wooden crates with large, fresh vegetables, that line the walls of the compound, and created rows along the inside. It smelt surprisingly great in here, like a sweet pomegranate aroma floated through the open space.
From the front entrance, you actually couldn’t notice how many windows there were on the sides of the building for prestige ventilation.
There was another door that was open at the very back, and through it, I could see it lead straight into a greenhouse that looked like it held even more fruit and some flowers.
“Grace.” Mr. DeGramont smiled.
Mr. Fucking DeGramont smiled.
I think I just might have died and went to heaven. The way his face lit up, with his now apparent smile lines, sent me into a heated frenzy.
“How are you, Stefan?” She asked, wrapping her small arms around his humongous frame.
Was it weird to be jealous of a 50 something year old lady? Or…
Wait. Wait wait wait. Did she just say Stefan? It dawned on me, that I never actually took it upon myself to find out his first name. I always just called him Mr. DeGramont. Stefan fit him so… Well.
“I’m doing well, Gracie.” He replied, hugging her back.
Oh. He had a nick name from her. Coolcool.
“Jesus, Stef, you just keep on growing don’t ya?” She sighed, running her hands over his large frame.
Oh. They had nicknames for each other. RightRight.
“Now who is this beauty?” She asked, turning to me.
“This is my cook, Miss Elle Mallerie. She needed to get some more vegetables, so I decided to bring her here today.” Stefan explained.
“Oh, wow, you are absolutely stunning!” She noted. I could feel my cheeks heating up.
“T-Thank you. So are you.” I replied nervously.
“Can I keep her?” Grace asked Stefan, as she wrapped both her arms around me from behind in a tight and warm embrace.
“No, Gracie, she already has a job working for me.” Stefan replied, walking further into the store.
“Fine.” Grace grumbled, releasing me from her embrace. “You go pick out whatever groceries you want, love, I’ll come find you all before you leave so I can save goodbye.” She nodded, placing a soft kiss on my temple, before speed walking her way back into the greenhouse.
I had to jog a little ways to catch up with Stefan.
“You know? I honestly wouldn’t mind working here.” I announced, grinning when his face whipped to me.
“Don’t say things like that.” He replied, placing a few bananas in a woven basket that he had somehow miraculously gotten. He, then, pulled another basket out from underneath his and handed it to me.
“Hey, I’m serious, she seems lovely.” I replied, as I pulled the list of groceries up on my phone. “And you two seem very close.”
“I’ve know her for some time now. She’s probably one of the most intelligent woman I e had the pleasure of meeting. She devoted nothing less than 34 years of her life to the study of biology, and how it related to wildlife ecology. Take this watermelon for example, it’s 100% organic, yet, is at least twice the size of an original watermelon. She’s been able to do this to more than 78% of her produce.” He explained, leading me crate by crate to show me.
That was why I was slightly astonished by how large and juicy everything looked. I hadn’t even noticed just how large the spinach leaves were, or how ripe the avocado’s looked.
“That amazing.” I whispered, picking up a honeydew melon almost twice the size of my head.
“This is why her business is so vital to my family. She might be one of the most intelligent gardener/botanist alive.” He nodded, placing some of the melons in his basket, and the lighter fruit in mine.
“How does her business related directly to yours?” I asked, as I walked us both over to a leafy spinach isle.
“She provides my company with exclusive information on her findings, and in exchange, we help her with resources that will accelerate the pace of her research. We also give her our word that her research will be put into the world for good, which it has. We currently have a few fields in Africa, working on a miracle water formula that will help with the drought.”
“So this is why you didn’t want me to mention anything about your companies illegitimacies.” I nodded, finally understanding.
“We need her partnership for what we do. There may be parts of our company that’s morally challenging, but this isn’t one of them. This partnership is the purest thing my family has right now.” He explained.
“Oh wow. She seems quite close with your family. I guess this partnership has lasted a while?” I asked, trying to nonchalantly pry into his families history.
“Well, she was originally brought on after she had an affair with my mother.”
Of course. Because, there was just no way she wasn’t involved with one of the DeGramont men- wait…
“M-Mother?” I asked, making sure I heard him right.
“Yeah,” he nodded, turning to me, “Gracie is a lesbian, Elle.”
Oh.
Oh.
Chapter 13: Prepare The Food With Gracie
“Oh so she… With your….”
“My mother. “ Stefan nodded, placing some more avocado into my basket before moving on to the tomatoes. “She slept with my mother, yes. My parents relationship was never… Romantic. They were more of a powerhouse couple-”
“So like Francis and Claire Underwood from House Of Cards?” I asked.
“What’s that?- never mind, sure, like Claire and whoever. My father had sexual relations on many occasions, but it took him by surprise when he discovered who my mother had decided to cheat on him with.”
“He expected it to be a man?” I asked.
“More or less. My mother insisted on hiring Gracie for the companies research purposes, and my father had no disagreement towards it, so Gracie has been working with us for years. She stayed with my mom up until they both passed, and has continued to provide incredibly sufficient work for our company. In other words, she’s more like a second mom on numerous occasions. If I fall under with a cold, she’ll make me soup.”
I should be the one making you soup…
“Some days, she’ll come over and have me try some new vegetables she grew.”
I should be feeding you newly grown vegetables…
“You know how to grow vegetables?” Stefan asked, pausing to turn directly towards me.
Shit, I said that out loud?
“Yeah,” he chuckled, turning back to put some mangoes into his cart, “yeah you did.”
“I-I- no…” I stuttered, turning away as I felt my cheeks heat up again.
“Elle?” He asked, making me turn back towards him.
“Hmm?” I asked, pulling the carton of strawberries out from the crate to add to my basket.
“Are-Are you… Jealous? “
My head snapped back to his as a smirk graced his lips. Talk about a panty dropping smile.
“N-N-N-No.” I stuttered.
“I’m not going to replace you.” He chuckled, following me to the greens. “She is a great cook, but she prefers her space out here in the countryside.”
“Mm.” Was all I said as we walked silently towards the back of the green house space. It was considerably Warner in here than in the ventilated market, but the sight all in itself made it completely worth it. It was extremely beautiful and colorful, as different flowers bloomed along the walls and rows of planted soil.
Everything looked exotically different, like nothing I’d seen before. Species of flowers I was sure, must have been rare. Grace continued working to the tune of silent jazz, as she carefully uprooted plants and moved them into bigger pots. Her body moved quickly and fluidly, something I hadn’t expected for someone of her age as she bent down with more ease than I could ever muster.
“Did she create some kind of miracle berry?” I asked Stefan as we stood and watched Grace busy herself.
“Yeah.” He nodded. My head whipped to his.
“Wait, actually?”
“No.” He laughed, taking a bite out of an apple from his basket. I could seriously get used to his laughter and smiles. It made me almost not want to return home. I didn’t want to see the man return to his cold self. “I think she juices.” He said after some time.
“I fucking called it.” I whispered.
“Language.” He grumbled, as we made our way over to the end of the greenhouse where Grace was.
She turned around as if she knew we were there the entire time. “I see we found some things?” She asked, stacking the empty smaller pots up against each other.
“Yes, everything looked so good.” I nodded.
“Well, I’m sure you both have things to get back to, so I won’t hold you long.” She spoke, setting the last of the pits down and turning fully towards us.
“Where do we pay for these?” I asked, holding up the basket of fruits and vegetables we had collected. Both Grace and Stefan laughed at my question.
“Stef compensates for his groceries with the more than enough money for my research. You won’t need to pay for any of the groceries you get here.” She explained, grinning back at me softly. I could feel my cheeks heat up by her intense gaze.
Stefan cleared his throat from somewhere behind us.
“I think we should be heading out now.” He announced.
“Oh darn. You make sure you bring her back again, okay Stef? I’d love to show her around the lab sometime.” Grace smiled, pulling me in for another quick hug and chastened kiss on the temple to which I couldn’t help but blush at.
“I’ll see you soon.” Stefan called, as he all but dragged me out of the market with Grace blowing air kisses my way.
“She seems so lovely.” I smiled, sliding into Stefan’s car.
“Yes.” He nodded, turning the heat onto a low setting before he switched the radio on.
“Maybe I can come back to see her lab tomorrow?” I asked.
“We’re having the Malaficini family over tomorrow night.” He replied.
“Oh right. Probably this weekend then.”
“You’ll be busy then.”
“Next weekend?”
“You’ll be busy then too.” He replied.
“What- no I won’t.” I insisted.
“Yes you will.”
“What exactly will I be doing?” I asked, my eyes narrowing.
“Stuff.”
“Are you-Are you jealous?” I asked, my face contorting into a devilish grin.
“I don’t like sharing.” He replied, turning back on to a familiar dirt road.
“You know, she was quite charming. I think she might have won me over.” I grinned. His grip on the steering wheel tightened.
“Let’s not joke about that.” He grumbled, as we drove further on.
“Oh rubbish. You know I wouldn’t leave you.” I grinned, pulling out an apple from one of the crates.
Stefan DeGramont’s POV
I took my eyes off the road as nonchalantly as I could while I stared at her. I wanted, more than anything, for her to be telling the truth. I couldn’t stop the feeling of jealousy that coursed through my veins as Grace, the greatest womanizer know to to man, put her charms on her.
I didn’t know what brought on this feeling of possession…
…but there was no way in hell I was going to give up my cook.
Ever.
Chapter 14: Prepare The Food And Learn To Play
“Do you ever grow tired of playing?” I asked, as I sat across from Stefan while he played the piano. I could honestly never grow tired from how beautifully he played. The music had carried through the halls of the night once more, but this time, I think he was hoping I would join him here.
It had only been a day since I had heard him play last, yet it felt like weeks, so the second I had heard the music, I had thrown my blankets off my body in an instant…
The day of grocery shopping had gone so well, but as soon as we returned, he had retreated to the stone cold Mafia boss I had first met. His guards had instantly went up again, especially around Lumiere. I yearned to spend a few moments with him where he enjoyed the moment we were in… Where I could truly relish in the beauty of the man behind the beast.
At night, when he was playing, was one of those times.
I couldn’t wait to spend time alone with him as I all but ran down the halls of the mansion to the room at the second corridor. It was miraculous I still remembered where it was.
“Did I wake you?” He asked in mock sympathy as he tried to mask a growing smile. I attempted to do the same.
“No no, it’s okay.” I replied, sliding into the seat beside him. His hair was up in another loose bun, and he was currently in some loose fitted Nike sweatpants with a loose long sleeve shirt. Everything about this man screamed sex appeal.
“How did your day go?” He asked, dropping the volume of the piano a few levels so I could hear him better.
“It went well. All the groceries are now completely stacked in the fridge and pantry. Thank you for taking me earlier but… Can I ask you something?” I asked, shifting closer in my seat. It was crazy how comfortable I was becoming with him around me. His demeanor had changed since I had last seen him. He was now so much more… Friendlier. I didn’t get the psychopathic killer vibe whenever I was alone around him. And I really liked it.
“Go ahead.” He replied, pulling his fingers off the keys to turn to me and give me his full attention.
“The dessert I made a week ago- the frozen yogurt with honey… Did you eat the rest that was in the fridge?”
His face grew heated as he turned back to the piano. There was a slight pause before he finally answered me. “Yes.”
“T-Then why? Why did you fire me if you actually liked it?” I asked, my eyebrows furrowing up in confusion. So he actually enjoyed it? I swear, this man was an enigma.
“It reminded me of something my mother used to make for me. I was taken back by how you could make something so delicious from generic ingredients. It reminded me of home- something I wa
sn’t
used to being reminded of.
“
I wasn’t sure how else to respond to that.
I nodded, blushing slightly from how intensely he was looking at me. It was as if my opinion of him meant the world. “I-I’m sorry.” I replied.
His eyes softened. “Don’t be. I should of reacted better. I’m sure there’s no other cook in this existence that would put up with my ridiculous rules, and my threats to fire them practically every day.”
“It’s got a certain charm to it.” I winked.
“Yes, well, if anyone should be apologizing, it should be me. I should have treated you better than that.” He admitted, placing his fingers back on to the keys.
The melody was solemn this time. Something slow and heartfelt. I couldn’t pull my eyes away from him as he played. He started to lean into the touch, pushing harder on the keys as it reached its crescendo, before bringing the melody back down. Once the song finished, I spoke again.
“Do you ever grow tired of playing?”
“There’s too much music in this world to learn, for me to grow tired.” He admitted.
“Will you teach me how to play something?” I asked, grinning goofily at him as he pulled his fingers away from the keys, he shifted silently on the bench to make room for me and I hesitantly slid into the shared seat.
I had never been this physically close to him before… Besides him carrying me of course, but I don’t think that counted.
He smelt like a delicious blend of soaps. As I sat this close to him, with my heart hammering out of my chest, I could see the remnants of water in his hair. He must have taken a shower recently.
“I-Is it’s okay if I guide your fingers?” He asked, his voice unsteady as his shoulders gently brushed mine. I nodded silently.
He wound his arm behind my small frame, and slid his right fingers over mine. At first, he was meticulously careful to not touch any part of me that wasn’t my hand, but as the radiance of his warmth engulfed my body, I couldn’t help but lean into him.
“Y-Y-You’re first going to place your thumb, middle, and pinky on these keys.” He instructed, gently nudging them onto the right areas. The melody was something I didn’t recognize, but it was beautiful. I messed up shortly after.
“Shoot sorry.” I grinned embarrassingly, starting to slide my fingers away, but he grabbed them before I could pull away.
“You can’t quit that easily.” He whispered, his voice low and vibrating as he placed my fingers back onto the key.
“I don’t want to butcher such I beautiful melody.” I admitted, letting him guide me slowly through the song.
“You have to imagine how beautiful it will be when you have mastered the piece. Until then, you can’t give up on something with so much potential.” He replied, slipping his much larger fingers over mine, as he played the tenor piece with his left hand, then taught me the melody with his right.
Chapter 15: Prepare The Food And Declare War
Stefan DeGramont’s POV
“What?” I barked into the line.
It was currently 7:03, and I had approximately 27 minutes to take a shower and get ready for breakfast. I had, unfortunately, woken up three minutes late.
I never woke up late.
I had to blame it on the fact that Elle and I had retired for the night quite late last night. I hadn’t meant to hold her up, but I desperately wanted to feel her warmth, and the fresh smell of rose petals, as she leaned into me while I taught her how to play.
I had to admit, she was quite terrible with the piano, but eager to learn regardless. We played for hours. Some minutes were spent talking about our lives, others were spent in comfortable silence as the sound of the music filled the atmosphere.
We retired for the night around 5am. And now I was three minutes late.
“Boss?” Mariano called again, breaking me out of my thoughts.
“What’s wrong, Mariano?” I asked, as my body jolted upright. The Malfacini family was not known for phone calls. They just kind of… Showed up. If they needed to talk to you, they found you. I, on the other hand, was lucky enough to arrange a dinner with them tonight. The fact that I was receiving a phone call at this hour by Mariano himself, was more than alarming.
“There was a… Situation last night. One of your family branches were attacked. Ammunition was stolen from the treasury there.” Mariano replied.
I could feel my body tense with nothing but pure range.
“Why was I not informed?” I snapped.
“We tried to call you but you didn’t pick up.”
I must have left my phone in my room while I was playing piano with Elle. “Who does it look like it could be?” I asked.
“Right now, it has the Russian signature written all over it.” Mariano replied.
Fuck.
“What’s our plan of action, sir?” Mariano asked. He and I knew the rules very well. There was a line that could not be crossed, treaty or no treaty, war was in order.
“Put more guards on the remaining branches and treasuries. You and your family lay low for a while. We don’t need to give the Russians any reason to suspect that I’m about to rain a war on their asses. Give me a few days to make the necessary preparations, then we go to war.” I explained, already sliding a pair of sweatpants on before exiting my room and heading towards my office.
“What about the banquette that’s coming up in a few days? Are you still to attend?” Mariano asked.
“I have no choice. Any suspicious activity will completely obliterate the element of surprise… Which is one of the few things we must count on. We may have more men, but they definitely have more ammunition.”
“And about the French? More specifically, the Lundwerg family. You know they have connections that could be vital.”
“A treaty was signed years ago. I expect full cooperation from the French. But that will only be if situations deteriorate. For now-”
“Lay low, I got it. We’ll carry on business as usual. But boss?”
“Yes, Mariano?”
“Be careful,” he spoke, “In all our years of knowing each other, I’ve had the honors of working for you-”
“You work with me, my friend, not for me. This business is a partnership. Your job will not be to protect me, our jobs are to protect each other. No harm will come to you or your family as long as I’m breathing.” I clarified, pulling up my emails.
“Grazie, Thank you.” He spoke on the other end.
“Keep me informed on the situation.” I replied.
“Understood. I was thinking of asking your cook to the banquette event.” Mariano spoke, laughter just waiting to break through his voice as if he could see my fingers tense above my keys.
“Mariano.” I spoke, low and cold.
“Joking! Joking! Have a good night, boss.” He laughed on the other end, before the line went dead.
“Morning.” Elle groaned, as she walked out of the kitchen. She was still in her large, oversized button down with loose joggers. Even the simplest of clothing looked exquisite on her.
“Good morning.” I replied, as I watched her set a plate of surprisingly healthy looking food in front of me.
“What is this?” I asked, glancing back between the plate and her.
“It’s Chunky Buckwheat Granola.”
“Why do you insist of feeding me salads and whole grain stuff.”
“Shut up and eat your granola, you man child.” She grumbled back.
There was something about me that loved how feisty she could unintentionally be. It was as if she remembered who I was only after she was done mouthing me off. I waited for the realization of what she had just said, to settle in, but it never did. She just retreated to the kitchen to grab my cranberry juice that she had forgotten about.
Lumiere had been gone from early in the morning. I had sent him out right away to check in to the branch that was attacked last night. Apparently, we lost a few good men in the attack.
Mrs. Potts was also alerted as to what happened this morning. If any women had lived through the dawn of times, and had seen some serious shit, it was Mrs. Potts. She knew every deep and dangerous secret this family had. Her safety was just as important, if not more important, than mine.
“How do you look so alive right now?” Elle asked once she returned. I chose to ignore her question, realizing she probably didn’t even need an answer.
“I have a question to ask you.” I spoke instead. She glanced up at me, as she wiped the sleep from her eyes.
“Go ahead.” She nodded.
“There’s a banquette that’s coming up in the next couple of days. It’s mandatory that I bring a date.” I explained, digging in to the granola that tasted surprisingly delicious. “I was hoping you would accompany me.”
“I-I-” she replied, her demeanor completely changing as I stared at her. Even her flustered state was extremely attractive. “I mean, I’d love to.” She nodded finally, shakily setting the cranberry juice onto the table.
“Wonderful. How is your ballroom dancing?”
“Nonexistent.” She admitted.
“As I suspected. I have business to attend to today, but once I return, I’ll teach you how. Tomorrow, we will go pick out your gown.” I sighed, savoring the delicious flavor that was oozing from the blueberries.
“O-Okay.” She nodded, turning to leave, but I called out to her before she could go.
“Hey Elle?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s a date.”
“Thank you.”
Elle’s POV
“Thank you.”
Jesus fucking Christ, Elle. Thank you? Yes, let’s just go fake our death now so we can live out a life in solitude.
I glanced up with my burning cheeks as Stefan tried to stifle a laugh.
I was just too smooth.
••
Chapter 16: Prepare The Food With The Talk Of Irene
Breakfast went well, to say the least…
Besides me doing everything in my power to avoid Stefan the rest of the day. He had left shortly after breakfast in a bit of a rush, but I decided not to pry. Whatever illegal business he was involved in, I wanted no part of.
A girl was trying to live to see age 30 over here.
Plus, I was too busy putting my left foot forward with this whole dance thing… Both of them.
Literally, I was as graceful as a chicken with its head cut off.
Cooking was my forte, dancing, unfortunately, was something I stayed very very far away from. Stefan asking me to a banquette was quite possibly the sweetest kind of torture the devil could hit me with…
Lumiere and I were currently cleaning out the kitchen pantry and fridge. Stefan had called in to mention he would be gone for the rest of the day, but return in the evening to teach me how to dance, so I didn’t have to prepare lunch.
“I heard you’ve been invited by Mr. DeGramont, to the banquette.” Lumiere spoke, pulling me out of my thoughts, as a plate almost slipped through my fingers.
“Shush, I’m trying to mentally prepare myself for tonight.” I hissed back, setting another dish into the dish washer.
“Is that supposed to help you be a better dancer?” Lumiere asked, as he pulled out the remaining contents from the fridge.
“How do you know I can’t dance?” I asked, glancing back at him.
“You loose your balance some days… When you’re just standing.”
“Okay, you know what, some days my perception of gravity is a bit off okay?” I shot back, as I started to wash the fruit from the fridge again. Stefan required us to rewash all the produce about every 2-3 days… And then wash it again before cooking/serving it.
He was seriously weird like that.
“Perception of gravity? Elle… Gravity doesn’t change. Like, ever.” He laughed again.
“Alright alright alright, enough picking on this poor girl.” Mrs. Potts interrupted, as she entered the kitchen with a few cleaning supplies on hand.
“I gotta ask, Mrs. Potts, how do you clean this place so quickly? Like, it takes you a shorter amount of time to make a bed, than it takes for Lumiere and I to decide on beef or chicken for dinner.” I sighed, completely baffled by how fast this woman works.
“I’ve worked here for a very long time, love. You’ll get the hang of it soon.” She encouraged. “How much longer is Lumiere in debt to you for, by the way?”
“I think I have a few more days with him as my slave.” I grinned.
“Well how about this. In exchange for a shortened sentence, Mrs. Potts and I will give you some basic knowledge of dance, so you don’t break all of Mr. DeGramont’s toes tonight.” Lumiere offered.
“Don’t bring me into your shenanigans.” Mrs. Potts grumbled, as she collapsed in one of the kitchen chairs.
I glanced back between Lumiere and her. The offer actually sounded very tempting.
My nerves were already eating away at me from how inexperienced I was about to present myself as in front of Stefan tonight. “Please, Mrs. Potts?” I asked, giving her a little bottom lip pout for added effect. “I’ll help you clean for a week.”
“Oh absolutely not. You trying to make a bed is like a scene from the Three Stooges.” Mrs. Potts shook her head. “I’ll help free of charge, but I might ask for a certain dish, if I’m craving it.”
“Deal!” I nodded.
“It also might interfere with the piano time you’ve been having with Stefan at night.” Mrs. Potts added, sending me a wink.
“How did you-” I started, but Lumiere cut me off.
“Stefan has started playing the piano again?” He asked, “He hasn’t touched it in years!”
“I knew because I caught Mr. DeGramont carrying you back to your room the other night., Elle. His music gives me something to stay awake for nowadays. And Lumiere, I too was quite surprised.”
“Why did he stop playing?” I asked, my curiosity finally getting the best of me.
“It was something he used to love doing.” Mrs. Potts explained. “He used to be… Different Elle. He laughed more. He lived more. He loved more…”
“Loved?” I asked.
“There was someone… Many many years ago. Her name was Irene. He fell in love with her, with who she was, but his perception of beauty was distorted. He saw what only his eyes would allow for him to see, not what his heart did. She wasn’t who he thought she was, she knew more about his family… His company, then she lead him to believe. She wanted to be his partner, yet the plans she had for the company, was not what Stefan wanted… But he was in love. His eyes were blinded by the scales of adoration.
“Not a year after his company grew corrupt, he lost his parents. There was a… War. Things ended badly, but that was the last straw for him.
“He let her go immediately after, but not before she consumed every ounce of love he had in him, for anyone. He turned cold, and distant. He has created an empire, yes, but not out of compassion, Elle. He’s created this company out of the hate he now holds for his first love. He refuses to let the company turn back into what she wanted it to be, but he refuses to do so for all the wrong reasons.” Mrs. Potts explained.
I tried to wrap my head around what she was telling me. The way he spoke of his parents, made me feel like they had passed, but I never had the courage to ask why. His reason for not being able to love, broke me in more ways then I could handle.
I was never one to overstep boundaries. At times, I didn’t think things through before I spoke, but for the most part, I could feel a persons limits. But this time, something more than Stefan’s feelings were on the line.
My heart was too.
And I needed to know about Irene.
Chapter 17: Prepare The Food With Both Left Feet
I heard a faint knock on my door.
It was now almost 10 o’clock into the night, and Stefan still hadn’t come home. There was nothing I could do to stop myself from worrying about him.
“Come in.” I called, pulling the sheet of my comforter, further around me. I was now in some comfortable leggings and a long sleeve oversized shirt for the night, but sleep hadn’t found me yet.
“Elle?” Stefan called into the darkened room. I reached over and flicked on the lamp by my bed side so I could see him better.
“Stefan?” I whispered. He was still in his suit, but it was very dirty and scuffled.
“I’m sorry to wake you. I hadn’t realized just how late it was.” He whispered. His voice seemed strained and tired, like it was taking everything in him to stand before me. I slowly pulled myself out of bed.
“I-It’s okay. Are you okay?” I asked, drawing nearer.
“Yes. I was actually about to go take a shower. I was coming to tell you to meet me in the piano room in about 15 minutes, if you would still like to.”
“You look tired.” I noted, wanting to just… To touch him. To comfort him.
“I’m okay. You don’t need to change either. I’ll meet you in there?” He asked, his walls unconsciously tumbling down as his exhaustion seeped through. I nodded quietly before he left.
The hallways were still dimly lit as I followed the familiar corridors towards the room at the end of the second hallway. I couldn’t help but feel nervous. He seemed… off tonight. There was something different. Something had happened but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know. I wasn’t sure how I felt about getting involved…
… But I was really starting to care for him.
It was like I was one foot in to this situation, and one foot out… And the the bridge between the two was getting bigger.
I entered the familiar room, but this time, more space had been made in the middle of the room. There was an iPod plugged into a dock, but nothing was turned on. I walked towards the piano at the end of the room and had a seat. My fingers graced the keys again as I tried to remember the sweet melody Stefan had taught me the night before but struggled with it. I moved in hesitation, unsure of what the next chord would be, before another hand joined me with the harmony on the left.
I could smell the fresh scent of soap, as the heat from his body radiated onto my back. “You remembered some.” He whispered against the nape of my neck, causing a shiver to run down my spine.
“A-A bit.” I admitted. He pulled his hand away from the keys, as he stood behind me.
“Shall we begin?” He asked, while I tuned around. He was in a pair of loose fitted sweatpants and a comfortable shirt.
He could literally wear an Aquaman onsie, and still be the sexiest man alive.
“Okay.” I nodded. He held out his hand and I took it. His hand was much larger and rough than mine, but they way held my hand, made me feel protected… Like he never wanted to let it go.
He walked us over to the middle of the floor and slid his hand into his pocket before pulling out a small remote and pressing play. A sweet violin melody filled the room.
“You’re going to stand parallel to me.” He instructed, slipping his hand onto the small of my back to move me closer to him. My body quite literally shook with nerves as he guided us to the left in a box formation. “You’re too tense, Elle. What’s wrong?” He asked, swirling the music off again. “Is it the dancing? It’s okay if you aren’t sure what to do.”
“C-Can you tell me about Irene?” I blurted.
His body completely went rigid, and for a second there, actual fear coursed through my body.
“Mrs. Potts told you?” He asked. Every guard that he had let down around me had quickly been rebuilt and instant regret flashed across my face.
“I-I’m sorry, I just-”
“No. No, it’s okay.” He whispered, his eyes softening as he saw how frightened I had become. “It was just something of a past I’d rather like to forget about. She was someone I thought I could trust, but couldn’t. I was young and immature. I took on a lot when my parents made me the sole heir to their company and I made mistakes. They were killed because of it. I now blame no one else but myself, Elle. Irene was a thing of the past, and I’d rather she remain there.”
“I-I’m so sorry.” I whispered, still holding onto his soldiers as his hands remained around my waist.
“It’s okay. The death of my parents is a topic for another night. You just need to know that the man I was a few weeks ago, is not the man I am today. For reasons even I don’t know of, I haven’t thought of Irene in weeks. What happened then felt like a curse I had brought upon myself. I’ve made myself to be an unlikable monster, but that burden is on no one else but me.” He explained. My lips twitched up into a slight smile. “What is it?” He asked.
“It just reminds me of something my mother used to say.” I replied honestly.
“I read your file. Your mom, she passed?” He asked, his eyes crowded with something I couldn’t detect.
“Yes. My father wasn’t around much when I grew up. I was with her during her last few months and I held a lot of hate during that time for his disappearance. When I can to visit her for the last time, before she passed, she said:
“The truth is, every monster you have met or will ever meet, was once a human being with a soul that was as soft and light as silk.
Someone stole that silk from their soul and turned them into this.
So when you see a monster next, always remember this.
Do not fear the thing before you.
Fear the thing that created it instead.“
That double upload thoughhh
Chapter 18: Prepare The Food In A Small Fitting Room
“I really don’t need a dress, Stefan, I could just wear something from my closet.” I whined, as we continued to drive down a narrow dirt road back into a town that was a little ways from here.
“You can’t wear leggings and a sweater to a banquette, Elle. We all know that’s the only thing you brought.”
The savagery.
“For your information, sweatshirts and leggings can be a very classy, yet comfortable outfit.” I shot back. He just hit me with another one of his drop dead gorgeous grins, before turning back to the road.
“Tell me more about the banquette.” I spoke, breaking the silence after some time.
The silences that we slipped into we’re always comfortable and beautiful… Like words didn’t always have to be present in order for us to enjoy each others company.
“Well,” he replied, “the banquette is a lot of things. It’s a recognition for the good work we’ve accomplished this year. And it’s also a charity event to raise money for the even greater work we wish to accomplish next year. We’ll showcase the research plants that we’ve put money into, or the treatments that we’ve been working on in Africa-”
“So Grace will be there?” I asked. I couldn’t help the grin that spread upon my cheeks when his hands tightened on the steering wheel.
“Yes. But she will be very busy. I don’t want you annoying her.” He replied.
I gasped. “Who me? I’d never!” All he did was give me another grin, telling me he wasn’t buying my bullshit.
“The event itself is a full day affair. The actual dance and dinner will start tomorrow night at around 7. I will be at the event for the full day because I’ll be greeting and opening for all my guests. Since I won’t be home, I’ll send Maxwell to come get you at around 6. The event is a bit of a ways from our home, it’s at another one of my families branches further into the city.” He continued to explain.
“Let’s hope I don’t shame you with my dancing.” I chuckled lightly.
“Your dancing wasn’t bad at all. It will honestly only be a couple dances before the night is over. If you can make it through that, you’ll be okay.” He nodded encouragingly.
I smiled back at him, giving his shoulder a quick peck. “Thank you for teaching me.” I replied, as I pulled away.
His eyes stared back at me, crowded with something I couldn’t detect, but I could practically feel the atmosphere changing. His look was a look of raw need and desire. It took quite literally everything in me not to jump over this seat and kiss him. His eyes bore into mine, then cast down from my eyes to my lips, and my body began to quake with need.
“S-Stefan.” I croaked out, my voice suddenly hoarse.
“Hmm?” He replied, his eyes still dazed as if I was a fine wine, and he already had a few glasses too many.
“T-The road.” He slowly started to pull himself out of this daze as his eyes furrowed in confusion at my words. He then looked back at what I was pointing at. We had drifted off onto the wrong side of the road, and there was a couple cars approaching.
“Shit!” He whispered, swerving us back onto the right side again. “Are you okay?” He asked. I nodded, trying desperately to regain control of my emotions.
We continued on the narrow road before exiting off onto a highway.
“Mr. DeGramont.” The woman welcomed us, as we entered C’est La Vie, a gown store that Stefan apparently owned. “Is there anything we can help you with, sir?”
The woman looked much younger, maybe her mid twenties, and was literally eye raping Stefan. I mean, everyone in this store was, but I hadn’t actually been back to town since taking this job… And I definitely hadn’t been back to town with Stefan fucking DeGramont. The definition of sex on legs.
“I’m here to find a dress for my date to the banquette. This is Elle.” He introduced me, as I practically came out from behind his large frame.
“Nice to meet you.” The woman nodded, her tone much more hostile than before.
“You as well.”
“What were you thinking of?” She asked Stefan, her voice flowing like honey once again.
“Well why don’t you ask the woman who’s going to be wearing it?” He snapped back, his cool demeanor returning. For the first time ever, I really liked his snappy attitude.
“R-Right, my apologies sir.” She nodded. “What we’re you thinking of?” She asked me, putting on the best fake smile she can muster.
“I was thinking of maybe something pale blue, or gold.” I replied, as she walked both Stefan and I back to a person fitting room area. They were much smaller than I had thought they would be fore a store of this size.
“I’ll start bringing over dresses that match that criteria, and you can try them on. First, I’m going to have you change into this slip.” She nodded, pulling a new, freshly pressed, silk slip off a rack. I took it and thanked her quietly before heading into the fitting room.
When I say this fitting room was small, I really meant, it was small. The bench practically took up half the space as I tried to shimmy out of my leggings and sweater.
The slip felt like lightless fabric as it hugged every curve before strapping up on my shoulders. My fingers went behind to pull the zipper, but I couldn’t grab it.
Fuck.
I turned around and pulled on the door handle, but it wouldn’t open. The lock seemed to be jammed. “Stefan?” I called out. In a heart beat, the door was yanked open, and his eyes were instantly on me…
… Then all over me.
They wandered down to my hips that were hugged by the slip, then back up to my breasts which looked pretty stellar in it as well. “ Jesus, you’re wearing a bloody slip and still making it look magnificent.“ He whispered, leaning against the doorframe as if he was close to passing out. His eyes were clouded over again.
“C-Could you get the zipper for me?” I asked, tripping over every word as my body heated with lust. His gaze on my every curve was taking me over the edge.
He nodded quietly, and I turned around to expose my nearly naked back. “ Bloodyhell.“ He whispered against the nape of my back, as he started to tug on the zipper. “Looks like it’s jammed.” He spoke after sometime. He unintentionally shimmied us further into the room, to yank the zipper up, but the door slammed shut behind us.
“Shoot!” I hissed, turning back around only to be as close to Stefan as I’d ever been in my entire existence. We just stared at each other, with one of his hands still attached to the zipper at my back.
“What’s wrong?” He whispered, his eyes continuing to glance between mine and my lips.
“The lock on the door. It’s jammed, so it locks from the inside.” I whispered back. His hand tugged my body closer till I was flush against his. I could now feel just how hot and bothered he was as he pressed his hardening member against my hip. A small surprised moan left my lips and his eyes grew darker.
“That’s unfortunate.” He answered back, trailing off as his other hand reached up to cup the side of my cheek. “I could always call the receptionist lady back, I’m sure she’d be more than happy-”
“Shut up and kiss me.” I whispered back, catching even myself off guard by my words… But Stefan didn’t have to be told twice, as he brought my face up to his, and slammed his lips against mine.
(•.•)
Chapter 19: Prepare The Food And Talk With Mrs. Potts
Okay so this had to be said. Due to me being a full time college student and working over 40 hours a week, it’s hard to check all the activity on here. But I do read every comment… And let me fucking tell you…
Y’all are some hilarious motherfuckers. Thank you for never failing to make my day. That is all.
~
Alright God listen.
Here’s the scoop.
I know we haven’t been very close and all recently, I blame that partially on the death of my mother.
It… It was hard.
It changed me in ways I couldn’t begin to describe, but I feel as if we need to talk because lord, I have no idea what the actual flying fuck I did right to have this mans glorious lips grace mine in the most holy of holy ways but I am beyond grateful.
I’ve.. I’ve seen miracles today, my father… the things I want to do to this man are boarding the lines of unholy at this point and I just want to take a moment to concur and regroup with you-
“Elle?” Stefan asked, pulling his lips away from mine. I whimpered at the loss of contact. “Are you okay?” He whispered, his lips a few millimeters away from mine.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I growled, “I’m having a mental conversation with The Lord God Almighty Himself right now, I’m more than okay.” I whispered back with just as much need as I brought his lips down on me again.
He tasted like peppermint candy against me as he swirled his tongue out, asking for entrance. We both groaned with pleasure when I opened up to let him explore my mouth. Being this close to him practically sent me on a natural high as our surrounding became obsolete to both of us.
His hand was now tightly wound against my small frame. I could feel the wall of the fitting room press against my back, as he leaned further into me. My hands slid up his biceps and down the front of his body. Everything about him was rock solid and completely sculpted.
Fuck, I need to like, lift a weight or something.
“I, for one, think your body is perfect.” He mumbled against my lips.
“I said that out loud?” I whispered back.
“Stop talking.” He grumbled, as his hands slipped further down my back until they were almost to reach my ass. We were interrupted by the sounds of the lock being unjammed as the door was swung open.
“Oh- oh. “ The receptionist gasped, and Stefan and I quickly pulled apart.
“I-I forgot that this door j-jams.” She explained, stuttering sporadically as Stefan pulled away completely to back out of the fitting room. I followed him to the entrance of the doorway. “I placed the dresses on this rack here. Feel free to take your time.” She nodded uncomfortably. Stefan just grinned back at me as I now tried to cover up parts of my body that felt exposed by the slip. In an instant he was in front of me with his arms back around my waist.
“Please don’t ever try to cover up your beauty around me.” He whispered hoarsely against the nape of my neck as his large hands massaged my hips. I did everything I could not to fall over from his sexy scent, and even sexier accent. His touch sent waves of pleasure through me.
“I-I need to start trying these on.” I whispered back, desperately trying to put space between us. He nodded, reluctantly pulling away as my body slumped against the door frame.
“Why don’t you start with this light blue dress here? He asked, handing me the first dress on the rack.
“$2000! Stefan!”
“It’s not that bad Elle-”
“$2000 for a freaking dress?! We have to return it!”
“Absolutely not.” Stefan replied, “I’d pay $2,000,000 to see you in that. You looked amazing Elle.”
“Stop it.” I grumbled, looking out the window to conceal my blushing cheeks as we continued on the highway. “This is all very knew. It’s not every day, a god given gift to humanity of a person, hits on me. Stop complimenting me so I can scold you.”
“You don’t see your true beauty.” Was all he replied with, as we continued on towards our home.
Stefan’s POV
“You look happier than usual.” Mrs. Potts commented as she entered my study with some chamomile tea.
“What are you insinuating?” I asked, while I continued to fill out the necessary paperwork for tomorrow.
I hadn’t planned to go shopping with Elle, so my original obligations had been pushed back to tonight. But there wasn’t a shred of regret. Today could have possibly been one of the greatest days I’ve had in years.
“Oh nothing.” Mrs. Potts winked, taking a seat in the chair that was opposite my desk. She was still in her maid uniform, but her hair was now let down past her shoulders.
Throughout these years, she had aged the most gracefully out of all of us. It still took me by surprise some mornings… She looked almost identical to how she looked over almost two decades ago.
Some days it took me back to when I was younger… M parents were much too busy to be home all the time.
I remember when they first hired Mrs. Potts on to be my caretaker. She had the same fiery attitude as she did now. She watched me grow into who I am, yet consistently reminded me that regardless of how much power I might have inherited, it meant nothing if my soul was consumed by it.
“I need to retire.” She sighed, taking a sip of the tea that was meant for me. All I could do was chuckle at the amount of times I had heard that one. “I’m serious Stefan. You better not have any children. I refuse to raise those little shits too.”
I almost choked on my words at the thought of kids. It wasn’t something that had even crossed my mind of being a possibility… Until now.
“Let’s take it one day at a time.” I replied, grinning when her eyes narrowed in on me.
“I’m serious Stefan. You’re on your own. I’m going to retire in Fiji with my alcoholic pina colada and my Agatha Christie cozy mysteries.”
I chuckled once again. “And what about Chip?” Her eyes shot open in realization as she looked at me, before standing up.
“I’m going to go eat my weight in ice cream. If I’m going to die old, I might as well go out fat as well. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure I stick around long enough to put that boy through college first.” She grumbled, picking up the cup of tea and taking one more sip before turning and leaving.
Before she disappeared through the doorway, she turned around and call out to me one last time.
“Yes?” I replied.
“You’re different… You’ve changed. She’s changed you for the better.” She nodded more to herself, than to me, before disappearing around the corner.
I guess she was right.
There must be something here that wasn’t there before.
Chapter 20: Prepare The Food With Time Himself
Where in all bloody hell is my naked make up pallet?!
I was currently sitting on my bathroom floor, rummaging through all my makeup for this freaking eyeshadow pallet. There was only about 15 minutes until Maxwell was supposed to come pick me up for the event tonight and I hadn’t even gotten into the fucking dress yet.
This make up pallet was literally my life and I felt like the lord himself was really looking out for a girl when I spotted it behind my hair curler.
I pulled out the pallet and got to blending various nudes and natural colors onto the base of my eyelids before coming in with a chocolatey brown for my crease. I then pulled out some of the make up Stefan had bought for me, to match my dress.
I still couldn’t get over the whole conversation that had happened at Sephora the day before…
“What’s this for?” Stefan asked, holding up a pink blush pallet.
“It’s blush for your cheeks.” I replied.
“Blush? Doesn’t your face just naturally do that?”
“Well yes,” I replied, “but sometimes women want their cheeks to look rosy consistently.”
“Okay. And these are…”
“False eyelashes, Stefan, false eyelashes.”
“Okay, and why do you need these?” He asked, flipping the packaging over.
“Because I barely have any eyelashes to begin with.” I explained, trying on a few different highlighters on my arm.
“Right right right. This is lipstick right?”
“Mascara.” I corrected.
“How the bloody hell can you tell?! The packaging looks identical.” Stefan gasped astonishingly.
“Oh my god, Stefan.” I chuckled. He looked like a kid in a candy store.
“Is this sparkly pink shit also a blush?”
“No, that’s highlighter.” I corrected again.
“Like, what does it do?” He asked, now mesmerized by the shimmery powder.
“You use it on your cheek bones and nose to add light to your face, and a bit of shimmer.”
“But… But it’s pink.”
“Yes, well, it looks very pretty on. Here, I’ll show you.” I nodded, taking a testing brush and expertly adding a light layer to my face.
“Excuse me, miss?” Stefan asked, calling a Sephora worker over, “I’ll take two of that pink sparkly shit.”
“The highlighter?” She asked, unable to mask the grin that broke out across her face.
“Yes, that. And whatever the hell she’s got going on with her eyelids.” Stefan added.
“Eyeliner?” She offered, shooting me a knowing smile.
“Yes. Oh, and I saw some gold glittery stuff too. What do you do with that?” He asked.
“You use an adhesive to put it on your eyelid.” She explained, showing him a demonstrative picture.
“I’ll take two of those as well.” He nodded to her, as she disappeared to gather all the items. “Ooh! And what this, Elle?” Stefan asked, pointing to another object on the vanity.
“That’s… A marker.”
“For like, your eyebrows?” He asked.
“For like, paper, Stefan.” I replied, unable to stop the chuckles as he glanced away embarrassingly.
I was now applying some of the glitter to my eyelid, and let me just tell you, this stuff was amazing. It made my eyes pop even more, and I couldn’t wait to see it with my dress.
“What are you doing?” A man asked from the entry of the doorway, almost causing me to spill the entire container of glitter all over the bathroom floor.
Okay, real talk, was every man in this home, a freaking Calvin Klein model?! This man was drop dead gorgeous.
“W-Who are you? And why are you in my room?” I asked, startled out of my wits completely.
“My name is Benedict. I’m here to make sure this night goes completely swell and currently, you are sitting on the floor of your bathroom with no dress on when we have quite literally 7 minutes, and 48 seconds left to spare before you need to be in a car, on your way to the event. Can you please explain to me how we got here?” He asked, already rummaging through my things to pick out the dress and shoes for tonight.
“Benedict? Are you part of the house staff? And I completely lost track of time.” I explained, pulling myself up off the floor.
“Ofcourse you did. Yes, I’m part of the house staff but I’ve been on a little vacation up until today. I leave for a week and everyone’s timing goes to shit.” He sighed, pulling out my undergarments.
“I can take care of those!” I quickly shot forward, when his hands started to rummage through my underwear.
“Stop wasting time and start putting on whatever I toss on the bed.” He snapped back, swatting my arm away as he laid out everything for me.
“Y-You want me to change… Right here… In front of you?!” I asked.
“No worries, Ms. Mallerie, I do not care for any part of your body… Or a females body in general really.” He replied. I hesitantly started to pull the clothing on, as he tapped away at his tablet.
“Why did you take a vacation?” I asked him, as I got ready. He sighed deeply.
“Do you insist on small talk?”
“Well, I mean, I’m changing in front of a stranger right now… So yes, I’d like to know who you are.”
“The work I do for Mr. DeGramont is meticulous and tedious. I get a week off a year to myself every year before the banquette which is the biggest invent in the year. This year, I was not made aware that Mr. DeGramont had found a date until only a few moment ago. Forgive me for my snappiness, but we have 3 minutes and twenty five seconds left to get us both to a moving vehicle, so if you could just pull on that stiletto heel a little faster, that would be great.”
“I’m going as fast as I can.” I grumbled, getting on the last shoe before literally running after this strange man as he speed walked out of my room.
“Jesus Christ. Ms. Mallerie, have you ever actually worn heels before?”
“Not exactly.” I replied, wobbling down the hallway towards the entrance of the home.
“Of Course not.” He sighed again. “There’s no time now.” He replied, rushing out the open entry doors towards a car that was already running. We passed by Mrs. Potts on the way out.
“Have fun, love!” She called, as I was being ushered into the vehicle by Maxwell, with Benedict short behind me.
“Thank you!” I replied to a closing door. “How are we for time, Benedict?” I asked. He was still fiddling with his tablet.
“Perfect. Not a second late.” He replied, passing the iPad to Maxwell as he slid into the drivers seat. “And only my mother refers to me by that name. Just call me what everyone else calls me: Cogsworth.”
Cogsworth?
Cogsworth!
Chapter 21: Prepare The Food At The Ball pt. 1
“Is this the address?” Maxwell asked, as we took off down the paved driveway towards the gravel dirt road.
“Yes,“Clogsworth replied, “Mr. DeGramont just faxed it over to me. If you go approximately 5 mph above the speed limit, we should make it in time for the Entrance Ceremony before the dance.”
“Entrance Ceremony?” I asked, as my eyebrows furrowed up in confusion. Stefan never mentioned anything about that, earlier.
“It’s not exactly an ceremony. Couples just enter the ballroom together as the live orchestra plays a few songs. Mr. DeGramont had given us some merciful minutes as leeway incase we do arrive late. He’s okay with walking in without you, yet he was hoping to you two would appear together, considering this was what everyone was expecting.” Cogsworth explained.
“E-Everyone? Around how many people attend this event?” I questioned, glancing up from my newly manicured nails to catch Maxwells humorous eyes in the rear view mirror.
“Around 1,500 to 2,000 people.” Cogsworth replied. My eyes grew wide.
“Goodness Ms. Mallerie, you look like a deer caught in the headlights.” Maxwell noted, as we made eye contact once again. “There’s no need to be alarmed. You’ll be fine.” He assured.
“Oh no. I’m just walking into a gathering of 1500 people easily! “ I snapped back, already starting to fidget with the hem of my dress.
“If you ruin that gown before this event has even started, so help me god, I will unplug the kitchen fridge the night before you have to cook.” Cogsworth hissed at me as he swatted my hands away from the now looser thread. I complied, remembering just how damn expensive this dress was to begin with.
“The events will go by extremely quickly, and before you know it, the night will be over. No need to fret about a couple hours.” Maxwell offered, pulling into the highway.
I turned my head back to the back seat windows as I watched the now darkening sky snuff out the remainder of the light.
No need to fret.
Right.
Clearly, they had no idea how ungraceful I really was.
“Lol no.” I shook my head repeatedly, clasping the belt buckle back in place.
“What the hell do you mean ‘No’?” Cogsworth demanded, as we pulled up to a mansion at least double the size of Stefan’s.
“There’s no way I’m entering that place! It’s like the size of a small state.” I shot back.
“It actually has its own zip code.” Maxwell acknowledged.
“You’re not helping, Maxwell.” Cogsworth grumbled as he turned to me.
“You. Will. Be. Fine.” He nodded slowly.
I glanced nervously between both men as we sat in the parked car. “There’s only 1, 746 people attending. Most are charity donors.” Maxwell added.
“Maxwell?” Cogsworth called as my eyes grew wide with this new information.
“Yes?”
“Please refrain from telling Ms. Mallerie anything more. I don’t think it’s helping the situation.” Cogsworth gritted out through his teeth. “We’ll be right here if you need us. We will also stay as close to you during the dance.”
“If you do faint, rest assured we’ll be the first to the scene.” Maxwell added.
“Seriously Maxwell, no more talking.” Cogsworth snapped as they both got out of the car before walking around to my side of the vehicle.
My nerves were a freaking mess. I was more than overjoyed that Stefan had invited me to this, but I really didn’t want to let him down or embarrass him. It seemed liked this event was a hell of a lot larger than he had initially let on.
“How much money does this thing usually pull in?” I asked, taking Cogsworth’s hand as he helped me out of the car.
“Last year’s total was well over ten million.” He replied. My eyes grew large again.
Coolcoolcoolcoolcool. Don’t fuck this up, Elle.
“I’m serious. You’ll be fine.” Cogsworth assured me.
We climbed up the freakishly long steps that lead to two humongous doors that were guarded by a few men. They were in all black, talking through ear pieces. As we approached, they quickly turned to us. Nothing was said while the doors were pulled open and we were let through.
“That’s some pretty flimsy security. No identification checks?” I asked, as we entered an extremely ridiculously beautiful all marble lobby.
“I’ve worked with Mr. DeGramont longer than any other staff, my dear, I’ve become well aquatinted with all his men.” Cogsworth explained. “Stay here, I’ll inform Stefan on your arrival and he’ll be with you shortly.”
I nodded in understanding, watching him disappear down a darkened corridor.
I still couldn’t get over how insanely beautiful the place actually was. There was another large set of doors directly in front of me, that I could hear music floating from, then two darkened corridors on each side of me. The walls were a clean marbled look with stone flooring that were paired well with beyond glamorous Greek statues that were no doubt in my mind, real.
The ceilings had beautiful tainted glass images of old Athens and Greek gods that allowed for gorgeously colored streams of light to naturally color the white marbled walls. Everything looked like it was torn right out of an anthropology catalogue… Except it looked even more expensive, if that was possible.
I carefully walked over to a sculpted statue of a head that stood on a clay molded pillar by one of the doors. There was one on each end of the entrance.
Without even thinking, my hand reached up to touch some of the extremely fine detailed piece on the nose…
And the nose broke off into my hand.
Shitshitshitshitshit! I thought to myself.
My eyes scanned the vacant lobby to see if anyone had seen what had happened. As soon as I felt certain I was the only one there, I started searching desperately for a place to hide the broken nose that was in my palm.
It was more than noticeable when you glance at the two statues now… Considering one literally now had a hole in his face for where his nose should be. I could hear footsteps approaching from the corridor to the other side of me, and I quickly slipped the broken piece into the hidden pocket of my dress. I glanced up from entrance to the beginning of the hallway, where my eyes caught sight of Stefan approaching me.
Lord have mercy.
Chapter 22: Prepare The Food At The Ball pt. 2
I just want to say sorry for the sporadic uploads lately, and thank you all for being so understanding! I had to train a new employee in, so I couldn’t use my breaks to write like I usually do. I’ll be shooting for every other day now since school is starting and I’m sure y’all got shit to do for that too.
Thank you all again for understanding, and enjoy the chapter!
Stephan’s POV
Bloody hell.
I literally couldn’t take my eyes off of Elle as I approached her near the front entrance of the ballroom. She looked even more stellar in the dress she was currently wear, than I could ever imagine… And I had seen her in the same thing only yesterday. I tried to act nonchalant about how devastatingly attracted I was to her right now, but that all went out the window when she looked t me with the same hunger in her eyes.
“You look-”
“ Wow.“ She breathed in a response.
“That glittery shit was an amazing invested.” I nodded breathlessly, taking another step closer as she did the same. My hands reached out and grabbed her hips roughly before pulling her completely into me.
“I love how you call this highlighter, glittery shit.” She whispered, her face only a hairs length away from mine.
“I like how you breathe oxygen. And how your existence just makes my existence more bearable.” I whispered back unfiltered, as I started to lean into her.
“Ditto-” she started, but we were quickly cut off by loud footsteps echoing off the walls. Elle hesitantly pulled away from me as we glanced over to find Cogsworth speed walking towards us.
“Why in God’s name are you two still standing around for? The dance will be starting any minute! Jesus, do you need me to get the doors for you, too?” He grumbled. I couldn’t help but smile.
I know it must seem weird that I allowed Cogsworth to act like this, but in all honesty, he was more like a friend than anything else. I had known him for as long as I could remember, and the fact that he was one of the few people who wasn’t afraid to tell me when I needed to hop off my high horse, or when I had spinach in my teeth, made all the difference in my life.
I expected nothing less than elevated stress levels from him tonight though. It was his first official day back, and I had sprung quite a few things on him… Like Elle for instance.
“Rich people, I swear.” He grumbled again.
“Hey hey hey, should we talk bout how much I’m paying you? I think those hefty paychecks qualify you for the ARPA. Arrogant Rich People Association. We welcome you with open arms my brother.” I joked.
“Ta, very funny.” He replied, trying to conceal his knowing smile as he approached the double doors. “Are you ready?” He asked. I glanced over at Elle.
“As ready as I’ll honestly ever be.” She replied.
With that, Cogsworth pulled on the heavy doors as the hinges roared to life and the music over flooded the lobby. Conversations quickly died down as many eyes turned to the doors. I could practically feel Elle shaking as I firmly grabbed her side and pulled her into mine.
I bent down and whispered in her ear. “ if you loose your footing for any reason, lean into me and I’ll support you, okay?“
She nodded in understanding.
The music hadn’t stopped, as I gave Elle a quick squeeze, and we descended down the stairs of the entrance.
“Breathe.” I whispered a reminder to her, while we were passing through a parted sea of people to the middle of the ballroom floor. All eyes were quite literally on us.
“I’m super duper nervous now.” She whispered to me, as the orchestra got ready for the First Dance.
“Is it because of all the people, or because you currently have the broken off nose of a Greek god statue from the lobby, sitting in your pocket?” I asked.
Her eyes grew wide with mortification. “ You saw.“ She whispered back at me.
“It was quite the scene.” I admitted, smiling to myself when I remembered how her eyes had literally popped out of her eye sockets when the piece broke off into her hand.
“Do I even want to know how much it was?” She asked nervously.
“No. I don’t want you fainting on me. It’s not a big deal either. Totally worth it.” I replied.
I backed away from Elle slightly, as my hand went out. “May I have this dance?”
“Yes.” She whispered back, as her small hand slid into my large one. The song that was playing, was something I hadn’t recognized, but it was extremely beautiful. I could tell Elle was falling for the enchantment of its melody as well, as she swayed slightly to the music.
“I’m not sure if I mentioned this before Elle, but you are the most stunning woman I have ever been graced with the pleasure of meeting.” I whispered slightly huskily into her ear as I watched her body trembled in front of me.
“T-T-Thank you.” She whispered back, diverting her eyes from mine as her cheeks heated up.
Elle’s POV
The dances had gone so much better than I had even hoped for. After the first dance, people had joined in, so it wasn’t as awkward and nerve racking anymore.
Stefan had drifted us through, and introduced me to a few of his colleagues. One of them was a little to friendly my way, but Stefan was having none of that and shut that shit down immediately.
“Shall I show you the best part of this place?” Stefan whisper into my ear, as he led me away from the dense crowd of people. I nodded to him.
We slipped through a door that I hadn’t noticed was present in the farthest side of the room, and was quickly exposed to a balcony that was enclosed by glass. In this small room, you could see the entire city and forest as the passed through beautifully behind the long window panels. The room didn’t have any furniture.
“Woah.” I whispered, approaching the glass as I was mesmerized by the lit up night.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” He asked, as he wrapped his arm around from behind me. I shuddered at his breath on my neck. Without even knowing how, he had turned us around so his back was now facing the glass and he greedily brought his lips down to mine.
A satisfied moan erupted from the both of us.
My suddenly eyes whipped open as I felt Stefan awkwardly pull away. “What’s wrong?” I asked, glancing up at him.
I saw his body begin to tip before he stumbled towards me, and collapsed into my side. I couldn’t hold him up so we both lost our balance and tumbled to the floor.
“Elle.” He whispered, his voice strained as, he looked up at me with pain etched into his face. I glanced back up at the large glass window, to find a shattering where a bullet had pierced through. I glanced down again to see an entrance hole through his back jacket.
“Stefan!” I called again, frantically. Trying to search for my phone in this fucking dress, and blood began to pool out from the gunshot wound, onto the carpeted floor.
Chapter 23: Prepare The Food At The Hospital
;) thank you again for all the love you guys have shown this story! Xoxo
My hands fidgeted in my lap as I did everything I could to control my breathing. I was currently suffocating by the hands of these hospital walls as Stefan lay on the operation table in Operation Room One. The doors to the operation room flew open and I quickly stood. Lumiere walked through to greet me.
“How is he?” I rushed out, as my hands forced themselves to my sides.
“The bullet hit no major artery. The surgery was successful. They’ve sedated him for the pain but you should be able to see him soon…” He trailed off, most likely taking in my appearance.
The once beautiful dress was now completely ruined by Stefan’s blood. I hadn’t had time to even check my appearance but I was sure I looked like a hot mess. “I’ll be heading home to see to some things. Can I have Maxwell bring you a change of clothing? I’d tell you to head home and take a shower, but seeing as you’ve stayed in this lobby for the past 7 hours, I doubt you’d accept that offer.”
“I… I just want to see him.” I whispered, my voice raspy and uneven.
He nodded understandingly at me. “You should be able to soon… But Elle… This isn’t his first injury, nor will it be his last. With his line of work, we prepare for the worst. I recommend you do the same.” He added, before heading towards the entrance desk to speak with the receptionist.
I took a few shaky steps forward before my left heel finally gave out and snapped. I caught myself quickly against the hospital wall, and quickly removed the ridiculous shoes.
I didn’t even want to know how much money’s worth of shit I had ruined today.
I pushed through the first revolving door to enter the operation hallway before making my way through to the patient rooms. They said he’d be in room 324.
322… 323… 324 .
The blinds on the window were shut, so I couldn’t actually see into the room. My hand pulled down on the door knob and the door opened. “Stefan?” I called. Once I slipped through the door, I could see Cogsworth standing beside him with his tablet in hand.
“S-Sorry, I didn’t know you two were meeting…”
“It’s okay Elle, I think we are just about done here.” Cogsworth replied.
“Don’t forget pasta. You know the Malfacini family and their pasta.” Stefan added, his voice unchanged except for a slightly deeper raspiness. He looked nothing like a man who had just been shot.
“P-Pasta?” I questioned, moving further into the room.
“For the feast I’m hosting tonight.” Stefan replied nonchalantly.
“F-Feast?!” I exclaimed, glancing back between Cogsworth and Stefan. They both just looked at me, then each other, and shrugged.
“It’s an apologetic feast for the night ending so poorly yesterday.” Stefan explained.
“Stefan! You were shot!” I replied, my voice involuntarily breaking. His eyes softened at me.
“Cogsworth, could you leave us for a bit?” Stefan asked, as his eyes held mine.
Cogsworth nodded silently, before slipping past me and out the door.
“Come here.” Stefan beckoned, his voice gentle yet strong. I awkwardly wobbled towards him, and that was when his eyes finally drifted to the dress and missing shoes. We both visibly cringed. “I’m so sorry.” He whispered, as his fingers went out to trace the dried blood that had coated my body.
“It’s not you fault.” I whispered back, as I took a seat beside him on his hospital bed.
This man made post surgery look so fucking good.
“I’m not used to having anyone else worry about me like this.” He whispered unconsciously.
“What do you mean? There’s Mrs. Potts, and Cogsworth…”
“Yes, and they do care for me, but they are also my employees. They know that regardless of what happens to me, my family’s work must continue. They have been trained to make that sacrifice… But you, my love, you’re different. I didn’t see this outcome, and I apologize for not taking into account how this situation would affect you.” He explained, pulling my body closer to his until both me, and my 10 pound dress, was in his lap.
“I-I-It’s okay.” I stuttered nervously, as my heart began to hammer out of my chest.
“It’s not.” He whispered against my neck, as his hands grabbed my sides.
“Stefan- you were just shot.” I replied, trying to sound persistent but instead, it came out as more of a moan.
“I’m well aware.” He nodded, pulling me flush against his hard body as his hands began to massage my hips through the dress.
“I-I-” I whispered, trying to gather my bearings.
“What, my love?” He whispered back with hunger.“
“I broke the heels.” I admitted.
I felt him pull away from my body. His eyes stared into mine before his body began to tremble with laughter.
“ Jesus, Elle.“ He sighed, laughing harder into my shoulder. “Fuck the shoes. Fuck the dress. You are here… In my arms… Right now… That’s all that matters.”
I sighed, leaning further into his touch that sent my mind into a euphoric state. We heard the door being pulled open again and I went to pull away from Stefan, but he just held me tighter.
“What do you want?” He grumbled at Lumiere. His voice was muffled by my neck.
“We might have a bit of a problem.” Lumiere stated, entering the room with Cogsworth’s tablet.
“What do you mean?” Stefan asked, his voice gaining it’s edge rapidly.
“The projectile from the bullet shows this shot was taken from a miraculously far distance. With the type of bullet used, it would take a bit of time to traveled to the intended target…”
“What?” Stefan asked, his voice now completely on edge.“
“From the way you described the situation and position of both you and Elle in that skyway room, I no longer have reason to believe you were the intended target. I think Elle was.”
Oh shiiieeeeeettttttt
Chapter 24: Prepare The Food To Bad News
Been in a super shitty writing slump. This chapter is shit. You have been warned.
I could feel Stefan’s hands begin to tighten at my sides as he stared blankly back at Lumiere.
“Explain.” He replied so cooly, that it sent shivers down my back.
“I-It’s all here.” Lumiere nodded hesitantly, handing Stefan the tablet which he conveniently placed in front of the both of us. The photo was a 3D rendering of the room Stefan and I were in earlier the night before, along with the surrounding perimeter of the family branch that the charity event was held at. As Stefan zoomed out, my eyes grew large from the insane distance between where we were and where the bullet was shot from. It showed where the sniper was perched up by, in the trees.
“There are very few who can take a shot like that.” Stefan commented, zooming in on the vantage point.
“What we really need to know is how they knew you two would be at that room within that time frame. Clearly, the sniper knew exactly where he needed to be stationed so someone had to of been informed.” Lumiere added.
“Are you insinuating there is a leak within our organization?” Stefan asked. His voice dropped to a warning tone.
“I’m not insinuating anything. These are facts, Stefan-”
“It’s Mr. DeGramont.” Stefan replied with such a sharp edge, it took even me by surprise.
Lumiere cleared his throat. “I’ll inform you on any updated news we can find. Right now, this bullet looks Russian. What I need to know, before we can jump to that situation, is, do you have any enemies Elle?”
“Enemies?” I asked, giving him a blank stare. “I once reported a semi-trucking driving on an interstate because he cut me off without a turning signal.”
“That’s not exactly what we had in mind. Have you taken out any loans, pissed off questionable people, anything like that?” Stefan asked, turning to me again. His voice instantly got softer and more welcoming as he noticed how frigid I had become.
“I-I-I’m a cook, Stefan, just a cook.” I replied.
“Well I can tell you this much,” Lumiere admitted, “if it’s the Russians, this isn’t good. It would’ve been much easier if it was an enemy of yours.”
“I need to assess the full situation before any real decisions can be made.” Stefan announced, handing the tablet back to Lumiere, “until then, I want men on you, Elle. You don’t leave the estate without someone and extra details will rotate around the house round clock. I also want extra men at Gracie’s, and on Mrs. Potts, along with Chip. I don’t care if you need to hire more men, do whatever’s necessary, but make sure their credentials check out.”
“I’ll get on it.” Lumiere nodded, giving me a warily smile before leaving.
Stefan’s POV
“What the absolute bloody hell are you doing home?” Mrs. Potts demanded, as Elle gently helped me up the stairs of our home.
“The surgery was successful. Everything is fine.” I assured her, unable to miss the sheer relief that shone in her eyes.
“You were shot not even 24 hours ago Stefan!” Mrs. Potts fired back, helping me up from my other side as both women led me to my study.
“There are preparations for tonight that need to be taken care of.” I replied.
“Preparations?! You better sit your arse right in that firm chair of yours and rest the hell up because I am not the one. If you thought you were just going to bounce back from a surgery in 24 hours, well, you thought.” Mrs. Potts replied, laying me gently into my study chair. I could feel the annoying aching pain that carved it’s way into my back, but I did everything I could to make that from the two women who meant more to me than I could cry to admit.
I couldn’t remember much of the actual events after bullet hit me. In fact, I didn’t feel it until I felt my body stumble into Elle. Apparently I had lost consciousness a few moments after, but all I could recall was the sound of my name on Elle’s tongue as she shook me in panic. Next thing I knew, I was lying in a hospital bed, being greeted by Lumiere.
“The doctors did you were really lucky the bullet hadn’t struck a major artery.” Elle sighed, reluctantly letting go of me as I got settled in my seat. I heard something in her voice that made my body tense up, but before I could comment, Mrs. Potts beat me to it.
“None of this is your fault, child. Absolutely none.” Mrs. Potts confirmed, looking firmly at Elle.
“But I was the intended target. I clearly did something to someone…” She trailed off.
“ OR, Stefan did something to someone which resulted in you being a target. This is also the most probable.“ Mrs. Potts replied, cutting me no slack as she ruthlessly dragged my name through these streets with those accusations.
I sighed again, shifting to ease some of the pressure on my back as the pain began to nag at me again. “She’s right, Elle. Don’t blame yourself for something you had no control over.”
She nodded silently at me. “I’m going to go get started on the meal prep for the day.” She announced, before pushing herself up from my desk and heading out the study doors.
I glanced back to Mrs. Potts as soon as Elle disappeared around the corner. “How bad is it?” I asked her. I knew from her actions and tone, something was definitely wrong.
“The shooting. Lumiere reached out to me about half an hour ago with new news. Apparently, there is a bounty on Elle’s head.” Mrs. Potts admitted. I could feel my body tense instantly.
“The Russians?” I asked.
“That’s what we hear…” Mrs. Potts replied, trailing off. “There’s something else, Stefan.” She added, “something that makes this situation much more difficult.”
“What? What’s going to be the cherry on top of this already shitty day?”
“The bounty Stefan… It’s 1.3 million dollars.”
Chapter 25: Prepare The Food With A French Traitor
Elle’s POV
“I can’t believe we are preparing a freaking feast only hours after Stefan got shot!” I hissed, as both Lumiere and I got to marinating the meats.
“That’s Mr. DeGramont for you. He might not show it, but the fact that his charity event was ruined did effect him. This is the one publicity event he actually really looked forward to, mainly because, it wasn’t really about him. It was about the great things other people had done and deserve recognition for. That means much more to him then he’ll ever let on.” Lumiere explained, as he took out the basil leaves.
I couldn’t stop the smile that lingered on my lips. You just couldn’t guess all that from a first glance at Stefan. The fact that this was a sensitive part of him, made me feel all warm and gooey inside.
“Calm down, will you, I mean he’s still involved in some sketchy business.” Lumiere laughed, as he saw my smile falter.
Things grew silent as we busied ourself with work, but we both knew there were some questions lingering in the air. Soon, Lumiere couldn’t handle it anymore. “Out with it Elle.”
“W-Well it isn’t really any of my concern but…”
“Me and Mr. DeGramont?” Lumiere offered, turning to me. It was as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.
“Y-Yes. I just wanted to know why he snapped like that. I mean, you’ve mentioned quite vaguely your relations with his family, but I guess I’m asking for a bit more.” I admitted.
“Well, you aren’t wrong. My relationship with Mr. DeGramont doesn’t extend past employee and employer like yours or Mrs. Potts. I was originally assigned this work after a certain incident with his family and mine. A few years back, there was an attack on one of Mr. DeGramont’s branches. It looked to be like the signature of one of my French families. After an extensive investigation, and many allegations, we discovered that one of my brothers had made a ridiculous plot to overthrow Stefan’s family.
“Of course, we claimed no part in that plan, and we apologized profusely on my brothers part, but there is no room for fuck ups or betrayal in the Mafia. Stefan took it much more personally because the branch that was attacked, wasn’t even a part of his unorthodox work. The branch, as it turned out, was actually a charity foundation. 8 innocent civilians ended up dying.”
I just stared at Lumiere, as I tried to process this all. I honestly couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I mean, I had witnessed only a few hours ago, Stefan getting shot, but I had no idea that innocent civilians could get wrapped up in this mess… Then again… Wasn’t I an innocent civilian?
“So now, this… Arrangement is more a less, an example of keeping your friends close, but your enemies closer. I wasn’t the criminal who did these actions, but it was my family. Everyone knows that our association with our family can either be our statement, or our downfall. When a member of your family screws up in the Mafia, your entire family screws up.”
“B-But that’s not fair. Stefan shouldn’t be so hard on you if you didn’t do anything…”
“I don’t blame him. My family was very disclosed with what my brother did. The DeGramont family demanded he be handed over, but we declined. I couldn’t imagine, at the time, why this was so incredibly personal to Stefan. My family never had close ties to any foundations that weren’t corrupt. When I was sent to work here, I soon found out why. Stefan was much more different from what I had expected. He treated me very coldly, but what I didn’t expect, was all the love and compassion he could show for a 100% pure, uncorrupt organization. He, in a way, changed me for the better. I don’t regret a single year since I’ve been here.” Lumiere admitted.
“That’s a lot of trust that Stefan has shown though, right? You said that you were still active in his Mafia tendencies. Stefan still let you work that side of his family? Even after what he accused your family of?” I asked, still a bit lost.
“I, too, was awfully confused. When I was transferred, they told me that Mr. DeGramont requested for someone to help with the lighting in his home. This was practically a slap in the face for the position I held in my family before… But as the years grew on, Mr. DeGramont started assigning me to more personal matters. I was positive he knew of my work in my family, but I never expected him to utilize me in this way… A supposed enemy now reporting confidential news about his organizations to him. But regardless of that leeway, I also knew first hand that Stefan wasn’t stupid. The first few years, I was followed and bugged. Even up until now, details are put on me whenever a major play in his organization is happening.
“But I mean, I’m not surprised. If I was in his position, I would do the exact same.” Lumiere added, as he continued to busy himself with the feast.
Before I had time to reply, our conversation was cut short as someone cleared their throat from the doorway.
“Elle?” Mrs. Potts called out. Her face looked much more pale than I had ever seen. My body instantly went rigid.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, setting the teriyaki sauce down.
“Stefan wishes to see you.” She replied. I wiped the wetness onto my apron, before sliding it off myself and following her out into the hallway. As we approached Stefan’s office, I asked once more.
“Is there something wrong, Mrs. Potts?” But she didn’t reply. She, instead, opened the doors for me to walk through, then closed them as I entered the dimly lit room. Stefan still sat in the chair that we had set him in, but this time, the laptop and computer were on, along with numerous papers and cash on the table.
“What’s going on, Stefan?” I asked, moving closer to where he was. His chair was turned slightly to his monitor, which illuminated his chiseled cheekbones and beautifully rough face.
“I-It has come to my attention, that you are no longer safe here.” He replied. His voice was so tight. That was the first time I had ever really heard him stumble over his words.
“Stefan?” I called again, my voice small and fragile.
“As of now, I, Stefan DeGramont, release you of your services.” He replied, looking everywhere but at me.
“I- I don’t understand.” I whispered. His eyes zeroed in on mine from the crack in my voice. I could see his eyes were puffy, as if he had been crying earlier. His face was a basket of emotions that I couldn’t read.
“Elle… You’re fired.” He whispered back, his voice with the same unevenness as mine.
I’m finna rip all y’alls hearts out with these next few chapters. Get your Ben and Jerry’s ice cream out, maybe some chocolate, and tissues. Whatever you’ll need to survive this 😭
Chapter 26: Prepare The Food In The Sealed Room
Stefan’s POV
“I-I-” Elle started, as she stood frozen. I couldn’t help the pain I was feeling in my chest by the way she was looking at me. Tears threatened to fall from her eyes.
“I’m sorry Elle. I just- I cannot let anything happen to you.” I whispered back, grabbing a tan folder from a drawer in my desk. “I’ve made arrangements for you to stay in one of my private estates. I’ve purchase a plane ticket for you to leave tonight, along with some cash and confirmation of details.” I explained, as I placed everything into the folder. Her eyes just grew at the large sum of cash I added in there.
“How long am I leaving for?” She whispered, her voice growing quiet.
“Hopefully, not long. I just need for you to remain safe as this all blows over. The bullet hole that is inside of me was meant for you. I would gladly take any shot for you, but I cannot help the nagging voice inside my head that repeatedly tells me this is all my doing.” I replied, sliding the folder into my jacket, before grasping the edged of my chair and slowly lifting myself up. My face scrunched up in pain as I felt some of the stitches in my back, tare.
“What are you doing?” She hissed, rushing to my side instantly to support my large frame as I stumbled forward from the pain.
“I want to show you something.” I replied, hesitantly taking her arm while I let her help me up.
“You really shouldn’t be getting up.” She insisted. I just smiled back down at her.
“Head out this hallway, but take a right instead.” I instructed, as we both made our way out. The hallways were illuminated by the sun that was now brightly shining. It had to be passed noon, and the feast was at 7. I had already called in caterers to help finish cooking what Elle had started, since I wanted her at least at the airport by then. “Another right.” I instructed, as we headed down a corridor I hadn’t been down in a while. The air was musky at this end of the castle, due to it’s seclusion. I was very particular with who I let around this area.
“Jesus, it looks like this place hasn’t been dusted in years.” She whispered under her breath as we approached a room at the end of the hallway that had a familiar set of double doors. Once we arrived, I pulled out a key from under my shirt. “Weren’t these doors sealed off for plumbing reasons?” She asked me, as I slid the metal frame into the lock.
“I lied.” I replied simply. She just rolled her eyes back at me while she helped me push the heavy doors open. The room itself was dark and grim now. I hadn’t entered it in a few months as the vines over grew through the cracks in the walls. In the middle of the room, stood a rose that was held up through synthetic cells, inside a large capsule like container. Instantly, Elle’s eyes grew wide.
“I-Is that… is that flower floating ?” She asked, unintentionally dragging both of us over so she could get a better look at it.
“Yes, and no. The material that is holding it up, is invisible to the naked eye.” I explained. Her hands rested against the pillar as she continued to ogle at the flower. “Want to know a secret?” I asked after some time. Her head nodded slowly, as she continued to admire the shimmery veins of the petals. “This rose is ten years old.”
Her head whipped back at me, startled by what I had just admitted. “B-But how?” She stuttered after some time, looking back between the flower and I.
“This is what was created by both Irene and Gracie’s research. It was chemically altered in a lab to create something living yet synthetic. It’s beauty is so unique to the world, there is not another flower like it.” I explained.
“The veins are clear… Like you can see the life coursing through it. It’s absolutely magnificent.” She whispered, enchanted by its beauty.
“It’s dying.” I admitted, moving closer to her. Before she could respond, another petal detached itself from the stem and fell to the ground.
“I- I don’t understand…” She trailed off.
“Neither do I.” I admitted honestly. “How do you save something that isn’t supposed to die? I’ve reviewed the regenerated cells again, and have noticed an irregular mutation between the genes. I don’t know how to fix it, or where the irregularities originated from.” I explained.
“That’s so sad.” She whispered, glancing back at the flower. “Why do you keep it?”
“It reminds me of my past.” I replied. “Someone once warned me not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within. At first, I couldn’t see that with Irene. This flower was Her. Her physical beauty was something that couldn’t go unnoticed, but her soul was charred.
“This flower was been dying for the last 10 years, since it was created. It’s beauty has masked that deterioration… But physical beauty can only carry so far… It wasn’t long before I began to see both Irene, and this flower, for what it was. Fabricated. My views were distorted then, but as the first petal fell some years back, my eyes began to open.” I whispered, as my arm wrapped itself gently around Elle.
“How do you see me?” Elle whispered back. We both stared at the flower as another petal fell to the floor and the beautiful bright color of the petal, turned to a darkened blood red.
“You, too, are a rose. Your beauty goes beyond anything I have seen in this lifetime, but you, unlike this rose, are not guarded by thorns. You have so much life within you, you blossom the largest in the garden, but that makes it all the easier for someone to take advantage of you. You truly are the purest form I’ve ever had the pleasure of laying my eyes on… And I wish to be your thorns.”
“My thorns?” She whispered back.
“A thorn defends a rose. Harming only those that will steal it’s blossom.” I replied, resting my head against her shoulder as she leaned back into my touch. I could feel a droplet hit my arm, as the tear that was threatening to fall, finally did.
Okay, I know it seems like I say this every damn chapter, but y’all are fucking amazing. Like excuse my French, but how the bloody hell are we
almost at 65k reads?! Like please understand, I ain’t shit without you guys. These stories are made possibly by each and every one of you amazing people who decide to vote and comment and actually read my shit 😂 so thank you so much. Like seriously XOXO Anyways, did this chapter get you all teary eyed? Because I was getting hella emotional writing this shit.
Chapter 27: Prepare The Food at the Airport
Stefan’s POV
“I don’t want to go.” Elle whispered into my chest, as I helped her slip her coat on. The air had grown chilly quite quickly these past few day as we steadily approached the end of December. “Who’s going to put up the Christmas decorations? Because I know you won’t,” She whined.
“I promise, when you return, you can put them up.” I replied. I could hear Maxwell start the car engine as I glanced out through the glass panel front doors. The sun had started to set quickly, as Lumiere began his rounds of lighting the homes candles for our celebration tonight. Voices filled the air from the sounds of tables being set and decorations, hung.
“But you aren’t even sure of when I can come back.” She whined, wrapping her arms and legs around me as I tried to nudge her towards the door.
“Elle.” I groaned, but I couldn’t mask the smile that was threatening to show. She was acting like a little child.
“I know I know.” She sighed, finally detaching herself from me, as I walked her to the car. Maxwell gave me a slight head nod to let me know we were right on schedule.
“I don’t want to leave you.” She whispered against my shoulder as I pulled her into me again.
“You must. I promise it won’t be long.” I assured her once more, as I dipped my head down to capture her lips. It didn’t last long, as I pulled away before I could do something irrational like pick her up and carry her back into my home.
“Goodbye, Elle.” I whispered against the side of her temple, as she silently nodded back.
“See you soon.” She whispered, slipping into the heavily tinted car windows and disappearing into the darkness. I slowly backed up and closed the door.
There was a numbing pain growing, something I knew wasn’t from the injury as I practically felt my heart break. It hurt almost as badly as letting go of Irene, except I knew that this most definitely wasn’t the last time I’d see her.
Elle’s POV
I couldn’t help the tears that started to stream down my cheeks as Maxwell pulled away from the home. I had promised myself I wouldn’t say goodbye, because goodbye was too final. I knew this wasn’t the end or anything, but that didn’t shield my heart from the catastrophic blow it had just taken.
“Mr. DeGramont cares very deeply for you.” Maxwell spoke silently after some time. It had torn me out from my thoughts as the sound of Maxwell saying anything, was quite rare. I nodded silently to him as we continued on through the thickened forest.
I’d oddly grown to love the isolation of the DeGramont estate. When I had first arrived, I thought it was more like a prison… miles stretch between the home and any sort of civilization, but it was only after we pulled into the highway, did I realize the peace that came with it.
My life had always been an assortment of crazy. This home reminded me of my time back in France. The easygoing life I had there with my mother before she grew ill.
This place… had become my home.
Stefan’s POV
I sighed, sliding the tail of my tie back through the loop before fastening it around my neck.
Everything already felt… off.
The cooks prepared the meals well, but it wasn’t like Elle’s cooking. Mrs. Potts and Lumiere returned to their usually mechanics. Elle had brought out laughter and joy from this dull mansion, and I didn’t want that to leave any time soon. I was pulled out of my thought by the sound of my chamber doors being opened. I was about to chastise whoever it was for not knocking, but as soon as I saw who it was, I decided not to even bother.
“It looks like everyone attended a bloody funeral out there.” Cogsworth announced, as he walked in with the pair of trousers I had requested moments ago.
“That was fast.” I noted, moving towards the bag he set on my bed.
“Time management is my forte. Now, please explain to me why my mood is being dampened by the sulking Lumiere and Mrs. Potts?” Cogsworth demanded.
“It’s Elle.” I replied, slipping the belt through the loops of the trousers. “I let her go.”
“You… what ? But why?” Cogsworth asked.
“Because…” I sighed, as I pulled my blazer on over my button down shirt before reaching for my cuff links. “Because I love her.”
Elle’s POV
“Your flight will be boarding within the next few hours.” Maxwell instructed, as he helped me with my suitcases. “Once you’ve arrived, you’ll be handed a secure line from which you can call any of us. This isn’t goodbye, Elle. It’s a temporary thing.” He added, giving me a small smile.
“Thank you, Maxwell.” I grinned back, pulling the last suitcase up onto the conveyer belt.
“I guess this is a ‘see you late’, Ms. Mallerie.” He nodded. I quickly pulled him in for a hug before he could protest.
“See you later.” I whispered, as he nodded once more and disappeared into the busy crowd of people.
“Your check in is complete.” The women at the desk nodded to me, as she handed me my flight information. “You can go ahead and take a seat in the gates as you wait to be boarded.”
“Thank you.” I replied, slipping my itinerary into my pocket before picking up my carry on and making my way over to gate six.
Everyone must have been flying home for the Holidays from how packed the airport was. I held my bag close to my waist as I did my best not to hit anyone, but as I glanced down to check my phone messages for a second, I felt myself bump into someone.
“Sorry.” I shot out, looking for the person I had accidentally collided with, but I didn’t see anyone. I was about to turn my head, but I felt something press firm against the small of my back.
“Don’t turn around.” A man behind me spoke in hushed tones. “I need you to walk past the gates to the exit at the end of the 2nd floors hallway there.” He instructed. My body went completely rigid as I quietly did what I was told. “I’m sorry Ms. Mallerie, but it looks like you won’t be making your flight tonight.” The man added, as I pushed the doors open back into the crisp winter night.
Only a few chapters left! Y’all are amazing ❤️
Chapter 28: Prepare The Food For Your Kidnappers
Elle’s
POV
I was ushered into a black, unlisted vehicle that was pulled up against the curb. As the man nudged me into the back seat, I tried to get a good look at anyone inside, but the inside car lights weren’t on. The man that had held a gun to me, then closed my door and slid into the passenger seat beside the driver.
“Drive.” The man spoke, as the driver nodded, and burned rubber speeding off the curve. All I could hear for a moment was the sound of my heartbeat ringing inside my ears.
I recognized neither of the voices as the men spoke quietly amongst themselves. I couldn’t detect what language it was, but it didn’t sound like English.
All I could do was stare out the window into the the darkened, abandoned streets. Nothing looked familiar to me since I hadn’t really stayed here too long, but I could tell from the road that we had pulled onto, we might be driving for a while. Nothing but trees surrounded the paved strip as the driver began to speed up.
A light from a phone came on in the passengers seat, and before the man could turn his brightness down, I got a glimpse of his face.
It was rough and rigid as his sharp cheek bones were carved out through the fluorescent light. I could just make out a deep scar on his right cheek as the brightness finally decreased. His facial features looked slightly familiar, but I wasn’t sure where from.
“Are we on time?” The man in the drivers seat asked in English, as his head turned from the road for a split second to glance at the man in the passenger seat, before glueing his eyes back onto the road. Another car approached us from the opposite side, and shined his high beams on to see the road better. The drivers face was illuminated this time, and I could feel my mouth dry as the man’s eyes caught mine through the overhead mirror. They were a piercing blue, which contrasted with his dark hair.
He must have been at least in his 40’s, by the aged scars and peppered scruff all around his face. I couldn’t rip my eyes away from a glare that sent literal chills down my back. It was icy and uninviting.
“Stop it. You’re scaring her.” The man in the passenger side hissed quietly, as the man finally looked back into the road.
“I-I don’t understand.” I croaked out, my voice raspy from how long I’d been silent for.
“We’ll be there soon.” The man in the drivers seat answered. He voice seemed even more hostile than I had originally remembered.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked. I, ofcourse, presumed it had something to do with the shot that was meant for me last night.
“The bounty.” The man in the passengers seat replied. My eyebrows quickly scrunched up in confusion.
“What bounty?” I asked, as I felt my fingers begin to twitch at my sides. That didn’t sound good.
“There may be a 1.3 million bounty on your head, but image how much the Russians will pay when we give them the great Stefan DeGramont.” The driver snickered, as he turned off onto a one way road.
“Russians?” I asked. I tried to maintain my cool as my head wrapped around this new information. 1.3 million fucking dollars?! Now everything made more sense… like why Stefan hadn’t hesitated to get me on the first plane out of here.
Shit, I’d take me out for much less.
Both men shared quick looks, and if it wasn’t so dark in the car, I’d say I saw a bit of panic wash through their faces.
“We are Russian.” The man in the passenger said roughly. “No more talking.”
I might not have been able to see them all that clearly, but I wasn’t mistaken by what they said. These men planned on using me to lure Stefan in for the Russians… but if they weren’t the Russians, than who were they?
We pulled into a large gravel driveway that stretched as far as the cars headlights shone, before a large home came into view. I glanced around the surrounding area, but all you could see was trees and vacancy. I was about to ask where we were, but thought quickly against it as both men got out of the car. Seconds later, my door was thrust open.
“Get out.” The man from the driver seat ordered, as he stepped aside to make way for me. My legs felt like jello from the shock as I slowly made my way into the home.
“You will remain here with us until Stefan is informed about the trade during his banquette tonight. Once details are arranged, you will be moved to a remote area where we will meet, and the exchange will happen.” The other man explained. The lights were flicked on, and the home finally came to life. Everything looked neat and untouched, like it was a vacation home of some sorts.
I moved into the living room, where the man with the piercing eyes tied my hands behind my back with zipties. I could feel the plastic band start to dig into my skin as he left no space for escape.
“Careful with her, we don’t wanna damage the beast’s toy. He might not want her after.” The other man hissed.
“I’m not his toy.” I snapped back before I could stop myself. Both men irrupted into laughter almost instantly.
“Eh? Is that so? So you’ve seen a bit of the man these past few weeks, have you?” The man with the ice cold eyes asked, as he drew nearer to me. “Well let my tell you something, belle, he may be a man at times, but he’ll always be a beast. There’s no escaping that.”
My eyebrows twitched slightly as I heard something off about that sentence.
Realization drew in as my eyes grew large. I knew exactly who these people were.
I’m back ;)
Chapter 29: Prepare The Food And Insult The Kidnapper
Alright, so imma vent for a minute here.
I do read through as many as the comments I can get to within my busy schedule, and you guys have seriously been the fucking best. Y’all have put up with all my inconsistencies, and just dived right in with the emotional trauma I’ve inflicted upon you. Please continue to grace this comment section with that sassy humor because it really does lighten up my breaks at work.
Recently, it’s been brought to my attention that there’s a few salty bitches out there, and this is for them: if you don’t like my story, don’t read my story. Understand that my name is on this copy right and this story is just that…
mine.
My thoughts, and my writing style isn’t for everyone and I understand that. I expected like 10 reads on this shit, and I’m so incredibly humble that this story is literally almost at 100k. Y’all have me shook.
That being said…
Any negative comments that are posted, will automatically get deleted. I don’t have the time nor the piece of mind to either condone nor spread that negativity.
So I’m not going to name names since I’m not
that
savage, but to the bitch who had shit to say about a fucking salmon
slab
…
Thanks for the views ✌🏾️
Now enjoy this damn chapter I’m hitting y’all with at 5 o’clock in the damn morning. But understand this…
I’m
really
not the one.
You have the wrong bitch.
Elle’s
POV
I glanced at the clock from the illuminated television screen. It was now almost nine into the night, and I was still ziptied on the couch as I heard both men argue from somewhere behind me. I didn’t dare turn around as I felt the tension in the air, thicken.
My mind had begun to move at a paced that scared myself half to death.
Have you ever thought so hard about something, you believed the people in the room could pick up on those thoughts? That your thoughts would magically manifest into words and they’d soon have an idea of exactly what is was, you were thinking about?
This was like that.
“Why don’t we call now?” The driver hissed, breaking my concentration, as I heard heavy metal slam against the marbled counter.
“We will in a few minutes. Be patient, Pierre. I first need to confirm some important details before we set any plans in motion.” The man who was in the passenger seat, replied.
“Plans in motion? Are you fucking kidding me? We just kidnapped a girl from the fucking airport. Plans are already set in motion. The high security detail most likely already have the plates for that unregistered vehicle that is now sitting in the driveway of one of my mothers estate!” The driver, Pierre, snapped.
I had to bite my lips hard from concealing a laugh that was threatening to spill. I could feel my nerves ease and IQ inevitably drop by the sound of how unprofessionally stupid these two actually were.
Really?
They chose his mother’s home as a hide out?
A heard a phone buzz from a notification of some sort.
“Keep it down, Pierre!” The man from the passenger seat hissed. “Everything will be fine. I’ve just gotten the okay from the Russians. Go tend to the girl. See if she needs anything to eat or drink, while I give the handler a quick call to confirm the drop for DeGramont and the cash. Don’t loose sight of the bigger picture, my friend.”
“Tend to the girl? What do I look like to you, a butler?” Pierre hissed, as I head the metal drag against the counter again before he reloaded what now believed to be a gun, into his holster. His footsteps were heavy against the wooden panels as I heard him approach my location at the couch. Everything seemed to creak and moan from these two mens’s presence.
As Pierre arrived in front of me, I knew the next few words that came out of my mouth would have to both clear up my suspicions, and not get me killed.
No pressure, right?
I could feel his hands reach behind me to check the knots, and as they did, the plastic from the zip ties dug deeper into my now fresh wounds. “ Vous le morceau de merde .“ I hissed under my breath as pain shot through my wrists.
Almost Instantly, his hand was on my throat as his calloused fingers began to tighten their grip.
“What did you say to me, bitch?” He hissed, but I could tell by the pure range in his eyes, he understood that language exactly.
I had called him a piece of shit in French.
Stefan’s POV
“How is everything so far?” I asked Mrs. Potts as she made her way to the entrance of the ballroom.
The feast itself had gone splendidly well as the attendees ate my food, drank my wine, and wished me a speedy recovery. As the time quickly approached 9, most of the guests had started to dwindle out, but ofcourse, our Italian friends were still going strong. They weren’t ones to turn down a good feast.
“Keep a smile on your face and don’t panic.” Mrs. Potts calmly directed as she slid a note into my trouser’s pocket. I nodded understandingly. “I just received word that Elle never made it onto the flight. I’ve already put the head of our security detail on this. All the information they could gather from surveillance is in your pocket, but I request that you don’t look at it until you’re in the privacy of your office. Mingle a few more minutes, then excuse yourself to the bathroom. I have both Maxwell, and one of the airport security in your office already. I ushered them both in through the back entrance of the estate.”
My face remained stoic, but my hands involuntary tightened on the glass I’m holding. It wasn’t long before it shattered in between my fingers.
You could hear the break as it echoed through the now silenced room.
I quickly put a grin on my face as both Mrs. Potts and I bent down to collect some shards.
“My good friend forgets his strength sometimes!” Mariano Di Malfacini bellowed as the room erupted in laughter with him. I glanced up and expected to see his wasted state, and while he was still laughing, his eyes were as sober as they were when he stepped into this household. They pierced into mine while we shared a silent warning.
“No more screw ups, Stefan. At this point, we aren’t sure who the enemy is.” Mrs. Potts silently reminded me, as she wrapped my few scrapes with a handkerchief from her pocket. I nodded once more, before planting a soft kiss on her temple, and walking back into the crowd.
Before I could reach anyone in particular, Mariano was already on me.
“What’s wrong?” He asked, his face still bubbly, but his senses now on full alert. Regardless of how drunk he’d been acting tonight, I didn’t smell a drop of alcohol on him now. It made me realize how alert I should have been this entire night.
Men like Mariano and I couldn’t afford to let our guard down. Ever.
“It’s Elle.” I whispered back, as I poured myself a generous amount of water into a new glass. “I think she’s been taken.”
Chapter 30: Prepare The Food And Fill Our Guests In
Make sure you red the message at the end of this chapter and comment!
Elle’s POV
I could feel his meaty fingers dig into my neck as his temples pulsated with pure range. My oxygen supply had started to deteriorate as he slowly choked me. Things were getting blurry and botched with darkness and I felt myself start to slip into unconsciousness, but before I could, I felt his fingers being jerked away.
“What are you doing? Are you trying to kill her?” The other man hissed aggressively as he threw Pierre off me.
“Get off me!” Pierre shot back, as they both stumbled back into the floor. I did everything I could to catch my breath as the two remained at a stand still.
I don’t think I’d ever been that close to death before.
Stefan’s POV
“Fill me in.” Mariano spoke, as soon as we entered my office.
There was a man on the far end that I had recognized from other flights I had made through the airlines. His name was John March. He was the head of the security detail. He was also known for his incredible attention to detail and privacy.
The note that Mrs. Potts had handed me was now sitting on the table. It had read:
The security cameras traced Ms. Mallerie from the check in desk towards the gate she was meant to enter before there was an incident. It looks like she may have accidentally bumped someone with her bag, and as she turned around to apologize, another man approached her from behind.
They stood like that from a few moments without Elle turning around, before they both walked past her gate and towards the back entrance. We believe he may have held some sort of weapon to her, or threatened her with something.
“It’s good to see you again, John.” I nodded towards him as he nodded back. “Has there been an update since this?” I asked, gesturing towards the note on the table.
“It’s good to see you too, sir. My men have since reviewed the surveillance from the back entrance and we were able to pull a license plate. It looks like this vehicle was unregistered, meaning it was most likely stolen then switched with fake plates. There are only a few trails that could be taken through the back exit of the airport.”
“I trust that you’ve kept this quiet?” I asked, as Lumiere glanced over my shoulder at the surveillance photo of the man that was behind Elle. Another surveillance camera had pick up an image of the side of his face that was almost unrecognizable.
Almost.
I could hear Lumiere’s breath hitch.
“Yes, ofcourse. No police have been informed, only my surveillance team and I know of this. I decided you most likely wanted to put your own men out there before the uniforms make it public.”
“Yes. No one must know that she was even at that airport.” I nodded.
“I’m guessing Stefan hadn’t told you when he arranged the flight, that Elle has a large bounty on her head right now. Her, dead or alive, is currently worth 1.3 million dollars.” Mrs. Potts spoke to John.
Both Mariano and Lumiere cut in at the same time. “What what?” They asked in unison.
“The projectiles from the bullet, Mariano, showed that the shot was meant for Elle and not me. The Russians have put a bounty on her head.” I explained to my Italian friend. His eyes grew wide.
“The Russians do everything personally. What have you done to piss them off?” Mariano asked. His faced had paled tremendously since the start of this conversation.
“We’ve always been rivals, but my family had recently created connections that have brought us a great deal of money. I believe this is their way of showing me they can still get to me.” I explained. I glanced up at all the faces that nodded back, except for Mrs. Potts. Only she knew what was really going on.
Before I could continue, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. As I pulled it out, the caller ID read unlisted. I swiped to answer. “Hello?” I asked into the line.
“Hello, Stefan.” The man on the other end answered. I quickly put the line on speaker.
“Who is this?” I demanded. I had expected a different voice than the one that was talking. This one was icier and cold. John quickly got to recording the call.
“That doesn’t matter. What does matter is that I have something of yours here.” He replied. I could hear a few coughs in the back. “I’m willing to make a deal here. We want you in exchange for your precious little play thing.”
I could feel my hands grip the edge of the table so tightly, it had begun splinter under the pressure. My heart beat had began to beat sporadically.
“I will text you the address of the place we’ll meet within an hours time. If you are even a minute late, she dies.” The man instructed.
“Tell him to come alone.” A voice in the back said. It was so muffled, I could barely make it out through the coughing.
“Come alone.” The man added. Before they could hang the line, I heard a voice that I distinctly remembered.
“Stefan, they’re French!” Elle called into the line, before I heard the sound of a slap and the line ending.
The end of the table snapped within my grip as pieces of wood tumbled to the floor. “Did you get that?” I gritted to to John, as he pulled the recorded wire from the machine he had hooked up.
“Yes. I’ll play the message back.” He nodded. We both listened through until we reached that muffled sentence again. “Isolate that.” I ordered.
“Tell him to come alone.” A man in the background spoke. I had now recognized his voice almost clearly. I glanced back at Lumiere, but he was no longer in the room. He must has slipped out during the call.
“Do you recognize that voice?” Mrs. Potts asked, as she glanced at me. I shook my head no, but I did in fact know that voice…
And so did Lumiere.
Elle’s POV (27 minutes after the call)
I gently massage the now swollen cheek from where Pierre had slapped me, with my tongue. I could only hope Stefan had heard me in time before Pierre had hung up.
We were all now in the living room as both Pierre and the other man checked their watches impatiently. Before either of them could say anything, the door bell rung.
Pierre glanced at his partner who had now pulled out his weapon and pointed it at me. “Get the door Pierre, and bring him in here.” The man instructed. Pierre disappeared through the kitchen and moments later, the door was swung open.
“Who the hell are you?” Pierre asked loudly, but before that could be answered, we heard a loud thump. Both me, and Pierre’s partner looked towards the kitchen hallways expectedly, as a man emerged from the darkened corridor.
“What the fuck.” Pierre’s partner whispered under his breath, as he kept the gun pointed at me.
“It’s been a long time, Gaston.” Lumiere spoke, as he entered the living room.
“Likewise… brother.” Gaston replied, slowly lowering the weapon.
Y’all thought shit was getting real then? You better prepare yourselves because mama loves her plot twists.
This book is unfortunately coming to an end… but feel free to check out another piece of work from my fairytale story retellings!
She’ll Bring Honor To Us All:
(this one is posted)
Agent 27, otherwise known as “The Dagger,” has been dormant within the deep forests of Montana, living out a life of peace and solitude under the U.S. Governments witness protection system.
When an old enemy resurfaces as a threat to the United States of America, Commander McGary issued the activation of this agent to help in a terrorist attack. But then there were three things he didn’t account for…
1.) The Dagger is a female
2.) The Dagger has secrets buried so deep, even a man of his status may not have the clearance level to obtain
3.) The Dagger is drop dead gorgeous
Chapter 31: Prepare The Food And Learn Some Secrets
Okay so this was a mistake on my part because I don’t think I clarified this enough but I was hoping you guys would vote for ONE story 😂😂 no worries, there were two stories that looked to be in popular demand. The two stories will be listed after this chapter, along with their synopsis again :) go ahead and vote after you enjoy this chapter! As always, thank you all for reading 😘 (remember, all the stories I listed in the previous chapter will be posted at some point. This series is solely for you readers, so I want to put the books out in the order that y’all would want them).
Elle’s POV
“L-Lumiere?” I questioned.
“Hello, Elle.” He nodded, stepping further into the room. His eyes looked dead and cold. They weren’t the same… he wasn’t the same.
“What brings you to these neck of the woods?” Gaston asked, as he set his weapon on the table. It didn’t matter at this point, seeing that my hands were still tightly bound behind my back. I could feel the plastic meshing into my raw skin.
“I caught wind that an idiot decides to steal a mafia boss’s girlfriend. Turns out this idiot happened to be my brother.” Lumiere sighed, as he took a seat on the chair at the far end of the room. I wasn’t sure exactly what was happening but I was starting to believe Lumiere wasn’t here to save me.
“Well, as you can see, I have everything under control. This is a simple transaction. All we want is Stefan.” Gaston explained.
There was nothing more I could do than just glance between both men as they carried a conversation like I wasn’t there.
“What makes you think you can get away with this. This is Stefan DeGramont. He will undoubtedly kill you, Gaston.” Lumiere shook his head. His eyes never wandered to mine as he held his brothers.
“We will be handing him directly over to the Russians. Come on, Lumiere. We’ve heard of the flimsy work Stefan has you doing. You held much more power within our family, and with Stefan out of the picture, you can return to that. I see it in your eyes, Lumiere… they are cold. They are the true eyes of a killer… of a cleaner. “ Gaston urged.
My eyes grew wide as I stared at Lumiere. He was never specific with what exactly he did for his family before Stefan hired him on, but a cleaner? He literally killed and disposed of all evidence relating the French mafia to their killings.
His eyes broke contact from Gaston’s to finally give me a glance, but it only lasted a second, before they were latched back onto his brother.
“I would need your word that Elle will not be harmed at any time during this.” Lumiere spoke, his voice coming out rougher than expected. Compassion sounded off, like it was a new language to him.
“You have it.” Gaston replied, as his lips twisted into a slight smile.
Stefan’s POV
I could feel my hands grip the steering wheel tighter as I drove down the narrow dark road towards the address Gaston had texted me. The road wasn’t lit with any sort of lighting as the only strip I could see, was what was illuminated by my head lights.
All I had done the past few hours was worry. Hearing Elle’s voice on that line had ignited something else within me and all I wanted to do was destroy everything.
When we exited the office after the phone call, Lumiere was nowhere to be seen. My suspicions that he had already made the drive over were confirmed when I noticed his vehicle parked in the long driveway of my destination. I had parked and killed the engine a few yards back so they wouldn’t have noticed when I arrived.
The black vehicle that was spotted leaving the airport, was also parked in the driveway.
I slowly crept towards the the front entrance of the house and pulled out my lock picking kit, before getting to work. My mind couldn’t help but wander back to the first time I had met Lumiere a few years back…
“Mr. DeGramont?” Maxwell called into my office. “He has arrived.”
“Bring him in here.” I nodded, as I felt my anger begin to rise up within me once more.
It had been approximately one month since the incident. The fact that I didn’t have Gaston’s head severed at my feet was beginning to really piss me off.
My office door was opened once more as a man with long blonde hair entered. It was tied back into a bun, that suited the dressy yet casual suit he was wearing. His eyes were icy and cold, much like a lot of the French, but his didn’t hold a shred of emotion as they stared blatantly back at me.
“Hello-” he began, but I quickly cut him off.
“You will speak, when spoken to.” I demanded, sighing slightly to myself as I quickly tried to put a cap on my anger.
He nodded silently to me.
“What was your position within your family?” I asked, setting the near empty file I had on him, down on my desk. The French had gone a long way to make it appear as if this man hadn’t existed. Hell, I didn’t even have his name.
“I was a cleaner.” He replied honestly. My eyebrows shifted slightly in surprise, but now his whole stature made sense. He bore the eyes of a true killer.
“Do you understand this agreement?” I asked, gesturing to the files and documents on my desk.
“Yes.” He nodded.
“Good. You are dismissed. Mrs. Potts will show you the estate, and I expect you dressed in uniform by tomorrow morning.”
“If I may, sir?” Lumiere asked. I nodded, giving him the go ahead.
“What exactly do you require of me?”
“This home is older than the years of both you and I combined. At night, there are an alarming amount of candles to be lit, and only so little staff. You are to light each candle in the evening, and extinguish the flames by dawn.” I replied. His eyes grew large before me, but all he did was nod.
“What is your name?” I called, before he could slip through the doors of my office.
“Lundwerg.” He replied, unable to stop the slight pride that followed in his voice.
“From now on, you shall be known as Lumiere.” I replied, stripping that pride almost instantly with a satisfied grinning as his eyebrows scrunched up in distaste.
“What have you got yourself into, Lumiere.” I whispered to myself, as the last notch in the knob came undone and the door unlocked.
These are the two choices to choose from :)
1.) Not A Glass Slipper
she’s a ballerina who attends a recital and accidentally dances with the CEO. All he has left from that night is one of her worn out ballet shoes
2.) She’ll Bring Honor To Us All
Agent 27, otherwise known as “The Dagger,” has been dormant within the deep forests of Montana, living out a life of peace and solitude under the U.S. Governments witness protection system.
When an old enemy resurfaces as a threat to the United States of America, Commander McGary issued the activation of this agent to help in a terrorist attack. But then there were three things he didn’t account for…
1.) The Dagger is a female
2.) The Dagger has secrets buried so deep, even a man of his status may not have the clearance level to obtain
3.) The Dagger is drop dead gorgeous
Chapter 32: Prepare The Food At A Standoff
First off… how are we with the new book cover? I’m actually really in love with this one…
Second, I just hit you with a double upload because it’s my first day off from work in like 8 days. Yes. I said that right. How have I managed to upload those chapters this past week?
I’m a wizard.
Third, new book will be uploaded with the last chapter!
Now appreciate all the good shit that’s just happened on a fucking
Monday
fam. You know I come in clutch like that.
–
Elle’s POV
I remained seated quietly as both Lumiere and Gaston continued to talk about the family. The conversation flowed smoothly… as if they didn’t have a hostage tied up on the couch right beside them.
I wasn’t sure what exactly I was feeling right now, but I knew it wasn’t necessarily betrayal… because I wasn’t the one Lumiere was betraying.
Anger maybe?
Yeah. That seemed to fit. Lumiere may have secured my safety, but that was only in exchange for Stefan’s life.
I wanted to be angry at him… but I soon started to see something in him, that I hadn’t seen before. It wasn’t life returning to his eyes, but he was acting different .
How long had it been since he had last seen his brother, I had to ask myself. Lumiere had never told me exactly when he had started working for Stefan. He never gave me the exact date of when the incident happened at one of Sefan’s branches where 8 innocent civilians died.
I glanced over at Gaston who looked like he was experiencing the same thing. His lips had curled up into a genuine smile as they discussed the house staff, and things back at their estate. Their parents were mentioned a few times.
In this bizarre scenario, it felt like I was watching two brothers catch up on each other’s lives. The lives that each of them had missed out on.
I could feel my stomach clench up in nerves as time continued to pass by. Before I knew it, there was only 5 minutes left until the deadline Pierre had set.
Gaston picked up the weapon he had placed on the table, and put it in his lap again. “You won’t actually be needing that, right?” Lumiere asked, gesturing to the weapon. You could feel a change in the atmosphere, everything was different now.
“No, ofcourse not.” Gaston replied, “but don’t be an idiot Lumiere. You know Stefan will not come easily. You also know that he won’t come without some kind of play.” Gaston added.
“He’s right.” Pierre spoke, as he slowly walked into the room with his hands held up in the air, startling all three of us out of our thoughts. We hadn’t heard his footsteps, or the footsteps of the man that followed.
“Pierre?” Gaston asked, but was cut off short by Stefan entering shortly behind him with his gun pointed directly at Pierre’s head. Instinctively, Gaston raised his gun to mine. “Stefan. How nice of you to join the party.” Gaston welcomed, as he forced me to my feet. I winced from the shifting of the zip ties as the they dug further into me. Stefan’s eyes were on me in literal seconds.
“So nice of you to invite me to this party.” Stefan replied. “How are you, Elle?”
“I’ve been better.” I nodded slightly, as I glanced at the barrel of the gun that was pointed at me through my peripheral vision.
“Lower the weapon Stefan and release Pierre. All we want is you, and Elle will walk.” Gaston instructed.
“Or,” Stefan countered, his demeanor switching to something I hadn’t seen since the first time I met him, “you release Elle and I promise not to blow this man’s brains out all over his grandmothers furniture. I’ll take him outside first.” You could practically feel wrath radiating off Stefan’s body.
“Shoot him. Don’t shoot him. I really don’t care.” Gaston shrugged, but I could see the slight tremor in the hand that held the gun.
“What are you talking about?” Lumiere shot back, “he’s our friend!”
“I don’t have friends, my dear brother. I only have partners, and family. You know this more than anyone.” Gaston replied, as his eyes shifted slightly to his brothers.
“Still. He doesn’t deserve to die!” Lumiere exclaimed, as his eyes now had emotion pouring back into them.
“Don’t get soft, Lumiere.” Garton hissed.
“Soft? Gaston, Pierre had been our friend since childhood. This isn’t me being soft, this is me being loyal-” but before Lumiere could continue, Stefan cocked his gun up and used the the handle of the weapon to swiftly knock Pierre unconscious from a blow to his temple.
Pierre’s body slumped to the floor, and Stefan’s gun was redirected straight at Gaston.
Gaston placed the cold metal against my temple and I could see Stefan’s hold on his gun tighten. It was then, that Lumiere finally drew the weapon he had holstered under his shirt and pointed it right at his brother.
“What are you doing Lumiere?” Gaston asked, his voice now starting to loose his composure.
“You said no harm would come to Elle.” Lumiere replied, glancing back between his brother and I.
“Take him out, Lumiere. Not me! I’m not going to hurt Elle.” Gaston insisted. Lumiere switched his target from Gaston to Stefan, but Stefan didn’t even flinch.
“You know I’m not the real enemy here.” Stefan replied in such cool and connectedness, I could practically feel Gaston start to shake. “Your brother has continued to have you take the fall for his bullshit and you know it. You’ve changed since the first time you’ve entered my office almost 4 years ago.”
“You are Lundwerg, not Lumiere! He gave you that insult of a name.” Gaston barked on in the anger that was masking his fear as Lumiere’s hand started to shake.
“He’s right. When you first walked into my room, I called you Lumiere as an insult to your family, but then again, you aren’t Lundwerg anymore. The years I’ve been with you have changed both you and I- I no longer blame you for the unforgivable act your brother did those few years back.” Stefan replied, as his eyes finally shifted to look directly at Lumiere who had slowly started to lower his weapon.
“Either you shoot him, or I blow her bloody brains out!” Gaston screamed hysterically.
“Okay.” Lumiere nodded, as he lifted his weapon again to Stefan. His eyes were cold once more and I could literally feel my heart drop. Was he really going to shoot Stefan?
“Please Lumiere, don’t.” I pleaded as tears started to stream down my face.
“I’m sorry… brother.” Lumiere whispered, as his hand shifted almost instantly to his brother and he pulled the trigger.
Chapter 33: Prepare The Food For The Aftermath
Elle’s POV
I felt my body freeze up completely as I saw the smoke from the fired weapon. I braced myself for the death I thought would soon follow, but instead, I felt the cold metal from the barrel of the gun leave my temple, as Gaston’s body slumped to the floor.
Lumiere’s hand slowly let go of the weapon and it fell to the ground.
Before I even knew what was happening, Stefan was behind me, cutting my zip ties with a knife from a kitchen.
“I-I don’t understand-” I started, but my body was quickly pulled into Stefan’s. I could feel his heartbeat practically beat out of his chest as he held me tighter.
“Fuck.” Was all he whispered, as I let him hold me like that for a while.
Stefan’s POV
I glanced over at Lumiere as I held Elle even closer to me. I could see the last bits of his old self leave him as he collected the weapons that were around us. I pulled Elle away from me before Lumiere could even think about doing what he had left behind 4 years ago.
“I’ll call someone in to clean it up.” I spoke firmly as I saw Lumiere silently thank me. This wasn’t him anymore, and if I had to spend the rest of my life reminding him of that, I would.
“We need to head out now.” Lumiere reminded us as I slowly guided Elle through the home.
“What about Pierre?” She asked, glancing up at me.
“He’ll be awake in a few hours. By then, he’ll also be handcuffed in a holding cell, waiting to be transferred to one of my families more personal prisons.” I replied, giving Lumiere another slight nod as we all entered the now bone chilling night weather, and headed towards my car.
“You can head in, Elle. I’m sure Mrs. Potts would love to see you. The dinner party ended a little bit ago, so it’s okay to head in through the front of the estate. Mariano is also still here if you’d like to say hello. He’d be more than happy to see you.” I nodded to Elle as she placed a soft light kiss on my lips before heading inside.
I just wanted to grab her by the hips and deepen it, but I needed to speak with Lumiere first. As soon as Elle had entered the house, I drew the gun I had concealed inside my my waist band, and cocked it at Lumiere.
“You fucked up.” I stated simply. His eyes grew wide.
“I’m sorry.” He replied, his body rigid as he stared back at the gun that was pointed directly between his eyes.
“You were willing to give up my life, in order to save Elle’s.” I continued.
“Yes.” He nodded, without skipping a heartbeat.
“You love her.” I stated simply.
This question threw him off a bit, as he hesitated before slowly nodding.
I eventually lowered my weapon. “Head inside, Lumiere. I’m positive Mrs. Potts has been doing nothing but worrying.” I nodded.
This threw him completely off.
“I- I don’t understand.” He replied, glancing up at me with the same facial expression he had given me when he first walked into my office.
“If you are willing to make those hard decisions in order to consistently assure Elle’s safety, there’s no other place I’d want for you to be than here. I need to know that there is someone who will put Elle first, before me.
“This job will be the thing that kills me, and I’m too selfish to let Elle go like that again, so when this line of work does choose to take my life, Elle must be kept safe. Her life will always come first in this home, is that understood?” I asked, sliding the weapon back under my waistband.
“Yes.” Lumiere nodded, unbuckling his seatbelt. Before he could reach for the car door’s handle, I stopped him again.
“But if you even think of expressing your feelings for Elle in any way besides a friendly manner, I will slowly rip apart every limb in your body until you are nothing more than unrecognizable parts.” I growled, my voice going so death threatening low, I could visibly see Lumiere’s body begin to shake.
“G-G-Got it.” He nodded nervously as he scrambled out of the car.
I switched off the engine and followed shortly behind him. I had to make a phone call.
My office seemed cold and empty, the opposite of what it was less than an hour ago when we had a team in here ready to get Elle. Though the paper was thin, I could still feel the second note Mrs. Potts had slipped into my pocket at the dinner earlier. I had only glanced at it, then slipped it back in my pocket because it didn’t hold any value at the time.
But now it did.
It was something I was hoping to put off forever, but after witnessing tonight’s events, and seeing just how far she was willing to go, I knew I had to do it.
I settled into my desk and pulled out my phone, along with the note, before punching in the number that was scribbled down.
The phone rang twice before I heard a woman pick up.
“Hello?” She asked, sounding a bit curious yet impatient. It was a voice I hadn’t heard in years.
“Hello, Irene.” I replied. There was silence on the other end before she finally spoke again.
“It’s been a while, Stefan.” She replied, as he voice changed into the melancholy sweet sound I had grown so used to. That was before I knew who she really was.
“That it has.” I agreed.
“Why have you never called?” She asked, but the conversation she was hoping for wasn’t the one she was going to get.
“I only have a few moments to get my point across so bare with me as I set things straight. I have been gracious in allowing you to do your work within the Russian Mafia. Hell, I’ve been gracious enough in allowing you to live. But those days are over. Irene Petrov, if you so even think of hurting Elle in any way again, I will end you-”
“Now Stefan-” Irene tried to cut in, but I wasn’t finished.
“It’s Mr. DeGramont to you, and it’s going to be Mr. DeGramont to any other one of your foot soldiers you attempt to send after Elle. I built you, Irene, and I will not hesitate to not only destroy you financially, but I will take away everything you love- that’s few and far between. Your mother is in your families private hospital out on the country side, your current “play thing” is on a direct order from you to attack a Italian warehouse tonight in a few moments.
“I have let some friends know about these arrangements, along with the arrangements you have made for the next 6 months within the Russian Mafia. I am done playing whatever game you think this is. If you are ready to go to war against the DeGramont Family, then make it clear. But I’d hold off until you do a recount of your weapons tomorrow morning.” I finished.
“Y-You cannot do this…” Irene warned, but her words held no weight.
“If you ever decide to threaten something so dear to me again, I will show you what a true beast looks like.” I replied, ending the call as I saw a familiar face pop her head through the door way.
“Is it safe?” Elle questioned.
“By all means:” I replied, beckoning her in as I stood to greet her. Before she could get another word in, my lips were on hers as I pulled her closer into me. My need to just feel her was eating away at me
“Stefan.” She moaned, doing her best to try and focus on why she had stopped by, but I had already lifted her up and placed her on my desk. My lips must have been cracked from the cold air, but she hadn’t seemed to mind as she gave in and pulled me closer to her. Before we could escalate this, I heard another knock on the door.
“Yes?” I called aggravatingly.
“Make decent. I need to speak with you.” Mrs. Pots hissed as she let herself in regardless. Elle quickly leaped from my desk, placing one more kiss on my pouted lips before giving a quick nod to Mrs. Potts and slipping out of my office.
“You really do pop in at the worst times.” I hissed.
“Yeah, like when I decided to pop into that Whole Foods on a given Tuesday and run into your mother who then enlisted my help in raising her soon to be delinquent son.” She snapped back. Our lips couldn’t help but curl into a smile. “You didn’t die.” She acknowledged.
“Not this time.” I shook my head. “But my day is nearing. Much like that rose, I won’t live forever.”
“No. you won’t.” She agreed. “I take it you made the phone call?” She asked, glancing at the piece of paper that lay on my desk.
“I did.” I nodded back to her.
“It’s taken care of?” She asked.
“Yes.”
“Good. Now let me make something clear you selfish bastard. Before you decide to just take off and risk your life for a woman you love, don’t you dare forget that while you may not have biological mother and father here anymore, there are people here who have raised you more than they ever have and those people love you more than you could ever imagine. If anyone is going to leave this wretched world first, it’s going to be me. You will not leave me alone with Cogsworth.”
…All I could do was smile as Mrs. Potts left.
1 MORE CHAPTER PEOPLE. I CAN’T. After that, y’all get a new book ;)
Chapter 34: Prepare The Food Around Christmas
Fluff chapter, because y’all deserved it after all the shit I put you through.
Stefan’s POV
“Move it further over.” Elle instructed, as the pines from the Christmas tree began to scratch the surface of my chin for the 9 billionth time this hour.
“God. Elle, my love, choose a fucking place for this tree before it cuts through my skin.” I groaned. We had spent all day looking for this gigantic thing, only to spend the rest of this evening, moving it around the damn house.
“Hey, woah, let the woman do her thing.” Mrs. Potts scolded as she placed a replenished kettle of tea onto the counter beside us.
“I thoroughly regret allowing you two to decorate this year.” I grumbled.
“Too late to take it back.” Elle winked. I couldn’t help but smile.
“I’m just happy we now have Christmas lights up. I no longer have to light each candle in this god forsaken home.” Lumiere sighed with content as he took a cup of tea from the table.
Elle finally nodded a sign of approval as I shifted the damn tree over one last time. She set her teacup down on the table and waddled over to me in her oversized Christmas sweater and grinch slippers. Her hands reached out to gently touch the irritated skin from the pine shavings with her fingers that were warm from the cup. “Thank you.” She whispered, but I was already in a euphoric state from her touch. I couldn’t help but pull her body into mine again.
“Your warmth on a cool night like this, is all a man needs.” I whispered low, as I felt her breath on my check while she laid gentle kisses all over my face. Her scent was that of candy apples and black cherries.
“These scratches look like they might scar.” She stated lightly, as her fingers gently grazed them again.
“Good.” I replied, grinning back at her. “This’ll bump up my street cred. Let everyone know Stefan is a force not to be reckoned with.”
“Yeah, you really showed that Noble Fur Pine Tree what’s good.” She joked back, laughing slightly against the side of my cheek as her soft skin meshed with my stubble. Both hands were now wrapped firmly around her waist.
“It’s been one hell of a month, has it not?” I sighed, tucking my chin into the crevice of her neck.
“In a good way.” She replied, but drifted off as I start kissing her neck and nibbling on her sweet spot. I couldn’t help myself. The sounds of her soft moans drove me crazy.
The light from the Christmas tree illuminated the large room as large gusts of wind blew against the sturdy walls and snow softly fell outside. Cogsworth and Lumiere slipped back into the room as Cogsworth took a seat at the piano. I had almost forgot that he and I used to play together when we were younger. His finger moved in tune with the keys, to a melody I hadn’t heard before. Mrs. Potts filed in soon after, with Chip right behind her.
I remembered the little pang of jealousy I felt when Mrs. Potts became Chips legal guardian. Now, I couldn’t picture living without this little one. He had quickly become like a little brother to me.
I swayed Elle to the music as she slowly but surely picked up on the soft melody. It filled through the darkened halls of the home, bringing this sweet warmth with it.
Mrs. Potts began to hum to the tune, before her beautiful voice filled in with lyrics.
“Tale as old as time… true as it can be. Barely even friends… then somebody bends… unexpectedly…”
“I forgot to tell you something earlier.” Elle whispered, as we continued to sway.
“What was it?” I asked her.
“Grace swung by a few days ago. She took a look at the rose you showed me, and she gave me a different synthesized plant food she had been working on to try out. I wasn’t sure if it would work, but a new flower petal grew in last night.”
I couldn’t help but smile against her, as I felt something warm spread through me once more. Leave it to Elle, to save the thing that’s just on the verge of destruction.
“Thank you.” I whispered into her ear, as she leaned further into me. Those words held more weight than she could ever imagine.
“Tale as old as time… Tune as old as song…
Bitter sweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong…“ Mrs. Potts sang, as her young yet soulful voice, synchronized in tune with the melody.
I glanced over at Mrs. Potts as she gave me a knowing nod before continuing. It had been too long since I had heard her sing.
“Tale as old as time….
Song as old as rhyme…..“
“Hey Elle?” I whispered against her neck.
“Yeah?” She whispered back.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Beauty and… The Beast.”
We both smiled to each other, as the music carried us into the night…
Fin
So like, first off, thank you EVERYONE who read this and voted and commented and continued to just be the greatest ever! I am beyond grateful and so happy you guys enjoyed this! The new book will also be dropping later tonight so watch out for that :) uhm… yeah… shit, I’m going to miss this story. Y’all better bless the comment section on this next book like you did this one. XOXO thank you all again for reading 😘❤️
