After the Storm

19. Family reunion

It is around 1am here, so I am technically updating on Saturday, not Friday oops XD.

ANYWAY... HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR EVERYONE! I'm excited for all my 红包 (red packets) and the food. I had reunion dinner on Friday night (gonna take it as Saturday now haha) and I ate so much that I'm bursting hahahaha.

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"You'd think that the train ride would be the end of this torture, but nooooo! We have to take this pathetic chaise that looks like it's falling apart! And all I've eaten is two measly slices of bread for the whole day! Worse of all, you still persist in keeping your bloody mouth glued shut and not give me any useful information that could aid in this stupid quest! How am I supposed to help you when I'm clueless? Tell me, don't I deserve to be angry?"

Finally, he snapped. After hearing me rant into his ear for an hour in the carriage, Mr Ambrose finally responded.

"Would you rather return to London?" He asked coldly.

"Yes! Anything will be better than this!"

"Fine." He knocked the end of his cane savagely on the roof of the chaise, almost destroying the thin cover. It slowed to a stop. Without sparing me a glance, he said, "Get out."

"Excuse me?"

"I said: Get out."

I gaped at him.

He turned sharply to grant me a stare that could induce frost-bite. "You wanted to leave, didn't you? I'm giving you what you want, Mr Linton. Leave, or so help me, I will kick you out on my own accord."

"You're seriously letting me go?" I couldn't believe my ears. Never in a million years did I expect him to cave into my demand. I should have felt glad, but instead, I was annoyed. Did he want me to go that badly? Maybe I had pushed him a tad too far.

I took a step out of the tiny carriage. "Wait. But how do I return home? I have no train ticket!"

"That is your own problem, Mr Linton."

"So you're letting me go just like that?"

"Of course. After all, you're a pesky, whiney female that is hindering my journey." He spat venomously.

I gasped. He did not just bring my sex into the equation! "What did you just call me?" I spoke slowly, poison dripping from every syllable. I had believed that we were over my gender and the prejudice tied to it, however I was wrong.

"You heard me the first time."

"You know what?" I withdrew my leg back into the chaise. "Blast you I'm staying!"

"Indeed?"

"Yes! And I'll irritate you all the way through!"

"Interesting, Mr Linton."

"What are you waiting for?" I barked at the coachman. "Get a move on!"

"Mr Linton."

"What?" I looked at Mr Ambrose who was staring stonily in front.

"Women are fickle and talkative creatures."

"No they are not!" I protested hotly. "That is just a misinformed stereotype."

"Indeed? Then how about you prove it?"

Darn! He had trapped me. I knew I fit the role of 'talkative' very well. 'Fickle', not so much.

"Fine." I pouted and slouched back into my seat. "I won't talk at all, you'll see!"

"Fantastic."