By the time I reached home, the sun was long gone.  I could hear the chirping of crickets and the soft buzz of the summer air surrounding me. Not many people were out on the streets, just a few worn-out carriages rolling by every so often.

Hurriedly making my way over to my uncle's garden shed, I transformed myself from Mr. Linton, private secretary, and back into Lillian Linton, fiery feminist and ifrit extraordinaire.

I glanced over at the ladder leaning on the fence a few meters away from me. Should I sneak in through my bedroom window?

No... Ella would probably be in there. She would have too many questions, and Aunt Brank would wonder how the heck I got into the house. I suppose there was no other choice...

Walking up to the front door, I prayed that everyone was asleep by now. I carefully inspected the windows— most of the candles looked like they had been blown out.

Quietly taking the house key out of a hidden pocket in my dress, I inserted it into the lock.

I slowly pushed the door open, keeping eyes and ears alert. Peering through the crack, the living room looked dark, and all was quiet. Yes!

I breathed a sigh of relief, entering the house and closing the door behind me. Thank god! That was close!

Or so I thought.

"Where have you been, girl?" the ear-splitting hiss of Aunt Brank startled me. She lit a candle and revealed herself in the darkness, perched on the sofa with a scowl on her face. Crap!

"H-hello Aunt, is that a new dress? It looks very nice. You know, now that I think about it, you look very nice all of the ti—"

"Enough! I'm not falling for that!" she snapped, her eyes aglow with a vengeful fire, an angry scowl drawing harsh lines across her face. I clamped my mouth shut. She slowly got up, threateningly making her way towards me. I took one step back with every step that she took towards me.

Damn it, Lilly! Stand your ground!

She continued to advance towards me, jabbing her pointer finger at me accusingly. "I always knew you were trouble. I am sick of your constant disobedience! Who knows who has seen you wandering out this late at night? It's not proper for a young lady to go out unattended! People will talk, and I will be the one responsible for your reckless behavior! You are the most despicable, annoying, and loathsome girl I have ever had the displeasure of undertaking!" Her piercing voice made flinch. Although I really had to give it to her, she had a wondrous vocabulary.

"I forbid you to go out and meet your friends for the next two weeks! Tomorrow, I am scheduling an embroidery lesson, a dance lesson, a piano lesson, and then we shall all go for a walk in the park to attract potential suitors."

"But, Aunt—"

"Don't interrupt me, girl! If I catch you sneaking outside without my permission again, I'll make you go upstairs and have a little chat with your Uncle! That is final!" she hissed.

I tried very hard not to smirk at that "threat". Ever since I had asked for an allowance deduction, Uncle Bufford seems to have taken favor to me.

But poor Aunt Brank knew nothing of this development, giving me an advantage. Putting on my best fearful expression, I began to whimper.

"Oh please have mercy, Aunt! Anyone but Uncle Bufford! I beg of you," I cried, even bringing a little water into my eyes. I'm such a good actress!

She seemed pleased with herself at my fear. What a psycho!

She gave me a final whack on the hand with her fan for good measurement and turned around, marching off to her room, probably to get her 'beauty rest'.

************************

I went back up to my bedroom, only to discover a shocking sight.

My sweet little Ella, clinging onto one of my dresses and sobbing her heart out. Her hair was unbrushed, her eyes puffed and cheeks swollen with distress.

"Oh, Lil! My poor, poor Lil! Where are you?" she wept quietly into my dress. "She was so young! Why has she been taken from me? These dresses are all I have left of her! How can I ever move on with my life? Why, oh why—"

I cleared my throat awkwardly.

"Umm... hello," I waved at her from the doorway. Her head snapped towards the noise, eyes widening at the sight of me.

"Lilly! I've been so worried! Oh my goodness, I thought something happened to you!" she exclaimed, letting go of the dress and running up to hug the breath out of me, patting her hands all over me as if to make sure I wasn't a figment of her imagination. "I thought you had been kidnapped by rogues, or gotten lost downtown, or... or..." I could tell she was struggling not to burst into tears all over again.

"Can't... breathe." I managed, tapping her on the back.

"Oh! I'm so sorry," she said as she loosened her arms around me. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she pulled me towards the bed and we both sat down, facing each other.

"Where have you been, Lil? Aunt was so furious all day, I thought I could see smoke coming out of her ears! Were you with your... secret lover?" she whispered the last two words after glancing left and right.

"Umm... yes! Yes, that's exactly where I have been," I squirmed, cheeks reddening.

I cursed myself for coming up with that preposterous excuse long ago. Ella wouldn't seem to let go of the idea that every single day, I was going out to meet my so-called lover when it was fat from the truth. If anything, Mr. Ambrose was the complete opposite of a lover!

Oh, really now? Not even with the way he held your hands earlier today? Or in all of the previous times that he has kissed you?

I don't need this right now!

Before she could ask any more questions, and before I went mad from my inner voice, I quickly spoke up.

"Listen, Ella—I'm quite tired from today's endeavors, I'll tell you more about it tomorrow, alright?" I sent her a smile.

"Oh, of course! Sweet dreams, Lilly," she said, giving my hand a squeeze before heading over to her bed.

I laid down in my bed for a while, thinking of all of the events that had transpired today. Would Mr. Ambrose pretend like it never happened? He seemed genuinely confused on why I had decided to stay and take care of him, as if he had never experienced someone looking after him before. Has he? Maybe this is why he's so cold...

Before my thoughts could get and further, I yawned and turned over, snuggling closer into my blanket.

I tucked myself into bed and had dreams of a certain stone-cold miser.

*********************************************

Now, you're all probably thinking I obeyed my Aunt and stayed home for the embroidery, dance, and piano lessons, right?

Ha! There is no chance in hell that I was staying at home today, especially not with all of those lessons scheduled. I shudder just thinking of it. To hell with the consequences! I would have to deal with my Aunt's wrath later.

For now, I would much rather go to the Empire House and earn my paycheck! Are you sure about that? You're not going to make sure that Mr. Ambrose is not ill anymore?

I tried my best to ignore the voice inside my head. She sometimes said the craziest things. Shaking my head, I urged the driver of my carriage to go faster.

Unfortunately, I had woken up a bit later than expected today. I had to quickly climb down the ladder of my window in order to avoid Aunt Brank, and threw on my trousers and tailcoat before hailing a cab driver.

I was now bustling up the stairs of the Empire House, somehow managing to make it in time as the clock tower struck 7.

I asked Mr. Stone nonchalantly how Mr. Ambrose was doing today, and the timid old man revealed that our employer seemed like he was faring much better today. Mr. Stone had seemed to note that yesterday, Mr. Ambrose seemed a little unlike himself. He hadn't made any demands of the employees from the lower floors and didn't ask for his usual daily reports on the factories. Oh, Mr. Stone, you have no idea.

Bidding him farewell, I grabbed the stack of daily correspondence and went on my way.

I hastily made my way to my office, hoping Mr. Ambrose wouldn't notice my tardiness. I had almost made it to my desk, just passing the door to his office, but unfortunately I had been caught.

"Mr. Linton!" Damn!

I stepped backwards and popped my head through the door to his office, flashing him my trademark grin.

His appearance looked normal again, and he was looking as functional as ever. It looks like the medicine really worked.

"Yes, Mr. Ambrose, Sir? Feeling better today, it seems?" I asked cheerfully. He ignored me.

"You are two minutes and twenty-four seconds late. This shall be deducted from your wages. See to it you are not late again."

Yep. He's definitely back to normal alright.

"Anything else, Sir?" I raised my eyebrows. I wonder if he'll mention anything about last night?

"I have no idea what you are talking about, Mr. Linton. Now get back to work!"

Shaking my head at his stubbornness, I returned to my desk and sat down on my chair. I suppose I shouldn't have expected anything other than silence. I was just about to sort through today's letters, but a tiny slip of paper folded neatly on my desk caught my eye. What is this?

Picking up the paper and unfolding it, I immediately recognized the neat, simple handwriting of Mr. Rikkard Ambrose. Bringing the paper closer to my eyes, I read the message:

Mr. Linton,

Thank you.

Rikkard Ambrose

Not able to resist grinning, I stuffed the paper into my pocket and continued to fetch files back and forth the rest of the day.

Aaand that's it! Sorry if this chapter seemed a little rushed. I may have procrastinated the deadline just a tiny bit... haha.

Thanks for reading, friends!

-T