CHAPTER 4
Buttercup POV:
I wake up early the next morning to get to the office on time. I make sure to sneak out the window, leaving a note for my sisters which told them that I was going to be out horseback riding.
Running over to the horse stables, Ginger greets me happily. I open her door and hop onto her, telling her to quietly exit. Once we make it away from the house, I let out a happy cheer.
Today was my first day of work. I, Buttercup Utonium, a woman, am going to work.
Once I make it in front of the office, I tie Ginger to a lamp post so she won't run away and head into the building. I fix my trousers and mess up my hair, making sure to look as male like as possible.
I straighten my back and walk into the corridors, my chin held up high.
The man at the front table gives me a confused look, as I march over to him. "Good evening sir, I am Bruce Utonium." I boom, making him flinch.
Hm, I must sound really manly then.
"Oh well welcome . You are expected at 's office am I right?"
I nod, as he gets up and knocks on my boss's door. A grumble was heard, as we both wait in silence.
"Sir, your new worker is here."
"Then get him to work!"
I flinch at the tone, as the man sighs offering me a small smile. "I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Mitch Mitchelson. Welcome to Jojo Headquarters." He introduced, and I awkwardly shook his hand.
"Yes, um...very nice to meet you." I reply, as he leads me into a room.
"This will be your office. Here every morning I will bring in letters, which you read to see if their important or not. The important ones you give to the boss, who will sign them. The rest will be thrown into the trash bin right next to your table." I nod, to mesmerized by my own office to hear what he was actually saying.
"Feel free to ask for any help if you need Mr. Utonium." says, and I nod.
Then, I was alone. I immediately ran around the room, observing every piece of it. It was all so clean and professional, it seemed something I'd probably never get my hands on.
But here I was, a worker in a rich mans building.
I wonder how got so rich anyways. He was probably born rich, seeing he has the looks and everything. He seemed like royalty to me, but that couldn't be possible right? Royalty didn't work in buildings, they were at the castle.
I plop onto the big chair and place my legs on top of the table. Shutting my eyes, I let a smile rest on my face.
Ah, this was the life.
My peace was inturrupted by a sudden knock on the door, pulling me out of my fantasies. I fell off my chair in surprise, before quickly rising to my feet.
"Y-Yes?" I call out, and for a moment their was silence.
"Mr. Utonium, it's me . May I come in?"
I nod, then realize he couldn't see me. "Yes, you may."
The door whips open, revealing the tall man. I observe his chiseled face and calm demeanour. A lump forms in my throat when I realize that I was a girl. Oh my god I was a girl, he could probably sense it and fire me in an instant.
I had to keep my act up.
"You arrived on time . Good becuase I hate it when people are late." He stated, and I nodded while sticking out my chest to look more manly.
"Is there something wrong with your back?" He asks suddenly.
"Hm?"
"You've been sticking your chest out too much , is there something wrong with your back?"
I shake my head, letting out a deep breathe. "I'm fine sir."
He narrows his eyes, observing me very carefully as I hold my breath. Then after a moment he looks away.
"Well, I came to tell you that the pile of letters over there are what you must give me. Check for the important ones, meetings, balls, invitations, business proposals. Throw away the garbage, love letters, marriage proposals, or just plain rubbish."
I furrow my brows. "Love letters and marriage proposals sir?"
He nods, a look of annoyance cross his features.
"I'm a handsome man . People want me for my money and looks."
I nod, still a bit took back. I guess he was a man woman wanted. I didn't really see anything else besides his looks.
Women were crazy sometimes.
"I leave it to you then." He states, and I bow down in respect. Then he was gone.
I let out a breath of relief, waving my hand in front of my face to cool it down. Every moment I spend in front of him is full of anxiousness and the fear of having him finding out my true self.
Plus, this beard was really itchy.
Bubbles POV:
"I can get off here now," I tell Angel, my horse who lowers herself for me to hop of.
I fix my light blue dress and flatten out the creases on the skirt, moving around the bag which was on my shoulder.
In reward, I offer Angel an apple to which she accepts thoughtfully. I run my hand through her almost blonde like mine hair, and let out a slight laugh.
"I'll be over there, so don't run away."
She neighed in response, as I took my bag off my shoulder. I pulled out my expensive drawing paper which Papa managed to buy me for my fifteenth birthday. I also pull out my pencil, and take a seat on the big rocks next to the river.
The scenery here was beautiful.
I began to sketch out faint lines on the paper, even adding in Angel to my drawing, who was too busy snatching fruits from the tree which hung above her.
The soft chirps of the birds around me, as my hair lightly blew in the wind. I had to grab strands of it multiple times to tame them from the wind.
I hear Angel suddenly neigh from near, and I give her a confused look.
"What's wrong Angel?" I ask, my fingers stopping midway on the drawing. She had her eyes glued to something behind me, and suddenly I hear the sound of footsteps.
My eyes widened and I whipped around to see a figure hurrying away.
"Wait!" I yell, putting down my little sketchbook and running after them. They stop in their tracks, and I hear quiet curses as I approach the boy.
He was quite tall, at least a inches taller than me. From the back I could see his blond hair and toned figure, but he didn't turn around.
I curiously tap him on the shoulder, then regret it. I shouldn't just touch a stranger.
"Excuse me sir? You needed something?" I asked, furrowing my brows as I tilted my head to the side.
The boy didn't turn around.
"No, not at all. I just came here to paint a bit. But I see this place is occupied-"
"Oh no! I don't mind you painting here, I can go find another spot. It's alright." I cut off, waving my arms everywhere as I run back over to my supplies.
I begin to pick up my sketchbook and pencil, stuffing them into my bag as I swung it over my shoulder.
"You may use this spot now," I say kindly, offering a polite smile.
I see the boy had now thrown on a cloak, covering his hair and half of his face as he nodded.
"Thank you," He said in almost a whisper, making his way over to the rock I was just sitting on. I felt my a rush of butterflies at the pit of my stomach as he walked past, his shoulder gently bumping into mine. Weird.
"Alright then," I squeak, blowing one of my bangs out of my face.
"I'll get going. Have a nice day sir," I tell him, gently leading my horse out of the woods. I don't look back, because I felt like a sudden burden to the man. Usually people reply in an equally cheerful tone as I, but this boy seemed different.
I wasn't going to judge too hard though, everyone was different. He seemed more mysterious and quiet to me, almost a total opposite of me.
Although, I could be quiet at times too.
Angel neighed at me, wondering why I left. I pat her cheek gently, softly smiling.
"I don't think the boy wanted to be disturbed Angel. Let us go find another place."
Blossom POV:
I make my way through the crowded streets of Townsville, smiling politely at everybody who passed by.
"Ah !" A voice squealed, and I turned to see a rather chubby woman coming forward. In her arms was her newborn baby, and dangling from her skirt was her four year old son.
"Miss Margaret! How lovely to see you," I gush, offering a bright smile as I crouched down to the little boy's level.
"Fernando, how are you doing?" I ask, pinching his two cheeks playfully as he offered a toothy grin.
"Bwossom!" He said, jumping from his mother to me like a monkey as he attacked me into a hug.
A string of laughter escaped my lips as I respond back with the cute little hug, messing up his already chaotic curls. His mother laughs along, rocking her baby as it slept in peace.
"I haven't seen you since two weeks ago," Miss Margaret comments, and I nod.
"Well, my library books were almost due. You know I only come to town for books or emergencies." I tell her, humour laced in my voice as she let out another opera like laugh.
"You sure are something dear. How is your aunt doing?"
I tried not to frown at the mention of my aunt, covering it up with a genuine looking smile.
"She's doing great, as well as my sisters." I tell her, playing with the button on my book bag.
"I see..."
Miss. Margaret looks over to the side, where she grins mischievously. Now I know she's a rather sweet woman, but just like the other women in this town, Miss. Margaret is a lover of juicy details on every topic in the town.
"So, how's your love life going Blossom? I hear the black smith's son fancies you and has been dying for an opportunity to speak to you,"
I bit back the urge to roll my eyes, as I laugh sheepishly. Hopefully my Aunt doesn't hear about that, she'd immediately tell me to meet up with him. That was just how desperate she was.
"Aw you know the rumours around here Miss. Margaret. They love to make up little stories." I laugh, making her narrow her eyes.
"So it is only just a rumour?"
"I believe so."
"Alright then..."
Suddenly speaking to me seemed a bit boring now. The conversation fell faster than it picked up.
"Well alright then Miss. Blossom. I shall see you around another time, when you come back to the library. Make sure to say hello for your aunt and sisters for me."
I nodded, keeping on a polite smile even after she left.
Then, I let out a deep breath. Shaking my head, I begin to walk towards the direction of home. I didn't enjoy walking out in the town, because I'd always get stopped by the gossiping people on the streets. They sure loved to stick their noses into me and my sisters's business.
I don't know how Buttercup manages to go out everyday, she must cover her face from the woman so they'd leave her alone.
Remind me to bring a cloak next time.
Brick POV:
"As I was saying Blaze, I Brick Jojo will keep this kingdom safe and secured. I shall keep tight security and also allow rights to those who don't have any. I have commitement, and I am honoured to be your next King. Thank you all-"
"You do know your coronation isn't until about 3 more years right?" Blaze cut off, stopping his writing.
I looked up from my desk and clenched my teeth together at him, as he scratched his chestnut hair.
"I'm only preparing for the future," I grit out.
My excuse of a friend still looked confused as he burst out another stupid comment.
"Well, the future isn't until 3 years. So you should just live life at the moment-"
I slam my fists onto the table, but he didn't seem the least fazed by it. He only gave me a blunt look, to which I refrained from yelling out curses at.
"Unlike other teenage boys in this Kingdom, you should know that I am the first heir to the thrown Blaze. I can't spend my time jumping around castle walls and getting into stupid trouble. I'm not an idiot like Butch is." I tell him in a calm manner, making him snort.
"Alright your highness, you should just stop writing your hundreds of speeches for your coronation, becuase right now you have more important things to do."
I licked my lips, blowing away the bang which tickled my face as I crossed my arms.
"Like signing these shipping papers. The other Kingdom must know you received the goods."
"Ah," I said, motioning him to pass me the paper. I swiftly signed my name across the line and handed it back to him, letting out a sigh of relief.
Work was like my air. I needed to do something in order to continue being calm and collected. Without something to write or sign, without giving out orders or writing a daily coronation speech, I felt hopeless.
Like nothing.
My friend scrunched up his nose as the paper, muttering something on the lines of how I was such a work freak.
And I was. It was all because I didn't want to disappoint. To everyone around me, I was a strong and respectful leader. I wasn't a man who fooled around and was made a fool of.
No, Father would never want that.
I wasn't raised to become that. I was raised to be the heir to the thrown of Townsville.
Blaze left the room, leaving me to go back to work. I rustled the papers and read everything twice, making sure to not mess anything up. These were all important documents. I mustn't lose or damage them at all.
But deep inside, I kind of wanted to rebel. I wanted to be free and not sit in an office all day-
To live a little more.
Buttercup POV:
Wow.
.
.
I never knew work could be this boring.
The whole day I sat, eagerly waiting for an adventure. I wanted to be called by the men, telling me to grab my sword because some type of enemy was waiting for us in the woods. We were going to have to fight them; it was going to be a rough battle.
But all I got were white letters, coming from some types of companies and men who's names I couldn't pronounce.
I only read the name, saw if it looked fancy enough, and threw it into the important pile. Then I took the ones which looked like rubbish and threw them into the huge garbage bin next to me.
I wanted adventure!
Letting out a sigh, I get up from my chair and begin to do stretches. One, two, three, four. One, two, three, four, one, two-
As I raise my leg up to my head, the door opens and Mr. Mitchelson walks in.
In result, I fall onto my derriere and let out an 'umph'. The young man shoots me an incredulous look as he furrows his thin brows at me.
"Mr. Utonium? May I ask what you were just attempting to do?" He asked in the most polite way as possible.
I awkwardly lift my bottom off the floor, letting out a pathetic raspy laugh.
"How embarrassing of me. I was only reaching for a letter over there." I point at the floor, and he looks around the room.
"I don't see any letter on the floor."
Oh shut your trap you intelligent son of a gun.
"That was because I grabbed it right before you stepped it into the room." I say, fixing my shirt.
He seemed to have a mental argument on whether he should believe me, but in the end he only let out a sigh. I breathed quietly in relief, thanking god he stopped questioning.
"Ah, to why I came here in the first place. Mr. Jojo has dismissed you from your work, you may leave now."
Now these words caught my attention.
I look up with my large eyes, as he blinked awkwardly.
"Really?" I ask, leaning in in disbelief. He nods slowly, not sure why I was so surprised.
"It's been 7 hours Mr. Utonium. Work shifts end a little later, but today he let you go earlier since it was your first day. Your official work hours start tomorrow. 8 am sharp Mr. Utonium, the boss doesn't do well with lates. Your shift will end at 6 pm." He informed.
It took me a moment to process all of that information.
"So while I am gone, what do you do?" I ask curiously, making him once again perplexed.
"Work?" He said as if it was obvious.
"Are you sure you don't follow your boss into the woods to handle some dirty business?" I ask, my eyes flickering around the room for any sign of people hearing our conversation. Clearly there was only the two of us.
"Dirty business? What do you think of us as Mr-"
I realized he must have took it the wrong way, and I face palmed.
"Not like that Mitchelson! I meant fighting bandits in the middle of the night with the moon your only light in the darkness." I dragged out, as he listened silently.
"You my friend," Mitch said as he threw his head back for a laugh, "have one crazy imagination."
A pout graces my lips as I cross my arms.
"So your saying you don't fight bandits?"
"Of course not! We aren't a bandit catching company Mr. Utonium. We only handle the royal business and matters." He told me, while holding his stomach.
"Royal business like threats to the King?" I asked, making his eyes flash in a sudden way.
"I guess so. But that rarely happens, people are too scared to even protest against Royalty."
I inwardly growled. People were always so afraid to speak their mind, as if this was some sort of prison. Women especially, couldn't fight for their rights because they were too 'scared'. Blast it! If they only stood up for themselves and showed men who were boss.
I wanted to revolt with a pack of women, all ready to fight till the King himself cries out in defeat.
I was going to make it happen, I was going to make the King to offer women the same rights as men.
"Now Mr. Utonium, you seem to be too tired seeing your dreaming too much about bandits and fights. I advise to get going, you are dismissed."
"Alright, alright," I say as he slightly pushes me out of the room.
"I will see you tomorrow morning at 8. Goodbye ," Mitchelson said as he motioned me out the door.
"Hold on a moment!" I say, stopping him from taking me out of the door. I almost step on his feet in the process as I run over to the Boss's room.
"Mr. Utonium what are you-"
I rip the door open, only to reveal a dark room. My eyes squint into the blackness and I look around for any sign of the man.
"Where did he go?" I ask to myself, just as comes behind me.
"He left about half an hour earlier. He had some errands to run back home,"
Back home? I almost forgot bosses had homes. I thought they only lived in the companies. So the green eyed man had a family? Did he have a sister? Hopefully she was a feminist and would join my crew, so I'd have more people on board.
I should ask him next time.
"Well, I'll be going then." I tell Mitchelson, who nodded as he waved.
"Goodbye ."
Once I stepped out the building, I looked around and sighed.
Well that wasn't at all what I expected. No wonder women didn't work.
I stretch out my fingers as I look over at Ginger. She neighed at me as I whispered for her to take us back home. We ran with the bruised sky above us, I took my beard off while going through the forest.
Stopping midway, I quickly slipped out of my men clothes and into the green dress and flats which seemed to be the only things I was calm about wearing, and stuff the work clothes into my satchel.
I take Ginger into the horse stables and wish her a good night rest before hurrying over to my house.
When I managed to climb up to my room's window, I slid the window open and fell gracefully onto the wooden floor. I looked around for any sign of my sister's but they seemed to be downstairs.
I could hear the sounds of plated clattering downstairs, and realized it must be dinner time.
Fixing my messy hair, I run down the stairs to meet my two sisters and old wretch of an aunt.
"Buttercup!" Aunt Sedusa squawks, making my older sister turn to me. She shoots me a slightly angry look, making me grin.
Oh how I loved my responsible older sister.
"Hey there Aunt," I throw a lazy wave at my aunt who steamed red as I took a seat in the chair.
Ignoring the serious looks of the three in front of me, and rub my hands together and lick my lips.
"What's for dinner?" I ask.
"I cooked some roast Buttercup, today seemed like a great day-"
"Where have you been?" Aunt Sedusa demanded, Blossom equally as mad. Bubbles pouted slightly, being cut off by her words.
"I have been on my daily horse rides with Ginger," I say, cutting a piece of roast for myself.
"You and that Ginger spend too much time out. Buttercup you are a girl, you must stay home and do the chores!"
"How come you never do the chores then?" I ask, catching her off guard. Next to her, Blossom bites her lips as she shuts her pink eyes, waiting for the scream of my aunt.
"I am older than you! You must treat me with respect!"
"Ah yes, that is why you never work I see. You are getting old."
I knew I hit a nerve, Aunt hated being thought of as old. In her eyes she was just as young as us, a beautiful young woman who every man fell for.
She was in her forties. She had grey hairs on the side of her head, which none of us dared to tell her because she'd spend the whole day whining and trying to pull them out.
"I am not old! I am capable of jumping around as much as you! I only want you girls to learn how to work probably, just like your mother wanted! Men will love you if they see the good work you do-"
All I could hear was 'work'. That's right, I had to get to work tomorrow. It may seem as boring as the speeches Aunt Sedusa gave us, but I still had work.
I was going to show them that I was a woman who could work like a man.
If only I could show myself as a female...
But not now. No, not until I earned my wages and became rich and successful, I was going to have to keep my gender hidden until then.
"Buttercup? Are you day dreaming again?! Hurry up and eat!" Sedusa's shrill voice pulls me out of my thoughts, as I nod shoving a piece of meat into my mouth.
How was I going to live with pretending to be a man anyways?
How was Chapter 4 readers? PLEASE REVIEW THE CHAPTER, I'D REALLY APPRECIATE IT! :-)
Who do you think Bubble ran into at the lake? ;)
I will make the Reds meet soon everyone, just wait. Oh and the greens, they seem to have met. When do you think Buttercup will realize Butch is actually a Prince and Butch realizes the Buttercup is a girl?
All coming soon.
