His Lioness (Alan Rickman FF) ENGLISH VERSION

Chapter 22

Saskia was already standing excitedly in the kitchen, trying to choke down the cereal. It was still much too early, but she just couldn't sleep anymore. In the meantime, she had already checked her suitcase for the second time to make sure that nothing was missing. She hated herself for having to double and triple check everything sometimes.

Her gaze had stuck to the clock for what felt like the thousandth time, almost as if it was going backwards! She would have liked to slap herself now for her exaggerated nervousness. "Saskia, pull yourself together now! You're a grown woman!" she scolded herself.

But at what point did one actually become a real adult, or what did one use to determine that? Trying to figure out this self-imposed question briefly distracted her from her inner chaos. But this distraction did not last long.

Why was she so nervous? She asked herself the next question, sat down on the kitchen chair and hid her face in her hands. Saskia didn't want to admit it to herself, but lying to herself permanently was just as useless. It was up to her boss Lord Lionel Shahbandar alone. She found him incredibly attractive and appealing, his teasing remarks and his constant attention in her direction were already having an undesirable effect on her. Why did he always have to look at her and treat her in a way that automatically made her knees weak?

She wasn't stupid, even if she had a bit of a crush on Lionel, she still knew that he was surely just enjoying himself at her expense. And his innuendos meant nothing at all. Sad and resigned, she brooded for a long time and buried herself in self-pity.

The next time Saskia looked at her watch, some time had passed and she decided to slowly take her things and wait for Mihai for the last quarter of an hour in front of the apartment complex.

Lionel had put his hands behind his back and was wandering up and down. He kept glancing out at the driveway he could see from where he stood. Mihai had long since left to pick up Saskia. He almost came along at first, but he didn't want to seem too pushy. Lionel didn't want Saskia to realize that he cared more about her than he was willing to admit. Unconsciously her presence drew him in, he would see if he regretted bringing her here.

Saskia looked down the street when she saw the distinguished limousine coming. Mihai stopped in front of her on the side of the road and immediately got out to help her with the suitcase. They were already attracting countless glances from passersby, which made her more than uncomfortable. Of course, people were curious who was traveling with such an expensive vehicle.

Mihai had been immediately symphytic to her from the first moment, he was probably not much younger than his boss. When everything was stowed away, he held the car door open for her and Saskia sat down on the spacious back seat. It was very unusual to sit alone in the noble car. She stroked with her right hand over the empty seat where Lionel normally sat. Saskia felt the exquisite leather and inhaled the scent of it deeply.

The chauffeur had even offered her to take something from the drinks compartment, but she didn't want to take that up. Captivated, she looked out into the landscape; the further they drove away from London, the more natural it became. For a bit they drove the same way she drove to her cousin's house. But the last bit was in a different direction, and besides, it was much farther to her relatives.

The closer they got to the Lord's estate, the more curious she became, but also the more nervous, once again. Saskia fervently hoped that she would get this problem under control as soon as possible, otherwise the cooperation would be pure chaos, of that she was sure.

Lionel glanced at his driveway and paused in his movement, he could see his Rolls-Royce coming from a distance. Now the time had come, things were getting underway. It remained to hope that his decisions were the right ones.

Saskia looked with wide eyes at the huge and beautiful estate of Lionel. Mihai already got out and gallantly opened the door for her. She couldn't take her eyes off it, it looked like it was always described in the tacky novels. From a distance you could already hear the peacocks screaming. She loved these animals because they had such beautiful feathers.

The butler promptly opened the front door and stepped outside to take her suitcase from Mihai. Somewhat perplexed, she stood outside, slightly overwhelmed watching the events around her.

Lionel watched Saskia's arrival from his window, as she looked around slightly helpless, he immediately felt sorry that he had not received her properly.

But Mihai would not be him if he did not take care of Saskia with his friendly manner, as Lionel could see still looking out of the window. He stepped back from his position at the window and went to his mahogany desk.

He had ordered his butler to take Saskia to her room and then escort her to his office.

Gem had apparently sensed his inner restlessness and was now pacing the room just as nervously, mewing uncharacteristically. Normally she either sat in her basket that she had in his office or if she was naughty, as she actually almost always was, she just sat on his desk.

Lionel looked at the second office chair next to his, which he had only recently had brought here so that Saskia could also sit here.

Completely lost in thought, he kept tugging at the knot of his tie. Today it almost seemed to strangle him, even though he had tied it as usual.

Whenhe finally sat down in his chair, Gem also calmed down a bit and jumped on to the window sill to watch the birds flying by through the window.