Sweet For You, Ruthless For Others
Chapter 33: Mia, Come With Me

Chapter 33: Mia, Come With Me

I squared my shoulders, lifting my chin. "Well, now that you’ve conducted your little test, I should be proud of myself?"

Niklaus’s smirk softened into something more dangerous. Something knowing.

"Oh, Mia," he murmured, stepping closer. "You should be proud but who said I came here only for that?"

The air between us crackled.

I swallowed hard, but I refused to back down.

Niklaus Hathaway was many things—wealthy, powerful, maddeningly smug. But whatever game he thought he was playing... I wasn’t going to let him win.

He tilted his head, amusement flickering in his sharp gaze. "Or not, you shouldn’t be that proud. After all, you didn’t get very far, did you?"

I rolled my eyes and huffed, heat creeping into my cheeks. "Ha-ha, very funny."

Niklaus chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "Come on, Mia. Lighten up." He gestured toward his sleek car parked at the curb. "Get in. Let’s get you out of here before you catch a cold—or worse, decide to test your luck walking these streets again."

"I already ordered an Uber," I countered, even as my body betrayed me, itching to follow him.

"You can cancel." His tone darkened, his easy amusement replaced with something more serious. "I don’t know how people are comfortable getting into a total stranger’s car. And at night? Not safe." he said and yeah trusting a complete stranger is carzy but that’s their jobs so maybe that’s why everyone does it now?

Or maybe not everyone does it but who cares, there is still hope for the world.

I smirked, folding my arms. "You’re just scared. I understand." he shouldn’t be the only one that can tease me.

Niklaus let out a quiet, amused chuckle, his voice impossibly smooth. "I would hate for what’s mine to be in harm’s way."

My breath hitched.

What’s his? Who’s his?

My brain short-circuited for a second, and before I could process the words, I ended up choking on my own spit, coughing in an ungraceful mess.

Niklaus smiled knowingly, the kind of smile that made me want to slap him just to wipe it off his face. Can I? Mmm I don’t knek if incsb touch him.

"Come with me," he said, voice gentle but firm.

Come with me. Whys he here again?

I hesitated, his words sinking in.

"Hermia, you don’t look like you should be alone right now," he added, his gaze scanning my face with an intensity that made me feel both self-conscious and strangely... safe.

I inhaled sharply.

My dress was still torn from earlier. I could feel the exhaustion pressing into my bones, my heartbeat still erratic from the night’s events. And the lingering heartbreak? That clung to me like a second skin.

God, I must’ve looked pathetic.

Without thinking, I smoothed my hands over my torn and wrinkled dress, then reached up, subtly touching my hair in a feeble attempt to fix it.

Niklaus noticed. Of course, he did. His expression softened. "You look stunning," he said quietly.

I blinked, thrown off. "I’m not sure about that, but... thanks." I said feeling small.

Selena really does leave scars doesn’t she? This was a new dress now look at me like a rag doll in the rain.

And Niklaus had to see me like this.

He nodded, his gaze steady. "Come with me," he repeated, extending his hand. "It’s getting darker, and it’s not safe out here."

I stared at his outstretched hand.

A part of me screamed not to trust him, to be smart, to keep my distance. But another part of me—one that I wasn’t ready to acknowledge—wanted to believe him.

I exhaled slowly, then took his hand, brushing past him toward the car. "Fine. But you owe me for scaring me like that." I let out.

Niklaus’s smirk was back. He followed, pulling open the car door for me. "Oh, I’ll make it up to you. Don’t worry. I’ve got plenty of ideas."

Ohhhh.

I narrowed my eyes as I slid into the seat. "What ideas?"

He chuckled but didn’t answer, slipping behind the wheel as the car purred to life.

The smooth glide of the tires over the pavement was almost soothing—until my thoughts jolted me upright.

"Oh my God—my bags!" I turned to him in alarm. "I left them under the lamppost! I—"

"Relax." Niklaus’s tone was infuriatingly calm. "I picked them up."

I blinked. "You did?"

"They’re in the trunk." He shot me an amused glance before his expression darkened slightly. "Hermia... did someone spike your drink at the event?"

I stared at him, incredulous. Then I scowled. "You’re bullying me."

Niklaus let out a slow, devastatingly charming smile. "I would never do that, Mia." His voice was soft, firm. "Never."

I didn’t trust him. Not entirely.

Crossing my arms, I leaned back, watching as he casually pulled out a sleek tablet and started working, his fingers gliding over the screen.

The car was silent for a moment, save for the low hum of the engine.

Then, without looking up, he asked, "Where are you going?"

I exhaled, resting my head against the seat. "The airport." I let out firmly.

Niklaus’s fingers stilled. Slowly, he turned to face me, his expression shifting from mild curiosity to something else. "The airport?"

I pressed my lips into a thin line and didn’t answer.

He set the tablet aside. "Why? Where are you going?" Attentive.

This is the man everyone says is ruthless? Even Jasmine claimed so and her brother is his best friend then whys he so attentive, calm and generous with me?

A nervous laugh slipped past my lips, forced and hollow. "Just... back to where I used to live, that’s all."

His expression darkened, his entire body stiffening. "You’re leaving?" his clipped voice asked.

"I didn’t exactly plan to stay for long," I lied, the words slipping out in a desperate attempt to sound nonchalant.

Niklaus studied me for a long moment, his blue eyes unreadable.

And just like that, the temperature in the car dropped.