(hilda/lys) apartment AU snippets #3; prologue 01

Lysithea did not expect for a saloon-slash-beautician chain have a big office complex like this.

It is almost like a prestigious apartment city located at the center of the city, something she couldn’t believe while she is the one who profiled and sought for the information by her boss’ order.

Adrestia Company is /not/ one with the cosmetic business, but Edelgard was particular about this establishment since the chain is quite popular at the stock market. Lysithea had a time to collect information for a week, and she didn’t expect a mere secretary who’s usually staying behind the table, is now following Edelgard and her personal assistant Hubert to get to know the business closer.

“Are you nervous?”

Edelgard suddenly asked. Lysithea’s hands were tight on the board and papers by her lap, her eyes fixated at the passing entrance box. Hubert handed his identification by the security, waited until the process is done. It felt surreal to her now as she took in the fact that she is sitting beside her boss in the company’s car - for the longest she could remember.

“Maybe.” Lysithea’s answer was indefinite. “I watched a few of Claude’s interview; he is a bit too laid-back to own such super block like this.”

“So your profiling could be a bit far off the mark,” Edelgard wasn’t judging, rather she is smirking.

After Lysithea told about the business owner Claude and his possible glamorous life, Edelgard dressed semi-formally. Leaving away her usual tight suit, she kept her white dress shirt and cravat, she sported a raven-colored blazer, hanging loose around her shoulders to match her black pants. Her favorite pair of white gloves never escape from the list, formal or non-formal.

“You can tell that I was unprepared when you suddenly told me to come with you,” Lysithea spared a scoff, even Hubert responded with his grim laughter as he viewed on the viewfinder after seeing unaffected smile of Edelgard. “How can you ask me to-”

“You do know you’re my trusted secretary and informant, Lys. A small detail won’t escape you easily.”

Lysithea sighed, trying hard for the praise to not getting over her head. Edelgard is always front to her employees, be it the good and the bad comments, one thing that Lysithea glad about especially after a year of working.

Though, her frankness sometimes can be unbearable, just like right now. Maybe Lysithea would tail Edelgard in silent manner, but she still think she is unfit to be there.

“Tell me more about this business as Hubert searches a place to park.”

The secretary inhaled, a bit thankful that Edelgard finally let her be. She tilted her glasses up, all business, reciting the things she already etched in her memory about this particular business boom.

‘Deer Hound’, perhaps the name sound contradicting at first, as ‘deer’ is nowhere carnivorous to get the adjective of ‘hound’. Then again, their tagline, ‘Fear The Deer’, has emphasized the effects of their business more. Moving swiftly to capture the market with their revolutionary, brand new ideas in cosmetics, Deer Hound becoming one of the most brands that searched by public in recent years. Edelgard interested on excel of growth, so much that the head of multimillionaire Adrestia Co. stepped outside to see for herself.

Lysithea thought at first that the business would be closed off to possible stock market competitors, but it was easy to arrange a meeting between two company holders. They appointed the saloon complex not far from Edelgard’s headquarters to meet, and Claude was more than eager to greet Edelgard the moment she entered the lobby.

He was just like how he portrayed himself in every of his interview videos, dressing in simple open shirt topped with a casual blazer. His right ear is pierced, giving him a bad boy look though it doesn’t betray his reputation. His wide, easy smile held multitude of meaning, but it was fresh and welcoming. Edelgard shared a handshake with him, Hubert towering right beside the boss with his slight cant of smile. Claude is nowhere affected, rather, he would exchange a handshake with Hubert as well, if not the grim man declining.

Trailing behind Claude was a sophisticated woman with bright pink hair split into two pigtails. Perhaps, just like how Lysithea is now, that person should be his secretary—
though with black sleeveless sweater, taller stiletto, and well, prettier look. She must be one of the beautician, or the company poster girl, as she is so well-kept and pretty.

“How about you indulge in our service, Edelgard? I think you may interested in our personal grooming package.”

Claude winked in suggestion. He pointed on the double door by his right, the one bustling with people coming and going rather than the elevator by his left. Edelgard visibly hummed, considering.

“I apologize, but I’d rather not to accept any means of gratification,” she declined politely, her eyes sauntered over Lysithea. “But maybe my secretary can accept the honor.”

Edelgard should stop surprising her too much for a day. “Wait. What?”

“And of course I can’t ask Hubert for this kind of stuff, am I right?” Edelgard countered, she was delighted. “You can check out their business too along the way.”

On the corner of her glasses, Lysithea could see that Claude is visibly pleased. His grin sharpened, “That could be a good idea as well. Your secretary can enjoy the facilities when we talk business.”

A moment later, Edelgard flashed a smile, apologetic - though Lysithea knew that it is the only leeway. Edelgard never accepted any kind of gratification for reasons, so it is all left for Lysithea to be the scapegoat.

Well, unless somehow they can convince Hubert to do the deed (of course, he won’t. Rather, he would kill you for it).

Lysithea nodded to Claude, accepting the offer, “It would be my pleasure.”

“Good,” he snapped his fingers, looked to his back with a wink. “Can I trust her to you, Hilda?”


-


Her name is Hilda, Lysithea eyed to the pink-haired woman by his back again.

Her smile was wide and friendly as Claude cued her in. She then stepped forward to offer a handshake to Lysithea, who was a bit stunned as that pair of red eyes caught her staring. Perhaps it is new for Lysithea to see somebody not from her office with revealing clothes - though it’s not like Hilda’s halter top sweater is too revealing.

Unlike those collar workers who dressed for job to look ready, she dressed for job to look pretty.

Wait, how many times Lysithea had recited inside her mind that this pink-haired woman is pretty—no other exaggerating adjectives needed?

“Hey there, I’m Hilda. Lead beautician."

“It’s nice to meet you, my name is Lysithea.”

It was awkward, Lysithea knew it from the strange rumble in her dry throat. Yet, Hilda didn’t speak any needless commentary, rather, she held her hand in place.

“You have a rather dry skin,” Hilda said. “Staying indoors a lot at work?”

“Yes,” Lysithea answered. “And before you guessed it, I kind of forgetting the sunblock since the visit announcement was too sudden.”

With that, Hilda giggled. It was a happy sound, not a forced one under circumstances of playing nice. “Just so you know, I’m not a seer who’s able to guess everything.”

“Acceptable.”

Lysithea hovered back to Edelgard and Claude, seeing them already delved into a topic about stock market that may interest Lysithea more than a row of cosmetics she might see later. Alas, she already committed to take the fall for her boss.

“This way, Miss.”

And by then, Hilda has yet to retract their connected hand until they reached for a little tour to the main area, enough for Lysithea to remember the warmth of their fingers laced together.