In Our Wildest Dreams

Ruby Del Santana

Monday.

It was a vivid, bustling day as always. There was a mild rush in the atmosphere of Texas.
It was nothing new.

It's a good day.
I said to myself in a singsong.
In the words of Lena Meyer-Landrut, it was a good day.
The sun was floating gracefully in the center of the sky, its rays spreading far and wide throughout the district.
Birds streamlined the air with urgency as the city slowly awakened.

I threw on my favorite pair of clothes— fab denim jeans and a cute brown crop top that hugged my body delicately.
I sprang in front of the mirror and simply adored myself.

You are amazing.
You are victorious.
You are a winner.
I said loudly to myself, as was my custom.

Each time I stood in front of the mirror, I would say positive things to myself.
And with each coming day, it felt like the words were starting to actualize.

I stepped onto the sidewalk and met my Aunt Vivica.
There were streaks of mud on the sides of her face, the fingertip of her gloves, and the sole of her boots.

"Ruby mi querida", she muttered gently.
Her voice was warm and soft.

"Are you off to work already", she asked

"Yes aunt, I—

" Have you had breakfast yet?

"No Aunt. I'll eat once I—

"You do realize you are ruining your body through food deprivation?"

My eyes lit up followed by a smile.
"Aunt, what do you mean? I have a banging body."

Aunt pouted her lips in disagreement with my response.

"Don't worry too much, Aunt. I'll be fine", she said then planted a kiss on her cheek.

"May the good Lord bless you mi querida", said Aunt.

"Amen", I replied.

                         . . .
"Ruby Del Santana", Martin said with displeasure.
This was the part of a Monday that did not thrill. The part of having to face a rival at work from the start of the week to its wrapping up.

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨.
𝐁𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐫.
𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲.
𝐒𝐩𝐲.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞.

"What the hell Martin. It's not like I'm late or something"

A one-sided smirk came through, featuring a slight deep dimple.
He took a breath of air.

"I'm certainly aware. You have been doing a good job keeping up with resumption hours. It is commendable"

Like it was his job to monitor me.
This dweeb practically came at me for the slightest things.
A mischeck in wares and foodstuff.
Mishandling of plates.
The disappearance of fine china even.

At a point, he contemplated that I was embezzling things in the warehouse.
I had never been so embarrassed in my life. In that period, I lost my tenacity, and anxiety crept in.

Only Aunt Vivica gave me the push I needed.
In her words:
If you can survive Alonso, you can survive ANYTHING.

And she was so right.

I was waiting for him to say something uninteresting and annoying as usual. But he just stood there glaring at me with that stupid one-sided smirk that certified his dingbat attitude.

"If you will excuse me", I said.

"Of course", he muttered.

I had worked for the Eaters and Meaters Organization right from the time I graduated high school.
It was a turning point for me.
I had finished school and had nowhere to turn.
Aunt Vivica had supported both me and my sister's education since my father died.
She was a hard worker.
Struggling to make ends meet.
She subjected herself to a lot of stress and discomfort for our benefit.
After ending my education at high school, I applied for the position of secretary.

To my utmost surprise, I was accepted!
Apart from the fact that I get drained by Martin's antics at work.
I am pretty grateful for the chance to show my ability and skills.