9. DECEIVED

On getting to Irene’s house, every table was filled with different types of alcohol which I know would be consumed throughout the night. My friends were alcohol monsters so it was not new.

“I almost thought you wouldn’t come anymore” Irene pouted when I showed up at her door with my small bags

I only smiled weakly in return, “I had something to attend to. I wouldn’t ditch a party that would make me feel relieved”

With a nod and small hug, she ushered me in and noticed that I was limping a bit as I was walking.

“Hey Petals, what’s wrong? Did you get hurt?” she gasped, rushing to my side.

“I collided with an equipment at the gym. It’s nothing much so it will go away soon” I answered with a chuckle, trying to put her at ease

Even though I insisted that I was fine, she still called over Braden, her younger brother to have it checked for me before she could ease her mind.

“Thank you” I muttered before Monica joined us.

She had been stuck in the traffic for quite a while and the way she rushed in was so funny because she downed a bottle of cold water in seconds before she started explaining what she had passed through.

“I thought I would die” she groaned and we chuckled at her expressions before Irene suddenly faced me

“Now, tell us. Why did that chicken head bully you that much? I mean he was the one that recruited you so why was he treating you like that?” she burst out

“I honestly don’t know but I guess he wanted me to adjust to his company’s style of writing. It was exhausting but I got it right at the end of the day” I explained, picking a cup of wine on the table

“He has been an asshole right from our high school days. I can’t believe he’s still consistent with his madness” Monica cursed from her seat and we all laughed before I suddenly remember my team members and Tina.

“What do you suggest I do to make my team members cooperate? They are not cooperating at all and there’s this senior manager who is also making things difficult. She makes sure they are not cooperating and only follow her words” I added

“Who is that witch again?” Irene frowned

“I honestly do not get why everyone is against you but I have to be blunt here. You are now working at a big firm so you have to up your game. Your dressing is not up to standard, I am sure whoever this witch giving you problem dresses well and command respect at a different level. You are now a team leader and not just some junior reporter so please wear something good and attractive. All you wear all day is jean trousers and some round necks” Monica suddenly cut in and everywhere went silent.

She was not wrong at all. Tina dresses well and classy, she rocks different types of beautiful clothes and get her nails done prettily. I usually do not care about all that while I was a junior reporter, I only wanted to work hard and get promoted so I forgot for a while that I had to upgrade my dress sense just like my position had upgraded.

“You don’t have to be harsh about it but I do agree with you. You need to do something about your dress sense. You will be addressed the way you are dress. You won’t have issues with work since you are intelligent and try all your best not to cross boundaries with that chicken head, you should slap him in the face with good articles instead” Irene chipped in

Monica shrugged before asking “Do you want to work at my company instead? It’s okay you can learn our work from the scratch, I will support you with everything you need”

With a scoff, I remarked “Thank you for your offer but I have no interest in working with you” making us all giggle.

The following day being Sunday, I was bundled into the car and taken to the shopping mall by force where I was forced to try on several clothes. The clothes gave me the confidence I needed truthfully and I felt new but the prices were crazy so I came up with different excuses of how I didn’t like the color or prints.

“Don’t worry about the price. Just think of it as an early birthday present. We can’t afford to see you lose to someone who might not even be as competent as you” Irene countered and I finally surrendered.

****

I walked into the office the following day in a black pant and white blouse shirt that was tied a bit at the waist and everyone stared at me right from the reception. My hair was packed to the back with little strands hanging down at each side of my face.

“Was the makeup obvious?” I thought to myself as I felt eyes on me when I stepped into the lobby.

I had applied a little makeup after dressing up for the day so I felt shy when I saw everyone staring at me. Even when I stepped into the office, everyone gasped at my appearance.

“Wow, I never knew you had this side of you” Bea gasped and covered her mouth with her hand

“This side of me?” I repeated, not knowing if I should take it as a compliment or insult

“I mean you are so pretty and shiny today” she rephrased her statement and it made me blush

“Well I decided to match the job” I responded, upping my confidence.

I didn’t miss Tina’s eye roll as I walked to my seat and intentionally greeted her but she didn’t respond as always. As soon as I had my seat, Stanley came in and greeted everyone before stopping at my desk.

“I need the updated article for this morning, I can get it in the next ten minutes right?” he stated and I responded that it would be on his desk.

“Bea, please get the article ready in the next five minutes” I instructed and to my surprise, she responded positively and got to work immediately

Within minutes, she submitted the article and when I reviewed it, it was perfect. Bea and Amanda are so good at their work but I still don’t understand why they were not supportive of me. I tried changing my appearance and it seems to be working so I hope they would embrace me over time.

“This is the article you requested for” I said to Stanley as I placed it in front of him

He went through it and he signed it immediately for postage before handing the tablet over to me.

“You look beautiful today and finally like an employee of this company” he remarked and a frown etched on my face.

I didn’t know why his compliment disgusted me and my eyes rolled on their own. I didn’t dress up for him to compliment or judge if I looked like an employee or not. Nothing coming out of his mouth will ever sound pleasant so it would be better he just shut his mouth and keep our relationship strictly on business.

“You look annoyed, Miss Petals” he suddenly stated and I scoffed

“Not at all, Mr. Stanley” I slammed and went out of his office but I didn’t miss his soft smile.

His lips curving to the side was so hot, I hated to admit it but Stanley was a living sculpture.

Few hours to the end of the day, he came out of the office and called our attention.

“We will be having a welcome party for Team Leader Petals. Please text her the address for our usual joint. I will be expecting you all” he announced and left for the day.

I wouldn’t lie, I was jealous of him leaving work any time he wanted to. I was battling with loads of news compilation and he gets to play around just because he’s the owner of the company.

“I will send you the address, make sure to show up. Miss Team Leader” Manager Tina said to me from her desk.

That was the first time she would talk to me that day and I was surprised that she offered to send me the address.

“Thank you Miss Tina” I quickly answered with a smile but she raised her hand to stop me

“Please call me Tina” she corrected and I nodded to acknowledge the correction.

“Thank you Tina” I stated again, with a smile.

I was gullible enough not to read the room after her statement. I had actually believed that she now acknowledged me just like Bea and Amanda had done earlier.

The address dropped in front of me on a sheet of paper and everyone left for the day. I decided to finish a work I was editing before leaving for the address but one thing was strange.

I waited for more than three hours and no one showed up. I didn’t know who to call since I had no one’s number and it dawned on me that I must have been fooled.

“I should have noticed when she volunteered” I said to myself before dragging my tired self out to get a cab home.