Chapter 19
I just can't stop myself from smiling ear to ear because I just received my first ever salary.
To be honest, I thought I won't be receiving any salary anymore since I was the one who broke the "worth more than your life" vase.
But heck, I was totally pumped up and shocked when Martha told me to approach Miss Dolores for my salary.
Despite our little quarrel, Miss Dolores still managed to forget it and smile at me genuinely and said, "Spend it wisely, hunny," which I returned with a broad smile.
Right after I got my salary, I asked for Mister Douglas Bennett's permission if I can go to the town's market today. Mister Douglas then gave me a wide smile and said, "Clementine, my child, no need for you to ask permission, you can go to the town's market whenever you want,"
"Now, off you go and have fun," added he, looking up from his book.
Instantly, I went towards Judy's room to ask her to come with me to buy something in the market but was sad to ascertained Judy and her husband, Jacob went for a morning walk.
Well, I hope they're not snugging because it seems like all they do all day is to snug.
Shrugging, I went to the maids' chamber, changed my maid uniform to black since Victorian pollution is just too much. To cover my nose with, I pulled the handkerchief Augustus gave me from the cabinet.
Before leaving the manor, of course, I approached Martha in the garden, "Martha, I'll just go to the town's market to spend my cha-ching," I uttered, followed by a loud laugh.
Martha then shook her head, laughing. "Well, off you go then, my dear. Be careful, the town's market is full of pickpockets,"
I replied her with a broad smile then bid her a goodbye kiss in the cheek.
As soon as I reached the town's market, I was greeted by an overwhelming pollution. Whew.
For that, I cannot help myself from coughing and quickly covering my nose and my mouth with the handkerchief Augustus gave me.
Well, I just hope this green handkerchief won't turned into black.
I slowly walked around the town's market, careful with my steps for the ground is somehow full of mud and candy wrappers.
The town market as usual is full of vendors who kept approaching me. Offering me a bunch of fake jewelries, different colors of handkerchief, sewing kits and many more.
That made me realized that I don't have any idea what I'll be buying with my money.
Somehow, that made me want to laugh hard for I only have one pound with me since it's my whole salary and here I am, acting as if I can buy anything in the world.
Well, you must be wondering, "Are you out of your mind, Clementine? You only have one pound in your pocket yet you have the guts to go to the town's market to buy something? Good luck with that, my so-called-Victorian lady,"
Relax, I heard a pound is considered quiet a large fortune back then. That's what I remember from my classes with Miss Dolores back then. Oh, how I wish I listened to her more intently.
I once again let my eyes wander around the town's market, looking for something to buy and that's when I saw a small boutique in the corner.
Mesmerized by the beautiful ballgowns and parasols displayed in the front, I hurriedly went inside the boutique even though I know I can't afford anything worth like these.
As soon as I stepped inside, I cannot help myself from gasping for indeed, the ballgowns are truly beautiful. You can see every kinds of gowns here, every color as well.
Can I please live here? Well, to be honest, aside from books, I am quiet addicted to fashion. I mean it.
The boutique's gowns are classified by its color. With that, I quickly made my way towards the pink's section since it's my favorite color.
I let my fingertips brushed the pink gowns, wishing I can have them all when suddenly, something caught my attention.
Hanging over the wall is a jaw-dropping and worth getting-in-the-jail-just-to-have-it kind of pink gown. The short-sleeves of it are in the color of gold while the rest are in pale pink. Also, there's a golden embroidery in the rest of the gown.
The saleslady must've noticed how much I drooled over the gown for she approached me and cleared her throat.
"Ma'am, do you want to try it?" asked the lady, smiling broadly. Shocked that she didn't noticed I can't afford the gown judging by my poor state of clothes.
Of course, I love dressing-up, that's why I absolutely agreed to give the gown a try.
Right after the saleslady handed the gown to me, I changed right away with her helping me to fit into it.
I didn't bother on going to the corner with red curtains hanging over it to change since there are only three of us here in the boutique.
The very accommodating saleslady, the drowsy cashier, and I who is very much elated to wear this beauty.
after a few minutes of helping me fit into the gown, I went to look at myself in the humungous mirror.
Wow, just wow. Is this me?
I mean, I don't want to say way too narcissist but I swear, you guys, I am so in love with myself because of this gown. It fits me like a glove.
When I turned to look at the saleslady, she just smiled at me broadly and said, "You look stunning, ma'am. It suits you, you should totally avail it,"
Uhm, thank you, sweetie but I hope you're not saying that just so you can earn.
I bit my lips as I look at the gown, wishing my one pound is enough to own this gown even though it's totally impossible.
Heck, I bet this gown cost a fortune. Well, broke as *peep*, indeed.
I let my fingertips brushed the side of the gown before looking at the saleslady and asked, "Uhm, may I know how much is this gown worth?"
"That gown cost 50 pence, ma'am," the saleslady answered.
As soon as she said the price, my eyes immediately widened for I can't believe this gown cost half a pound.
You mean, I can buy this gown and still have money? Wow, just wow. This must be a dream.
Look, I know the money equivalent back then was totally different and low but I seriously didn't think it'll be this low.
Can I please live here forever and ever? I don't mind being a housemaid as long as I get all the stunning Victorian gowns.
Goodness gracious, thank you for this grace. Hallelujah!
"A-are you serious with the price?" I asked, still can't believe at its low price.
Half-thinking the saleslady got it wring but no, she shook her head and said, "Yes, ma'am, sorry if it's a bit expensive but I promise, the gown is in good-quality. The fabric used is straight out from India,"
You've got to be kidding me, you mean, 50pence back then is considered high? Wow, just wow.
I surely need to listen to Miss Dolores' economics class. Stupid me. Sleepy me. Hungry me.
Due to how elated I am, I literally jumped and accidentally hollered, "Are you kidding? I'll buy this gem," which made the sleeping cashier in the side wake up. Oops. Stupid me, indeed.
The saleslady gave me another broad smile as she began to help me take off the gown to put it in a box and to punch it.
In the corner of my eyes, I saw the cashier looking at me really annoyed because I just disturbed her from her sweet dreams. Oops.
With a huge box with me, I once again let my eyes wander around the town's market.
Oh, shoot, since I have nothing else to buy and still have 50 pence with me, I'll buy gifts to Martha, Miss Dolores, Judy, Leo, Augustus, and Mister Douglas.
It took me a while to think of what things to buy until a saw a grandma in the corner selling a bunch of handkerchiefs that comes in different colors. She kept hollering but not in an angry way at the passerby to buy some.
Oh, that's right. I'll buy handkerchiefs for them. Not only that, I get to help the grandma as well.
I approached the grandma and asked her how much for one handkerchief.
"2 pence, ma'am," she replied, her voice-low. Poor her, she must've been really tired.
"I'll buy six please," I replied, smiling. As soon as I said that, her eyes right away brightened. As if she cannot believe someone actually bought six handkerchief from her.
Giving her the twelve pence, she slid the six handkerchiefs to my hand happily as she kept saying, "Thank you very much, ma'am and God bless you," which I replied with a smile and a nod.
With that, I put the six handkerchiefs inside the box.
The handkerchiefs are in the colors of red, blue, violet, green, yellow and orange.
Red is for Augustus.
Blue is for Leo.
Violet is for Miss Dolores.
Green is for Mister Douglas.
Yellow is for Judy since I noticed how much she's in love with that color.
While orange is for Martha.
I was about to continue walking when suddenly, I felt someone held me in the wrist and began pulling me in the corner where no people can be found.
Oh, no, this is bad. I look at the Victorian guy who is pulling me like some kind of lunatic but I can't recognize him just by looking at his back. He's wearing what almost all the Victorian men are wearing. A top hat and a black tuxedo.
Since I am determined to stay away from trouble, I mean, this is serious trouble, I began pulling myself away for the lunatic but God, he is just so strong.
Plus, he really just walks so fast to the point I can't almost keep up with him. That is why I bumped my head to his back when he suddenly stopped.
Ouch, that hurts. He surely goes to gym, huh, but wait, does 19th century has gym? I don't think so.
Scanning my eyes around the place, I realized how far we've gotten. This lunatic and I are the only ones in this alley.
My heart began to beats fast at how scared I am. Heck, I don't want to be slaughter in some random alley.
Due to how scared I am, I have strong feeling that if ever I run, he'll surely catch me. Plus, I am not a good runner. Heck, all I do is stay in bed and I read about protagonists running for their life. How ironic, indeed.
I don't know what came up to me to hit him hard in the back, somehow wishing he'll die because of this even though I know it's impossible.
I continued on punching his back really hard. As hard as I can.
"Die, you stupid son of-" I didn't have the chance to finish my statement when the lunatic turned to face me and held my shoulders hard.
That's when relief came through me. My God, this guy is not only a master of awkwardness but also in lunacy.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Laugh because how stupid of me, Leo's the lunatic and I am safe and sound. There's nothing to fret about.
Cry because I was super scared and is relieved it's Leo.
Unconsciously, I sat in the ground and covered my eyes with my hands as I tried to calm myself. As I wait for my heart to stop beating so fast. To return to its normal rate.
I then felt Leo sat in front of me and once again, touched me in the shoulders and said, "Are you okay, Clementine?" his tone worried.
You've got to be kidding me.
I removed my hands in my eyes and looked at him angrily and uttered the words, "are you kidding me? Of course I am not okay. You almost killed me due to how scared I was. I mean, I seriously thought you're some kind of a murderer or lunatic,"
I began to punch his chest lightly, "I mean, was it so hard to just approach me a while ago without dragging me all the way here in this isolated alley as if you're some kind of a killer,"
Leo then brushed his dark hair back, biting his lips. Not stopping me from punching him in his chest. Well, he deserve all the punches in the world for how stupid he just acted.
"Sorry," Leo apologized.
Still, I didn't stopped from punching him lightly in the chest as I said, "What in the world did you do that? Is that how awkward guys approach girls?"
I noticed how red Leo has gotten when I blurted out those words. Oops. Beads of sweats began falling down from his temple as he broke the eye-contact between us.
"I-i just wanted to say it's ve-very dangerous for you to go here all alone, Clementine," Leo stuttered, running his fingers through his dark hair once again.
"Come on, Leo. I can handle myself," I replied, frowning. No longer punching his chest. My hands are now on my lap.
Heck, basing from what you just acted, I am certainly not safe with you.
"You see, Clementine. There's this man who everyone called Jack the Ripper who has a thing for murdering women. That's why I want you to be very careful and to please not go all by yourself," Leo explained, eyeing me seriously.
I pinched him hard in his right cheek and said, "While you, my friend has a thing for scaring women so better be careful from you,"
Unexpectedly, he laughed at me and pinched me back in the cheek. "I am serious, Clementine," said he, still smiling and his hand still in my cheek.
"I am serious, Mister Finley. You scared me to death a while ago," I replied, pinching him back. Harder this time.
Again, Leo released a soft chuckle. "I said i'm sorry, Clementine. I've been really stupid these past few weeks," Leo explained, pinching me back in the cheeks. This time, he used his two hands.
For that, I look at him in the eyes, pretending I am angry but my foolish smile gives me off.
That caught me off guard. Isn't it inappropriate for Victorian woman to let a Victorian man touch her especially in public unless they're married. Oops. My bad and my stupidity.
Also, with Leo holding my cheeks, I realize how close we are to each other that's why my cheeks quickly turned red as soon as I ascertained that.
Leo must've noticed that too for he hurriedly removed his hand to my cheeks and look sideways, clearing his throat. Looking as awkward as ever.
Well, to be fair, I as well is feeling very awkward that's why I turned to look at my sides and bit my lips.
There was a long pause. Neither one of us are speaking. There's no way I am going to speak first. My pride is high.
"Uhm, a-about Jack the Ripper, is it really true?" Just kidding, my pride is not that high. I just can't handle too much awkwardness.
To be honest, I know about Jack the Ripper. I read a thing or a two about him in the internet. That he truly has a thing for murdering women and that his identity remains mysterious.
I just didn't realize we'll be living in the same era. Inhaling the same oxygen. Experiencing the same Victorian pollution.
How cool, right? Just kidding. Just the thought of it is enough to make me pee in my pants, I mean, in my gown. Gosh.
Leo must've sensed that this is a cue for him to break the awkwardness as well for he turned to look at me and uttered, "Ye-yeah, he's not a myth. Up to now, the bobbies are still searching all over the city for him,"
I clearly don't know what to say aside from "hmmmm," hoping it'll somehow sound I am intelligent. Hahaha.
Look, like I said, am no good when it comes to interaction. I was homeschooled since my parents died okay? Which, by the way, is before I began schooling.
Suddenly, Leo rose from his seat, he then brushed whatever is in his lap and offered his hand to me.
I hesitate for a moment whether I should accept it or not since like I said, my pride is high.
After a few seconds of contemplating, I unwillingly accepted his hand with a groan which earned me a soft chuckle from him.
This guy is nuts. And oh, of course, how could I forget, awkward as well.
"Let's go home before we bumped into Jack the Ripper," exclaimed Leo, shrugging, still holding my hand.
Although I must say, if ever we happen to bumped into Jack the Ripper, I know I have a chance of surviving since this guy beside me is a well-known soldier. Surely, he can fight, right?
It was me who removed my hand first very quickly for I am afraid i'll start blushing like a fool or like a person who just got slapped by a thousand times.
No more humiliating moments please, just, please.
Leo then faked a cough and put his hands inside his pockets. Here we go again with his habit of faking a cough.
"Well, shall we go?" asked Leo, his lips pointing to a carriage few meters away from us.
I don't know what came up to me to think like this but seriously, he looked cute pointing the carriage using only his lips.
"Why are you laughing?" he asked, raising his brow. I just shook my head, hoping he'll let it slide.
Leo and I then began walking towards the carriage, neither of us are talking. Only our footsteps can be heard in the alley.
It was Leo who insisted on carrying the box I have even though I can carry it since what's inside are only a light-weight gown and six handkerchief that i'll be giving to them later.
Leo, meanwhile did not asked what I have inside the box. He just quietly carry it as if what's inside worth more than his precious life.
As soon as we reached the carriage, Leo helped me get in to the carriage. Inside the carriage, Leo sat in front of me since the carriage that he rented is not that wide.
During the whole trip, none of us spoke, my whole attention is in outside. The humungous mansions that we're passing, the children who walked barefoot carrying logs behind their backs and rich Victorian couples walking their definitely-not-a-stray-dog type of dogs while chitchatting.
The same with Leo. Leo kept his eyes outside but I swear, sometimes, I can feel his eyes on me. He surely knows how to make a girl feel awkward with his overwhelming awkwardness, huh.
I was about to close my eyes and forced myself to sleep since we're still far away from Bennett's manor when suddenly, I remember the blue handkerchief 'm supposed to give to Leo.
Slowly, I fished the blue handkerchief inside the box and nervously handed it to Leo. My goodness, I don't know why I nervous.
"For you, Mister Finley. I bought it at the market a while ago," I explained, shrugging and hoping he'll just accept the gift and pretend nothing happened.
But no, Leo eyed me very carefully and smiled, "Tha-thank you, Clementine. You bought this just for me?"
"Ye-yeah," I murmured. Why am I stuttering? Shoot, he must've to think I like him. Oh, nooooooo.
As soon as I said that, Leo looked at me as if what I gave him worth one million pound for his smile is just so wide.
"I mean, that's my way of expressing my gratitude since as far as I can recall, you saved me a handful of times even though what you did a while ago is not heroic," I added, looking at my hands which are placed on my lap. Hoping Leo won't notice my shaking hands.
During the rest of the ride, Leo just can't stop himself from smiling like a fool. Ugh.
I don't know why I feel so happy just by seeing someone actually getting happy at something I gave.
I can't wait for the others reaction when I gave the handkerchiefs.
For the rest of the day, Leo was pretty much in a very good mood, thank you very much.
And it's all because of a girl named Clementine Wright who gave him a blue handkerchief, his favorite color.
Somehow, he can't help himself from feeling a bit ashamed for he can't believe it was actually Clementine who first gave the gift between them.
Socially speaking, it should be him who should first give the gift. Clementine must've been pretty clueless that it's a norm for Victorian gentlemen to give something to Victorian ladies first before the Victorian ladies can.
But oh, well, that's nothing to worry about. What's important is that, Clementine actually gave him a beautiful blue handkerchief.
He will surely cherish this handkerchief. Heck, this is his favorite handkerchief. He will hand-wash this handkerchief every single day and poured cologne to it.
Leo then opened his drawer and carefully placed the precious blue handkerchief inside it. Locking the drawer afterward.
Leo then went straight towards Augustus' office to hang-out when he noticed something strange and kind of disappointing.
First, he stumbled upon his cousin Judy doing embroidery in the living room with a yellow handkerchief in her lap.
He eyed the handkerchief carefully but decided to take no notice of it. Coincidence.
Second, he bumped into Missis Dolores who is instructing the maids' of their task with a violet handkerchief in her hand.
Augustus just shook at the idea that began to form in his head as he eyed the violet carefully.
Third, he was greeted by Marta who is holding a properly folded white bedsheets with an orange handkerchief sticking out from her apron's pocket.
Oh, no. No, no, no.
Finally, he reached Augustus' office. As soon as he entered the room, Leo was bewildered to caught a glimpse of his friend smiling like a fool with his eyes in the desk.
"What are you smiling about looking like a clown, Augustus? Do you want me to call the asylum?" Leo exclaimed, laughing as he made his way towards his friend.
As soon as he saw what Augustus is smiling about, realization came flashing to his mind. How stupid of him to think he's the only one.
"Look, Leo, my mermaid gave me this red handkerchief. Cute, isn't it? I mean, she must've thought she's obligated to gift back since I gave her a handkerchief as well," said Augustus, still smiling as he kept his eyes to the now-ordinary looking handkerchief.
Somehow, in the back of Leo's mind, he began question the reason why Clementine gave Augustus a red handkerchief? Red symbolizes love, right? Violence as well.
Leo wished the color red stands for violence and not love.
Leo doesn't know why his blood began to boil. He badly wants to barge right to Clementine's room and ask her to sew something in his blue handkerchief to make it somehow special.
Frowning, Leo slumped into the black couch in the side, his eyes up in the ceiling as he blurted out the words, "She also gave me a handkerchief. Not only to the two of us. As far as I know, she bought five handkerchiefs,"
Right after he said that, Augustus stopped smiling like a fool. His expression is now someone who looks as if he just experienced bankruptcy. He ran his fingers through his blond hair as he let out a loud sigh.
Augustus can't believe he just got fooled.
"Well, sorry to burst your bubbles, man," uttered Leo, frowning.
After that, there was a long pause between the two of them.
Leo kept his eyes on the ceiling while Augustus kept staring at the red handkerchief that somehow made him feel special a while ago.
Leo doesn't know why he began to laugh like some kind of lunatic for thinking Clementine would actually notice him. Not here, he guess.
——-
Guys, thank you for reading. :)I still can't believe this story reached 5k reads! Yahooooo!
G O D B L E S S!