10. Pneumatic Tube Fight

Another day, another ten plus hours of work. Was the first thing I thought of when I woke up. Sitting up, I tried to remember what happened yesterday, and it all came back in a rush. No. No! Where have I been? What have I done?! I can't have... I touched my lips. They were warm. I bashed my head into my pillow before screaming bloody murder into it. How could I have done that! How could I have let him do that?! How could I let myself down like this??? I was enraged with my actions and also with his. Why? Why did I do it? How? What was the reason!? I sat up quickly and felt a bit dizzy. I can't go. I can't go and see him. I can't go! I refuse to! No! Argh! I punched my pillow but left the house anyway. I'll be needing this job, if I want to be the first female in all of London to have one.

I dashed into the shed and found my Uncle's clothes where I had left them. Still she doesn't know... I thought, looking back towards the house. Turning away, I changed into the clothes and then put away my dress, hiding it away from view. I knew that no one visited or used this shed at all, but either way...

I walked out of the shed, across the garden and then out onto the street. Alright... So once I enter.. I lock both doors and don't answer to him. The only thing I'll have to do is give him whatever files he needs and that's it. I can do that. That'll be easy. I doubt he'll care much either. I just have to keep it simple and not excessively ridiculous. Squaring my shoulders, I soon reached the Empire House. I entered the building and nodded once to Mr. Pearson, who returned the nod. I walked up the stairs, repeating the plan constantly in my head. Don't answer to him... Be curt... He doesn't deserve much of anything from me, other than my secretarialness. Lock the doors, both of them. I finally reached the top floor and greeted Mr. Stone. He handed me the day's mail and I took them without comment, other than a smile. I entered my office and shut the door, pulling out my keys and locking it. I walked over to the door leading to his office and locked that too. Smiling satisfied, I started sorting through the mail given.

Plink!

I looked up and grabbed the message.

Mr. Linton,

Bring me file 39SV675

Rikkard Ambrose.

Alright. Time to start fetching files. I walked over to the shelves, taking out the proper box, grabbing the correct file and then walking over to his door, shoving it underneath. There was a pause before I heard the scraping of a chair and footsteps. I immersed myself in sorting his mail once more. There were multiple charity envelopes, two invitations, five business mail, and one bright pink letter. I pushed the business mail under the door before returning to the other mail. I threw away the charity mail and invitations but stared at the pink letter in my hand.

Why was this woman so persistent, sending letters everyday? Who is she to Mr. Ambrose? Wait why do I care about his life? I don't want to know! I opened the drawer holding the other pink letters, tossing the newest one into it and then slamming it shut.

Plink!

I opened the message.

Mr. Linton

Bring me file 39SV778

Rikkard Ambrose

* * *

I continued walking back and forth, from the shelves to the door. I did not pause with my pace, nor did I answer to any of his tiny paper rolls. He never asked me anything until the very end, when the day was over.

Mr. Linton

Is there a reason as to why the door is shut?

Rikkard Ambrose

Sighing, I opened the drawer containing the bowl of metal cylinders and small pieces of paper. Grabbing my fountain pen, I replied:

Mr. Ambrose

No sir, there is not.

Sincerely,

I paused. Do I keep my original signature or sign it as Mr. Linton? I remembered something though. Something from last night. He'd called you Miss Linton. Not Mr. Linton. Miss Linton.

I was used to my old signature. Changing it would mean that it'd take a long while to get used to, and I didn't really want to do that. So I kept it as it was.

Sincerely,

Miss Lilly Linton.

I sent the message and waited for his reply, which was not long in coming.

Mr. Linton

Really? It seems like you have something bothering you.

Rikkard Ambrose

A bit irritated, I wrote a quick, curt reply.

Mr. Ambrose

There is nothing bothering me sir. I am perfectly fine. My problems should not concern you.

Miss Lilly Linton.

I sent that one and hoped that he was going to dismiss me. I just wanted to get home, even though that was no longer a likeable place anymore.

Plink! I grabbed the newest message, hoping that he'd let the topic go and dismissed me. But I was wrong.

Mr. Linton

There obviously is something wrong. Twice have you not written 'Dear Mr. Ambrose', twice have you written your answers in a curt manner and twice have you also not written 'Sincerely yours', or otherwise. I order you to tell me the matter. Now.

Rikkard Ambrose.

He what?! Becoming angry, I wrote another reply.

Mr. Ambrose

You shouldn't order me to tell you my problems! I may be in your employ, but that does not mean that you are to delve into my personal life! Just let it go!

Miss Lilly Linton.

P.S. What does it matter that I'm not writing as I usually do? Maybe I'm going for a change! Is there honestly anything wrong with that??

I put the paper roll into the cylinder and then harshly pulled the lever to send it. I sat back down and twiddled my thumbs, impatient to get home.

Plink!

The message read:

Mr. Linton

I refuse to waste money on installing another pneumatic tube so refrain from pulling the lever harshly. The only reason as to why I ask if there's a problem is because you are not acting as you normally do. Something is off, and I want to know what it is, so I can be certain for it to never happen again.

Rikkard Ambrose

I closed my eyes in utter irritation and breathed in and out before responding.

Dear Mr. Ambrose

The only problem I have as of now is absolutely nothing. I assure you that there is nothing wrong. Now if you would please let me go home, that would be lovely.

Sincerely, your one and only secretary

Miss Lilly Linton. 

Smirking, and knowing that it'd stump him, I sent the message; this time gingerly and cautiously pulling down the lever. I stood up and started to pack up everything... Which was basically nothing. His reply was not long in coming.

Mr. Linton

Suit yourself. 

And I already know that you are my one and only secretary, there are no others, no matter how much I'd like another one.

Rikkard Ambrose.

My mouth fell open upon reading the message. I grabbed my fountain pen and wrote a reply.

Dear Mr. Ambrose

There's that, and I too already know that you my one and only employer, no matter how much I'd like a different, nicer one.

Sincerely yours,

Miss Lilly Linton

P.S. Will I ever be allowed to go home!?

I sent it, now becoming impatient with it all. I just wanted to go home, for god's sake! Why was he refraining!?

Plink!

Mr. Linton

Fine. Dismissed.

Rikkard Ambrose.

 I let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you sir!" I called out and unlocked the door leading outside, escaping from the clutches of Mr. Rikkard Ambrose.

____________________________________________________________________________________

YAY ANOTHER CHAPTER DONE!!!!!! 1300 WORDS TOO! (not including these lol)

I'll see what'll happen in the next chapter... Maybe a ball? Or something else? I dunno, what do you guys think? I'll be needing help! If you have any ideas, send me a message ON HERE. no not on my profile. PRIVATE message!

Thanks!

See you later!