Sweet For You, Ruthless For Others
Chapter 44: The Scattered Slumber

Chapter 44: The Scattered Slumber

He narrowed his eyes and glanced the office to find Hermia sleeping. His eyes widened and he looked invested, wasn’t she the secretary?

As Niklaus strode down the hall, Steffon fell into step beside him, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Boss," Steffon began hesitantly, "about the secretary—"

The sharp scowl Niklaus shot him was enough to make him trail off mid-sentence.

The warning in Niklaus’s dark gaze was clear: Don’t ask.

Steffon cleared his throat, deciding it was best to drop the subject entirely.

By the time they reached the restaurant on the top floor of the building, the tension had eased slightly, though Niklaus’s commanding presence was as unyielding as ever.

The Hathaway family’s business empire was sprawling, with their hands in nearly every technological advancement of the modern world.

From cutting-edge electronics to innovative gadgets, they didn’t just improve lives—they shaped them. Add to that their ownership of a highly successful airline, and the Hathaway name had become synonymous with luxury, efficiency, and innovation.

Niklaus was the unchallenged head of this empire, the force behind its rapid expansion and smooth operations.

But not everyone in the family approved of his dominance. The extended Hathaway family was a sprawling conglomerate of relatives—some ambitious, others envious.

Managing their egos and expectations was almost as challenging as running the business itself.

The small meeting in the restaurant brought together key players from their various subsidiaries.

Niklaus took his seat at the head of the table, his authoritative aura filling the room. Discussions ranged from quarterly profits to upcoming product launches, and though his tone remained professional, his razor-sharp focus left no room for dissent.

Steffon, seated a few chairs away, observed his boss with a mix of admiration and apprehension. Niklaus wasn’t just on top of the business; he was the business.

Every decision, every strategy bore his imprint. It was no wonder some family members resented his iron grip.

But as the meeting progressed, Steffon couldn’t help but think back to the woman sleeping in Niklaus’s office.

There was something about her—something that seemed to unsettle his boss in a way Steffon had never seen before.

Niklaus’s voice cut through his thoughts, sharp and decisive as he outlined the next steps for the company.

Steffon snapped back to attention, making a mental note to tread carefully.

If there was one thing he’d learned, it was this: Niklaus Hathaway didn’t tolerate distractions. Except, perhaps, for one.

Meanwhile,

Hermia shifted slightly in her sleep, her body instinctively seeking a more comfortable position.

Niklaus’s coat, which had been draped loosely over her, now became her refuge as she unconsciously pulled it closer to her chest.

The soft material seemed to envelop her, its subtle warmth mingling with his scent—a clean, rich aroma with faint hints of cedarwood and something uniquely him.

For once, her restless mind gave way to the rare solace of true sleep. Hermia wasn’t accustomed to rest like this.

Most nights, she lay awake battling the demons of her mind—sleep paralysis that left her frozen in fear, nightmares that clawed at her peace, and a relentless anxiety that refused to let her relax.

But here, in this quiet office, the air seemed to conspire with the moment.

The soft hum of the central air system created a soothing backdrop, and a light breeze from the vent gently wafted through the room.

It carried with it the faintest hint of lavender, likely from the small diffuser Niklaus kept in the corner—an attempt to mask the sterility of the corporate environment.

The combination created an atmosphere that felt unexpectedly tranquil.

The drugs Steffon had brought earlier were doing their job, calming her body and dulling the edges of her usual turmoil.

And though Hermia remained unaware, the weight of Niklaus’s coat, his familiar scent, and the ambient comfort of the room seemed to cradle her in a way she hadn’t experienced in years.

Her breathing slowed, deep and even, as her body surrendered to the rare luxury of rest.

Though she was still fast asleep, her expression softened, free from the tension that usually lined her features.

In that moment, she looked peaceful—serene, even—a stark contrast to the fiery determination Niklaus often saw in her eyes when she was awake.

It was a slumber that Hermia herself wouldn’t remember, but the comfort and warmth of this moment would linger somewhere deep in her mind, a rare reprieve from her battles with the night.

But,

After a while, the harsh voices of the janitors pierced through Hermia’s slumber, dragging her unwillingly back to consciousness.

One of them rudely called out, "We’re done here," startling her awake. Her body protested as she stirred, feeling weak and groggy, a foggy reminder of her rare and restless moments of sleep.

Hermia pushed herself upright, her mind still catching up to her surroundings. Her surprise deepened when she noticed the coat—Niklaus’s coat—draped over her.

She clutched it for a moment, processing the strange gesture. The fact that she’d fallen asleep at all was even more shocking; she rarely allowed herself such vulnerability.

"Thank you," she murmured to the janitors, her voice soft and polite despite her exhaustion.

They didn’t reply with the same courtesy. Instead, as they packed up their equipment, they began to whisper. Hermia caught fragments of their hushed gossip.

"Did you see that? CEO’s coat on her."

"Maybe she’s one of those desperate types trying to climb the ladder."

"Bet she’s aiming to be more than a secretary."

Her stomach sank. She had dealt with enough judgment in her life to recognize the tone, and her chest tightened with a mix of frustration and resignation.

Still, she forced herself not to react. Let them talk, she thought, though it didn’t lessen the sting.

With a sigh, Hermia stood up, folding the coat neatly and setting it on the couch.

Her body ached, her throat felt dry, and her head throbbed faintly from the dust earlier.

She moved to the door, gently closing it after the janitors left.

I would look for them later.