Chapter 29
Zoey totally silent for a sec, looking hella unsure before she continued. But the hijack effect was still banging strong, pushing her to spill more.
"Yeah, Karl, I... like actually got a problem with kleptomania. It's been mad long I couldn't control the urge to nick small stuff. Even at this workplace, I'm always snatching things I don't even need," spilled Zoey in a low voice, acting like she had just realized the heaviness of her own confession.
Karl went quiet, processing the new info he just heard. "Kleptomania? So you're really into swiping stuff here?" he asked, trying to keep it chill even though he was already plotting in his head.
Zoey nodded slowly, feeling both embarrassed and relieved 'cause she could finally be real. "Yeah, I know it's wrong. But damn, that urge is too strong sometimes, and I feel like I can't hold it back. I always make sure the stuff I snatch ain't too pricey to avoid suspicion."
Karl eyed Zoey carefully, processing her confession about kleptomania. Momentarily, his mind flashed back to the past, when Jane, the manager, used to whine about the messed-up stock balance at the store. Small items, like snacks and accessories, would go missing without a trace. Karl was the only one handling the stock back then, and all the shortages were seen as his fault or negligence.
As a result, Karl often had to bear the burden of these losses as debts. Every time something went missing and couldn't be explained, Jane would deduct the amount owed from Karl's salary. "What can you do, Karl? It's your responsibility," Jane would say with a firm tone back then, not giving him a chance to defend himself.
In an instant, a realization flooded Karl's mind.
Zoey. All of this was Zoey's doing. Her kleptomania causing the stock imbalance that made Karl bear debts. Karl felt anger starting to simmer in his chest, his hands clenching tight, but he tried to hold back from unleashing his emotions right away.
He took a deep breath and tried to stay calm in front of Zoey. "So, you're always snagging stuff around here, huh?" he asked with a tone that sounded relaxed, but with a hint of stiffness in his voice.
Zoey seemed not to notice Karl's change in tone. "Yeah, but just small stuff. I make sure not to take too much to avoid standing out."
Karl felt a bitter taste crawling up his throat.