Chapter 2
For the next week, I was basically a fixture at Leonard's convenience store.
My little schemes got slicker by the day.
At first, I'd roll over and flash my belly, then I'd start dancing. Later, I'd even sweep dust off him with my tail.
I pulled every stunt I could think of, all to steal a split second of his attention.
My loot started with sausages, then moved up to fish cakes, and finally, imported cat treats.
Leonard would always tell me not to come back, but his actions spoke louder than his words.
Every night, he'd leave a small bowl of fresh water by the door.
One time, I even caught him sneaking around online, searching for what stray cats liked to eat.
He said he didn't care, but his actions told a different story.
I thought this kind of life would keep going.
I'd steal, he'd "catch" me, and somehow, we'd built this odd unspoken bond.
Later, things changed.
One night, I was getting ready for my usual "supply run."
But as soon as I reached the convenience store, something felt off.
Leonard's store was unusually quiet tonight.
He wasn't even on his phone.
He was sitting behind the register, staring straight at the door, like he was waiting for someone.
He was waiting for me.
My heart skipped a beat.
I wondered if he had caught on.
However, it was impossible since my performance was bulletproof.
Gathering my courage, I poked my head in and crept inside.
When Leonard spotted me, his eyes brightened.
Instead of waiting for me to pull my usual cute tricks, he actually got up.
He was holding a phone holder.
I watched him set his phone up on the register, the camera aimed right at the spot where I usually swipe snacks.
I wondered what he was doing.
My internal alarm bells started ringing.
A sense of foreboding washed over me.
Leonard waved me over, wearing a so-called 'friendly' smile.
"Hey, little fatty, come here," he called out.
I was pissed by that name.
Even though I was muttering complaints in my head, I still couldn't resist and walked over anyway.
After all, he'd put out my absolute favorite today, the cheese cod sausages.
I decided to make it quick.
I gave his leg a half-hearted rub, then got ready to hop up onto the register.
But Leonard was unusually patient today.
He scooped me up and held me in his arms.
I went stiff all over.
"Don't move," he whispered in my ear.
His warm breath hit my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.
I saw him adjust the angle of his phone, then clear his throat.
Leonard said, "Alright, folks, good evening.
"Tonight, I've got something interesting for you all.
"We're going live with the capture of a notorious repeat thief."
His words blew up in my brain.
I snapped my head up and stared at his phone that was set up on the counter.
My face was plastered across the screen, taking up the whole view.
Below, the chat was blowing up, comments flying by at lightning speed.
[Finally, you are going live. What's tonight's show?]
[Damn, that orange cat is chonky. Looks like it's eating well!]
[Is this the cat that's always stealing your stuff? The infamous daily thief?]
[This little thief is actually pretty cute.]
My mind went totally blank.
Leonard was such a jerk.
He was actually streaming this live.
He was putting all my misdeeds on blast for everyone to see.
My furry cheeks burned with embarrassment.
However, I didn't think cars could actually blush.
All the blood rushed to my head, and I was drowning in a shame I'd never felt before.
I wanted to make a run for it.
But Leonard's arms were like a vice, keeping me pinned to his chest.
He gave my chin a playful scratch.
"Come on, little fatty, give a shoutout to everyone watching," Leonard said.
I cursed him out in my head.
I was so pissed that I almost bit him.
But he totally saw it coming and gave my nose a quick flick with his finger.
I let out a yowl, almost tearing up.
The stream chat blew up instantly.
[You are so heartless!]
[Poor kitty, but I can't stop laughing!]
[Let it go. Let it do its thing. I wanna see the crime live!]
Leonard glanced at the chat, wearing a mischievous villain's grin.
He put me down on the floor and pointed at the cheese cod sausage.
He said, "Go on.
"Tonight, you can steal to your heart's content.
"But you have to put on a show that keeps my audience happy."
I looked at him, then glanced at the chat blowing up on his phone.
Suddenly, I got it.
He wasn't trying to catch me.
He wanted me to steal right in front of everyone.
He wanted me to suffer a public humiliation.