The place was so noisy. It was full of children chatting, laughing, and even screaming that could be heard from a few meters away. Not to mention how they ran everywhere, jumped here and there, and even moved the tables and chairs. It was like you were in the middle of a war. It was hell.
However, when the door opened from the outside, the place became quieter instantly. The children who had been scattered everywhere immediately moved to their respective seats. The commotion changed the moment a pair of men and women stepped in.
"Morning, kids!" said a black middle-aged man, smiling widely and waving his hands to them.
“Good morning, Mr. Perkins,” they shouted in unison.
"As you can see, I brought someone with me here." Mr Perkins pointed to a woman who had been accompanying him. The new face showed her smile to dozens of pairs of eyes who looked at her curiously. "Say hello, guys. She will be your homeroom teacher from now on to replace Mrs. Easley. Her name is Ms. Lillianne Guinn."
“Whoa, she is so pretty…”
"She looks lovely but, she doesn't look as good as Mrs. Easley. What if we get scolded a lot?"
"I don't think she will be as good as Mrs. Easley."
"I don't like her. She looks so intimidating like Snow White's stepmother."
“I like her already.”
Even though it was very soft, the new teacher could hear the children whispering to each other at various positions in the room. The woman in the brown blazer was extraordinary for that.
"Ms. Lillianne Guinn, please greet your new students. They look so curious about you," said Mr. Perkins to her.
The new teacher with a very familiar face took a step forward before saying, "Hello, guys. My name is Lillianne Guinn. I will be your class teacher from now on. Let's get along very well. Don't hesitate to ask for my help anytime, okay?"
"Okay, Miss!"
While the other students were still busy gossiping about her, Lillianne's sharp irises fell on a little girl who had been silent at her desk since the beginning. When their eyes met, the girl hurriedly looked down again. She looked uncomfortable there.
'Hello, Evelyn Davies. I came especially to meet you. I must know a lot things about you.'
***
"That's a good explanation, Ms. Guinn. You have worked hard."
The new secretary received praise from the Chief Operating Officer. It was also approved by the other meeting participants.
Today, executives from Pageant Corp met to discuss a summary of the company's performance over the past month and prepare plans for next month. As the CEO's secretary, Lillianne participated in outlining reports on her boss' activities this month. As expected, it ran very smoothly. She also received praise from here and there even though it wasn't purely because of her job only.
"To think she was only here for about a week, but she also summarized the duties of the previous secretary perfectly as if she had already been there. They really chose the best secretary for Mr. Davies," added another. "Agreed."
"Anyway, I like your outfit today, Ms. Guinn. The brown blazer really suits you."
"I like the way you talk."
"Thank you for your praise, sir. I worked hard for this, I am happy that the results are good and satisfy you," said Liliianne. She was so proud, but still tried hard not to brag too much. It was the advice from Theodoros. He really helped her to adapt better to the office life she had only experienced once in her 800 years.
While the other executives praised, her gaze turned to the occupant of the chair in the center of the room. However, he did not give the response she wanted. He was still calm while checking the file in his hand.
'Did he even hear my presentation? Tsk, he is so annoying. I did all this to impress him, though.'
"Well, that's the summary for this month. We will move on to the next topic," said Blaze Davies, raising his face again. It shifted the gazes of the people who had been focused on her.
***
"That's all for our introduction today. We will start studying tomorrow. Don't forget to bring your books and the other stationery."
“Yes, Miss.”
The students were busy arranging their things in their bags after that. They then orderly began to leave the room. One by one they say goodbye to their new homeroom teacher.
"Do you remember my name, Ms. Guinn?" The first boy tried to hold a longer conversation with her.
"Of course! it's only been less than an hour since you introduced yourself. You are Darley Hayden, the class president, right?"
The child's face immediately lit up with joy. "I really enjoyed studying with you. Let's meet again tomorrow, Miss Guinn."
“See you then, Darley,” she said before sending him away.
"Miss, you are very beautiful."
“Here is candy for you, Ms. Guinn. I hope you like it.”
"Tommorrow, I will have a front row seat to see you, Miss Guinn."
After a few minutes, the queue was finally almost completed. There was only one student left who seemed to have deliberately chosen the last order. Just like before, she looked so awkward and shy before approaching her.
"Aren't you Evelyn Davies?" Lillianne stopped her before leaving just like that.
“Y-Yeah, Miss, do you remember me?”
The child who became the reason she came to this place only looked at her for a moment, before lowering her head again. She seemed to have great difficulty making eye contact.
'Is she actually this shy? She looked so normal around her father. It seems like it's different if he is not around.'
"I see you are too quiet, Evelyn. In the next class, I hope you will be more active in my lessons. If there is anything confused you about, don't hesitate to raise your hand and ask me, okay?" Lillianne tried to get closer to her.
However, she didn't answer anything. She just withdrew her hand from Lillianne's grip, before finally saying goodbye without looking at her. She even ran as if she was afraid of being chased.
"What's wrong with her?"
Lillianne let out a sigh. Her energy felt drained even though it had only been about an hour since she had mingled with the children. From the start, it wasn't her thing at all. She wouldn't have even done this if she hadn't had to. This is for Leander.
'My work here is finished. I have to leave too.'
Lillianne walked as usual at first. She even greeted several people who passed her. Then, after passing through the gate, her slim figure suddenly changed into a silver-furred wolf.
It happened quickly and smoothly, but even in broad daylight and in the middle of a crowd like that, no one noticed it -- apart from a few demons who also disguised themselves as human beings like her.
***
"That's all for today. All departments are expected to carry out according to plan."
"Yes, sir!"
After being closed by Blaze Davies, the meeting was finally over. The CEO with his secretary and his assistant were the first to leave the room, followed by the others. They were returning to the boss' room.
"You guys come with me to my room because there is something I want to tell you," Blaze said to the two as he walked hastily.
"Yes, sir!" Both answered in unison.
However, when Blaze Davies was about to open the door to his room, Lillianne and Theo Greg suddenly turned their attention to the long corridor leading to the elevator. The silver-furred wolf that was seen earlier was running fast towards her.
Lillianne let out a sigh when the creature crashed into her to become one with her again. On the other hand, Theodoros looked worried about her. He actually wanted to check her condition immediately but realized that she couldn't do that with Blaze Davies still among them.
"What was that just now?" Blaze suddenly asked. His eyes were a little shaken when he saw Lillianne. "You saw that too, right? Some weird creature came to you just now. Did I see it correctly or was my mind playing tricks on me?"
Lillianne and Theo Greg were shocked, reflexively looking at each other.
***