Wild Rose

CHAPTER FIVE: Friends and Rivals

I think everybody’s going crazy,” Tina told her friend as they met in the common room. Every girl—and even a few men—were dressed to the nines. Skirts so short they might as well be belts, shirts unbuttoned just enough to push the limits of office decorum. Two girls at the lunch table were touching up their makeup, whispering and giggling.

“Why do you say that?” Janet asked, stirring an alarming amount of sugar into her coffee.

“How do you still have all your teeth?” Tina asked in disbelief.

“Beats me,” Janet shrugged. “AJ says I must’ve been an ant in my past life.”

“Yeah, I can see the resemblance,” Tina teased, squinting at her.

The common room was never Tina’s scene. She didn’t enjoy small talk with coworkers—or being stared at. Her first time there had been unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. Tonia, the self-proclaimed queen bee, had mocked her accent and darker skin in a way so subtle only someone quick-witted would notice. Tina had just smiled, sipped her cranberry juice, and scrolled on her phone. When Tonia realized she couldn’t bully her—or recruit her as one of her sycophants—she’d flounced away with her three “foolish goats” in tow. Thus began their Cold War.

Tonia pretended not to understand Tina’s “exotic” accent. Tina, in turn, called her different names starting with “T,” which never failed to make Tonia’s face turn beet red and her voice go squeaky. The resentment was baffling—Tina worked in the lab as a scientist creating new skincare formulas, while Tonia was in marketing. Tina even had a private (albeit small) office, though she preferred the lab, emerging only to write reports or grab some “me” time. Janet and Tonia worked together in marketing.

“Just look at that girl,” Tina said, nodding discreetly toward a colleague. “If her skirt were any shorter, it’d be underwear. Even you—you’re looking dashing today.”

“Don’t you dare,” Janet warned. “You know I’ve always dressed like this for work.”

“Yes, you love dressing up,” Tina teased.

“True. But today’s special—AJ took me shopping, so I’ve gotta show off my new clothes.” Janet twirled dramatically, throwing in jazz hands.

“Oh my gosh, here she comes. She’s so beautiful and elegant and put together—”

“Who?”

“Tonia. I’d kill for that suit she’s wearing,” Janet deadpanned. They both burst into laughter—Janet would never be caught dead in a suit, not even at a funeral.

“I heard from a reliable source the boss’s son will be here today—and he’ll be at the presentation.”

“Who told you that?” Tina asked, leaning in over her cocoa.

“I heard it in the ladies’ room,” Janet beamed.

“Ew. Disgusting.”

“Don’t ‘ew’ me. That’s where the best office gossip comes from.”

“Really?” Tina looked skeptical.

“Yeah. Like—did you know Tate dated Tonia for exactly one day before dumping her like a hot potato?”

“Just one date? Are you serious?”

“Dead serious. Something about her being rude to the waitress and accusing him of flirting.”

“b***h is so insecure.”

“I tell you, my sister,” Janet said—making Tina choke on her drink.

“I’m a bad influence. You’re sounding more Nigerian every day. We just need to work on your accent and pepper tolerance.”

“That’s by the bush,” Tina smirked. “Did you also know I’m supposedly having a secret affair with Tate to avoid office drama?”

“Wow, I didn’t know that,” Tina said dryly. “But I wouldn’t mind—he’s good-looking.”

“And did you also know Damian is a sub?”

“Who’s Damian?”

“The jerk who drinks all the coffee,” Janet growled.

“Oh, that Damian. Don’t blame me for not knowing him—I don’t drink coffee.”

Tonia swept past them, glaring at Tina and sneering at Janet, who mumbled something unintelligible that set both of them giggling like loons.

---

What is life without friends? What is the use of money if you cannot spend it on something valuable? What is greatness without firm, what is the use of a vision when you cannot actualize it? Money, friends, lavish lifestyles, these are things that work together, but what are their importance when there is no life or sound health? They need each other; we cannot do without them, just like a woman who wants to look ageless, spotless, beautiful, younger, and elegant cannot do without our newest research and product, which is made from nature’s gift. Every seed, flower, and fruit extract used in these creams was specially handpicked and is organic.

Ever body was listening with rapt attention, Tina became more nervous as she spoke, she wished she was hiding in the lab and not standing in front of her boss, and colleagues she forced her legs to move towards the Screen that was displaying the different ingredient the used for the face cream, this products contains vitamins and minerals that helps to reduce wrinkles, remove Spots and bags from under the eyes. Trust me, I should know, she joked, and everybody laughed at the look on her face

Because of the confidence our buyers have in us and we would not like to disappoint them, we went as far as adding glycerin which makes the body soft like a baby's butt. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, may I introduce our new and exclusive skin care product, which no company can compete against I give you WILD ROSE, the screen changed to display the cream in different colors for different skin tones. Thank you Tina said, and returned to her seat

When she wrapped up, the applause was loudest from Janet.

“That was a wonderful presentation,” Mr. Andrew said when the clapping died down. “Maybe I should pull you out of the lab and put you in marketing.” He chuckled at Tina’s horrified expression. “Just kidding. Or maybe not.”

He ended the meeting with a reminder about the upcoming black-tie party, telling Tina, “No work. No sneaking off to the lab. Have fun, dance—do whatever it is young people do these days.”

---

Afterward, Tonia pounced. “Another feather in your hat,” she drawled.

“Thank you, Tanya,” Tina replied absently.

“It’s Tonia,” she snapped.

“That’s what I said—Tuna.”

“Don’t take it personally, but that was a one-time thing. You’ll never be the face of A&A. Do you even speak English?”

“No, Tundra, I don’t. But funny thing—you understand my cavewoman just fine. Now why is that?”

The exchange went downhill fast, ending with Tina walking off toward her friends, leaving Tonia fuming and humiliated.

“What was that about?” Janet asked.

“Nothing—just Tonia being her pathetic self. She tries to make me feel bad about myself, but we’re not even in the same department. Or the same league.”

“She’s jealous of you,” Tate said softly.

“Why? I don’t see why she should be.”

Tate and Janet exchanged a look but said nothing.

what ever crazy schemes you two are cooking up, leave me out of it. Tina told have friends

I am going to my office.

oh so you really you have an office. Janet asked lifting an eyebrow.

of course I do, I have been so busy trying to finish this cream. now that it's finally done, I will spend sometime in my office. I have some reports to write.

Tate shyly offered to carry her files, then asked—rushed and flustered—if she’d go to the party with him. She agreed, but firmly as a friend.

“Sorry I can’t give you what you want,” she added.

“It’s alright,” he said quietly. “At least we’re still friends.”

As they walked to her office, Janet grinned. “Girl, you were magnificent up there. Tuna was burning with envy—if she were a mountain, she’d have erupted.”

“It’s Tonia,” Tina said in her best little-girl voice, and they all laughed.

When Tate left, he called over his shoulder, “I’ll pick you up for the party. Wear something sexy.”

“Dude, that guy is falling for you,” Janet said.

“I know. But I can’t give him what he wants.”

From the corner, Tonia watched, her anger boiling. She couldn’t stand seeing Tina admired, respected—even by the boss.

I will not stand by and watch her come from nowhere and destroy what I’ve worked so hard for, she thought. I will destroy her—no matter what it takes.