Hosie~ One Shots

Payment

The city of New Orleans was a place where history, power, and magic collided, and in the center of it all stood Hope Mikaelson, the last of her bloodline. She was not just a powerful tribrid but also a formidable businesswoman, running her family's affairs with precision. It had been years since she had heard the name Alaric Saltzman. That was until today.

Sitting in her luxurious office, surrounded by ancient tomes and artifacts that carried the weight of her family's legacy, Hope was going over some paperwork when there was a knock at the door. One of her employees, a man she trusted to handle her financial matters, entered with a clipboard in hand and an expression that told her he wasn't bringing good news.

"Ms. Mikaelson," he began, hesitant. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there's an issue with a debt that's been unpaid for quite some time. It's from Alaric Saltzman, the headmaster of the Salvatore School. The total has accumulated to over a million dollars."

Hope's grip on her pen tightened as she processed the information. Klaus Mikaelson, her father, had given Alaric the money years ago, believing in his vision of a safe haven for supernatural beings. But now, it seemed like Alaric had forgotten his end of the deal. She had been patient, but this was a slight she couldn't ignore.

Her eyes flashed dangerously. "Prepare the jet. I'm going to Mystic Falls."

At the Salvatore School, Alaric was sitting at his desk, hunched over a stack of documents, exhaustion etched on his face. Between managing the school and protecting his daughters, it was hard to find a moment's peace. He didn't hear the door open, but the sudden chill in the air made him look up.

Hope Mikaelson stood in the doorway, flanked by two towering bodyguards. Her presence was electric, her icy blue eyes staring him down like a predator cornering its prey. Alaric's pen slipped from his hand, clattering onto the desk.

"H-Hope Mikaelson... w-what are you doing here?" His voice trembled, betraying his nerves.

Hope strode into the room, her expression cold and dangerous. "Well, well, well. Look what we have here." She circled his desk like a lioness sizing up her meal. "You owe my family over a million dollars, Ric. I'm here to collect."

Alaric swallowed hard, beads of sweat forming on his brow. "I-I don't have the money, Hope. I can't pay it back... it all went into the school. Your father said—"

"My father's dead," Hope cut him off sharply. Her voice dropped into a growl. "And you're not supposed to be alive either if you can't pay back what's owed."

Alaric's eyes widened in fear. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say another word, Hope gave a subtle nod to one of her bodyguards. The man stepped forward and, with a swift movement, knocked Alaric to the ground. He groaned in pain, clutching his side.

Hope crouched down next to him, her hand closing around his throat as she leaned in close, her voice low and venomous. "Where's the money, Ric? Where's my family's money?"

Alaric gasped, his face paling. "I—I don't have it! I told you... it's gone!"

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"Dad? Can I come in?" Josie's voice called from the hallway, innocent and oblivious.

Hope's lips curled into a smirk. She looked down at Alaric, who was barely able to get out a hoarse whisper. "Josie, go now!"

Hope signaled for her bodyguards to step aside, and she disappeared into the shadows of the room. Josie opened the door, stepping in with a smile that quickly turned into shock as she saw her father crumpled on the floor.

"Dad!" Josie rushed to Alaric's side, panic rising in her voice. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Before she could react, Hope emerged from the shadows, her eyes fixed on Josie. She slowly examined her, taking in every detail with a predatory gaze. Josie froze, her heart racing as she felt the weight of Hope's attention.