Silence or Kiss

I stood in the middle of his office, watching him as he sat on his chair behind his work table. He scanned through his documents, word for word. The room was pindrop silent, except for the shuffling of papers when he flipped from one page to another. His expression never changed as he read, but I never expected otherwise. He was never an advocate for muscle movements and facial contortions.

I cleared my throat and let my presence be known. But I know he already knows my existence, and he was just wise enough to choose to ignore that fact. He didn't look up from the paper he was reading, deeming it more important than dealing with me. The silence in the room stretched on, and I doubt he would initiate a conversation any time soon. He wasn't one to waste his time on unnecessary movements

So I cleared my throat once more to get his precious attention, only this time it was louder. "Isn't it a wonderful day, Mr Ambrose, sir?" I said, my pathetic initiation of a conversation.

He flipped through another page.

I sighed. I kind of expected his response. Again, I cleared my throat, louder and longer than the first two, "Lovely weather we have today, isn't it, sir?"

He continued reading.

I wasn't one to back down a fight, so for the fourth time, I cleared my throat. Louder, longer, and more frustrated. I could practically hear the voice of my Aunt Brank at the back of my mind, enlisting all reasons why what I'm doing is unladylike. Someone outside of his office might think he got a lion for a pet. But right now, I wouldn't mind being a lion, and devouring him alive!

To that, I meant to devour him in all literal sense.

"Mr Linton?" He finally says, still not looking up at me. But at least he spoke. Hallelujah! For a moment there, I thought he forgot the use of his lips. It would be a shame if he did.

"Yes, Mr Ambrose, sir?" I asked, a smile breaking into my face.

"Why is your throat malfuntioning?" he looked up to me for a second before looking back at his papers, "And your facial muscles as well."

Instinctively, my hand reached my cheeks, "It's called smiling."

"Have it under control now, Mr Linton," he grumbles, "I don't pay you for lazying about."

"But sir," his head immediately snaps at me, his icy glare almost made me forget how to speak. Almost, "I've been meaning to ask your permission regarding... an important matter."

He glanced at me before getting his attention back to the papers in his hand. All I got is his divided attention, but it was better than nothing, "Indeed?"

I nodded, even if he didn't see me, "Very much so."

Mr Ambrose didn't speak. He continued to read his documents so I took it as a cue for me to go on with whatever I want to talk about. He really has a different way in motivating a man, such as myself, to speak his mind.