Of Stormy Seas and Deafening Silences

The Shadowed Alley pt. 2

Mr. Ambrose's POV:

When I entered my office, Miss Linton was still sitting in the visitor's chair. Her arms were around her legs and her chin was resting upon her knees as she shivered. I had to clamp down the urge to wrap my arms around her and comfort her. I walked over to her quickly before putting down her mug in on my desk in front of her. I then opened the second bag to find some chocolates, which I set down next to the beverage.

"Thank you."

The raw, quiet voice caught me by surprise and made me whirl around to face Miss Linton. I quickly covered any traces of shock on face before giving a sharp nod to acknowledge her words.

"You're welcome."

I immediately berated myself for the short statement. Why was I doing this? Giving away something for nothing? Was I going mad? I could only be thankful that Mis Linton was too deep in her thoughts to notice my small slip-up, although, this woman didn't need a cold and hard employer. She needed compassion. Compassion that the man would have given her. Compassion that I needed to give her if I ever wanted her to be mine.

"How- I cleared my throat -How do you feel?"

She shrugged absentmindedly.

I tried again. "Do you want something else?"

She shrugged again. My patience, which was severely limited, was running out fast.

"Are you alright?"

She shrugged a third time. Was she even listening to me?

"Mister Linton! Do not ignore me!"

She slowly turned her head towards me. "I wasn't ignoring you."

"Answer my questions then!"

"Trust me, you don't want to hear the answers."

"I never trust, but I always verify." I said, hoping to elicit a reaction from her.

"Fine.- she stood up, her usually warm gaze cold as ice. -I feel scared, angry, and disgusting, sir. I'm terrified that this will happen again. I'm furious that it can happen to anyone. Any poor girl could be dragged to a side alley and taken advantage of, and my skin feels like it's crawling with ants from his touch. I want to scrub my lips until his kiss is gone from them, my face until his hands have left, and I want to burn my dress to remove his touch from it, but I can't. I know that I will feel lips and grubby hands until the day I die, and burning the dress will do nothing but make my aunt ask questions and hit me with a carpet beater until I answer them and then kick me out of the house to avoid my misfortune affecting her precious reputation. After all, who could social-climb when their niece has almost been- been violated?" she hiccoughed.

"Miss Linton I-"

She continued without letting me finish. "Do I want anything else? Yes! I want this to have never happened! I want that man to die! I want to love someone and kiss them until the man who- who tried to- until that man's kisses have completely vanished, but I also don't want to be within five feet of a man ever again!"

"Lillian, I'm s-"

"And am I alright? No!" she was sobbing now. "Would you be alright if you had almost been- been raped? What am I saying, of course you would! Mister cool-hard-emotionless Ambrose can survive anything. You don't give a damn about anyone but yourself! I don't even know why you helped me . Oh wait, I do! You want something in return, don't you? You want money, don't you, sir? Money and my resignation, hm? Well here, you can have it!" From within the folds of her dress, she pulled out some money, which she started throwing at me. I watched helplessly as the money bounced off my chest. For the first time in my life, I didn't try to get it, but let it fall to the floor instead. "Oh, and my resignation, I QUIT! Are you happy now?"

"No..." I whispered.

"No?" the hysterical woman repeated. "Why not? You got what you always wanted! I quit! That's what you wanted all along, isn't it?"

I could not listen to her tirade any longer. Instead, I strode over to her, brought her close to me, bent down, and promptly crashed my lips to hers. It dimly registered in my mind that, after her experience, this might not be a good idea, but I didn't care. Instead, I moved my lips against hers as she struggled to escape my grasp until she went limp and started kissing me back. After a short while, I parted our lips. "Of course I'm not happy. You went through something that you never should have had to, and I'm sorry for that. I helped you because I could never let a woman be taken against her will." Suddenly realising what I had done, I straightened and backed away. "My apologies. That was a mistake, you have a suitor who you are enamoured with."

"No, I don't." she replied, confused. "I don't currently have any suitors."

"Yes you do! The man from earlier, who was there when I saved you!"

"Xander? He's not my suitor! He's just my friend!"

"Why do you call him mon amour then?"

"Because it's a running joke we have! Besides, I like pet names."

"Why don't I have a pet name then?" I asked. I immediately wanted to slap myself.

"Oh my goodness!" she said, squinting up at me. "Are you- are you jealous?"

"No." I replied, my eyes shifting to the side.

"Oh my God, you are!"

"Stop it. I do not get jealous!"

"Yes you do."

"No I don't."

"Yes you do."

"No I don't."

"No you don't"

"Yes I do." I said without thinking. She smirked at my mistake. "I agree."

"Oh you little ifrit!" I growled, gathering her in my arms once again.

After a little more time in my office, I brought her home. She hugged me one last time, making me stiffen, before turning back towards her door. Just as she was about to open it, I called her name.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Don't be late tomorrow."

She gave a small laugh and nodded.

"See you tomorrow, sir." She said.

"See you tomorrow, Mr. Linton."

Welp, that's it. It's not a good chapter in my opinion, I just felt like I had to finish it. Sorry about that. Anyway, I hope that you enjoyed.