Mamiko-san is waiting for me at the door.
"Wow. Thanks for inviting me to this crazy staff party," she says, pushing me aside.
"Yeah, well. You're ok."
"You say it as if we're best buds."
"No, we're not, but we're friends."
"Grateful for that," she says, opening a pack of shrimp chips she probably got from the cafeteria.
"Um, hey. I heard what Wanatabe said to you. You must be pretty drained from that. Really sorry he said all that stupid shit to you. I hope you know it's not true. I mean, you work in two departments when he's only worked in one the whole time he's had the job!" Mamiko says, chewing a couple of chips. Somehow, she doesn't make it messy. It's cause she's perfect. Used to be in the head department as well.
"Yeah well, it's not a big deal."
"Yeah, no. Come to my house, I'll get you drunk tonight!"
Is she serious? She just said we're not best friends. Just acquaintances. Maybe friends, but that's it. Now she thinks I trust her enough with my life, depending on how drunk I get and how far her house is from mine.
"I think I'm busy. But, you can bring the drinks to my house. If you'd like." I finally say.
"Oh, Nah. I've got to be home. Like house arrest, but it's my kids."
"Aren't you 26 or something?"
"Yeah. Teen pregnancy. The oldest turned 8 last month. You got your own kids?"
Jeez. 8 years old? Do I want this woman in my house? OH right, she can't come.
"No, thankfully. I don't want brats for another 2 years. If I decide I'm going to college, they'll be out of the picture till I'm 30."
"Oh my. That's a long time without kids. I don't think you'll make it." Mamiko says, smirking. How dare she!
"Oh, so I'm a hoe now? I get it, I guess. Of all the skirts I wear."
"No, but sulking over your ex-husband, losing your dream job, and having no children is enough to get you in a stranger's house. Just turning sober." she walks away cackling.
I don't even care about my ex anymore! I'm the one who divorced him! But, he's the one who decided it was over by cheating.
What a bitch. A fake. I bet she cheats on her husband, then comes home with a huge grin on her face.
I check my watch. It read 17:42. Finally! Able to escape this hell!
"Hello." a male coworker says in a seductive voice.
I turn around. Whoever it is, I don't recognize their face.
"No thank you." I turn around again, this time towards my office.
The man doesn't try to follow me, but I'm sure I heard him say, "She was so flustered. What a slut."
God, why am I here?
When I'm in my office, I grab my purse and lock it up.
I take the elevator down and sigh. I take my hair out of its tight bun, which has been giving me quite the headache the whole day. But I'm free now.
Oh yeah, I'm supposed to show up for an event tomorrow. With Mamiko and Hiroto. Great, add it to my piles of problems. How am I supposed to act like I actually want to be there? And what am I going to wear?
Maybe I should just say I'm sick. Everyone won't care anyway, because I made Mamiko my plus one, and I'm pretty sure she's a slut. She could be hooking up with them if I'm absent.
I'd like to send that picture to her husband.
No, that's wrong. I shouldn't be excited to see a coworker's downfall.
But should I say that if they're all awaiting mine?