His office was much neater than I thought it would be. Books lined the many maple shelves. Stacks of paper were piled on his desk. Behind it was a huge window overlooking the city. Overhead, a small iron fan cooled the room. The white walls were clean. Occasionally dotted by a few paintings of mountains and rivers. Adam untied his tie and took off his hat, hanging it on a nearby coat rack.

“Well?” He said proudly, hands on his hips.

“I’ve seen worse,” I stated simply as I ran my index finger across the weathered spine of many books. Adam sat down at his desk and looked up at me. That smile seemed permanently carved into his face.

“I’ve had this office for ten years now. I bought it with Monica. Before I worked for fifteen years as a secretary for the yard.”

“Good lord! How old are you?”

He looked at me a bit angrily. “Fourty-five! Not that you need to know, child! We should be talking about you! You are supposed to be my new assistant but all I know about you is your first name.

“First name is all I got. I gave it to myself you know. I never knew my parents. Left me on the streets as soon as I was born. An orphanage picked me up. Wasn’t no good though. Nobody cared about nobody. I left. But I realized sitting on the streets didn’t make money so I decided to become a herbalist. I’ve always liked plants. They don’t leave you.”

His smile was, in fact, not permanent. His face turned rose red as he stuttered out an apology.

“O-oh I’m so sorry! I didn’t know! I-uh.”

Guilt trip successful!

“Now that we know each other maybe I should meet that totally existing wife of yours. Marie, was it?”

“It’s Monica! And she is real! But she’s not here. I can take you to my flat but not for long. She’s still sick you know. Can’t have my new assistant dying on me.”

I stepped out of the carriage and onto the damp street.

“It’s down here.” Adam pointed to a nearby winding pathway that led to a tall gray house. I walked along the back path. Small puddles of rainwater filled the dimples in the concrete. In a one-sided race with Adam, I ran down the path, jumping over the occasional worm. Finally, I was at the house. I peered upward. A grand Victorian house stood proudly. Metal-framed glass windows speckled the front and sides of the house. Lush green ivy crept up the front porch and around the stone columns supporting the roof. Rainwater rolled off the shingles into the nearby bushes.

“Not too shabby.” I spat with my arms crossed.

“Like it do ya’?” Adam smirked. He grabbed a pair of keys out of his breast pocket and opened the door with a “click!”

The interior was a bit less grand. In the middle of the front room sat Adam’s desk, littered with papers. Behind it, shelves were blanketed with books and trinkets.

“Why do you have a monocle?” I question, spinning the golden chain at the end of the small glass circle.

“Hands off!” Adam replied swiftly. Obediently, I put down the monocle. And replace it with a small wooden picture frame. In it, was a young Adam and a woman who I assumed to be his wife. Neither was smiling.

“‘This the wife?”

“Ah yes…” He took the frame out of my hand and stared at it with an unreadable expression. Soon later, he placed it back down on the shelf. “Wanna meet the real thing?”

“That’s what I’m here for no?”

He ushered me to a door, on the farthest left of the shelf. The door, although visibly old, was decorated with a faux flower wreath. It opened with a creak.

This room had a much different vibe than the last one. The cream walls are decorated with flowers contrasted with the black-painted walls of the main room. A fragrance of lavender filled the room. On a white wooden framed bed, a woman sat against the headboard. She peered lazily out the large window. Clutching an extensive blanket, also covered with flowers to her stomach. She turned slowly when she heard the door open. She looked at me. Golden coils fell from her head to the middle of her back. Short bangs framed her face. I examined her eyes. Tired azure eyes that appeared to go right through me. Her lips were a pale pink and her cheeks were gaunt. Her delicate light link-laced gown, like her, seemed it would be reduced to ash from a single just of wind. I didn’t miss her shaky hand as she brought it up to her chin as she questioned Adam.

“Is this the girl?” She whispered out. As it pained her to talk.

“It is.”

They shared a dubious glance with an expression I couldn’t quite figure out. I looked up at Adam, back down at Monica, Then back up at Adam. Thankfully, the sick woman broke the silence.

“You are not quite what I expected.” She hummed with a questioning tone. I replied with a nervous laugh as I couldn’t figure out whether it was an insult, compliment, or a simple observation. Her face shifted slightly. “Ah, I suppose I should thank my savior, my guardian angel.”

I slapped my fists against my hips and got into my former disposition. “I suppose you should!” She laughed airly then reached out a pale thin hand towards me. On one of her long slender was a silver ring with a sapphire gemstone implanted in the middle. She slipped it off and handed it to me.

“Here you are, sweetest. Take good care of this now.”

I was taken aback “Woah, lady! Aren’t you already married?” She clenched her stomach and laughed once again.

“You caught a good one, Adam!” She chirped. “But I’m afraid it’s just a present. It's priceless so don’t think about pawning it now.” She must have read my mind.

“Sure, fine.” I slipped the ring on my thumb, the only finger it could fit on snuggly. Monica smiled at me once more then addressed Adam.

“Adam, dear, be a sweetheart and get this sweet girl some new clothes. And a bath if she wants. Some of my old clothes will do. Can never do too much for my savior!”

“Of course.” He answered. He turned on his heels. Come along, Mayla. I began to walk out of the room when her small voice stopped me.

“Oh, and dear.” I turned back around. “I heard you are a herbalist. Maybe once I get better we can go flower picking!”

I smiled at her. “I’d like that.”

I swiped my finger across the frosted mirror and scrutinized at my reflection. It had been years since I took a real bath, let alone a warm one. I barely recognized myself without dirt and grime covering my face. My hair appeared lighter and much longer when it was cleaned and brushed out. It almost shined as it billowed down my back. I seized the white gown Monica left for me and reached it over my head. Miraculously, it fit almost perfectly. This was the first time in my life that I had fitting clothes. Even in the orphanage, we sported old clothes donated by the pitying strangers we would never see again. I thought of Monica. She seemed much healthier than the first time Adam described her. I still couldn’t believe I was able to save a person’s life. Let alone such a stand-up woman as herself. Even then, I got a bit of a strange vibe from her.

I opened the door. Once the fog cleared I saw Adam waiting awkwardly outside the bathroom. His arms were crossed and he stared at me. Shifting his weight from foot to foot.

“You done?” He coughed

“Nope still in the bath.”

“Right.” He replied. Not too amused. “We have our first order of business tomorrow so sleep well.”

“Of course.” I bowed my head quickly at him and turned to leave.

“Here of course!” He added when he saw me turn to the exit. “Can’t have my new assistant sleeping on the street! ‘Got a room set for you already.” He put his arm out signalling to a door similar to Monica’s.

“How convenient…”

I opened the door. The room was very similar to Monica’s. Same wall color, same bed, same blanket. The only thing missing were the blossoms on the walls and the large window. Instead substituted with a smaller stained glass one in front of the bed. Additionally, a rudimentary clock was suspended by the side of the bed.

“You’ll be staying here.” He declared, fiddling with his breast pocket.

“Cool!” I jumped in the bed. It was considerably more comfortable than the orphanage one. I rubbed the white-flowered blanket straight then looked up at Adam. He was leaning on the doorframe, his head angled towards the stained glass. He was quiet. Much more quiet than in previous days.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Tomorrow is very important. My boss has yet to meet you ya’ know. One false move and you're out of a job and I get a talking-to.”

“‘Course.”

“Well then, goodnight!” Adam pushed himself from the doorway and strode towards his room, a separate one from Monica’s. I lied down in the bed and then peered at the clock. 7:00 P.M. Hardly time to go to bed, but it seemed as if Adam wanted to rid of me for the night.

“Just hold still!” Adam squeezed the strings of the corset once more and knocked the air out of me.

“Stop it, you stupid man! I’m not wearing it!” I swatted him away.

“I already told you if you wanna go you have to make a good impression!” Adam snapped as he was catching his breath. Coincidentally, there was a company target that night, which he and his boss were expected to attend, being the ideal time to introduce me to his boss.

“I’m not wearing this stupid outfit!” I picked at the snow-white untied corset and similarly colored puffy skirt. I could scarcely breathe or move. I felt like a doll.

“You want to appear like a dignified woman don’t you?”

“Nope.”

Adam sighed for perhaps the hundredth time that morning and pitched the bridge of his nose.

“It’s only for tonight. Can’t you just do this for me?”

I huffed. “Saving your wife isn’t enough?”

“This is for you remember! I could always leave you here! Or even back you off on the streets!” It seems I was running my luck. So after a kick and a whine, I resolved to tighten the corset and suck it up.

“Happy now?”

“Not yet. You still need your hair done and the bonnet, remember?”

I wished I just stayed on my quilt.

“Now, let’s see how you look, sweetest!” Monica was still on the road to steady recovery. Even offering to do my hair. As a street kid, I never had the reason nor supplies to get dressed up. She passed me her golden mirror and I peered in. She coiled my rosy hair in a way much like hers and arranged it in buns on each side of my head. She left a few sections to hang down and frame my face.

“That shall do for right now. Especially if you are to wear a hat over it.” Monica placed the baby blue silk bonnet on my head tied the rose pink ribbons under my chin and clapped her hands in satisfaction. “There! A beautiful and proper woman!”

“Thanks,” I replied with fake sincerity.

“Of course sweetest!” Her sapphire eyes become serious. “You still have that ring I gave you right?”

“Yes? It’s only been a day.” Her sharp expression melted.

“Great! It’ll match your outfit perfectly!” The marigold-haired lady patted me on the shoulder. “Well try to have as much fun as you can.” She yawned. “Don’t let Adam make you do anything you don’t want to do. Your gut is your best asset you know.”

“Uh, ok. I’ll try.”

“Hmm.” She muttered turning back towards her window. As I could tell I overstayed my welcome I left swiftly and entered the main room. Golden rays crept through the window and reflected off Adam’s finished desk where he was meticulously buried in paperwork, looking up at me when he heard my footsteps on the frosted marble floor. He looked up at my silken harvest bell bonnet and down at my azalea-colored lace-up boots.

“She dressed you up nice.” He noted as he wiped the ink off the bottom of his left hand with a black handkerchief.

I placed my hands on my hips. “I’m done now.” I spit out. “Can we go?”

“Manners, little girl.” He warned while standing up from his chair. As he towered over me, I couldn’t help but notice he got dressed up as well. His bronze hair was carefully combed backward. A few unruly strands framed his chiseled face. His sharp jade eyes no doubt allured the gazes of many. Draped in one of his seemingly thousands of grey-tailored suits and black tie that perfectly hugged his figure with a newly acquired gold chain hanging out one of his back pockets. His strong jawline and smile appeared to be chiseled in stone, and decorated his face, along with his straight nose and pale lips. It pains me to admit he is quite a handsome man.

“Ha! Enjoying the view?”

“Hardly. Let’s go.” In fake politeness, Adam held open the door for me, while he grabbed his hat off the nearby hook. He ushered me out and followed closely behind.

Once again, the carriage dropped us off on a winding path. Like the house, The hall was overly immense to fit on the front street. By the time we arrived, the sun had positioned below the horizon. The sky was a pinkish-violet as a cloak of black swallowed the top of the sky. Adam and I walked on the cobblestone path. Flowering trees blanket the stones in milk-white petals. Even from back here, we could hear the chatter and music inside the hall. After walking hand-and-hand in complete silence I decided to address something that’s been on my mind for a while.

“So. Do you let all street urchins you find sleep in your home and work for you without a proper education or interview?”

“Pardon?”

I sighed. Apparently, he was going to make this difficult.

“I truly appreciate the gesture. I do.” I told him. “But level with me. Why am I really here?” Adam laughed in an unhumorous tone.

“I needed an assistant and you seemed capable. What else is there to say?” He oppugned, rather harshly.

I sighed again. Regret crept slowly up my back. This is suspicious. This is all suspicious. I shouldn’t have let hope blind me.

I stepped in front of him so he could walk no further. “Look, Adam. Either you are an idiot for inviting a homeless girl you’ve known for less than a fortnight to work for you and sleep in your house or I’m an idiot for not realizing something was off soon.”

I looked him in his sharp ivy eyes. “I have no detective or forensics training. Not even a proper education for god’s sake. I met you, what? Perhaps a week ago? You said yourself that if I make a bad impression on your boss, which I surely will, we’d both get in trouble. So what is your endgame here?”

Adam looked away for several moments. Thinking how to explain it to me, or perhaps a lie. “You’re right. I should have told you sooner, but the yard told me to stay quiet.” He sighed out. “Crime has gone way up, employment has gone down. We are shortstaffed in perhaps the biggest crime crisis in decades. We could use any help we get.” He looked back up at me with his trademark smile. “And I couldn’t possibly let a little girl sleep alone on the streets could I?”

“I've heard nothing of a crime crisis. And I’d be one of the first to know don’t you think? They must not be very good criminals if they haven’t even mugged a defenseless street girl!” I countered.

“We were sworn to secrecy as I said. If every citizen knew there would be a bit of an uproar, yes?”

I was silent. This was obviously the most I was to get out of him at the moment.

“Right, of course,” I muttered. I let him through.

We continued walking in silence.

A doorman opened the door for us. As soon as he did I was met with the flash of a dozen glass chandeliers, the fragrance of expensive food and fancy perfume, and live music. A woman in a stunning red dress, backed by men in black suits holding saxophones played an enchanting tune I’d never heard. Glass statues, Glass pitchers, glass lighting, there were even women wearing glass heels. I was terrified if I took another step, I would accidentally shatter something. The tall ceiling was decorated with a painting that was reminiscent of those fancy Italian paintings. The floor was checkered marble in which I could see my reflection. The walls, the same red as the woman’s dress were speckled with candle holders, intricate paintings of oceans, and a stained glass window in the front of the venue. Elderly couples danced and swooned while the younger ones, including bachelors and bachelorettes, ate lavish feasts fit for royalty. In engaged in lively conversations or played poker with cards that seemed to cost a limb a piece. If only Adam had given me one of those sets instead. After I was done taking in the sights I looked at Adam, who was fiddling with his pocketchain, seemingly unimpressed, as this was a daily occurrence.

“I think I figured out why you guys are so understaffed,” I yelled at him over the music the sound of forks and knives clashing fine china. “You guys are spending all your funds on weird, unnecessary parties instead of actually paying people proper wages!”

He didn’t answer me. Either he didn’t hear me or didn’t want to address the truth of my words.

I looked around, unsure of what to do next. I settled on going to grab one or ten plates of food until Adam foiled my plans.

“Well, we should go find my boss.” He said peering around.

“I don’t know what he looks like do it yourself.” I reactivated my food plans and began to walk away.

“We are here so you can meet him, remember?” He said through gritted teeth.

Luckily we didn’t have to look far until a voice boomed “Clarke!” Ten times louder than the music. Adam and I both flinched as we turned around. For a second I thought someone turned the light off. Instead, an enormous man towered over me like a century-old oak tree. His burly arms, crossed at his chest were covered in thick brown hair. As I looked up as far as my neck would let me, I could see his face had just the same amount of hair. Thick umber sideburns and a full machu mustache covered his brick face. Short similarly covered curls blanketed his head with hints of grey. He wore a white sweater rolled up at the sleeves, for as I assumed couldn’t fit over his arms with a brown vest. His black dress pants seemed as if they could fit a gorilla. His black dress shoes were possibly the only average thing about this man.

“How the heck are ya?” He laughed out in such a volume I worried about the condition of my ears.

“Good sir,” Adam mumbled out. As I looked over, even Adam seemed like an ant compared to him.

“Hahaha!” The giant man barked out as he slapped Adam on the back in painful-looking force. “Quiet as always!”

Adam, quiet?

“And who’s this lovely lady?” He asked gleefully turning his attention to me. I braced for impact.

“Mayla, sir.” I almost whispered. I then understood Adam’s change in behavior.

“Ah! The one you were talking about is it?” He asked turning back to Adam.”

“Yup.”

His tone shifted slightly. “Hopefully she’s as adept as you claim.”

“Of course,” Adam answered.

“Oh! I supposed I should introduce myself!” He chirped smiling at me. “I'm Otis Ironheel. But that’s Chief Ironheel to you.”

“Nice to meet you, Chief!” I barked out.

“So.” Ironheel breathed out in the same odd tone as before. “First order of business, Clarke?”

“Same as you told me, sir.”

This was getting too cryptic to my liking.

“Good, good.” The burly man replied, leaning back on his heels. “If everything’s on track then I have nothing else to tell you. But Cecil might.” Ironheel sneered. Adam’s face shifted into an expression I’d never seen on him.

I was completely lost.

“I believe I saw him on the deck somewhere.” The chief stated, motioning his head to a glass door in the far right of the room. “But I’ve got business to attend to. See you soon, Clarke. And you, little lady!” He laughed waving at me. He walked towards the dining area. Lucky.

As I was building up the courage to ask Adam what in God’s name that was about he walked wordlessly to the deck. I supposed I should follow.