Sweet For You, Ruthless For Others
Chapter 46 - 5 Coffees and a Smile

Chapter 46: 5 Coffees and a Smile

"Do you need anything else?" Niklaus asked after a moment, his voice tinged with a rare awkwardness.

Hermia shook her head quickly. "No, thank you. You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll get my things myself."

"I can have them brought up," he offered, his brows furrowing slightly.

"I appreciate it, but really, I want to handle it myself," she insisted, her determination clear.

Niklaus hesitated but finally relented with a reluctant nod. "Except the office laptop. I’ll arrange for that," he added, his voice firm.

Hermia opened her mouth to protest but saw the look in his eyes—this was non-negotiable.

She decided to let him win that one. "Alright, just the laptop," she agreed.

Satisfied, Niklaus returned to his desk, and Steffon shot her a curious glance before resuming his own duties.

Hermia felt a sense of accomplishment.

She had asserted herself, established her independence, and managed to soften her boss’s typically guarded exterior—all before her official workday had even begun.

She returned to her office, diving into her new responsibilities with enthusiasm.

She started by familiarizing herself with the files and documents on her desk, her eyes scanning the papers with focus.

She wanted to be prepared for anything, determined to prove herself as more than just a secretary—she would be indispensable.

Hermia sat at her desk, a blank notepad in front of her. Before diving into her work, she decided to jot down all the little things she needed for her office: a desk organizer, some colorful sticky notes, a wall clock, and maybe even a small potted plant to brighten the space.

The thought of personalizing her first office made her smile.

Once the list was complete, she turned her attention to the files on her desk.

They contained detailed information about the company’s manufacturing branches, employee records, and key operational data.

The sheer volume of information was overwhelming, but she tackled it methodically, making notes as she read.

By the time she looked up, it was already afternoon.

She spotted the untouched coffee Steffon had brought earlier and decided to give it a try. Lifting the cup to her lips, she took a sip, only to grimace as the cold liquid hit her tongue.

Hermia stood up, determined to get a fresh cup. She glanced over at Niklaus through the glass wall of her office. His eyes were already on her, his expression unreadable.

"Do you need anything?" she asked, her voice polite but casual.

He shook his head. "No, thank you," he said, his tone clipped but not unkind.

She nodded and left the office.

Niklaus watched her go, his curiosity piqued. She was intriguing—different from the people he usually dealt with.

But he had work to do, so he turned back to his desk, pushing the thought of her to the back of his mind.

>>>>>>>>>>>

Hermia bypassed the elevator entirely and took the stairs, her footsteps light and confident.

She was in excellent shape, thanks in part to her lifelong fear of elevators, which had made stair climbing her default choice.

As she walked, she hummed softly, her energy bright and carefree, her orange hair bouncing with each step.

The building’s cafeteria was buzzing with activity, but Hermia moved with purpose. She scanned the menu, her eyes landing on a unique option: a pink coffee. Intrigued, she ordered it.

The barista greeted her with a warm smile as Hermia approached the counter. "Good afternoon! What can I get for you today?"

Hermia returned the smile. "Hi! I’ll start with... the pink coffee. What’s in it?"

The barista perked up at her question, clearly proud of the offering. "Oh, that’s one of our specialties. It’s a rose latte with a hint of white chocolate, topped with pink foam and edible rose petals."

Hermia’s eyes lit up. "That sounds perfect! I’ll take one of those. And... I need four more coffees."

The barista handed her a latte swirled with soft pink foam, dusted with edible rose petals and a hint of white chocolate drizzle.

The sight made her smile—it was cheerful and indulgent, just the kind of thing to brighten her day.

The barista raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Four? Busy day, huh?"

Hermia chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You could say that. Alright, for the second one, I’ll need something rich and comforting. Maybe chocolate-based?"

The barista nodded, already moving toward the espresso machine. "How about our cinnamon mocha? It’s a hot chocolate coffee blend with a dash of cinnamon and whipped cream on top."

Hermia smiled, her thoughts drifting to Niklaus. "That’s exactly what I’m looking for. I think someone will really like that."

Despite Niklaus’ insistence that he didn’t need anything, she picked one she was sure he’d appreciate: a rich, velvety chocolate coffee with a hint of cinnamon and a touch of whipped cream. This will make him feel good, she thought with a small, mischievous smile.

The barista paused, leaning slightly forward with a knowing grin. "Someone special, huh?"

Hermia felt heat rise to her cheeks, and she quickly shook her head, though her smile didn’t falter. "Uh, not quite. Just... someone at work."

The barista laughed softly and nodded, clearly unconvinced but polite enough not to press further. "Right. Got it. What about the other three?"

The remaining three were more traditional choices: one black, one caramel macchiato, and one iced Americano, just in case someone else in the office wanted something later.

Hermia tapped her fingers lightly on the counter, considering. "Let’s keep it simple. One black coffee, one caramel macchiato, and an iced Americano."

The barista scribbled down the order before glancing up. "You’ve got a full tray there! Anything else?"

Hermia laughed, the sound light and genuine. "I think that’ll do it. Thanks for making this easy."

The barista grinned as they prepared her drinks. "Anytime! Coming right up. Oh, and good luck with whoever that cinnamon mocha’s for!"

Hermia shook her head, still smiling as she leaned against the counter to wait. "Thanks. I’ll need it."