silvermah

Mah🌙

Mah=Moon in Persian 🤍🕊📚 Huh? 🥸 |19|

450 posts

My Boss Is My Cat

My Boss is My Cat

Alhaitham has the looks and the smarts. He will also be the stand-in CEO for his grandfather's company for a year.

But, he's been mysteriously cursed to turn into a cat every night since his eighteenth birthday… until he meets you, an employee at his grandfather's company, who rescues him as a cat and changes him back with one kiss.

Alhaitham/You

Notes:

Cross-posted on AO3

Female reader

Chapter One: Taken In

“Say something, Haitham!”

Like... what?

If he wants to be a good grandson, he would say yes. Yes, to taking over the company for a year while his grandfather recovers from his latest health scare. But, Alhaitham doesn't want to. He knows nothing about business; his nose is always buried in books, research, and scholarly duties at Akademiya, one of the world's most famous and internationally recognized educational institutes. He doesn't have time to… be a stand-in CEO for a rapidly-growing technology and entertainment company. What does he know about entertainment? Close to nothing. Technology, on the other hand…

"Why choose me?" Alhaitham asks rationally. "I'm not in the industry. It's not reasonable, and everyone would be suspicious."

“You’re a scholar on technology integration, aren’t you?” his grandfather asks. “What good is research if you’re not putting it to good use?”

“But—”

"I've already talked about it with the other business leaders. They know about your research, Haitham. You've spoken at business conferences and consulted companies. Every industry utilizes technology to facilitate business operations, cut costs, and more. It's time to see how we can use this in entertainment." His grandfather sternly looks at Alhaitham. "You would be a valuable asset to the company."

Alhaitham still has his doubts. But… is it his doubts or something else?

“You can’t evade positions of authority forever.”

“That’s not—”

“You rejected an opportunity for Grand Scholar at Akademiya.” His grandfather shakes his head in disappointment. “Heaven knows why…but would you not like your efforts recognized?”

“It’s the work that matters,” Alhaitham says. “Not the title.”

"A title means more responsibility!" his grandfather roars, and Kaveh almost steps back. "If you keep rejecting every leadership opportunity that comes your way, you will end up with nothing." But then, his tone softens. "Think of this as a challenge, Haitham. You'd be doing the company and yourself a favour. Would you not like to see your research being used for something good?"

Alhaitham has always been told he’s a good debater. But if there’s one person he can never convince is his grandfather. His grandfather has a point, as much as Alhaitham hates to admit it. He may dislike positions of authority, but perhaps it’s because he’s getting too comfortable. Everything seems easy, and he’s enjoying it a little too much.

“Okay," Alhaitham sighs. "I’ll do it.”

His grandfather smiles. “Wonderful! I knew you’d come to your senses, Haitham!”

Well, now he has homework to do. It's not like Alhaitham to agree to something and do it poorly. No. Now that he's taken this on, he will do everything he can to deliver results.

After Alhaitham and Kaveh leave the hospital room, Kaveh comes up beside his friend and says, “It’s not every day someone just suddenly becomes the CEO of a multi-millionaire company. Should we celebrate?”

“There’s nothing to celebrate,” Alhaitham deadpans. “It’s only for a year. And”—he sighs—“I haven’t done anything.”

Kaveh puts his hands around his head. “Yet.” Alhaitham looks at him. “You haven’t done anything… yet. You just got the job like… five minutes ago, and you’re already worrying about results! Geez, just relax for a little bit."

To this day, Alhaitham doesn't know if Kaveh's carefree nature is something to be admired. He and Kaveh are childhood friends who know each other a little too well. Both sought comfort in each other as their parents were rarely around. They were together so much that they became embroiled in dating rumours until Kaveh started dating a girl… but the relationship was short-lived. Alhaitham's grandfather raised the two as his own, and eventually, they saw each other as brothers.

When Alhaitham feels a buzz in his pocket, he takes out his phone and sees a message from his grandfather.

I’ve arranged your first appearance to be at the Best Hit Awards.

Ah, yes. The Best Hit Awards. Alhaitham may not be in the industry, but he knows all about it. His grandfather awards the recipients yearly for the best drama production and the like. It's one of the most respectable award ceremonies in the industry.

You’ll be my replacement. Dress the part.

Soon, his grandfather sends an attachment, and Alhaitham opens it to see the list of awardees this year. Curious, he scans through the list and sees a familiar drama that even he has heard about and watched in his free time despite his lack of interest in them. Then, he looks at the writer receiving the award for that show and sees… your name.

“What are you looking at?” Kaveh asks. Then, he looks over at Alhaitham’s phone and nearly grabs it out of his hand. “Wait! What is this list?” Alhaitham doesn't even have to answer as Kaveh exclaims, “Whoa! Hold up! Why do you have the awardee list?”

“I’m his replacement.”

Kaveh's jaw almost drops. "So many questions. But, first, pleeease tell me that Love in the Spotlight won something!”

Love in the Spotlight. That's the show Alhaitham watched during his free time. He watched an episode… and another… and another… until he realized it was eating too much into his time. So, he forced himself to stop.

He never imagined he would meet the woman behind the magic.

“It did,” Alhaitham says as the automatic doors slide open for the men.

Kaveh nudges him. “Hey… you wouldn’t mind a plus one, right?” Alhaitham gives him a deadpan look. “What? I just want an autograph from one of the cast!"

Alhaitham doesn't answer but walks to the car with Kaveh behind him.

On the way back to Akademiya, Kaveh turns to his friend, who looks deep in thought about something.

“Hey.” Alhaitham glances at him. “Have you told your grandfather about your problem yet?” Kaveh asks.

“Why are you bringing this up?”

"Now that you're going to be Mr. Big Shot CEO, I wouldn't be surprised if you're going to be working overtime." Kaveh smiles mischievously. "Unless you want to show up to meetings as a cat."

It's a secret that Alhaitham is prepared to take with him to the grave. It began on the night of his eighteenth birthday. A mysterious, fantasy-like transformation into a dark grey cat. Alhaitham remembers the day like it was yesterday. The sheer panic that coursed through his veins and made him attack Kaveh when they were roommates was something Alhaitham had never felt before. Kaveh was just as surprised, wondering where this mysterious cat came from, as Alhaitham had never expressed interest in getting a pet.

It wasn't until early morning the next day that Alhaitham mysteriously changed back… naked in his bed. He had hoped it was a bad dream, but it's been happening daily without any way to stop it. Kaveh had laughed a little too hard and too much but promised to keep it a secret… even from Alhaitham's grandfather, as Alhaitham didn't want to bother him when his company was taking off.

To this day, Alhaitham still hasn't found a solution. Instead, he's learned to live with it. Though Kaveh continuously suggests using it to his advantage as the grannies and the "cute girls" who walk by always want to give Alhaitham food and pets. Regardless, Alhaitham has accepted his fate, but it still remains a secret that only he and Kaveh know about.

“I’ll handle it.”

“And exactly how are you going to do that?” Kaveh asks.

Alhaitham doesn’t know, but he’ll figure something out. He always does.

◆◆◆

"I don't understand why we can't make the female lead a little more…."

“Dumb?” you ask bluntly.

You look at the male intern who recently got put onto the writing team. With the success of Love in the Spotlight, your last project, you're now leading a team of mostly rookie writers for a new project. Of course, this doesn't come without a little competition. Whoever's story proposal gets the most votes from the leadership team will be the one that gets priority and the biggest budget out of the films the company is producing this year.

While you're excited to take on this challenge and foster some great talent, you haven't been pleased with what you've been hearing, especially from this one male who seems keen on making suggestions that make the female lead lack any common sense.

“That’s not—”

“Then why would she be willing to work as his maid when she’s supposedly the top student at her school?” you challenge. “What circumstances would make her accept something like that?”

“...Desperation?” he asks quietly. “Maybe we don’t have to make her grades as good—”

“Times are changing,” you interrupt, trying to keep your temper at bay. “More and more people don’t want to see the same stereotypes over and over again. A woman doesn’t have to dumb herself down to get someone to like her.”

“Yeah, but her grades aren't the reason why he likes her! I mean… she’s helping him overcome a terrible past!”

“She’s not his mother,” you snap. “Let him overcome his trauma himself.” You look at the clock and close your laptop. “It’s almost lunchtime. Let’s get back together next week for another brainstorming session. I’m expecting better ideas.”

You stood up. Just before you walk out the door, you hear that same guy mutter, “What’s her problem? It was just an idea.”

You're waiting for your coffee at the company lounge when Childe walks into the area.

“Hey, sweet cheeks."

“Don’t make me file a sexual harassment case against you, Childe.”

He laughs and comes up beside you. “If you really wanted to, you would’ve done so by now.”

Well, that's true. You and Childe went to school together, and while he's older than you, it often feels like you're the older one with your mentality. He's always called you nicknames, so this isn't new. But, now that you work together, you'd rather keep your personal friendship at bay at work.

You pull out your phone. “You’re right. Why didn’t I do it sooner?”

Childe grabs your hand that has the phone, and you give him a deadpan look. “Okay, I’ll stop,” he says, letting go. You grab your coffee just as he asks, “So, how’s the new show coming? You’re training some new recruits, right?”

You’d rather not talk about it. “We’re still coming up with ideas.”

“Any good ones?” he asks, and you eye him suspiciously. “I’m just genuinely curious! Not working for the enemy here.”

“Are you sure?” you ask sarcastically.

He leans closer to you. “You know I’d always be on your side.”

You hold his stare for three seconds… five seconds… “Your fly’s open.”

Childe immediately looks down. You smile, grab your coffee, and walk away.

As you leave the lounge, Tighnari, your best work buddy working in the documentary department, comes up beside you.

“A coffee in the middle of the day?” he asks. “Must be a rough day.”

“You have no idea.” You take a sip of your coffee and glance at him. “How's that forest documentary with Sumeru Geographic coming along?”

“Don’t make me steal that coffee from you.”

“I heard it wasn’t that bad.”

“When you have so many opinions bouncing around,” Tighnari says, lips forming a neat line, “sometimes it can cause a bit of friction.”

“Hang in there, Nari."

Tighnari puffs out his cheeks and lets out a short breath of air. “Hangin’ in there.” As you and Tighnari turn the corner, he says, “Oh, did you hear about that stand-in CEO? They made a decision.”

It's a conversation you heard on the lips of almost everyone you passed by. But, this is news to you. The last thing you hear is that they might be grabbing someone from outside, which baffles you. But, hey, you aren't the one making the important business decisions.

“And?”

“I heard he’s hot.”

“Really?” you deadpan, glancing at him. “Out of everything that you’ve heard… you only remember that he’s hot?”

“And smart.” Tighnari glances at you. “And… he’s the grandson of the CEO.”

You almost choke on your coffee. “You’re kidding, right?”

"He has an impressive background, though."

“Well, let’s hope he lives up to expectations.”

Tighnari laughs. “It sounds like you don’t like him very much.”

You shrug. “It’s not like he’ll have anything to do with me.”

When you and Tighnari part ways, you're just about to reach your desk when you're suddenly summoned to your manager's office. You can feel it in your gut. It's not great news, and you hope you're wrong.

You knock on your manager's door before opening it. He looks at you from his large computer screen and gestures for you to sit down.

“You wanted to see me?” you ask, taking a seat.

“I wish it was good news,” he says, looking at you in mild disappointment.

Oh, great. Your hunch is right.

“There’s been a couple of complaints about your attitude during writer meetings.”

"My attitude?" you ask incredulously.

“The way you word things or give feedback to the junior writers comes off as too condescending.”

Your jaw almost drops. "I… I really had no idea they felt that way. How am I too condescending?"

“Well, when it comes to discussing ideas, you seem to have a very… strong direction of how relationships should play out between the characters.”

"Is this about what I said to the intern in the writer's room today?"

Your manager nods, his lips in a neat line. “I had to call you in because he isn’t the first to voice his opinion on your ways.”

"His ideas were too… traditional." You're fighting to sound as diplomatic as possible. "People don't like seeing a woman who has no common sense and a man who strangely falls for that because it's her 'charm.'"

"I get where you're coming from. But that's your opinion." Your manager puts his elbows on the table. "Love in the Spotlight was a success because it was different and unique. An independent woman who doesn't give up her values and ideals for a man. But there is still a market for people who want something more comedic. We wouldn't still be producing those kinds of shows if there wasn't." He has a kind look in his eyes when he says, "I'm sure you understand what I'm saying."

You know. Stop being so snappy. It’s just an idea. No need to get your panties in a knot. You wish you didn’t get so riled. But the thought of young girls mimicking the behaviour or thinking that it’s okay to lessen your worth to get a boy’s attention… it’s like an insufferable itch. Perhaps it’s because of your past experiences with men.

“I’ll watch my words next time,” you say.

“Good. I knew you’ll understand!”

“Is that all?”

“You’re dismissed.”

With your back toward your manager, you close the door on your way out.

◆◆◆

Kaveh returns to Alhaitham's apartment with a bucket of fried chicken, fries, and gravy that evening. Upon opening the door, Kaveh doesn't see his friend… but a dark gray cat sitting in front of the door.

“I… guess I was too late,” Kaveh says, shutting the door behind him. Alhaitham’s annoyed-sounding meow says it all. “Hey, it’s not my fault, though! There was traffic and a long line-up!”

Alhaitham doesn't really buy it, but what else can he do? So, he walks to his healthy cat kibble and sits in front of the bag. Then, after Kaveh finishes washing his hands, he scoops some kibble into Alhaitham's bowl.

"Maybe you should show up to your meetings as a cat," Kaveh says, putting a water bowl in front of his furry friend. "I'm sure you'll win a bunch of clients." Alhaitham looks at him. Then, as if Kaveh can read his mind, he raises his hands as if surrendering. "Okay, okay. I'll stop with the jokes."

Later in the evening, Kaveh watches a rerun of one of his favourite dramas when Alhaitham puts his paw on the front door. Kaveh looks over and asks, "You want to go out?"

Does Alhaitham have a choice? The show Kaveh is watching isn't Alhaitham's favourite, and Alhaitham has already finished his daily night reading. He had looked out the window, and the weather was quite nice. So, why not an evening stroll?

Kaveh opens the door. "Don't stay out too late. You got that?" Alhaitham walks out into the hallway. "One loop around the neighbourhood, and you're back home. Got it?"

Alhaitham and Kaveh slowly turn and see a young boy staring at Alhaitham. “Kitty!” He’s just about to run over when his mother grabs his arm. She apologizes and quickly drags her son down the hallway.

Kaveh leans against the doorway. “Well, as always, good luck out there.”

Many might consider it strange, but Alhaitham likes to people-watch. Even more so as a cat. He knows it's rude to stare as a person, but as a cat… no one cares. So he's lying casually on a stone wall, looking at the people who pass by.

The cell phone-addicted male student who's always playing the same game on his way home from school. Looks like he found another game to play today; he gets tired of things fast. The tall salaryman always wears the same white-collared shirt and black pants. It looks like he got a better watch. He must've gotten a salary increase. Maybe that's why he's standing straighter than usual. The female student who's always wearing shorts and carrying a tennis bag. Did something happen at tennis practice? She doesn't look too happy.

Then, he sees you.

That’s interesting. You're a new face in this area. Did you recently move here? Are you visiting a friend? Alhaitham’s tail swishes upwards as he watches you. You’re staring straight ahead as you talk on the phone with who Alhaitham assumes is a friend from the brief conversation he hears.

“Yeah, I’m thinking of moving out… but I haven’t decided yet,” you say.

Alhaitham watches you walk by and hops off the wall. He's so focused on you that he doesn’t see a cyclist zoom by…

You whirl around upon hearing the sound of tires screeching and one loud shout of profanity. Your eyes widen when you see an older man on the ground, the front tire of his fallen bike still spinning, and… a cat struggling to get up.

“Where the fuck did this cat come from?”

Well, this guy sure is pleasant. You immediately walk and lean toward the cat, who looks like it's in obvious pain.

“Geez,” you mutter as you gently pick it up.

“Is that cat yours?”

You look up and see the man glaring at you. “Does it matter?”

“Of course it fucking does! You should take responsibility! I almost died!”

You match his glare with one of your own. Then, you stand with the cat in your arms. “Stop being a drama queen. If you have the energy to yell at someone, you’re clearly fine.” You hear him yell something as you turn around, but it falls on deaf ears. Before you walk away, you look over your shoulder. “The cat’s not mine, by the way.”

As soon as you enter a nearby vet clinic, the receptionist looks up and asks, “Do you have an appointment?”

"Um, well, this cat got hit by a bike." You look down at the cat, who seems too comfortable in your arms. "I just want to make sure it's okay."

The receptionist comes around the counter and looks at the feline. When it touches one of its front paws, Alhaitham winces in pain.

“He doesn’t look too bad. We can do a check-up.”

So, you follow the receptionist to a back room, where a dog immediately stands and starts wagging its tail upon seeing Alhaitham. But with his one look, the dog sits down but keeps his eyes on him. You briefly explain to the veterinarian what happened before placing the feline on the table.

“Is it going to be okay?” you ask, watching the vet examine him closely.

“It’s a sprain. Nothing to be worried about.”

You pull out your phone and see a new message from your friend. It's a listing for an apartment in the area you were just in. Quite luxurious, but you could afford it with your recent salary increase.

You're looking through the details when the vet says, "There we go! All fixed up." You look up and see the cat staring at his bandaged front leg. "You keep him in excellent shape. He's well taken care of."

“Oh… um, the cat isn’t mine.”

“Oh! Is it a stray?”

Alhaitham meows and dips his head. “I suppose," you say cautiously, suspicious if the cat understood the vet's question.

“Would you like to run it for tests?”

It hits you now the possible diseases that this cat might be carrying. So, just to ease your mind on your health, you agree.

After some time, Alhaitham is back on the table, and the vet looks at you. "He's completely clean."

He looks at you. You stare back. You aren’t sure what it is, but it’s as if the feline is smiling at you. Eventually, you leave the room with the cat in your arms and are a little astonished at the bill.

As soon as you walk out, you pat the cat's head. "There goes my dinner money… for the entire week," you mutter. "And it's all because of you."

Alhaitham looks up and meows. You narrow your eyes as it looks at you like it’s smiling again.

Suddenly, thunder rumbles in the distance. You and Alhaitham look up at the darkened skies. He's still looking up when your eyes land on him. You don't want to leave him out in the cold as he's injured. But you also don't want to take someone else's cat home. You don't see a collar, and nothing indicates that he belongs to anyone.

Alhaitham looks at you and shakes its head as if reading your mind, which… creeps you out a little. You quickly look up. Nah. It's all in your imagination.

Alhaitham knows Kaveh must be worried sick… or be asleep on his couch. The second one is the likelier possibility. But, before Alhaitham knows it, you're running with him in your arms as a light rain falls. He glances up at you. What should he do? What can he do? He's a cat, for goodness sake. Alhaitham looks straight ahead, accepting his fate that he's being kidnapped or taken in by a stranger.

Well, he'll think of something. He always does.

Besides, you're cute.

Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-One Chapter Twenty-Two Chapter Twenty-Three Chapter Twenty-Four Chapter Twenty-Five Chapter Twenty-Six

End notes: I think I found my fanfic author calling as a cat-story writer.

Guess which story won the tumblr poll. Well, it's still going, but I voted on it, and it was a landslide win. Hope you enjoyed :)

Tag list: @lxry-chxn @suoshiii @lordbugs @seirenspinel