Creating an Industrial Empire in 19th Century Parallel World Chapter 50 Back To Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Eight hours later, the three arrived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Poul and Jonathan exited the carriage and breathed in the air.

"It's good to be back," Jonathan said, as he glanced around at the lively town of their company.

Poul offered his hand to Alia, which the latter took as she stepped down the steps carefully. Alia looked around, taking in all the sights of her new workplace.

"It looked like a town," Alia comnted as she walked forward while her head was on a swivel.

"It doesn't look like a town, this is a town," Poul corrected. "Instead of having the workers work for hours to get to their workplace, why not just build them a place to stay?"

"That would indeed be efficient. Ti is of the essence, and having your workers near the workplace saves a lot of ti," Alia said.

"Sir Nielsen!"

A man called out from afar, prompting the three to turn their heads toward the source. It was Timothy. He ca to a screeching halt in front of Poul and Jonathan, who reflexively took a tiny step backward.

"Woah hold your horses down. What's the matter?"

"I have been waiting for your arrival, Sir Nielsen, Sir Axelsen. I have sothing that I'd like to show you. It's a device I have been working on, which could be a fine addition to the air brakes and the draft gear…"

As he was excitedly telling that to the industrialist duo, he noticed a sweet sll perfuming the air. He sniffed it.

"Uhm…are you two using so sort of perfu?" Timothy asked, looking questioningly between Poul and Jonathan.

Both n nodded their heads yes.

"I see, so that's why you two slled good. Your hair is also glossy, what did you do to make it like that?"

"Timothy, you surely jest. Did we sll bad before?"

"No sirs," Timothy said with an awkward bow.

"Well, we can check that thing you want to show to us. For now, I would like to introduce to you our new secretary," Poul extended his hand to the right side of him, where Alia stood with her hands behind her back. She curtsied politely to Timothy, who gaped open-mouthed, his eyes widening as if he just saw an angel.

"How do you do, Sir Timothy. I'm Alia Weiss. I'll be working in this company as its secretary. I'm looking forward to working with you."

Without realizing it, Timothy's legs moved forward and were now standing in front of her. He took her hand and placed a gentle kiss on it.

"How do you do as well, Miss Weiss. I'm looking forward to working with you as well."

"And I'm also looking forward to working with everyone here," Poul placed a hand on Timothy's shoulder. "You may remove your hand off her now, Timothy."

"Yes sir," Timothy said as he withdrew his hands. He smiled brightly, his gaze fixed only on Alia.

Seeing the two smiling at one another made Poul feel uneasy. "Don't you have work to do, Timothy?"

He said, his tone was stern but he was trying to keep his cool. It was quite unlike him, though he couldn't help it, seeing those two looking at one another smiling.

"Ah yes, of course," Timothy replied quickly as he turned to Poul. "I'll visit the main office at five o'clock, Miss Weiss," he tipped his hand before turning to his heels and leaving.

"He seed to be a pretty nice guy," Alia remarked.

"Hmph, is he?" Poul rely sniffed as he folded his hand.

Jonathan was controlling his laugh from behind. He leaned forward and whispered to Poul's ears.

"Easy there, you are getting obvious here."

"Get off my back, Jonathan," Poul hissed back from the corner of his lips.

"Uhm…Sir Nielsen. May I ask where I'll be working?" Alia asked, snapping the two n away from each other. Poul straightened up, clearing his throat.

"Right, of course. Please follow , I'll lead you to the main office."

Poul led the way and Alia followed behind him. Jonathan on the other hand didn't join as he had recalled sothing that slipped into his mind a while ago. He had to visit the construction site.

Alia was led to a two-story house. She frowned lightly, as it didn't look like much of an office to her. Nevertheless, she still followed Poul inside the house and into a room.

"Okay, this is it. Welco to our humble office," Poul said, gesturing to the room.

Alia stepped inside the room and took a look around. After a while, she let out a giggle.

"Wow, Mister Nielsen, your office is indeed humble."

Poul rubbed the back of his head in embarrassnt. "Is it not to your expectations? We haven't talked about constructing an office building as we were on a deadline while relocating our business here. Don't worry, it's only temporary."

"No, I liked it very much. It reminds of my early days when Miss Caroline's business was just starting," Alia said ruefully.

"Hmm, there are two desks here. One's mine and the other from Jonathan. This is where we do the paperwork and talk business with clients. You can use my desk for now until I buy a new one. It will probably be in a day or two."

"I understand."

"Okay, let's head upstairs. I'm going to show you your room," Poul said, leading the way upstairs.

They climbed two flights and ended up in front of a door. Poul opened it, revealing a plain bedroom.

"A little bit of history here. This was our room. This is where Jonathan and I sleep. You can use this room once we build you one adjacent to this."

"But where will you two sleep?" Alia asked. Poul shrugged.

"There is one sofa outside and an armchair huge enough for one man to sleep in. We can sleep there," Poul said.

"That won't do. Mister Nielsen. If I may be honest, this treatnt is making embarrassed. First, you are letting use your table and now your bedroom? At the expense of your comfort? I can understand the table but the bedroom is too much."

"Well I think it's not proper for two n to sleep in the room together with one woman," Poul said.

"It doesn't concern ," Alia waved his concerns away.

"It doesn't concern you?" Poul repeated, slightly confused at her response. Was she not aware of the dangers of having two n sleeping in the sa room as her? "Well, what if I did sothing to you."

"Are you going to do sothing weird to ?" Alia locked her gaze with Poul.

"N-No," Poul stamred a response, averting his face as he felt shaful of saying that to her.

"Then there's no problem, is there? I'll unpack my things here. Are there any places that you'd like to show around?"

"We can do that later," Poul said. "Once you finish unpacking, you may proceed to my office. I'll give you a brief discussion of your work."

"I understand," Alia said.

"Then, I'll excuse myself."