Maria:
" Gabriella?"
What was going on? What was she doing here? Oh, crab, don't tell me she's the interviewer. Please, God, don't let her be my interviewer. This girl hates me.
She smiled as she noticed my uneasiness. "Wow, Maria Falcone, what a small world. " Who would have thought I'd end up interviewing you today?" Gabriella said as she flaunted her hair and walked towards me in a new skin.
We haven't seen each other since my graduation. She was supposed to graduate with our class but because of the incident, she couldn't. I always knew she blamed and hated me for it.
I tried to get a hold of myself and smiled. "Yes, yes, what a surprise! " You, you work here?" I stammered.
Gabriella rolled her eyes and sat down on the chair beside me. "Of course, what were you expecting? "
"You thought I wasn't going to make it through college even after the trauma you made me go through? " She asked rhetorically.
"No, I didn't make you go through anything. You wanted to hurt me, but you ended up hurting yourself. Why would I think that I wouldn't want you to graduate? " I am just curious, that's all," I explained.
Gabriella's face turned into a frown as she rolled her eyes. " Whatever, we were both young, and you were very nice, and it made the rest of us look bad. All the boys wanted you. " She continued.
" Anyway, that was in the past. Let's just say I know powerful people now that are not boys, which makes me powerful too. " We both attended the same college you even graduated from before I did, but only one of us can come out to say how successful we are," she bragged.
It felt freaking weird as the tension in the room was not good. I didn't even realize the number of times I had swallowed my saliva.
"Without further ado, hand me your curriculum vitae." She requested, stretching her hands towards me.
I quickly arranged it and passed it down to her. She glanced through it page by page and sighed. Suddenly, her face went pale in shock. "You're married to Thompson?" she asked.
"Yes, I am," I replied, and I raised my shoulders, hoping it was a good thing for once.
"Which of the Thompsons?" She keenly asked.
"Daniel, Daniel Thompson," I replied slowly.
She looked into my eyes and burst out laughing. "I'm sorry. I am so sorry," she said as she continued laughing.
"What?"
" What is wrong? " I asked as my hands became sweaty, and it began to shake, as my eyes became teary.
Gabriella stared at me. "Tell me you are joking. " I never thought you'd stoop that low. "You got married to the lowest-ranked person in the Thompson's Mafia family." You are both not even that far apart."
"You were denied your birthright, so I shouldn't expect anything less. " Tell me, Maria."
" Did you just do it for the name? " Married him thinking you would matter? " She said, trying to hold her laughter.
"Can we just go back to business?"
" My personal life doesn't concern you or this company. " I tried to change the topic.
She looked at my Curriculum Vitae and stared back at me. " Unfortunately, it does. "Knowing our employees is a very vital part of the company's policy. "We wouldn't want a scandal to erupt. " I hear the Thompson family have a pretty bad record with the law and your husband carries the medal," she continued.
Something inside me stirred up. " He is not like that," I defended him.
"Oh, he isn't? But I heard he was arrested and is currently in custody. Pretty much a breaker of the law. A douchebag. Oh, my darling Maria, you're not so innocent after all, always falling for the bad guys. I wouldn't blame him because I am sure you tied him down in a marriage. " You are probably pregnant, that's why." She accused and I flared up instantly.
"That's enough, Gabriella."
"Sure thing. Speaking of responsible men, I just thought to let you know that my man owns the RD company. He is the CEO of this company and that gives me the right to officiate hiring, firing, and rejecting prospective workers." She revealed and my heart dropped.
Her boyfriend was Reynold Donald. Billionaire CEO of the RD company, but no one has seen Reynold Donald before. Some people assumed he was wrinkled and old.
" I can see that you are quite qualified for this job." She continued and paused.
" But I am sorry to say, you're not what we are looking for," she announced as she continuously pouted her lips.
I was expecting it. No one had to tell me. "You and I know I am what this company needs. I have trained for it my whole college years. You can see that in my curriculum vitae. You went to college with me and you of all people know that I was the top student on the entire campus. My GPA is above the roof."
Gabriella scoffed. " That's the thing, my darling, this isn't college. We are now in the real world. You're acting like this is your first rejection. You know you can take your CV somewhere else. Like I said before, you are not what we are looking for."
"Don't get me started with your lack of experience of being able to work with us. " She blabbed.
I immediately cut her off. " What do you mean by my lack of experience? Did you even read through my file at all, Gabriella? I worked in my father's company right after graduation. I have more than enough experience to work here and you know it. You know I am the best option. " I replied, almost breaking down in tears.
She was set aback by my outburst and frowned. " So why did you leave, huh? Why did you leave your father's company if you were too good at your job? You're not fit, Maria! Please leave the premises and never come back. Gabriella said as she stood up from the chair, showing me out the door.
I raised my head and took a proper look at her, picked up my CV, stood up and shook my head twice. "You're just a pained woman. Grow up and stop holding grudges on someone who never did anything to you. " You might likely survive and also look better and more like your age." I spat at her face.
She dramatically held her chest. "Don't let me call security on you, Maria." She threatened as she raised her shoulders. "Leave before you regret it." She added.
"No need, I'll see myself out. "At least I know my way," I said as I walked towards the elevator door.
"Maria!" She called out to me and I stopped in my tracks.
"Please do well to send my regards to Frank or, should I say, Frankie, tell him that he wasn't worth it, and I'm in a bigger place with a bigger person." She said with a chuckle.
"He doesn't even care about your existence, Gabriella." I fired at her as I made my way out.
I turned and pressed the button to the exit hall and saw Gabriella smiling. "CIAO." She waved.
I stormed out of the company with anger written all over me. This was so absurd. This was nonsense and rubbish! Is this how my life was going to be? Always answering everything and everyone. Being intimidated and ridiculed at every point in my life?
Just when I thought things were going to get better, I got slapped right back in the face ten times harder. I passed through an alley and ended up hitting my bare hands on the wall. I needed pain, At least that's what I thought would help me loosen up.
"Darn it!" I yelled as blood spilled all over my hands as I continued punching the walls.
"Am I not good enough? Am I not good enough? Tell me! Universe tell me! " What else do you want from me? " I have sacrificed a lot, I have given up too much already." I cried as I rested my back on the wall, slowly squatting down.
I didn't even bother to order a ride back home. I sluggishly walked myself through the long distance back home. I removed the heels I wore and loosened my shirt. My hair was everywhere. I looked like a mad woman as everyone glanced continuously at me as I walked down the road.
I was without care nor shame. What's left of me, I thought? Everything was so hard, it was just me all alone to carry my cross. Thankfully, I got to the house, and I was emotionally, physically, and mentally drained.
Sarah, on seeing me the way I was, left the flowers she was watering and tried to hold me. "Madam, what happened? " You are hurt," she said as she noticed the blood on my fist.
"I'm okay Sarah, you don't have to worry about me. "I am fine. " I'd like for it to be like that, it'll remind me of my pain," I said with a breath and made my way inside.
I fell on the bed and snuggled myself. I was in that position for hours with my eyes open and tears freely falling out of them. Sarah had come a couple of times to check on me, but I had sent her away. "Please leave, I want to be left alone!" I had said it countless times.
The last time was the moment I said she should leave me alone or else I would make sure she lost her job tonight. And since then, Sarah hasn't knocked on the door anymore.
That was what I had thought at least. I heard the doorknob turn and I still kept to my position. "I thought I made it clear that you will lose your job if you come bothering me again," I shouted at the top of my voice.
There was a bit of silence as the door shut. The next thing I heard was a voice that wasn't Sarah's, a voice I have longed to hear over these past weeks.
"Hey."