Chapter 11: Quota
599 Words
"Follow me." The manager, Denice, said in a strict tone. She sauntered after without sparing me a single glance. Not even bothered to help me carry the Mannequin until inside.
She clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. There was no customer yet so the sound of clapping hands echoed in the four corners. Five sales staff gathered in front of her immediately.
"Everyone, today Ms. Smith got us a new colleague. This is--- " She paused and looked at me.
When I was nervous, I became stupid so I didn't get what she meant as she looked at me, I just understood it when a short hair girl next to me nudged my shoulder with her shoulder. "Hey, Ma'am Denice is asking your name."
I jolted. "Oh--Ohh. I am Barbie Heavenward." I glimpsed at the girl and whispered, "Thank you."
She just pursed her lips into a straight line as a response.
"What are you doing? Raise your head." Denice said sternly at me. As I looked up, ignoring Denice's glowering eyes, and observed those sales staff next to me, I noticed that they seemed afraid of her because no one dared to meet Denice's stare. They did raise their head but their sight only passed through her.
"Are you going to sell rotten apples or clothes? Look at yourself. How can you sell our clothes to the customers if you don't even look confident with yourself? Remember, the way you represent yourself is how you represent our goods and shop. Do you get me?" Denice said continuously. She seemed lecturing us but the truth was, she was referring to me.
"Yes." Everybody nodded.
"Now, introduce yourself to her."
The short hair girl next to me introduced herself first in a friendly tone. "Hi, Barbie. I am Anica Jose."
"Hello." I responded. After Anica, everyone introduced themselves to me one after another. They were Kris, Celine, Jess, and Nelia. These four both have long hair that is tied into a low ponytail. UNiQ has really a big name in the fashion industry, even the sales staff were all beautiful ladies, young, elegant and sexy. I couldn't help to feel inferior around them because I didn't think I possessed those good traits. I wasn't even confident if I was really beautiful.
Denice crossed her arms over her chest and eyed me closely. "Since Ms. Smith personally hired you. You must be great. Tell us, what are you good about."
"Ma'am Denice--I--seems not good at anything. I--" I stuttered, wiggling my thumbs as I lowered my head.
Denice set a taunting smirk on her lips. "I actually expected that you got us something to show off since Ms. Smith looks highly of you. It turns out we were just being superficial. Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! As far as I remembered, your previous job was also a sales assistant in a boutique. Today, I am going to challenge your knowledge and skills. Be sure to sell 3 pieces of clothes this morning. That quota is actually too small for you." She looked at Anica. "Anica, how many clothes did you sell yesterday?"
"3 formal dress, 4 suits, and 3 blouses." Anica answered confidently.
Denice lifted one of her brows as she looked at me again. "See? It is not difficult right? I just gave you a quota of 3 pieces. The price doesn't matter. What I need is how many pieces you can sell. If you can't reach that, you are going to clean the entire store room during your lunch break and not be allowed to eat. Do you hear me?"
"Yes ma'am." I whispered.
"Louder. I can't hear you."
"Yes ma'am." I almost yelled.
"Good. Now, go to your post."
- Writer
