𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓖𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓼 || 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐟𝐨𝐲

Chapter 4 - Persuasion

"Tell me, do you plan on drinking me out of house and home?"

            Ophelia ignored the jibe, recognising the smooth upper-class accent. She simply swirled the wine around her glass before taking a long, drawn-out sip, she leant against the counter casually, seemingly unphased by his dig. Lucius Malfoy rounded the wooden kitchen island, his face twisted in distaste, for he did not get an answer from the girl. Ophelia lowered her eyes to the red liquid in her glass, trying to ignore the open white shirt he wore once again, this time slightly covered with a short black velvet coat. Ophelia pulled at her own clothes, suddenly feeling self-conscious in her terracotta shorts and matching crop t-shirt.

            "I will have to put locking charms on the wine cellar before long," Lucius muttered as he dug through his secret drinks stash, this time pulling out a bottle of firewhiskey.

            "Mrs Malfoy said I can help myself to food and drink whenever I like, she never stipulated the types or quantities allowed," Ophelia smiled sweetly as she tucked a stray fallen curl behind her ear. Lucius responded with a low growl.

            "Why you choose to drink down here," disgust dripped from his voice, "is beyond me."

            Lucius walked around the island, coming to a stop directly behind the girl, she felt his fingertips lingering on the exposed skin of her side, tickling her, taunting her.

            "Join me in my office Miss Oakham." His words were hot and breathy against her ear.

            "I'm quite alright here Mr Malfoy," Ophelia managed to voice rather confidently, though she had to swallow and take a deep breath first.

            "It wasn't an invitation, but an order Miss Oakham."

***

            The walk up to the office felt like one of the longest walks Ophelia had undertaken, the entire time she devised a way of feigning tiredness, or injury, scheming a way to bow out of whatever Lucius had planned for her. Her plotting came to an end, with a defeated sigh, when they reached the double doors to Lucius' office. She had never ventured into this room, only gliding passed it on her tour with Mrs Malfoy. Looking down the hallway Ophelia saw the familiar large curved archway into the study room, and realisation flooded over her. The manors bedrooms were on the floor above.

            "Come, take a seat." Lucius ordered as he held one of the doors open for her, firewhiskey bottle in one hand. Ophelia gulped, stepping into the room with her head held high. His office was as she imagined it, line with intricately carved bookcases, their shelves filled with books, relics, scrolls and interesting looking contraptions. The air smelt of a surprisingly pleasant mix of cigar smoke, old parchment, and leather. At the end of the room in front of a large circular window sat a desk, behind it an emerald leather chair. She looked over the brown chesterfield sofa that sat opposite his oak desk.

            "Is it clean?" She asked, cocking a brow. Lucius' eyes narrowed on her in slight confusion.

            "This is where you bring all your girls, isn't it?" Ophelia asked, she didn't even try to mask her distaste. There was a slight pause whilst Lucius awaited to answer her.

            "It's clean," Lucius simply said with a slight smirk playing on his lips. He moved to his desk, leaning against it casually he placed the bottle of firewhiskey upon its top. Ophelia hesitantly took a seat on the brown leather sofa, setting her wine glass down on the oak coffee table that separated them.

            "Why did you request me here Mr Malfoy?" Ophelia asked, propping her chin up on her palm, her elbow rested on the hard leather arm.