Hiring Miss Linton

Chapter One

Lily hastily stuffed her toiletries in her luggage.

"Ella!" She called out. "I need help with my clothes. I don't know what to wear today."

Sue me, Lily thought. I wouldn't want to overdress.

In a hurry, Ella entered the room and searched in Lily's closet. But this didn't stop her from her excitement.

"Oh my gosh, Lily!" she squealed. "Isn't it amazing? You're going out of the country!"

Lily cursed under her breath. "It would have been more amazing if it weren't announced last minute."

"Oh please." Ella sighs while pulling out a pair of black pants and a white blouse. "You could at least look at the bright side of things."

"But I'm not you!" Lily said while wearing the clothes given to her. "But it seems like you're right. I have to look at the bright side at times."

"That's the spirit." Ella smiled at her sister as she straightened the hem of her blouse. "You're all set, sis."

Lily examined herself in the mirror before hugging Ella. "What would I do without you?"

"Go and enjoy Palawan, okay?"

"I will."

"And send some pictures too." Ella clasped her hands with pleading eyes. "I did some searching and it's really beautiful there."

"I will, Ella. Don't worry."

Glancing at her wrist watch, Lily almost fainted. It was 8:45 am already.

"I have to go now, Ella. Bye!"

"Bye!"

Dashing out of her room, Lily slung her backpack over her shoulder while dragging her suitcase behind her. As she reached for the knob of their front door, a stern voice called out.

"Where are you going?"

Lily turned around swiftly, wanting to get this over with as soon as possible.

"We talked about this last night, aunt Hesther." Lily sighs as sweat beaded on her forehead. She was running late!

"Have you told your Uncle Bufford?" she cocked her head to the side. "You know, he's the one in charge, right?"

Blast!

Lily dumped her bags beside their front door and scurried to her uncle's study.

"Enter." The grouchy voice said after a few not-so-light knocks.

Uncle Bufford was busy counting bills when one of his nieces entered. He squinted at the brown-haired girl in front of him.

Who was this again?

"Ah." He leaned on the backrest of his chair. "What brings you here, Gertrude?"

The girl scowled at him. "It's Lily, uncle."

"The loud-mouthed brunette?" Bufford raised an eyebrow.

"You think so highly of me."

Growing tired of the small talk, Uncle Bufford waved his hand dismissively. "What brings you here?"

"I am going out of the country, uncle."

"And you expect me to give you pocket money?"

"No." His niece said abruptly. "My boss will take care of that."

"Oh." His forehead relaxed at the statement. "A business trip then?"

"Yes uncle."

"Then what are you still doing here?" Bufford scoffed. "Off with you then."