The sunlight woke me up. Or, to put it better, it kept me company. Anxiety and pressure ate at me as I thought about how this meeting with my new manager would go.
I got up slowly and steadily from the bed, my head heavy.
I don’t want to go anywhere. I’m perfectly fine at home. After all, because of my poverty, they don't mock me. But since it’s an "order," I can't do much. I need to maintain a good profile in case I get a promotion or a raise.
I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and got dressed. She asked me to wear my simple clothes, so I'll go with a simple gray t-shirt and shorts. Besides, it’s quite warm outside today.
I walked out of the room and saw my mother mending some clothes that a few neighbors had given her. That's how she earns her money. It’s not a bad thing; it’s the exact opposite—beautiful.
I called out sweetly, "Good morning, Mom!" She looked at me with joy, exclaiming, "Good morning, my child. Where are you going? You don't go out often. Is something wrong?" Her look of joy filled with worry. I shook my head no, but then I reconsidered. "Mom, I have no idea, haha. But my manager left, and a new one took her place, so we're having a welcome party and all the usual stuff. I hope it goes well."
She looked at me from head to toe. "Like that? In a simple t-shirt, a simple pair of pants, and a shoulder bag?" I looked in the mirror. "Yeah, why not? Besides, she's the one who asked me to go. Plus, I might have some good news when I get back." She looked at me surprised, nodded, and hugged me. "Be careful, my child."
Walking out the door, I put on my headphones and played some relaxing music. I watched the world around me, people running panicked, without realizing that this is what destroys them every day. I waited at the bus stop until the bus arrived.
I got on. I sat down and looked outside. Some people were laughing, others were walking hunched over, kids were running. No matter what happens, we shouldn't give up. That's what I believe, or what I want to believe.
Arriving at the office entrance, some of my colleagues were there. When they saw me, they started commenting, which was quite usual, I'd say. As I entered the building, I took off my headphones. A very sweet blonde colleague approached me with an ironic tone. "Well, look who it is, Rhys. You don't grace us with your presence often, but…" she looked at me from bottom to top, "…from what I see, you're not wearing the right clothes, maybe that's why. But it's a day you can’t miss, I guess it’s understandable."
Then a footstep echoed from the back, a sound like a high heel, slow but firm. It was Smelik, our new manager. She approached me first, with a dazzling smile that warmed my whole body.
"Ohhh Rhys, what a wonderful outfit! Simple and casual, just as I told you to come. Bravo, bravo! But... I smell something." Her look suddenly became suspicious. "I smell strawberries." She looked at all of us. I raised my hand. "I... I'm just chewing on some strawberry gum. It's nothing special." She looked at me with interest, exclaiming, "Guys, why don't we go to the conference room to talk in peace?"
And just like that, it happened. At that moment, I saw everyone's strange looks and heard whispers saying, "How does he have such a relationship with the manager? He barely even came in."
And so many other things that ate at my mind to the point that I wanted to scream at them to shut up and mind their own business.
As everyone walked forward, Smelik turned to me, seeing that I had closed my eyes, clenching my teeth and fists, and yelled, "Ooooooiiiii… Rhys, come on, I won't start without you!"
I looked at her and was filled with warmth. At the same time, though, I realized that this was the beginning of the war.
Like the move in chess, the Napoleon Opening, will I be the king, and she will block me with one of her own people for her own games? Or will she use me in such a way as to block the entire team and the company?
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