Hard Time's

The Devil Within

The next morning the Baroness has pulled herself together she is back to her old self it doesn't do to appear weak. 'The car is ready Baroness.' John informs as she sprays on perfume. Her hair is wrapped in a silk scarf and it is almost like you never existed. 'Thank you, John.' That's until. 'Good morning.' Lilah greets cheerfully. The Baroness stops in her tracks. 'That is (y/n)'s dress.' John looks stunned that the woman would be so bold. 'What this? Sorry, I just saw it in the closet and since I slept over here last night I couldn't resist. You don't mind?' she twirls. The Baroness purses her lips. 'Why would I? They aren't my clothes.' Lilah smiles and heads down to the car.

John catches the Baroness's arm stopping her. 'There is still time you could search for her.' he points out. '(y/n) has made it quite clear she no longer requires my presence. I will not beg.' she says simply. John tries to connect with her but no one has a connection to her like you. 'I don't believe that all is as it seems. I saw you and (y/n) together. She adores you and even though you'd never say it you love her. You killed Grayson because he would have done her harm.' he insists. 'And you killed the Baron for me. Does that mean you are in love with me?' she raises an eyebrow. 'I am a gentleman, I saw a woman in distress and stepped in. Any real man would've done the same.'

The Baroness's eyes flick to John's hand on her arm and he lets go. She heads to work with the twittering blonde idiot. Lilah does not have an off switch. 'Lilah?' Lilah sips her coffee. 'Yes, Baroness?' The Baroness takes off her sunglasses. 'I've been waiting for a gap, ah here is one now. I'm firing you.' Lilah freezes. 'What?' The Baroness puts her glasses back on. 'Get out.' she sighs. Lilah looks stunned. 'Out?' The Baroness purses her lips. 'Now.' Lilah looks at the busy traffic. 'We are in the middle of the motorway you can't just leave me here.' The Baroness knocks on the glass the driver stops and cars begin honking.

Lilah's eyes widened. 'You can't be serious.' The Baroness rolled her eyes. 'Oh for heaven's sake either get out now or the next time I won't be so gracious as to stop the car.' Lilah gapes and fumbles getting out of the car. The Baroness drives off as Lilah dashes around trying to miss oncoming cars. 'Thank god for that.' the Baroness relaxes in her seat basking in the silence now that she is gone. 'Ah, bliss.' she smiles.

The Baroness throws herself into her work and over the next few years that is her only focus. As for you, you've moved to Paris and taken a lover. You have a child now. At the fashion show you meet the Baroness you share a mutual look of sadness across the room. Your lover kisses your cheek the Baroness leaves alone.

THE END.

I'm kidding of course. Lots more bad things still to come!

The Baroness focuses on her work over the next few weeks it is her only focus. 'John! Can you get me-' she enters Hellman Hall tossing her bag aside. 'What the Hell are you doing here?' The Baroness places a hand on her hip as she comes face-to-face with Lilah. 'Well I know you were having a rough time last week, I came to give you the chance to apologise to me. For your behaviour?' she beams. The Baroness looks amused. 'For my behaviour?' she smirks. 'Well yeah, you were kind of a C U Next Tuesday. I mean I'm sure you didn't mean to act like an irrational bitch.' she beams. 'Why you insolent little-' the Baroness snarls walking over to Lilah.

"You'll never know what hit you

Won't see me closing in
I'm gonna make you suffer
This hell you put me in
I'm underneath your skin
The devil within"

'Why don't you come and take a seat?' Lilah suggests walking away she heads to the dining room. The Baroness instantly spots John tied to a chair his mouth gagged he makes eye contact with the Baroness. For her part, the Baroness looks shocked. 'What is the meaning of this?!' Lilah takes John's gag off. 'She knows Baroness.' he spoke. 'Knows? Knows what?!' Lilah presses the tape recorder sitting in front of John and the recording plays.

"I don't believe that all is as it seems. I saw you and (y/n) together. She adores you and even though you'd never say it you love her. You killed Grayson because he would have done her harm." John speaks. "And you killed the Baron for me. Does that mean you are in love with me?"

The Baroness pales and her eyes lock with John's.