Chapter 36: The Hunt and the Horror-1

Suzzanah's POV "No! You are not going back into that forest" Mr. Talon screeched as he stood blocking the elevator. "Mr. Talon, please! I really need to go and look for it. As it is I'm dreading what the rain and mud must have done to that silky classy jacket. I'll owe the CEO forever if I lost something so expensive" "He won't mind!" Mr. Talon reasoned pressing his back further into the elevator. "Really Mr. Talon?" I asked incredulously, "and you're saying that? You're the one who told me that he'd kill me for just not bowing to him!" "But you're still alive though aren't you!" he replied, "Besides it's been a week now. It's probably become one with the forest vegetation by now. And the CEO has tons of jackets. I doubt he'd even notice this one missing." I shook my head, "I can't risk it. I need to go and look for myself or this stress of not knowing what has become of it alone will be the end of me. Please move!" "Nooooo!" He pressed his back harder into the elevator at the exact time as the doors slid open and I gaped in shock unable to lurch forward in time as he animatedly tumbled backwards onto a very surprised looking Mr. Penson who was holding his phone in his hand. "Aaaah!" Mr. Talon screeched before jumping away from Mr. Penson and clearing his throat. "I'm terribly sorry sir!" he said and I bit my lip to prevent myself from laughing out loud. "It's quite alright Talon", Mr. Penson said looking amused, "but I'm curious, what were you trying to do just then?" A blush creeped onto Mr. Talon's face, "Uh...nothing in particular sir" "Were you going somewhere?" "No sir. We weren't going anywhere", Mr. Talon said looking at me pointedly making me frown at him. "Good, because I need both of you to come with me, we still have work to finish", Mr. Penson said and started walking towards his room. Mr. Talon looked smugly at me and I narrowed my eyes at him, before we followed Mr. Penson. We spent the next 45 minutes working as usual but I couldn't take my mind off of the CEO's jacket. I need to go look for that jacket. But what if I can't find it? What will I tell the CEO? Will he fire me? Will he make me pay him back? Noooo! Can't I spend one day at work without worrying about being fired?? And what if I find it? What then? It would probably have become, like Mr. Talon had said, a part of the forest vegetation. What will I do with it then? I'll still be in danger of getting fired or being indebted for life! ARRRRGGHH! For some reason, within those 45 minutes, the tension had returned to the atmosphere at work. It no longer felt relaxed and care-free. Suddenly most people looked anxious and edgy, as though they were anticipating something big and important. The men gulped and adjusted their ties constantly, while the women kept wringing their fingers or biting their lips. No one even looked like they were ready to head for lunch. When it was 15 minutes to lunch time, I was done with all my work and was waiting anxiously for the clock to strike 1 pm so I could go look for the jacket. I wouldn't let Mr. Talon stop me this time. A few minutes later, as I was passing by Mr. Penson's office, the door opened and Mr. Penson walked out. When he saw me, he smiled at me. "Well, our work here is done for now Ms. Winters", he said and I smiled knowing I could go into the forest now but before I could think anything else he added, "Let's go." I stared at him puzzled and he raised his eyebrows, then smiled, "I said our work here is done, Ms. Winters. Now on to the next place" He started walking towards the elevator and my puzzlement immediately turned to disappointment. I need to go look for that jacket or I'll go insane, but that will obviously have to wait a little longer. I pouted and followed him. Once we got into the elevator, I paled considerably when I saw that we were going from the 18th floor right down to the ground floor. I had already endured this torture once this morning when I got to work. Oh God! Not again *** We finally reached the ground floor and I jumped out of the elevator, gasping for air while clutching my chest. "You are claustrophobic, Ms. Winters?" Mr. Penson asked and I smiled at him sheepishly before nodding awkwardly. He had his classic thoughtful expression on again, when no one could tell what he was thinking. He just nodded and returned my smile before patting my back gently. "Come", he said softly and I followed wondering where we were going. Once we walked out of the building I came to an abrupt stop. Outside, on either side of the large pathway, stood three bear-sized men all dressed in tight black clothes and thick dark vests. They flanked the path, standing straight and tall, chests puffed out and hands clasped behind their backs. They looked like bodyguards. What was going on? It took a few seconds for me to gather my jaw from the floor before I hurriedly followed Mr. Penson. He had stopped right in front of the road and I was surprised to see Roma standing beside him with a worried looking Mr. Talon standing behind him. Why was she here? Roma was dressed formally in a white blouse underneath a black coat, and black dress pants. Her dark hair was tied up in a neat bun. She looked stunning. I smiled widely at her and she smiled back before standing facing the road like Mr. Penson. I stood behind her, next to Mr. Talon wearing a puzzled expression. Mr. Penson turned toward me, "Just do as Talon explained to you on your first day and you'll be fine Ms. Winters", he assured with a smile, and turned away again. But why was he assuring me specifically? From the corner of my eye I saw Mr. Talon go stiff, I glanced at him to ask why but he suddenly looked pale and was sweating profusely. He looked at me through his thick rimmed glasses and I saw the tension in his eyes as he cringed at me. My confusion grew. Were we expecting some important clients? But the CEO and Vice-President weren't even here to participate in the meeting.