a/n: I'm preparing to draw some cover art! Any suggestions? :) Also, thanks for the review, James Birdsong!
"Howl's Love Advice"
Chapter 14: Not So Simple
"I… I can't," Sophie mumbled.
Her mobile, cooling beside her in the afternoon chill, waited for her fingers to inch across the park bench and scoop it up.
However, that would not be happening.
She could not call her sister and that was that.
Since Lettie was going to have an absolute fit when she found out, Sophie decided to save that conversation for the privacy of her apartment. Where she could outline the situation. Explain her reasoning. Swear Lettie to secrecy so she wouldn't immediately run off and tell their step-mother.
Of course, a day was all it took for her sister to crack and spill, but thankfully a day was all Sophie needed...
...and had.
The twenty-one year old sitting in Chipping Park cringed anew. The surprised expression on President Suliman's face at her thoughtless question three hours ago had instantly turned the moment into a terrifying one. Sophie had fleetingly wondered if they'd allow her to empty her locker on the way out or if they'd mail the contents to her in a box.
She, Sophie Hatter, had asked, "May I think about it?"
Had those air ducts addled her brain? Why else had she not immediately accepted her boss's merciful offer to be Howl's secretary when the only alternative was job termination?
Double the pay - not even her step-mother's Boutique had offered her that!
The president had completely shocked her by laughing and giving her 24 hours to decide.
Of course, Sophie knew that more than her job was at stake here. The word scandal came to mind... For goodness' sake, the entire department believed she had been snogging Howl in a closet! A sudden promotion would have people like William and Jameson chomping at the bits.
A woman's reputation was hers to defend, and if there was one thing that would send it straight to hell in a handcart, it was becoming Howl Pendragon's secretary.
So what would it be: her reputation or her livelihood?
Sophie tightened her beige pea-coat around herself and breathed warm air against her chilled fingers. The children on the playground near her screamed with joy as they chased each other around the swings.
A stray plastic ball rolled out of the playground's confines towards Sophie's bench. A small boy raced determinedly after it, skidding to a stop just a few feet away. He had an adorable, upturned nose, and his unruly, orangish-brown hair flared out from under a blue flat cap. A green vest showed beneath his blue blazer.
Although mulch speckled his pants, he looked like a little gentleman!
The boy watched her curiously as she leaned to pick up the toy ball drifting against her feet.
"Wow, you ran so fast!" Sophie said appreciatively, offering him the toy. "I'm impressed."
He puffed his little chest and took it from her. "It's cause I practice," he said. "I'm faster than any of the kids here, and I'm only seven."
"I see," Sophie replied, hiding her amusement. "Well, keep it up and one day you'll compete in the Great Feats!"
The boy brightened at that. "What's your name?" he asked.
Bold, Sophie thought. I wonder who he learns it from. "I'm Sophie," she said with a sweet smile.
He nodded and stuck out his free hand for a handshake. At that, Sophie did laugh. "I'm Markl," he said seriously, before trailing off shyly, "and you're pretty."