Some traits are blood bound. They pass on from father to son or from mother to daughter. Not only the great features but also the bad have their way to show eventually. And so Dhalia's daughter witnessed for the first time the effects a powerful man can have over a woman. And she did not like it.

+ + + + 

Nellie woke up with a massive headache. The events of the day prior burned on her retina. Whenever she closed her eyes she saw Veronica Lodge, the dark haired beauty in innocent white, her hands delicately folded together in front of her. That haunted image was often replaced by the memory of Dhalia's coffin being lowered into the ground. And somewhere in the back of her mind, a tall Serpent with brooding eyes loomed over the scenery, somehow bringing her frantic heart to rest.

Barely registering her movements, she woke up. The sun was already shining bright in the small trailer room. Nellie had no idea of the time. Her eyes fell onto the phone on the floor. 

With a sigh she picked it up and unlocked it. Another message of Poppy graced her screen. However, she ignored it. The clock on the display caught Nellie's attention. 

9.15 a.m. 

Suddenly wide awake, she quickly picked up her Five Seasons uniform and flats. Scurrying in the bathroom, she quickly brushed her teeth and combed through her short black hair with her fingers. Somewhat presentable, she hurried out of the trailer and onto the road. 

Once she was seated in the bus, she let her mind run free again. It irked her immensely she had noticed Sweet Pea's absence this morning. She had just acknowledged his empty, unmade bed, his motorcycle missing in front of the trailer. He would be at school by now. It was Monday after all. For some reason, it annoyed her that she started paying attention to the gang member's whereabouts.

As the Five Seasons came into view, nerves replaced the numb feeling that had dawned over Nellie as she had gotten ready. If she lost her job at the Five Seasons, she would be back at the bottom with no sights to leave Riverdale and Hiram Lodge behind. 

Standing in front of the tall building, Nellie once more let her eyes roam the luxurious facade. Somewhere inside, a fuming Mr. Harrington would wait to hear her explanation. Why did she leave her shift way too early? On her way she had thought of all the possible excuses. She sure would find one. It was only a matter if Mr. Harrington bought it.

Deciding against her instinct to run, Nellie headed to the side of the building towards the employee's entrance. Once inside, she discarded the oversized blue sweater she had borrowed from Sweet Pea's brother. She quickly ran through the schedule of the day. Her name was still on it. She wasn't fired. Yet. 

In the cramped staff corridors, Nellie encountered some of the other maids who threw her hateful glares. Perhaps they had to take over her chores once they noticed her absence. Feeling no need to defend herself, she followed her usual routine, her eyes strained to her feet, ignoring the other girls.

When she was ready with the first room, she headed to the next. But unlike the sign on the door said, the room wasn't vacated. Standing in front of one of the large windows with his hands crossed on his back, was Mr. Harrington. 

"Miss Hearst," he acknowledged her without turning around. Nellie immediately felt a lump form in her throat. Slowly, her boss turned around. She couldn't see any emotion in his pale green eyes as he merely observed her.

"Your uniform is wrinkled," Mr. Harrington stated, throwing one disgusted look at her outfit. She didn't miss the way his big nose scrunched. 

Nellie followed his gaze to the creases in her skirt. 

"I am aware, Sir," she replied but no sooner had she spoken or Mr. Harrington stood closer. He had never looked so intimidating before than when he towered in front of her. No emotions displayed on his features, his exterior was calm and collected. As usual, his suit was impeccable. 

"Where were you yesterday, Miss Hearst?" he asked, not dwelling on small talk. 

"I was sick, Sir," Nellie answered perfectly on time. Lying was becoming easy to her, she thought, as Mr. Harrington rose an eyebrow. For a second she feared he would see right through her.

"Next time, let me know if you vacate your spot, Miss Hearst. Mr. Kowalski wasn't pleased to find his room in its current state. Once you finish here, you better hurry to meet his demands,"

Before Mr. Harrington left the room, he turned around and faced his latest addition to the hotel "The Five Seasons does not disappoint its guests, Miss Hearst. Do not forget your duties to this establishment," 

+ + + + + + 

Nellie absentmindedly entered Mr. Kowalski's suite. As soon as she flicked on the lights, however, she remained frozen in place. The once neat and tidy room was now covered in empty liquor bottles, none of them coming from the minibar. Clothes were strewn across the dark wooden floor. 

The scent of alcohol rose as she sought her way between the empty bottle and piles of dirty clothing. She pulled the curtains open and looked back at the battle zone. In the bright daylight it looked even worse. 

Cursing under her breath, Nellie started picking up the pieces of clothing. It didn't even surprise her when she found feminine lingerie hidden between the wrinkled shirts and pastel colored ties. She crouched over the floor to clean the spilled alcohol that had seeped into the wood, staining it unavoidably. 

Lifting up another bottle of whisky, her gaze lingered on the papers that were drenched by the amber drink. Her heart stopped a beat when she saw the watermark that graced the invitation. 

Lodge Industries. 

Picking up the paper, her eyes scanned over the text. She cursed under her breath as she had to squint her eyes to form the letters that blurred on the paper. As if it wasn't hard enough for Nellie to read a normal text, she scoffed. She flattened the text on the surface of the coffee table, unaware her knee was sitting in the sticky spot of liquor on the floor. 

Once she made out the text, she dared to breath again. It had been an invitation for a poker night hosted in Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe. She recalled the name from her first night in Riverdale. It was where she had met F.P. 

Her finger traced the short and pressured signature of her father. Hiram Lodge. 

"At last room service came through," a dark voice suddenly called out. Nellie's head immediately snapped to the side to face the intruder as she stood up. 

"Lenny Kowalski," he introduced himself, strutting inside the room, his hands tucked inside his pockets. 

The man was short and plump, almost looking innocent. His glare shot to Nellie from underneath thick, almost white eyebrows. When she met his eyes, her first image of the man immediately changed. His eyes were cold and calculating. No hint of amusement or entertainment. Instead, the darkness resembled a cold vacuum of emotions.

"Mr. Kowalski," Nellie replied.

Mr. Kowalski's gaze went over the room that was only partly finished. "I have to admit I was disappointed when I returned to my room yesterday evening," the man said, kicking a remaining pair of shoes to the side.

"I was promised an excellent service, you see," He said, now looking back at Nellie. His dark gaze lingered over her bare legs, from where a droplet of whisky slowly made its way to the ground. A smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth but never met his eyes. 

Nellie stood frozen in place as Mr. Kowalski came closer. The smell of his heavy aftershave preceded his presence. He lifted his hand to tuck a stray strand of hair over Nellie's ear. She shivered when his cold fingertips grazed her skin. 

"I am certain it won't happen again," he said, his voice a few tones softer.

"It won't, Mr. Kowalski," Nellie said, taking a step back, out of Mr. Kowalski's reach. 

A chuckle escaped the man. "Good, perhaps I am tempted to stay a little longer then." 

As if he hadn't just ignored Nellie's personal space, the man returned to the door.

"I hope I encounter you once more, Miss...?" he asked, his hand on the doorframe.

Nellie swallowed. "Hearst." she replied shortly.

"Miss Hearst," Lenny Kowalski replied, a knowing smile on his face. 

When the mand had left, Nellie noticed her hands shaking. She clenched them into fists and gritted her teeth. She wouldn't let herself be played with. 

Her hands roughly found the last bottles and threw them away. She quickened her work and cleaned the room and bathroom all the while feeling Lenny Kowalski's touch burn where his fingertips had grazed her neck. 

She would make sure she did not encounter the man the next time.