Rafael

Chapter 10 - Was I Suicidal?

"Do you think I should go with the dress or the pantsuit?" I asked, holding up two hangers with an outfit on each.

Mel and I spent the whole week shopping for new work clothes, because I didn't think my old Milner clothes would cut it at Montero Industries, and neither did she after a Google search for Rafael Montero.

It also helped with taking her mind off of her boyfriend, James, who was still acting strange.

I was beginning to get worried but I also didn't want to give Mel any advice, you know, just in case I end up ruining her life because I couldn't keep my mouth shut.

"Definitely, the dress," she decided with a grin after scanning each option thoroughly.

I was secretly happy that she chose the dress.

It was a white, half-sleeved, sheath dress that I had bought from Lulu's, a shopping site that I loved because they had a great variety of good-quality clothing that was reasonably priced.

The dress was way more fashion-forward and easier to don than the pantsuit which was made up of three different articles of clothing; the slacks, jacket, and blouse.

I knew that it would match perfectly with my baby pink pumps that added a good four inches to my height.

I loved wearing heels.

They just made me feel powerful and in charge.

I slipped into my outfit while Mel took a shower, then did my hair in the usual bun after brushing my teeth thoroughly.

I was one of those people who skipped breakfast because I just couldn't bring myself to eat that early.

My stomach wasn't up for the day yet, he woke up at lunch.

I laughed inwardly at my corny joke while applying light makeup because I was too lazy to do a full face.

I wasn't one for heavy makeup anyway because it took too much energy to wipe it all back off after a few hours.

I wish I could afford to hire a make-up artist to just do it for me every day.

That was the dream.

After slipping on my heels, I told Mel that I was leaving, even though she was still in the bathroom and probably wouldn't hear me.

I heard her let out a muffled 'okay' so I grabbed my purse and left before I ended up being late for my first day.

Five songs later, I had reached my destination so after explaining to the security that I was new and would receive my work ID today, I quickly parked my car in the employees' lot, but not before he confirmed that I actually did work here by making a call to upstairs.

This place was so tightly guarded, you couldn't even park unless you had proper clearance.

I hurried inside the building to save time after the parking calamity that took a significant amount of time to straighten out.

The email that I had received stated that I should pick up my ID card from reception in the lobby so I went to talk to the same receptionist that I had talked to on the day of the interview.

The one with the great fashion sense.

Thankfully, she was still working at the front desk today.

"Hey, remember me?" I asked politely.

Her eyes lit up in recognition.

"Yeah, you were the one who liked my dress, right?"

I nodded in confirmation.