Walking through the vibrant streets of Global City in Manila, the capital of the Republic of the Philippines, Sandra, now in her early thirties, carried a look of dazed melancholy. She was acutely aware of her average attributes – neither exceptionally beautiful, brilliant, nor gifted – but what she lacked in natural talent, she made up for with relentless hard work.
Her mid-range fashion brand, OS Allure, was the fruit of her labor and a touch of luck, now affording her a comfortable lifestyle and the promise of a secure retirement. Yet, another grueling day was behind her; she was set to go home, have a modest dinner, and sleep, only to start over the next day.
Tonight, however, the world seemed to slow down for Sandra. The fervor and zeal she had when launching her business five years ago had faded, leaving her feeling somewhat hollow. She had sacrificed her youth, remained celibate for her ambitions, but the satisfaction eluded her.
'Am I going through a midlife crisis?' she mused silently.
Before she could dwell on it, her phone rang, snapping her back to reality. She answered with a lazy drawl, "This is Sandra."
"Boss, don't forget Miss Jean's party tomorrow at 4 pm," her assistant, Rayna, reminded her.
Sandra had, indeed, forgotten. "How could I forget?" She lied with a hint of impatience.
"Good. I'll pick you up at your apartment at three in the afternoon." Rayna, knowing Sandra too well, had anticipated the forgetfulness.
"Okay, okay," Sandra responded, her tone edged with irritation. She continued her walk to her condominium.
Three years ago, she had chosen this place for its proximity to her office. It was a modest two-bedroom unit on the 24th floor, adorned with a minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic in soothing whites and beiges. The living room boasted a floor-to-ceiling window, offering a panoramic view of the city and plenty of natural light.
Dinner was simple: pasta with sauce she had pre-cooked days ago. After eating, she showered and retired to bed, her mind already on the social battle awaiting her at the party.
Miss Jean's event was a strategic ground for Sandra; a socialite in the upper echelons, her party would host the elite and influential. Sandra needed to be sharp, every word and action calculated to advance her brand while navigating the treacherous waters of high society politics.
She spent the evening going through paperwork until her brain could take no more.
Shutting her laptop, she switched on the TV.
The business news highlighted the arrival of Roland Fleming, Chairman of Fleming Corp., a global conglomerate now venturing into cybersecurity with a new headquarters in the country.
"What a handsome and stable man," Sandra murmured with a chuckle before turning off the TV and going to bed. The night passed without dreams, leaving her to face another day of challenges and opportunities.