The Crimson Rose || Nicolae Bartholy X OC || [COMPLETE]

Chapter IV.

The job.

She had to admit it. Claire had never slept that good in years.

The mattress she laid on was 5 stars hotel quality and the sheets were so soft and smelled so good, she was able to sleep in until mid morning.

It was incredible.
She was wearing a soft pink blouse and some jeans she had found in the closet when she stepped out of her room.

Looking around, her lips parted as her gaze rested upon a family portrait.

In the middle of which there was a man older than Nicolae. His hair was cut short and his eyes were inquisitive and cold. Without emotion.

The man was sitting on a victorian looking chair, while behind him stood Nicolae and his two other brothers. Claire didn't know their names.

Sitting on the older man's knee there was a little girl with pink hair. She had a mischievious smile and that made Claire's lips curve into one.

Her eyes traced the painting back to Nicolae's face, observing his elegant figure, he was so distinguished and very attractive, but there was always a sad look into his eyes Claire couldn't explain.

*

As Nicolae walked down the hallway later that evening, he smiled to himself at the sound of Claire's voice speaking Romanian to Lorie who laughing, talked right back to her in the same language.

Nicolae waited a second before entering the room, listening to the two of them.

Lorie sounded so happy to be able to talk in her first language, he was very satisfied with the suggestion he made to Claire. In fact, earlier that day, he talked her into staying at the Mansion and befriend his sister. Nicolae knew Lorie would've liked her, for they had so much in common, starting with their home country.

He explained to Claire that Lorie was adopted from Romania and she still remembered her language.

It was unusual, but pleasant for once to see his little sister gettin along with a woman. Especially after all the au-pairs she had running out of the door.

He knocked politely before entering the room and cleared his voice.

"Good evening ladies." He smiled meeting Claire's gaze. She smiled back, blushing just a bit, making Lorie giggle.

"Come on Lorie, it's bedtime for you." He said calmly.

"But I wanna stay up late and talk to Claire!" Claire brushed Lorie's hair. "We can talk a lot more tomorrow, Lorie, don't worry. "

Lorie said something in Romanian and Claire laughed.

"Stop making me laugh Lorie, it's not nice to speak in another language when somebody else is present." She told the girl who had just called her brother something really funny.

"Okay...but it's our language." She pouted, crossing her arms and getting up.

Claire nodded and watched her running out of the room, screaming goodnight.

Nicolae walked closer to her, smiling and sitting down on the couch. "Lorie adores you." He stated, crossing his legs.

Claire looked down smiling nervously. "She is adorable. Incredibly smart little girl."