Chapter 5

Why is he here so early?!

Ah… I need to hide… hide!

But…

Where?!

At the corner of my eye, I noticed the credenza cabinet on one side that is supposed to be used for files that are no longer in need. As far as I can remember, I cleaned that up just a day before going MIA. For sure, it’s still clean, right?

“Yes. I’ll hang up now.”

He’s here!!!

I’ve got no other choice… And since my body had shrunken so much, I’m sure I can fit inside!

With a swift step, I approached the cabinet almost instantly. And then, I slid it’s door open before forcing myself inside and closing the door.

It’s so cramped.

But I wasn’t wrong. It really is clean and I did fit inside.

Then I heard the door click.

“Hmn? Wasn’t this locked?” I heard his low voice.

The cabinet is almost right beside the door so I can hear his voice although I’m sure he’s just mumbling to himself. And I completely forgot locking the door before hiding. It slipped my mind.

But, I’m sure he wouldn’t notice anything… right?

As I followed the sound of his footsteps with my ears, I realized that he’s walking towards my desk. My heart was thumping so much that I couldn’t help sweating. The cramped place didn’t help.

‘What is he doing in front of my desk?’

That’s the question I have that I’m sure I wouldn’t find the answer out no matter how much I think.

‘Just hurry up and enter your office then leave…’

Few seconds later, I heard his footsteps once again. He was finally moving towards his own office. As weird as it is, I can tell just by the sound of his steps. I didn’t realize earlier, but I think my ears are more sensitive than usual…

With that thought in mind, I subconsciously touched my ear, only to be reminded that they actually turned weird a few days ago. They turned like an animal’s.

I honestly forgot my weird ears and tail for a moment.

Okay, at least these ears can help in my situation right now. So, where is the CEO now?

Once again, I focused my attention on using my ears. I even placed my ears right beside the door to have a clearer sound. And that’s when I confirmed that he finally entered his office.

‘Should I go out now?’

But I think he’s coming out anytime soon, too, based on his conversation on the phone earlier. So maybe, it’s better to wait until he completely leaves before I leave?

But minutes passed and there was no movement outside.

‘What happened to that ‘I’ll be on my way’?’

I can also feel the thinning of the air inside this closed space… I can’t breathe well. Maybe I should just go and leave while he’s still in his office?

Yeah, let’s do that.

Slowly, I pushed the cabinet door open. And then, I peeked my head outside to see if it’s clear.

‘His office door is closed…’

I can see his door from here. It’s also good that the curtains, covering the glass wall separating his office and mine, is closed at this time. I can move freely unless he comes out.

Now, Tiffany, it’s time to go.

It’s good that the cabinet is near the door. But… my fountain pen… my precious fountain pen. I thought, maybe I could just go and leave it behind, but… but, I can’t!

I can see my desk right from here… it’s just a few steps away. And I can hear the voice of my pen calling me, crying ‘don’t leave me…’.

Ah! I’ve got to get it back!

With that, my feet rushed back towards my desk. I also noticed my unusual nimble movements. It feels like my body is so light… well, I did shrink quite a bit.

Silently, I pulled the cabinet drawers open once again. Maybe I just misplaced it somewhere and it got covered by the mountain of things inside. As long as I stay down, the table would cover my small figure, so, I’m safe as long as the CEO stays in his room a little bit more.

“Not here… not here, either…”

Where is it?

And then… I suddenly remember one funny fact.

The day before I turned like a cosplaying kid, I remembered that one lady who was in my office, bringing her child along. And then, the CEO came and sent the lady away. After that, what did I do?

Hmn…

I remember following the CEO to his office. And the thing in my hand… I’m sure it was a surface tablet… and… and my pen… what kind of pen was it? If I think about it now… that pen was…

That’s it! My fountain pen!

I remembered carrying it in my hand because I was so occupied when dealing with the lady! I was just supposed to fiddle with it, but I ended up bringing it with me to the office! And then… I left it there?

No…

My pen… my poor fountain pen!

But I couldn’t do anything else but just stare at the closed door to the CEO’s office. If it really was left in his office… then it’s already almost impossible to get it back.

Ah… even though I love that pen so much… I can’t risk my life, being caught by the CEO!

Then I guess… This is goodbye, my beautiful, lovely fountain pen!

With a heavy heart, I decided to just go and never look back.

I lifted my small, bare feet and started walking towards the door. I couldn’t help but feel sad the nearer I get to exiting the room. I just can’t help mourning for my pen. It was my precious baby… I’ve took care of it for years… I never even used it to write even though it’s a pen… and now, it just got taken away.

But I can only blame myself… I’m such a stupid---

“Who are you?”

…

Huh?

D…did I hear that voice right?

“Excuse me? Who are you?”

I wasn’t wrong…

It’s indeed his voice.

The CEO!

Out of panic, I leapt towards the door, without looking back even once, as I stretched my hand towards the knob. It was just a small, small distance away… just a little bit and I can finally get out!

But then…

“Wait.”

He…

He pulled my tail.

“K-kyaaaa---!”

What was that?!

I felt like my soul was being pulled away from my body!

I immediately flailed and was able to get away from his grip. The moment I felt the cold floor on my feet, I immediately dropped down and squeezed myself on the corner. I still feel weird… my tail feels weird!

I curled up my body and hugged my tail in between my knees. And, unconsciously, I found myself glaring at my ever so gorgeous CEO. The CEO, in return, just raised his brows at me, his hand still outstretched in the air. Then, he slowly tilted his head as he also bended his knees to level with me.

“Are you my secretary’s daughter?’ he asked the same thing as Phoebe.

But I couldn’t bring myself to speak.

I… I feel like my soul had yet to come back to my body when he pulled my tail. That’s why, when he stretched his hand to pat my head, I couldn’t do anything but stare at him.

“Ah… what an irresponsible mother, leaving her kid behind, looking like this.”

Suddenly, I felt ashamed. Do I really…

Look that bad?