On a Different Level

Empty Sheets

The clock strikes 7:30 in the usual busy office.

"Ms. Morgan." The CTO called out.

The people paused for a second to look at whoever spoke.

"Is Ms. Morgan around?"

There was merely attention given to him by the other employees.

He sighed loudly as he shake his head in dismay, "When she gets here, tell her I need her in my office."

Knowing that his subordinates heard him, he went back into his office and went back to his work.

Minutes after, Alicia arrived to the office making everyone look at her.

"The boss asks for you." The manager informed her. Receiving a proper nod from the former.

Immediately after Alicia placed her things on her desk, she went to the CTO's office. A wondering thought stuck in her mind, "What could it be that he needs to talk to me about?"

Alicia properly knocked on the closed door in front of her, getting a faint, "Please come in."

Immediately, she opened the door and peaked through the space before finally opening it wider and entering the room.

"You ask for me, sir?" She questions immediately.

"Take a seat, please."

She obediently did what she was told to. Taking a seat from one of the empty chairs in front of the desk. The CTO's name that reads, Kenneth Paul, Chief Technology Officer, displayed atop of the glass desk was the first thing that caught Alicia's eyes.

"This is about your leave next week." The CTO started.

"What about it, sir?"

"Well." He leaned back and placed his hands in front of his abdomen, "I can't approve it."

"But-"

"There's an upcoming company event next Tuesday. We need more people assisting the technical staffs." He explains, sitting up straight and taking a paper from one of the folders on his desk, "You may need to revise that next week."

Alicia took the paper. She gave out a sigh before responding, "Yes sir."

"I want you to get your team. From this day forward test everything. If you have to, do dry-runs."

She nodded.

"And don't forget to report to me everyday."

"Yes sir."

It was the CTO's turn to nod at her, "That would be all. Thank you."

"Thank you, sir." She responded before standing up and exiting the room at once.

She casually walked back to her desk not minding her co-workers who are also busy working. As she sits down on her chair, she looks at the paper in her hand. I am writing this letter to inform you that I am in need of leave of absence for 2 weeks starting from 25th of October 2020. Due to personal reason which I am unable to mention.

"Alicia."

It caught her attention, making her look up from the paper that she's reading, "Yes, sir?"

"Mr. Hilder said that he needs an IT down in the receptionist."

Alicia nodded. She placed the paper on top of her desk and immediately stood up to attend to the tech call.

As she exited their office, she heard her phone ring several times. She reached out to her pocket to check it.

"3 messages?" She reads. Cautiously walking along the corridor while reading the messages she received.

*From: Mom

Li, can you please buy some eggs on your way home later?

And also milk too.

Thank you, honey. Love you.

She briefly sent her response and put her phone back into her pocket. Riding the elevator shortly. Upon arriving to the ground floor she walked to where the receptionist table is located.

"There she is." Mr. Hilder said.

There are 3 other IT staffs crowding around the female receptionist trying to solve the problem.

"What's the problem?" Alicia asked, as soon as she reaches them.

"I can't enter the user that I usually use. It keeps on saying that the domain is not registered."

Alicia held the mouse and took her time  to navigate in the page displayed in the monitor, "Okay."

"Can you recover my user?"

"Yes." Alicia smiled, "I just need to borrow your seat for a while."

The receptionist immediately stood up and let Alicia take over her place. All eyes were on her as she work her magic with the computer. Even the young IT staffs were surprised at how she work. Very precise, very smooth and very effective. In a matter of seconds, Alicia was able to solve the problem.

"Aww, thank you so much." The female receptionist almost gave her a hug but her step back was enough to stop the former.

"Is there any other problem, or that would be all?"

Mr. Hilder took the honor to answer the question, "That would be all, thank you, Ms. Morgan."

With a proper nod, Alicia turned around to walk back to the elevator. However, she accidentally hit another person who in the other hand is walking from the other direction.

"Oh, I'm very sorry." The girl apologized.

Alicia got back to her normal posture and immediately apologized as well, "I'm sorry."

They met eye to eye before the other girl squealed in happiness, "Alice?"

"Pardon me?" Alicia shows confusion.

"Oh my god. You wrote the book, White Christmas, right?" 

Alicia paused for a little while as she thinks.

"The Christmas murder.. thing." The other girl continues.

"Yes, I wrote something like that."

"So you are Alice Moon."

Alicia shook her head slightly, "Yes, it's my pen name."

"OH MY GOD!" Once again the girl showed her enthusiasm, "I love that book. Oh how I wish I was able to bring it here."

Alicia smiled at her, "Thank you."

"Can I have your number, like so I can meet up with you?" The girl abruptly pushed her phone towards Alicia's hand, "I really just want your autograph."

"Okay." Alicia took the phone and saved her number on it. Then she returned it to the girl.

"Thank you so much."

Alicia gave out a smile one more time.

The girl returned a happier smile to her, "I'll see you next time."

"Okay." Alicia responded.

The girl proceeded to leave the building, as for Alicia she continued walking to the elevator.

A smile can't stop creeping up her lips until finally she let out one with a chuckle. A fan? How come? I'm not even famous. She thought to herself before entering the elevator.