AFTER THE INTERVIEW, Charmaine went to the bathroom. She hid in one of the stalls and sobbed in silence. After she regained her composure, she chatted with her friend Jessica to give an update about the job interview and eventually unload her frustrations. Her friend comforted her.
When their conversation through the messenger app ended, Charmaine fixed her appearance and decided to go home. She was about to open the stall's door when she heard the restroom's main door open. The newcomers started their conversation right away. Charmaine wasn't brave enough to come out of hiding, so she stayed and waited for them to finish their business.
"Ugh! Can you believe this company? Two stalls out of order."
"Typical scenario in this restroom, my dear—"
Unbeknownst to them, Charmaine occupied one of those stalls with out-of-order notice.
"Isabella is a bitch. I can't believe she's doing this to our team again!"
"Remember? We didn't christen her 'La Isabella dame sans mercy' for no reason. But you gotta admit, your marketing proposal sucks."
"Shut up!"
"Hey, girlfriends. Want some tea?"
"Who isn't?" a woman chuckled.
"She made one applicant's life miserable. Ms. Resting Bitch Face grilled the poor woman during the job interview. Aww! So humiliating."
"Ohhh— I feel sorry for her though! That applicant is marked by the witch. She can't go any further."
"Well, such is life. At least, she spared herself from the bitchy witch of Tarra Gona!" she laughed mockingly.
"Shhhh—" someone tried to quiet them. "That's enough chitchat. Let's go to the cafeteria."
"But Auntie Etta! It's true. I heard she's eyeing to be the next editor-in-chief of CELESTE. There's a rumor that Josephine plans to retire."
"What the f*ck!"
"The bitch is greedy as f*ck!"
"Mind your words, ladies," said the same woman named Auntie Etta, who tried to quiet them.
"She's already the artistic director, the content advisor—" someone said, scoffing. "And now she wants to take over CELESTE? Gosh, the bitch's appetite for power is something—"
"I've heard that she's proposing to restructure the company."
"What?"
"Good heavens!" Auntie Etta interrupted them again. "That's enough gossip. The pizza won't wait for us."
"Doesn't it bother anyone? Another employee is resigning. It makes you wonder what the hell is going on."
"Girls, if anyone plans to resign, please no more pizza for an impromptu farewell brunch, okay? Treat us to delicious donuts you can only find at Cafe Tendre. Make our farewell brunch delicious so we can remember you, literally, salivating, okay?" she chuckled.
"Jen, that doesn't concern me. They can resign whenever they want."
"You're so heartless, girl."
"Anyway, I'm salivating just thinking about it. I'd kill for that donut. Ohhh— And their pastry chef is so handsome," another woman chimed in, making the girls giggle. "Gotta check his Instagram."
"Oh my gosh! How could I forget? Did you see that pretty boy applicant? You'd mistake him for a KPop star!"
"His taste is expensive. Is he from a rich family?"
"He is Luke Anthony Reyes, 24 years old, who recently graduated from a prestigious university in England. He grew up and studied abroad. His filthy rich aunt raised him. So he divides his time between the US and Europe at his aunt's estates. Most likely, he will inherit his aunt's fortune. As for his parents, that's for another time, my dear. I promise—" she said pausing for effect. "—that topic is j-u-i-c-y!"
"Wow, Marie Abigail Lee!" another woman exclaimed, clapping her hands. "Your investigative prowess is impressive. As expected of the frustrated reporter," she chuckled. "The queen of receipts is back on her feet!"
They laughed at the roast.
"Well, hell-oh. I haven't given up on my dream of becoming a reporter. FYI, working here is a stepping stone in my career."
"Hear! Hear! The pizza dear—"
They laughed. After a while, they exited the bathroom. A moment later, there was complete silence.
That's when everything sank in for Charmaine.
"Bitch, huh? She did have a reputation. But what's to be done? It's over!" Charmaine said in a muffled and angry voice.
Then a slight tapping on the partition startled her.
A woman spoke. "Are you okay there?"
Charmaine replied nervously. "Is so-someone in there?"
Charmaine wasn't expecting the last stall to be occupied. When she arrived, the restroom was quiet and there was an 'out of order' notice in the last stall, so she settled into the one next to it. In need of a place to hunker down, she put the out-of-order notice in the stall she chose. She wondered if the woman next door did the same.
"Yeah," the woman said, sighing, as she unlocked the door and got out. "I've been here for a while now; like someone would even notice—"
After stepping out of the stall, Charmaine's attention was drawn to the sink area where a tall and lanky woman was washing her hands. The woman met Charmaine's gaze in the mirror's reflection and smiled, acknowledging her. Charmaine withdrew her gaze out of embarrassment.
"I didn't know that you were there. I'm sorry," Charmaine said apologetically. She walked fast to the sink area to wash her hands.
"Usually, this bathroom is less visited. I should be looking for another hideout. I don't wanna be caught in the crossfire between the Commoners and the Clackers & Friends."
"The what?"
"Clackers & Friends are the fashionable employees. Imagine the sound of their stilettos clacking down the hallway. Meanwhile, the Commoners are their fashion-challenged co-workers. Sometimes, they come here to a catfight," the woman explained with amusement.
"Like... p-physically going at each other?" Charmaine was shocked at the revelation.
"Yep."
Charmaine finished washing her hands. She wanted to say bye and exit the bathroom. But the woman continued talking.
"You know what's the best thing about hiding here?"
"Ummm... I have no idea—" Charmaine wasn't the talkative type. So she gestured that she was heading out.
"You'll learn the latest gossip. Too bad you weren't hired."
Charmaine was embarrassed.
"Oh, sorry about that," the woman said apologetically. "It wasn't my intention to mention it!"
"That's nothing. Anyway, I gotta go," Charmaine said goodbye and hurried outside.
***
Charmaine headed to the elevator going down the lobby. When the door was open, she squeezed in. It's packed with employees. That's understandable. It's around lunchtime. She's careful not to make eye contact with anyone. Once inside, she bowed her head and loosened her hair to hide her face. She was worried that someone would recognize her as that applicant 'marked by the witch.'
As the elevator descended, she couldn't help but think of the woman in the ladies' restroom. Uneasiness engulfed her.
Charmaine wondered how that woman knew she was the subject of ladies' conversation. She was inside that stall for about 40 or 45 minutes. She hadn't heard any noises. She was certain that she was alone until those gossiping women came in.
Charmaine's unspoken words brought a surge of goosebumps all over her body.