Chapter Text
I can't believe it! I, Lilly Linton, proud suffragette, have finally been able to get the right to vote!! And guess what? I am leading a group of women riding on bicycles, with my mouth full of solid chocolate... which has already melted... and suddenly someone pops out of the crowd and I am forced to stop my bicycle. Wait, what? Mr. Ambrose…?!
Look, Lilly, he's grinning at you…!
What in the name of solid chocolate was he trying to do—get under my bicycle to get reduced to a messy pulp...? And why in the world is he trying to flaunt his perfect and sparkling teeth like a proper lunatic!?
So, you do admit you like his teeth… Whoops, my bad. You actually like him! Admit it, Lilly!
Shut up! And seriously? You think that I would like that cold, granite-faced miser of a man? Over my cold, dead body!
Well, he is nice to you at times, isn't he?
Erm, yes, but it’s not at all times, okay? What I actually mea— why was the world shaking? I was so busy arguing with myself that I didn't realise when that blasted employer of mine had picked me off my bicycle and was carrying me all the way to Empire House.
"What are you doing? Leave me! Let me go, you blasted chauvinistic son of a bachelor!"
He immediately let go of me once we were inside Empire House.
"I apologize, Miss Linton. Please be kind enough to forgive me for my behaviour and rest assured that it won't happen ever again."
As his words registered in my mind, my jaw dropped and probably dug a hole in the ground. Why all of a sudden was he acting so... gentlemanly…? Totally unlike him! Well, you like him when especially when he is ungentlemanly, isn't it, Lilly? Of course not!
"Lillian!" I scowled at the sound of my oh-so-sweet Aunt 'Bear'ank. What the hell!? What was Aunt Brank doing here in Empire House?
Ugh! I woke up! So that was all a dream, huh? Figures. But oh, how nice it was! Really, Mr. Ambrose was so sweet! Go away! Except for Mr. Ambrose, everything was just wonderful in my dream. Surely, I don't like this sugar-coated Mr. Ambrose.
"Open the door, Lillian! It's already 8:30! How long do you want to laze around?"
Oh God help me! I am already half an hour late now! I quickly raced through my chores and slipped out of my shed as Mr. Linton.
I started running. On the way, I suddenly stopped. My mind drifted away to the thoughts of a certain cold-faced miser. So, you don't like him, right? No, I DO! What!? You actually admitted that? Oh great! Wh— that just slipped out. I didn't mean it!
I pondered over what my conscience told me. Do I really... h-harbour feelings for Mr. A-Ambrose…? Yeah, you do! Go tell it to that cold chauvinistic son of a bachelor before he asks out that Miss Hamilton! The mention of her name angered me, but I was filled with a new kind of energy when I finally decided that I would tell Mr. Ambrose how I feel about him. Yes!
Now, Lilly, hasn’t it been a long time since we stood here doing nothing but waste time? Run, Lilly, run!
I ran as fast as I could to the Empire House and up the stairs. Sallow-face looked surprised at my excited and happy state today. Well, if you only knew!
I reached my destination floor and greeted Mr. Stone loudly. Much, much louder than usual. He handed me the day's mail ,and I hopped my way inside my office.
5...4…3…2…1…
Plink!
And that was what I was waiting for! I quickly opened it and found exactly what I had been hoping was written.
Mr. Linton
My office, NOW!
Rikkard Ambrose
I squealed like a stuck pig and turned the knob of the connecting door. Click! I entered inside and the cold air of inside leeched away all of the happiness and confidence that I had.
"Mr. Linton!"