Secretly The Hidden Gem

One

It's six o'clock and my alarm rings and I sigh.

I've been awake since five, however. It's been just two weeks since I started working at MT Hurstville, a fashion house but it feels like two years. 

Every day brings worse experiences than I ever thought could happen to me. I hate it here but I need the job to make ends meet. I've just texted Oceana, my girlfriend, recently turned fiancé too. The message has been delivered but she hasn't read it. It's early and I should probably give her some time but I just really needed someone familiar to talk to. I'll text her again later and probably see her after work. 

I get up to dress and I'm conflicted. I try to dress as corporate as possible every day. It's stressful but I never know who might walk in and see me. The clothes might get stained at work but I feel it's worth it. It might get me a better spot in the company someday. I brought out the shoes I wanted to wear today. Dress shoes. They're old but they'll still do it for a while. Until I get my first pay at this job at least. I leave my house a few minutes after seven because I like to be early. I know I might never get a desk job because of my degree. I stopped attending high school because I knew I could never get the tuition for college. This is what I can manage for now but I hope for better. Maybe a messenger or a driver. Either would be an upgrade to this shit I'm doing now. 

Cleaning in an office as big as this isn't a jolly ride, you would think rich people would know how to clean up after themselves.

How hard is it to drop your sugar sachet into the bin?

Or clean the coffee marks on the slab when you're done? 

How about flushing after you take a piss? 

It's also very annoying when I'm trying to mop and someone walks in with dirty shoes and can't even spare you an apology. 

And then there's the condescending looks. all I'm trying to do here is my job and you can't stand me because I'm not educated? Make it make sense. Sometimes, the looks come from the other cleaners. Most of them think they're better than me because they were able to go to at least a community college. It doesn't matter to them if it's just community college. They're still better off than I am. I hate it here. 

I'm finally done with the first cleaning and I finally have the time to sit down in the Cleaners restroom. I'm bringing out the sandwich I packed for lunch. It's soggy already but I'll have to manage it till I can find something better to eat after work. 

I text Oceana again. 

"Hey babe. Can we get dinner tonight?”

She still hasn't replied to my earlier message. Maybe she's busy at work and hasn't had time to check her phone. We haven't spoken much this week and we could catch up during dinner. 

I'm about to take a bite of my meal when my phone rings.

It’s my boss, Bruno Lorenzo. 

I groan inwardly because this can't be good. He never has anything good to say to my face not to talk of when he has to call. I pick up on the second ring. 

“Your Highness,” he says, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Maybe I should have called your secretary before you answered."

"I'm sorry. I was a little occupied,” I say, apologetic, even though I don’t mean it, "Do you need me for anything?”

"Get into my office now" He thunders at me.

If I could, I would read out my job description to him. I'm not his messenger or secretary and although it would be nice to have both jobs, I wouldn't want to be either under him. He treats me like his secretary yet doesn't accord me the same respect he gives to his actual secretary.

"Alright, I'm on my way,” I say and I hang up.

I wrap my sandwich and put it back in my backpack. 

Lunch will have to wait. 

It will probably be too soggy to eat when I get back and I'll have to throw it in the trash. I am looking forward to dinner now. 

Today hasn't been the best of days. 

I approach Bruno's office and notice his shades are down.

At least he doesn't want to publicly shame me today. 

That should be good. Right?

I knock on his door and mistake the grunting sound I hear to be an affirmation to enter. 

Immediately I enter, I realize why I shouldn't have. On his lap is a lady and her mouth is all over his. 

They're doing all but having actual sex right there behind the desk. I am about to turn around and leave but the lady's hair looks too familiar and my feet are frozen for a few seconds before she turns around to look at me. 

 "Oceana,” I say in barely a whisper. 

“Hey Lynn,” She greets me, seeming barely unfazed to see me

"What is going on here?” I ask, looking from her face to his, my mouth open in surprise.

“Well, I didn't know it was you he called but since you're here, I feel it's high time you know,” She said, calmly.

“Know what exactly?” I ask

Bruno who has been sitting there with a smug loom on his face all this time chooses this moment to speak. 

“It's obvious we're in a relationship, Lynn. You should have known she wouldn't be able to cope with you. She's high maintenance,” he says and I turn back to Oceana.

“Please, this can't be happening. We got engaged a few weeks ago. You said you loved me,” I say in a panicked state, my eyes are starting to tear up.

“Look Lynn, I didn't just want to break your heart or embarrass you that day. You can't give me the things I want. You're good for the company. Nothing more. I was only with you for the company,” Oceana says nonchalantly

“But…” I start, but I don’t even know what to say, I am beyond shocked.

“Lynn, you're poor. I know that. You know that. Everybody knows that. You don't even have a college degree so you have no hopes. Look at me. I could never be seen dating a cleaner. Honestly! Bruno here is going places. If you were me, you'd go with the better option,” She shrugs.

At this point, Bruno is standing by the table while I'm still standing in shock at the door. He picks up the cup of coffee on his desk, pretends to drink it and spills it on his shoe. 

“Come clean this up,” he says, pointing at his shoes. 

“Please, Oceana. Don't do this,” I say, ignoring him. 

"Quickly, do not waste time else you will replace his shoes. I know you do not want that, you are so poor that the sum used to purchase these shoes when calculated, your salary of 2 years won't reach half the money." Oceana mocked, and I resisted the urge not to strangle her in that instant. Regrets fills my chest and I look around the office but when found no rag, turned to exit the room to search for one. 

"Where the hell do you think you are going? What part of the grammar didn't you understand, is it the clean or the shoes? Will you come here this instant and take care of my shoes!" He commanded, his voice loud and he tapped his legs impatiently. 

"There's no rag to do your bidding sir, so if you will excuse me I will be right back after I have grabbed one." I explained impatiently.

"What insolence! Do you even have any idea to who you are talking to?" Oceana exclaimed, and she gave me the up and down look, her expression that of disgust. 

"There's no need for a rag, Lynn. Bend over and use your shirt instead. Yours is already a rag so why look for another?" Bruno laughed, a bit of glint shining in his eyes. He must must be revelling in glory seeing me humiliated. 

I hesitate for a moment, wondering whether to go or not and after much deliberation I walk slowly toward them and realize that he probably called me on purpose. To make me see them. I remove my shirt and bend to clean his shoes while he smiles. Oceana lets out a little laugh and kisses him as I rise. I put my shirt that now has a coffee stain on it back on and turn to leave. 

“Lynn,” Oceana calls out as I'm about to open the door. 

"You should probably have this back. It's cheap and I feel weird wearing it,” She says as she walks to me and places the ring in my palm.

“No?!!!” I beg her, my thoughts are racing.

This can’t be happening, I think.

“It’s over Lynn,” She says, a small smirk is playing on her lips as she looks at me.

I glance from her face to Bruno’s, his lips wide set in a grin.

They both look at me smiling at my pain, while I squeeze the ring in my hands, willing myself not to cry out in fury.

I stare at them, as rage blinds my vision.

They might have won today, but I will have my revenge on them.

They will rue the day they met me.