I stood in the lobby of Sophia's house, waiting on the lady to finish her makeup. I adjusted my tie as I glanced around her house, noticing the fancy décor and high-end appliances.

"The madam will be down momentarily, Mr. Richtofen," Assured Sophia's butler, Edgar, an older man with thin white hair and a short stature. "She's getting all dolled up for you, sir," He whispered behind his hand, winking.

I grinned at his funny antics, playing along with his gesture.

"I'm flattered," I acted.

Finally, after what seemed to be days of waiting, I saw Sophia peek out of the bathroom door and smile. She came out, wearing a shimmery emerald green dress that draped past her feet and dragged on the floor, and white elbow length gloves. Her hair was curled in the front and then put up in the back, and her makeup and eyes were very bold.

I liked the way she looked. She actually looked rather pretty.

"Rikky!" She bellowed, kissing me on the cheek.

This again... keep calm, Edward. Endure. Das wird eine lange Nacht werden.

"Good evening, Sophia. You look beautiful tonight." I smiled, holding out my arm for her to grab. I had often seen my father do this to my mother as they walked around to entertain guests at their party, so I assumed this was correct.

She turned red quickly, fanning herself. "Thank you, Edward, you look absolutely dashing!" She squealed, brushing my black jacket lightly and wrapping her arm around mine.

"Ready?" I asked politely, beginning to walk toward the door. She nodded and strolled out of the house with me, where a horse-drawn carriage awaited us. I was a bit surprised to see this when it arrived at my doorstep, but the driver told me that he had been sent by Maxis, so I didn't question it. I helped Sophia into the cabin and followed her in.

My heart was racing, for everything was on the line. It was of the utmost importance that I made a good impression at this façade.

Click, clack, click, went the hooves of the two horses that carried Sophia and I to our destination.

"So, do you think that they'll have good food there? I expect that it will be delicious!" Sophia attempted at idle chatting.

I made a confused expression. "Did they have good food last year?" I inquired, assuming that she had attended previously.

"I wouldn't know! This is the first time that Ludvig has invited me!"

My eyes widened. "Really?" I turned to face her. "Haven't you been working here for years?"

She nodded aptly. "Of course, but before, I was just a receptionist. Now I handle most of Group 935's shipments and scheduling. Not to mention, I have worked hard to gain Ludvig's trust... I'm honored to be here now."

"Hm." I nodded, the carriage coming to a halt. "It shall be an experience for both of us, then."

The escort swung open the cabin door, allowing Sophia and I to exit onto the sidewalk in front of an enormous home, belonging to Dr. Maxis. Guests piled through the double doors, couple after couple, young and old. I led Sophia to the stairs, where a man in a black suit waited.

"Your name, sir?" He pried, a clipboard in his hand, and a thick Russian accent shining through.

"Dr. Edward Richtofen," I answered without hesitation.

He scanned the list, his eyes darting through the pages. Suddenly, his eyes grew wide. "Oh yes, Dr. Richtofen! Please, sir, head on in!" He extended his arm toward the door. Sophia and I obeyed, entering the building.

As soon as I did, my head began to spin. This house was beyond massive, at least twice as big as mine, and it was jam-packed with diverse members of all branches of Group 935. Live piano music played, as people sipped glasses of wine and mingled amongst their coworkers.

"Ooh! Look at this place, it's magnificent!" Sophia hugged my arm, taking in the sight of the huge building and its lavish designs. She sighed longingly. "Oh, Dr. Maxis must spoil his woman silly!"

I glanced at her with a puzzled expression. "Maxis has a woman?"

"What?" A light blush formed on her cheeks. "W-well, I don't know if he does or not... but any woman who wouldn't want this is simply crazy." She glanced in another direction.

"Edward!" I heard from across the massive living area. Maxis walked through the crowd with a smile on his face. He was dressed in a gray suit and his gray hair was slicked back. "And the beautiful Sophia." He bowed his head slightly to the lady, her features turning a flushed red. 

It would seem as though I was not Sophia's only love interest. Of this, I was very thankful.

"It's a pleasure to be here, Ludvig." I greeted, smiling.

He pat me on the back, leading me slowly toward the den area, with Sophia following behind us. "The pleasure is mine, Edward! Come, let me give you the grand tour." He continued to an area that was filled with people dancing- a ballroom. The man had a full-sized ballroom, complete with a diamond chandelier and satin curtains, in his home. How rich he must be!

"This is amazing!" I almost exclaimed, looking at all the dancing figures around me, causing me to recall last night's occurrence with Eliza. I smiled widely at just the thought of holding her in my arms. How had that been possible? I still couldn't believe that it wasn't a dream.

Before I could daydream any further, Maxis began to pull me toward the kitchen, where a number of women were admiring a white-coated chef working his magic on the stove.

"Oh, how I wish my husband would cook for me!" One of them shrieked, the others nodding their heads.

"My personal chef, Gustaf," Maxis introduced, the chef nodding his head with a smirk. Maxis then continued with his tour, leading me back through the living area, where a waiter approached us with a silver platter of wine-brimmed glasses. Taking one, Ludvig nodded at me, and I took one as well. Our glasses clinked, and we sipped, venturing toward a spiraling staircase.

"This leads to my bedroom, the attic, and the master bath." We did not go up the stairs, as Maxis didn't feel the need.

Then, we walked outside, where an autumn breeze was blowing the leaves off the ground. I must admit, it sent a chill down my spine as the wind raised the hairs on my neck.

"And this, of course, is the patio." Maxis explained, though I was surprised to see that his yard was merely half the size of mine. "I don't use it much." He shrugged, but smiled nonetheless.

I nodded. "This is remarkable!" I complimented.

Maxis chuckled heartily. "Although it is not quite as big as your yard! I never care to come outside anyway, I'm too busy. Tell me, have you enjoyed the amenities of your outdoor area?"

I did enjoy the outdoors, even if only for a few minutes. "Yes sir. I do rather like swinging on the tire swing out back." I laughed, natural comedy surfacing in my demeanor. Maxis split a rib at my joke.

But consequently, my wandering mind brought up my servant, and how she had been confined to the likes of the indoors. Suddenly, my laughter ceased.

In noticing this, Maxis spoke up. "Edward, my boy? Is there something wrong?"

"Huh?" It took me a moment to notice that I had abruptly stopped my laughter, but I quickly tried to cover my fault. "Oh! Nothing, Dr. Maxis."

Ludvig didn't look convinced, in fact, he narrowed his eyes at me, prying into my conscience. Normally, I would consider myself I fine fibber, but something was off this day.

What could I do but fess up? It's just a harmless question, right?

"I was just thinking, Dr. Maxis, about my servant's confinement." I scratched my head casually, trying to draw his attention away from my reddish face.

"You're asking why Eliza isn't permitted to go outdoors."

I looked at him, as this was an odd way to confirm an inquisition. "Yes sir."

He sighed, his smile turning into a frown. "It does not concern you, really. But as you do spend a great deal of time with the girl, I can see why you would want to know more about her past. Eliza is a fiend. She cannot be trusted to go back to her homeland. There is too much here that she has been exposed to. If I permitted her to leave the house, it's likely that she could find a way to escape France and advance to America, where she could ruin our entire plan of secrecy. It is this way with all servants."

I pondered on Maxis' words. "But... do you honestly think that a girl like Eliza could travel that far? Would she betray Group 935 like that?"

He grimaced noticeably, as if hiding something. "Do not underestimate the heart and mind of a woman who has no place in the world. She would do anything to ensure my downfall, and that is why you must not trust her."

Maxis' words cut deep, so deep, in fact, that my stomach began to turn at his phrase. Sickening was the way he detailed it, in a way that made me beg he was lying. He seemed all but utterly serious, unfortunately.

"Dr. Maxis! Come on, the party's just starting!" A lady cried from inside the house.

Ludvig glanced at the door and smirked slightly. "Enjoy the festivities, Richtofen." He pat me on the back. "Please, don't let my words bother you." He made his way back inside, disappearing through the glass doors.

I sipped the last drop of white wine from my glass, and found a spot on the floor to stare at. I didn't know what to think anymore, about Eliza, about Ludvig. One of them, I was sure, was not who they claimed to be.

I heard the glass door slide open behind me.

"Eddie? What are you doing out here?" Sophia, who had been lost earlier, stepped in front of me with a concerned look upon her face.

"Just admiring the fall air," I lied, rather blankly.

"Aren't you going to dance with me?" She asked sort of shyly, earning a glance from my as she gazed toward my line of sight.

I tossed around the steps in my head, and knew that I had to push Eliza from my mind at this moment. For Sophia, who I had promised a dance, long before tonight.

"Very well, Sophia." I put on my best smile, or at least the best I could offer, and I took the grinning lady to the ballroom. A minuet began to play, setting the tone for our dance.

I began to step to the music, holding Sophia as I had Eliza. However, I glanced at my feet several times to make sure I wouldn't step on her, or her dress. I somehow stayed in time through it all, but something was very different this time than it had been with Eliza. It just wasn't the same, in that it didn't feel, for lack of a better description, magical.

Sophia was overjoyed when the music stopped, and she hugged my neck when we were through.

"Edward, you have perfect footwork, where on Earth did you learn to dance like that?" Sophia squealed.

"A friend taught me..." I trailed off, a little distracted by my thoughts.

"Oh, you must give him my regards. It was thrilling!" She giggled, taking me to the kitchen for more wine. I declined a third glass, as I had already downed two, but she took her next gladly. Then the next, and the next.

As the night progressed, I found myself mingling amongst other guests, and genuinely enjoying myself. I talked with people of all different cultures, including Americans, Russians, and even Japanese. It really was impressive just how far one company's bonds could stretch. 

One thing I did not enjoy, though, was the unwanted attention from half-drunken women. Some would wave, some would wink, and some would just stare, but either way, I was through with it. At one point, a blonde lady stumbled over to me and whispered a very vulgar phrase into my ear, only to be dragged out the door seconds later by what I assumed to be her husband.

Soon, one by one, the guests began to file out the door signaling an end to the night of fun. Some were barely able to walk, however, which at times I found quite amusing.

All of a sudden, there was a body clinging to my side and the smell of wine wafting toward my nose.

"Eddieeeee..." Sophia tightened her grip on my arm.

Oh boy. Nein, why?

"Sophia, how many glasses of wine have you had tonight?" I asked reluctantly, glancing down at her slumped form.

"Only about seven!" She giggled loudly and lay her head on my shoulder. By now, I had noticed that we were the only ones left in the house, and the maids were beginning to tidy up the house.

"Come, on Sophia, I'll make sure you get home." I say, trying to pull her gently toward the door.

"N-No!" She planted sternly to the floor, not budging. "I wanna stay hereee..." She slurred, her eyes a bit unfocused. She gripped my arm as tightly as she could. "Stayyy here and have some fun with meeee Eddiiieee!"

My face turned red and I nearly hurled at her allusion. "Sophia, this is nonsense, now come on, please!" I tried pulling her gently again, to no avail.

Please, God, don't make me carry her!

I heard a chuckle from the staircase as Maxis came into view. "Had a little too much wine, have we?" He looked closely at Sophia, who teetered as she clung to me.

I sighed, agreeing, "It would appear that way."

He laughed again. "Not to worry." He looked at me. "Go home, Edward. She can stay here for tonight."

My eyes widened at his suggestion.

"Doctor Maxis, are you sure?" Sophia let out a groan of fatigue.

"Certainly." The corners of his mouth turned upwards. "She will be just fine."

I nodded, accepting this, as I was in no hurry to tend to her, although I would. Surprisingly, she looked up at Maxis and flung from me to him in the blink of an eye, accepting her fate. "Thank you, Ludvig." I grinned, as he shook his head.

As I turned to leave, Maxis swept the tired Sophia off of her feet and began to carry her bridal-style toward the staircase, to my surprise.

That's odd, I only remembered Maxis mentioning one bedroom on the second level...

"Goodnight, Richtofen!" He yelled happily after me as I opened the door to the brisk night breeze.

"Goodnight, sir!" I waved back, taking my leave. As I shut the door behind me, I noticed that the carriage that once sat there, did no more. I suppose Maxis had not arranged for a round trip.

So began my midnight journey to 1251 Brittlestone Avenue, and the comforting satin sheets of my own bed. It could not pass quickly enough.