All she did was offer him a glass of champagne. Florence noticed the soldier waiting patiently for a servant to pour him more champagne. His uniform, clean and well-kept, caught her eye. German. She noticed a bottle sitting on its own and she popped it open. He watched her approach him with the bottle. Her blonde hair and fair skin stood out to him. She poured the beverage into his glass and he could only look up at her.

She wasn't too sure what to say. He sat up straight and had a handsome face, despite his age. She wasn't sure how old he was exactly, but he was certainly up there. Florence only gave him a smile and returned to the party. She wasn't too formally dressed, considering she was only there to sell alcohol. She picked up her father's business after he died, and served alcohol at all these German parties. Her prices were incredibly low for such fine alcohol. It's no wonder she was hired every now and then.

A solider noticed her, and smiled. He had brown hair and blue eyes. He approached her and offered his hand. Flornece blushed a bit, but said, "I'm not a guest. I serve-"

"Guest or not, such a fair lady deserves a dance," the soldier replied, smiling.

She took his hand, and Hans noticed. He frowned and drank his champagne to try and ignore them. She danced quite well, he observed. Surely, he should be dancing with her. Her gown was very simple but her beauty made up for it. The guests laughed and conversed as Hans tried to eavesdrop. Anything to move his attention away from the girl.

He noticed the two of them stop dancing as the soldier kissed her hand. Hans gripped his glass tightly, and he stood up. Making his way through the crowd, he approached them and Florence greeted him with a look of surprise.

Hans held out his hand to her. "Dance with me."

Florence still held onto the other soldier's hand, and glanced at him. The young soldier stared at Hans, uncomfortable. "Herr Hans.."

The colonel shot the boy a look and the boy stepped back. Florence felt betrayed as the soldier walked away from them. She stared at Hans' hand, disgusted.

"Excuse me," she mumbled, trying to walk past him.

He grabbed her wrist, tightly and brought her towarfs him. "I want a dance."

Florence was shocked at his gesture, and tried to wriggle her wrist free. "Let go."

Hans put his hand on her waist and started dancing with her. To avoid any trouble, she went along with it. Everything about him looked perfect. His eyes, teeth, his hair, and his uniform. There couldn't have been a speck of dust on him. He leaned close to her face and took in her cheap perfume.

"You are not a guest here," he observed.

Florence didn't reply.

He smiled at her discomfort. "I'm Colonel Hans Landa. And your name, my dear?"

"I don't care who you are," Florence replied, sternly.

Hans yanked her close to his face as he sneered, "You should."

"If you don't stop touching me, I'll call the authorities."

She pulled from his grasp and made an attempt to walk away. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"I am the authority," he hissed into her ear.

Florence was terrified. He wasn't wrong. The German soldiers were such bullies to everyone, especially to people like her. French. If she resisted him, there's no telling what he could do. That was the thing with Germans. They got what they wanted from anyone.

He urged her to walk outside, onto the balcony. It wasn't cold, but she still felt an urge to shiver. Hans put his around her and led her, as if they were a couple. The colonel looked up at the night sky. They could hear the muffled sounds of the party. The faded music still played.

"You're not a guest. You must be a servant," Hans guessed.

"Alcohol. It's my family's business. I don't serve it myself, my workers do that."

She felt her heart stop when he sniffed her hair, deeply. Her hands trembled a bit as she tried not to notice what he had done.

"Please, I should return and make sure everyone is served," Florence pleaded, calmly.

"You have no more business. You work for me now," Hans replied, staring at the night sky.

She shook her head and tried to pull away. "Thank you, no. I cannot abandon-"

Hans gave her a big smile, making her realize he was beginning to grow impatient with her. His hand stroked her cheek and then her hair.

"You work for me. The pay will be generous, if you are generous with me," Hans explained.

Florence could only pray for an interruption. She didnt like him touching her at all. Her eyes were lowered as he continued speaking.

"We will travel together, and you will serve as a companion for me. Traveling with my men can be a bore and very dull."

She could only imagine what this man was like to travel with.

"I will shower you with wealth and as many luxuries as you like. I know a woman can never resist a beautiful, diamond necklace," Hans said as his hand touched her chest right below her neck.

Florence didn't even make a single facial expression. She just listened to him speak. His calm voice was so much more intimidating than a raised a voice.

"Now," he said, pressing his cheek against hers, "Tell me your name, darling."

She wanted to lie, but wasn't sure if he would notice. He was a Nazi soldier, after all. And with such a high ranking, he couldn't have gotten it from being an idiot.

"Ana," she fibbed.

Hans smiled at that. His hand cupped her cheek and he took in her beauty. "Lovely Ana. Our life together begins."

The cunning German kissed her hand so passionately. Each finger received a small peck. Florence glanced back at the party going on, and wished she had never joined this business.