Complex Charm

Chapter 1

It's 8pm. She's still chatting online with clients. Everyone has gone for the night, Friday night. Charmaine couldn't care less. She has a quota to exceed, and her money doesn't make money yet (at least, not to her). But soon and very soon...

*phone buzzes*

Call your mom. She's not feeling too good. -Dad

*sighs* "Of course. One problem after another."

She picks up the phone and speed dials home.

"Hello." a hoarse voice comes through after an violent cough.

"Hey, mommy. You don't sound too good. What's going on?"

" I take it your dad told you something." She says.

"He said you were sick, but didn't go into detail."

"Your father knows you stress about everything. It's just a cold, so I'm downing ginger tea and taking my prescriptions. No biggie."

"Okay, just stay away from too much orange juice. You know what that does to your sugar levels."

"Yes, I know. Wait, are you still at work? It's Friday night."

"Yes, but I gotta chat these last few customers."

"Girl, you always hit revenue well beyond what you need. Tell those people you will get back to them on Monday and go home. Better yet, go out and have some fun."

Charmaine rolls her eyes and grabs her Chanel bag after closing out her laptop.

Whatever. I'll just get up early tomorrow and finish up.

"Okay, mom. I'm leaving and I'll grab some tacos on the way home."

"Get some Prosecco too. You need to relax. And don't work tomorrow. You'll get your revenue."

"Okay, mama", she lied. "You just keep getting better, and I'll tell dad to stop scaring me with his halfhearted texts."

Her mom laughs. "Love you."

"Love you too."

Charmaine let out another sigh, this time of relief. Being an image consultant has been her dream, and now that she was living it, she didn't feel as fulfilled as she thought she would. And her mom was right- she always exceeded her revenue goals. She could basically count in her bonus every month without worrying. But she never wants to let her past successes blind her from the what-ifs. In this dog-eat-dog world, she would rather stay ahead for the just-in-case.

She makes her way to the stairs and heads down to the first floor. As she goes down, the heels of her Alexander Wang booties clacking against the industrial-style steps, she sees she isn't the only one in the building. Some other colleagues are seated at the bar, chatting and laughing over wine after their client sessions ended. She waves at the group and exits.

As she makes her way to her car, she's places her order for shrimp tacos w/ fried avocados and pickled onions. She made sure to order it with everything extra, along with a side of chipotle salsa. She decides she'd grab her favorite libation and blackberries from CM Market on the way home. What the hell, she could get a buzz in the comfort of her home. The traffic she has on her commute will be enough time for her to grab and go.

She finally makes it to the market to grab her goodies, then unknowingly struts to the express lane. Although she was disgustingly tired, she forgot she left her travel sandals at home. Oh well. The cashier checks her out, compliments her Dries skirt, and quickly wishes her a great weekend. Charmaine smiles back and wishes her the same. Then, across the street awaits her tacos. She tries not to eat them as she walks to her car. So delicious.