My Dear Amelia | Enzo St. John

Three

 Amelia found it difficult to concentrate on work all the next day, which got her scoldings from the housekeeper more than once. The fact she ran into young Mr. March twice that day didn't help any. She just kept thinking about Enzo. She didn't know why; she had only met him twice and barely knew him.

 Something had changed in her, she knew. She felt the need to do something dangerous, something reckless; that was why she had gone to the club in the first place after learning about its existence. But going out to meet with a man with barely knew, at night, alone? Now, that was definitely a choice she should be giving some extra thought. But she didn't take the time to give it extra thought. She wanted to go, and that was that.

~~~~~~

 Enzo walked through the streets, looking for anything and everything interesting to keep his mind occupied. There was something about that woman, that Amelia. Perhaps she was the interesting thing he had been waiting for. She was alone, no family. Just like him. 

 On the walk, he passed a large, rather splendid-looking house. Wealthy family, no doubt. He happened to glance up, and saw, in one of the windows, Amelia Black. His Ms. Black.

 It was definitely her, no doubt. She was cleaning the window with a cloth, and obviously didn't see him standing down below. He had no idea how he could get her attention.

 Thankfully, she happened to look down, and saw him standing there. He waved up to her and gave her a wink. She was obviously surprised to see him, but gave him a little wave in return before going back to her work.

 Enzo smiled to himself as he continued his walk and made sure to take note of what street she lived on.

~~~~~~

 Amelia was able to sneak out without that evening anyone noticing her leave. After the day she had had, she was more than happy to get out of that house.

 And Enzo. Enzo had been on the street below. He knew now where she lived. Where did he live, she wondered now. Was it somewhere nice? 

 She walked in the direction of the club, a walk which seemed so familiar to her now, even though it was only her third time walking that way. She could see Enzo standing on the corner as she approached.

 "Ah, there you are," he said with a smile. "I was wondering if you were going to come at all. But I had a strong feeling you would." He offered her his arm. "Shall we? So, I saw you today."

 "I know. I saw you, too. I waved."

 "I know. So, you live in that big, fancy house?"
 
 Amelia scoffed. "I only get to live there because I work there. There are the servants' quarters. Where do you live?"

 "At the moment, a hotel room. A nice enough one, but I'm alone there. The loneliness, it's...something I have trouble handling."

 "You don't have a family, either?"

 Enzo shook his head. "Never really knew them. I suppose you don't have yours."

 "No. Died when influenza came around six years ago. The March family isn't so terrible, but I don't like them. I have meant to find another job, but I can't seem to."

 "I could always help you with that."

 "Do you know someone who would hire me?" Amelia asked.

 "No, but I can always help you look. I can be...persuasive. Very persuasive. Tell me, Ms. Black, what sort of job would you like?"

 She shrugged. "I don't know. Just something I would like doing. And that's certainly not cleaning windows."

 Enzo laughed at that. "Oh, you are quite the woman, Ms. Black."

 "Am I? I always thought I was rather dull."

 "Perhaps to some people, but I don't think so." 

 She shrugged again. "If you say so. So, then, tell me about the mysterious Enzo."

 "Me? Oh, there's not much to tell. Orphaned pretty young, fought my way through life. I've been abandoned more than once."

 "Well, that's terrible," she said. "One could never tell from your attitude."

 Now it was his turn to shrug. "Perhaps not. I got into the country at a good time; immigration these days is so horribly strict." He paused. "Ms. Black? If I may ask, are you purposefully doing reckless things because you are still grieving?"

 Amelia abruptly stopped walking.

 "What do you mean by that question?" she asked sharply.

 "It's painfully obvious what you're doing, Ms. Black. You are grieving. You have no family and no real friends. You feel the need to do something dangerous and wrong because you want to see how far you can go. That in itself is dangerous."

 She stared at him a moment before saying coldly, "I think I should go home. Good night, Enzo."

 "Wait, Ms. Black-" He started to follow her as she walked off, but realized it was useless.

 Prefect. Well done, Enzo, he scolded himself silently. You couldn't keep your mouth shut this once, could you?

 She certainly wouldn't want to see him again now. If he wanted to talk to her, it seemed he would have to do some apologizing.