I can read and write sirs

Chapter 15: I can read and write, sirs

"You can read the book," Mr. Willard said, repeating it for the probably the fifth time since I read the book's cover.

"Yes, Mr. Willard. I can read. Is that surprising?" I replied with a hint of confusion.

Of course I can read, why would I be here if I can't?

"I can't believe she can actually read it," he mumbled, organizing the documents on his messy desk.

I wondered if I shouldn't have been able to read it or if Mr. Willard just couldn't. After I read it, both Mr. Willard and Mr. Celestino started behaving strangely. Mr. Celestino took the book into his office without a word, and Mr. Willard couldn't stop muttering about it.

They wouldn't answer any of my questions or even look at me. Maybe the book held some secret I wasn't supposed to know. It must have shocked them when I was able to read it. Well, I'll just focus on work and try to forget about it, just like I brushed off the fact that I can see ghosts.

Since working here, I've grown adept at brushing off things others might find unnatural. Perhaps I can become so good at it that I'll forget my bosses are strange.

Can't believe I find my bosses stranger more than me when I usually find myself the most weird and unusual of all.

"You can read it!" Mr. Hargraves burst out of Mr. Celestino's office, grinning as he ran toward me.

"When did you get in here?" I asked, surprised.

Mr. Hargraves really know when to pop up whenever something weird is happening around me. He sure knows how to entertain himself. I'm not sure it's good that I'm his entertainment but whatever, for the boss I'll be their personal entertainer!

"Of course! I knew it! I heard them talking!" he laughed and then turned toward Mr. Willard, who was also grinning widely. "This calls for a celebratory dance!" 

"No Jareth." Mr. Willard said, his eyes filled with panic.

Mr. Hargraves just grinned and suddenly played a music through his phone and started shaking his hips and dancing cha cha in front of Mr. Willard! His hip shaking was actually good! He can pass as a professional dancer with his performance!

Suddenly, they were dancing and hopping around the office. Mr. Willard joined in with his hilarious booty and shoulder shaking. Mr. Hargraves and he had a dance battle, both stiff and serious, which made it even funnier. They were so competitive! I couldn't help but laugh at their randomness. Mr. Willards looks like he still wants to protest but his smile says otherwise.

I had no idea what we were celebrating, but the joy was contagious, and I felt ecstatic, swept up in the moment. Even though they look like those zombies from the zombie movies with their stiff shaking body. I didn't join their dance but I was laughing with them. They look so happy!

"What are you guys doing?" Ms. Alderei's voice startled us, and they froze mid-dance, I was on the ground clutching my tummy as we looked at her with shock and embarrassment.

The silence was awkward, and Mr. Hargraves seemed unphased, while Mr. Willard quickly returned to his desk, his face flushed. The music from Mr. Hargraves's phone continued to play, making the situation even more cringe-worthy.

Mr. Hargraves, of course, continued his dancing while looking at us with a clear question mark on his face, as if he is asking us why did we stop.

I looked away from him in embarrassment.

"You ruined the mood Zephrine." Mr. Hargraves sulk as he stopped his twerking.

"What? You guys are the ones dancing like crazy." She said, her eyebrows furrowed.

"We are celebrating." Mr. Hargraves dropped his body on the sofa. He is clearly disappointed that he was not able to show us his killer moves.

That will surely kill us from embarrassment.

"What are you celebrating? I don't remember anything to celebrate, the only thing that I remember is our pile of problems."

"You don't know? Irene can read the book." Mr. Hargraves is looking at Ms. Alderei like she just lost her head.

Ms. Alderei looked at me, her eyes wide and her mouth slightly agape. "You can read the book." She pointed at me with her fingers.

"I can?"

I can read and write boss

"Oh gods! Are you serious? She can read it!" She put her hand on her mouth, her face still showing disbelief.

"Told ya, eavesdropping is worth it." Mr. Hargraves proudly smiled.

"I should go tell Killian."

"He's probably riding the helicopter now." Mr. Hargraves reminded her.

"Oh. Then I should leave a voice message."

Just like that, she left without saying anything else. I was ignored again. What's with that book that everyone is shocked that I can read?

"What's with the book?" I asked Mr. Hargraves.

"It's nothing to worry about! It's just some ordinary book!"

An ordinary book that for some reason they can't read? Yeah, Nothing to worry about.

"They're just being silly Ms. Loera. I can read the book myself. There's nothing to worry about." Mr. Celestino got out of his room while holding the book.

I felt a sudden relief wash out the uneasiness that is building in my stomach.

"Then what's with that reaction? I was so freaked out." I said but there's still an uneasiness in my stomach.

"We sometimes just act strange. Noting to worry about." Mr. Willard admitted. 

"We are strange?" Mr. Hargraves said as he looked at Mr. Willard with a clear question mark on his face.

"Yeah! I'm sorry Irene but the truth is, Jareth wanted to play a joke on you yesterday! He just wanted to make your friendship stronger." Mr. Willards put his shoulder on Mr. Hargraves and they started walking towards the door.

"I did?" Mr. Hargraves asks.

"You didn't have to do that Mr. Hargraves. I would love to be your friend without that weird act." I said at him. 

Now I'm not the only one who's confused. At least Mr. Hargraves is confused with me. We can be confuse together in this office. Then, Mr. Willard practically dragged Mr. Hargraves out of the room. I stared at them with my mouth hanging as I tried to understand what just happened. I was condused, then we celebrated for unknown reason, and I'm back to confuse.

"Now that they're gone Ms. Loera, why don't we read this book?" Mr. Celestino smiled at me and placed the book in front of me.

We're not gonna read this entire thing right? Or will we?