The Saga of LillyNomad & Nonson

[Lilly]

The Dreamings Part V age 17 Before The Deflowering

Every day for the past few weeks Lilly received a gift from a secret admirer. Each day the package is delivered by The Elegant Messenger, a service for wealthy clients who do not wish to reveal their identity.

The messenger who has delivered each of Lilly's gifts has been a dignified gentleman, well dressed and very well mannered. "Your package, Madam," the messenger announced, as he handed Lilly a small box. He then stood very straight as if waiting for orders.

"You've been coming here every day for two months or so, and I haven't asked you for your name," Lilly remarked as she opened the little box and took out a breathtakingly beautiful diamond pin.

"My name is Nonson, Madam. Nonson of The Elegant Messenger."

"Nonson, I need to know who's sending me these gifts, Lilly said with a mix of irritation and curiosity.

"We cannot reveal the identity of our clients, Madam."

After Nonson left, Lilly resolved to go to the Elegant Messenger and demand to know who her admirer is.

The next day at the offices of the messenger service company, Lilly watched several well dressed and debonair gentlemen come and go, each with a neatly wrapped package of some sort. She was about to ask to see the manager when suddenly saw something which made her stand frozen in the middle of the hallway.

On the main hall wall was a large oil painting. Beneath it was a gold plaque which read: CHAIRMAN of Somniferous Industries. The portrait was of Nonson, the messenger!

It didn't take long for Lilly to discover that Somniferous Industries owned The Elegant Messenger and many other successful businesses. She also asked a few employees a lot of questions and discovered that Nonson was a very wealthy bachelor who was handsome and very much desired by several well known single women.

The next day Nonson showed up as usual at Lilly's door, but -- for the first time -- he had no package. "I heard that you were at my offices yesterday," Nonson said without his usual formal tone. "And I'm sure you know now who I am. I hope you're not mad."

"Not mad, but curious," Lilly said as the two of them relaxed a bit, and she suggested for him to sit down. She realized that she had never seen him sitting before, and he was just as dignified as when he stood at attention. Yet today he seemed less formal.

"I've never obtained anything or met anyone without using gifts," Nonson explained. "Experts tell me that I fear rejection, so I set myself up so I can blame the gifts if people reject my overtures. I can say 'She didn't like the fur coat,' rather than 'She didn't like me.'"

Lilly enjoyed seeing the man behind the dignified exterior. He was sensitive and caring. "I have something to show you," Lilly said as she pulled a diary out of her desk drawer.

Nonson read the page she opened for him. Her neat handwriting told how she was attracted to "the messenger" who comes to her door everyday. One sentence even said, "I wish I knew him better." As he read, he became convinced that Lilly liked him, not just his gifts.

Lilly was so pleased with herself and so glad she bought that diary this morning. She only hoped he didn't notice the ink was still wet.

LillyNomad