"Oh not again!" Lucy struggled to button up her coat and tighten her belt buckle. "I'm late for work again!" as she hurried down the stairs her fluffy auburn hair swayed. Stepping out into the street, Lucy knew she was going to be extremely late. It was rush hour and she wasn't the only one late to work, all the cabs had a bright red light flashing from the inside with a sign that read 'busy'. Lucy groaned she'd have to resort to walking to work then.
The walk wasn't all that bad; after all, walking to work always gives her that 'me time' she enjoys so much. But lately all the 'me time' worked for was to think about the prof. Ever since she managed to clear Alfendi's name back at the castle, she felt more drawn to him. Her determination for proving his innocence was the boiling point. Her heart melted for him. But Lucy was no expert in hiding her true feelings everyone knew something was up with the way she looked at the inspector. Even the witnesses knew. The fact that Hilda also knows still gives Lucy a sense of embarrassment. It seems that everyone expect the prof. Lucy wished he would show some type of sentimental affection but with Al, it's all professionalism.
"Oh Prof, what's it gunna take for ya to get off my mind?"
But what about the Potty Prof?
Lucy came to a stop at the side walk by the intersection waiting for the sign to change to the white walking figure. "Oh c'mon I'm already late!"
As Lucy walked her thoughts about the first time she encountered the Potty Prof came to mind. Sure he was a bit of a creep with criminals but he had certain characteristics that she absolutely loved. The way his hair darkens and gets over his face….Not to mention how he aggressively cracks down on the culprits. The Potty Prof is so sure of himself what's not to like? The threats were the only real problem though. How could he say such horrible things to people, especially to the people closest to him? It makes her sad but at the same time it makes her want him more in the sense that she wants him to like her instead of threaten her.
"Potty Prof and Placid Prof, it's like two different people but I love them both."'
Lucy finally reached the Mystery Room and slowly opened the door. Hoping the professor won't see her creeping in so late. Alfendi was already sitting at his desk, as if he were waiting for Lucy to just walk in.
"Where has my late assistant been this time?" Placid Prof chuckled as he sipped his cup of tea while looking down at a new case.
"Oh, its nowt prof I were just—
"Waking up late again, I see. But never mind that, do you want to take a look at this new case we've got from the commissioner?"
"Do I ever!" Lucy sprinted across the room anxious to see the new case the she will be working on but slipped on a sheet of paper lying on the ground. Fortunately, there was a chair nearby and she managed to catch herself with it. Al, quickly got up.
"Are you alright, Lucy?"
"Geeze! That was a close one wannit prof?!" Lucy was somewhat embarrassed but she did all sorts of clumsy things around the prof so the feeling wasn't so intense.
The inspector walked up to Lucy and held her hand in an effort to comfort her embarrassing slip. But that only made Lucy feel more embarrassed. He looked straight into her red piercing eyes and pushed a strand of wandering hair behind her small ear.
"Oh my dear Lucy, what am I going to do with you?" the inspector chuckled but he held her close. "There's no telling what will happen once you walk through that door-"
"prof?"
"but you know, Lucy I like that. You give life to the Mystery Room." He patted her head and hugged her for a few seconds then pulled her inches away so that he can continue to stare into those red eyes. Lucy could see that he was trying to say something but it didn't come out right away. The silence was a bit awkward as if he were thinking on whether he should say what was on his mind or not.
"By the way you look nice today, Lucy."
Lucy felt her face getting red hot. She was stunned. She didn't expect such words from the prof but she was not about to complain, it's what she's been wanting all this time! Although, it did seem somewhat strange, for the prof to randomly compliment her that way.
"aha, thank you prof but did summat happen 'ere while I was gone? You seem to be a bit too 'appy today!"
The inspector walked back behind his desk and pulled out his chair. He sat down, looking somewhat uneasy. He knew that Lucy knew he wasn't the type of guy that would just compliment someone. He felt a little nervous and pressured at the same time. Not knowing what to respond to Lucy, he changed the subject to something he knew Lucy was eager about.
"No, not at all but what do you say we look at this case now?"
The new case had Lucy drooling with curiosity. Her face brightened as she bent to put her hand on the inspectors desk.
"Aye aye! Let's get to it already!"