Someone Competent

Chapter 14: Legally

The Baroness' alarm breaks the silence of your shared bedroom. Warmth caresses your skin as sunlight peaks through the sheer curtains. Victoria shifts in your arms, waking from a peaceful slumber. She escapes your lazy grasp, kissing your cheek as she rises from the bed. Subconsciously, a gentle smile paints your face as her plush lips graze your skin.

As she moves around the room, readying herself for the day, Victoria stops to admire you. Warm sunlight illuminates your features, highlighting the glow of your skin. You slumber peacefully, breathing slowly and deeply. The soft smile has diminished to a slight smirk. Love flutters in Victoria's chest at the sight of you, a feeling foreign to her because of her past. She furrows her brows and bites her bottom lip anxiously. She regrets lying to you, knowing you deserve the truth. Shaking her head, she leaves you to rest longer.

6:15 am. The silver tea tray rests on your arm as you knock on the Baroness' office door. You enter the room, expecting to see your lady slumped over her paperwork. To your surprise, the office is empty. You place the tea tray on a decorative table and examine the room.

Everything is neat, meticulously placed in the correct position, as expected of the Baroness. Being a woman of high influence, the Baroness keeps her belongings organized. She claims it gives her a sense of control over the chaos of the fashion industry. Upon further inspection, you notice one of the drawers is open, specifically, the large, typically locked, bottom drawer. Curiously, you pull the drawer out the rest of the way. It's empty, as expected, but an outline of dust reveals the absence of an object. A box, perhaps?

Confusion floods your thoughts as you close the drawer, leaving it cracked to avoid suspicion. The Baroness has something up her perfectly tailored sleeve. After you caught her late last night, and you found that drawer unlocked and empty, you can't help but wonder what's going on. Although you don't want to, you leave the office in search of the one man with knowledge of the Baroness' whereabouts.

John was relatively easy to locate. With a press of the button on your radio, John followed your command and met you in the foyer. Your nostrils flare as you lock eyes with the bald man. Anger runs through your veins and seeps into your bones. You've refused to talk to him since the Charity Gala. Any being, no matter their relationship with the Baroness, who dares to betray her is dead to you. In your opinion, John deserves to be in a casket, decaying, being consumed by the Earth as fertilizer. You bite the inside of your cheek to conceal your disdain. You may not trust him, but Victoria does, and he's the only person she'd tell her current location.

Skipping the pleasantries, you address John sternly. "Where is she?". "Y/N, I-". You cut him off with a wave of your hand. "Where. Is. She?". He sighs redundantly. "Y/N-". "John. If I have to ask you again-". "If you would allow me to speak, I would tell you where she is!". You huff and roll your eyes. Crossing your arms, you gesture for him to continue.

He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, clearly just as annoyed as you. "I will tell you where she is after I explain myself.". You inhale sharply. You don't have time for this, but you need him to tell you the Baroness' location. Nodding reluctantly, you allow him to continue. He gives you a short, appreciative nod before beginning.

"Cruella forced my hand. I wasn't aware she intended to harm the Baroness.". You scoff and adjust your stance, unimpressed with his response. He huffs, clasping his hands in front of him and rolling his shoulders to suppress his irritation. "I know you won't forgive me, but Victoria has. I protected her for years before you came along. Neither one of us is leaving her, so we'll have to learn to tolerate each other.". He pauses, discerning your reaction to his words. Your stiff posture remains unchanged, but there is a softness in your eyes that signals your understanding. "She's with Rodger.".