Vanished Into Thin Air


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    Sure enough, Matthew soon came to the office.


    With aposed smile, I asked, “Did Johnson call you? Where were you so early in the morning?”


    “Yes, he called me. He said you wereing to work, and I was surprised you didn’t mention itst


    night.”


    He removed his coat, hung it up, and then looked at me. “I just went to check out a construction site on


    the way here.”


    I exined, “It was a spur–of–the–moment decision. I felt a bit free after sending Ava to daycare.”


    Meanwhile, Matthew approached and sat beside me. “I thought about something on the way back. You


    can go to the general office if you insist on working. I think it suits you well. It’s flexible, no pressure,


    and


    it’s also good to have someone overseeingpany matters.”


    “No, I’m going to the marketing department. That’s where I’m best suited,” I rejected Matthew’s


    arrangement, expressing my thoughts and seeming stubborn.


    I understood Matthew’s intention to send me to the general office. It was just a nominal position, but I


    wanted to get involved to know what Tanum Corporation was like as apany now.


    “But Johnson is in the marketing department.”


    “Hey! I can start as a regr employee. He’s your right–hand man, and I won’t usurp his authority. I


    want to challenge myself and see if I still have my previous drive. I miss those days,” I spoke lightly.


    Then I smiled without care and continued, “The schedule is flexible too. If you make me work every


    day, I might not adjust well. I haven’t worked for four to five years, so let me ease into it.”


    Matthew rxed once I said that. Then he walked over to my side,ughing. “All right, honey. You get


    to


    decide. Whatever makes you happy.”


    Johnson was efficient and quickly cleared out an office for me. The room was decently sized, right next


    to his office.


    I was true to my words, slowly easing into work life again. I went through the motions at peace, doing


    nothing substantial all day. I looked at client information and checked In with different departments


    haphazardly, without strict protocol.


    Sometimes, I disappeared for half the day but would show up in the office again before the day ended.


    Nobody knew my routine.


    I had been a restraint on Matthew since I returned to work. Although he seemed busy, we showed


    some


    Initially, Johnson was quite nervous, closely monitoring and circling my actions. However, my working


    pattern for the past three days and idling for two left him at a loss on how to keep up. Gradually, he


    rxed.


    That was when I heard him saying I was just passing the time by being at thepany. Frankly, that


    wasn’t all I was doing. While others thought I was just easing in, Ivanna had dug up Tanum


    Corporation’s clientele information, and I was busy going through those records.


    Time wasn’t on my side, and Ava developed a high fever on the night Matthew was on a business trip


    in Operose. My daughter’s fever was so severe that I had to immediately take her to the hospital.


    However, after arriving at the hospital, I discovered the billing counter only epted cash. I rummaged


    through my purse and, fortunately, found my bank card. A nurse told me there was an ATM near the


    entrance, and I handed Ava to the doctor before rushing to withdraw some money.


    I was petrified when I realized I couldn’t withdraw even a hundred dors. This card held the money


    Matthew and I had saved to buy a house. We hadn’t touched it for years, and the money was supposed


    to


    remain in the ount until we found the right house. 1


    How could there be no money in there? I felt dizzy as I checked the ount a few times. Then I quickly


    pulled out my phone and called Matthew to ask what was happening and where the money went.