Cruel Beauty

Careful New Girl

'I could have you arrested for that bitch!' he snarls at you holding his stomach. You step forward and stare down at him you raise your chin. "And I could cut your throat, and leave your simpleton wife to find your body." You think it but don't say it. The look in your eyes unnerves him, you are so calm. He has never paid much attention to you, you were the help after all. But he studies you for the first time, there's something about you. Most people wouldn't notice but for a split second your eyes show your emotions. You are unhinged. You are something to be very careful around. The Baroness regains her composure, still holding your hand, seeing your side profile she doesn't see what Reynolds does. 'I don't think you will, I don't think you want your wife to know you just tried to step out on her.' she drops your hand she's got this now. Victoria lifts a wooden chair slamming it down narrowly missing his fingers. She takes a seat looking down at him. 'Here is what you will do, I'm going to arrange a little payment to be delivered to you every so often. In return the constabulary will do me the odd favour when I request it.' she crosses her legs putting her hands on her knee.

'Now then, that's more than fair I think. So we will forget all about this little misunderstanding tonight and we will not bring it up again.' Reynolds flares his nostrils pursing his lips, but his eyes flicker back to you momentarily. You take a small step towards him. 'Right, alright, right, more than fair.' The Baroness puts the toe of her stiletto under his chin forcing him to look up at her. 'Good dog.' she raises her eyebrows with a smirk. 'Come along, yn, we have work to do.' She gets up and leaves her hips wriggling as she does. You admire this then feel the hand grip your ankle, you look down at Reynolds. 'Who are you? Who are you really?' he demands. You crouch down and the impassive look vanishes revealing a nasty smirk, he jumps back from you and you press your finger to your lips.

You leave the dreadful party and travel back with the Baroness to Hellman Hall. The journey is quiet neither of you speak. When you arrive home this continues it's awkward; you are angry at her comment and guilty and sad that you left her. She is angry that you left her but grateful that you returned to her side. When you get home she retreats to the sanctity of her study. After a while, you knock on the door. 'Enter.' calls the stern voice. You push the door open. 'Oh, yn, what have you got for me?' she takes her glasses off seeing you enter with a tray. 'Chamomile.' you place the tray down and she blinks in surprise. 'I wasn't expecting- that was very thoughtful of you my dear.' You give a weak smile. 'Of course.' you turn to leave but turn back. 'I shouldn't have-' 'I'm sorry I-' the Baroness is on her feet you both cut off each other's sentences. You share a smile and nod. You go to the door but stop and turn again, she has taken a step forward. 'Thank you for-' 'Your welcome.' you smile. 'I ought to get changed.' she takes off her jacket. 'Baroness.' you see a bruise on her arm and gently examine it.

'Oh, it must have happened when he grabbed me.' she doesn't show much emotion to this. 'Did he hurt you?' You ask in a soft tone, she looks down but manages a small smile. 'We both know I have endured worse my dear.' She pats your hand gently. 'Baroness.' she looks into your concerned eyes gives a small chuckle and strokes your hair from your face. 'My protector.' You blush and smile back at her. 'Could I get you anything, some ice perhaps?' you offer. Victoria chuckles again. 'I will be fine yn, you may retire for the night.' she lets go of your hand and then gently touches your arm. You turn and watch the elegant beauty over your shoulder, she's so beautiful you don't understand why anyone would hurt her.

Another ten years you spend serving the Baroness you remain loyal to her; the woman only gets more beautiful with age. She is simply decadent. Life working for the Baroness was always interesting, with years of balls and galas and fashion shows. Different collections were born and then destroyed. Her temper was horrific, it got worse, but not with you, rarely ever with you. And you still shared the odd moment of...something. Victoria became more ferocious over time a shewolf of the fashion industry men and women alike would tremble in her presence. And you? You remained by her side, as was your duty.