Chapter 5 Dilemma
2086 Words
Rose’s PoV
When I woke up this morning, I was greeted by the familiar ceiling of my room. I got up to a sitting position and realized how tired I was after reliving the same dream again. What is happening to me, and why must I repeat the same experience repeatedly?
Is this a curse? Or was it stress? Am I losing my mind? Is this God’s way of punishing me for not attending church like I used to? Anyway, it is getting far too annoying!
I got up, got myself ready, and went to the office. Instead of using my car, I used the bus this time. I thought that if I tried to change my morning routine, I would break the cycle. I know it’s a dream, but why does it feel so real?
When I arrived at the office, I noticed the receptionist seemed to be flirting with the man who works for the courier service. When the receptionist saw me, she immediately greeted me.
“Good morning, Rose. How’s your morning? It seems you’re using the bus today.”
The receptionist smiled. I often use that kind of smile if I want to greet my superior. Is that how fake I was?
“Good morning.” I nod before walking towards the elevator. Walking past the reception counter, I heard the courier service worker ask the receptionist if I was her boss.
“She’s just a manager of a department. But she has a fierce expression. It’s probably because she’s over thirty now and still unmarried.”
I was still nearby, and I could hear what they were talking about. So what if I’m thirty? Getting married is not what I have in mind just yet.
“People nowadays are workaholics. Marriage doesn’t mean anything since they have to compete for better performance in the company all year long. So when do they find time to settle in finally? Besides, I heard the manager is gay.”
The courier service worker gasped.
“Really?! What a pity. She is such a beautiful person, and yet she’s gay. I heard their king are everywhere right now. Soon it’ll spread to our youngsters. Anyway, women nowadays tend to do things themselves. Are you jealous that you only sit in front of the front desk all day?”
The receptionist chuckled.
“Jealous? Of what? I’m getting married next month. Why do I have to be jealous of a woman who doesn’t have any social life? I’m thinking of leaving work after I got pregnant. My husband has a good job, and he said he could provide for us even if I quit my job. It’s better than way since I can focus on raising our family.”
Is that how young people saw me? Is it wrong to focus on work rather than finding a man? The courier service worker shakes his head before placing all the documents on the counter.
“Do you have any documents to send out?”
The courier service worker asked.
“Yes. Here.”
That voice seems familiar. When I turned, Sharon handed a few documents to the courier service worker. The receptionist seemed to break out a cold sweat as Sharon walked up to the counter. I wonder if Sharon heard what that receptionist said not too long ago.
Everyone in the company knows that Sharon and the CEO, Amanda is together. And that receptionist called out to me for being gay. Sharon didn’t hear what that woman said as she strutted toward me.
“Oh- don’t forget to send your wedding invitation when you get married. I would love to see what kind of man you’re married to.”
Sharon smiled before she stood beside me as we waited for the elevator. The receptionist turned pale. That woman’s career is over before she even gets married. And I’m sure Sharon is pissed off.
Third Person PoV
When Sharon arrived in Amanda’s office, she knocked on the door before entering the room. Amanda glanced up at Sharon with a smile before patting an empty seat on the sofa while she was on a phone call with someone.
“… I was just hospitalized, so I can’t go to City B. But don’t worry; I’ll send over someone capable. Her name is Sharon, and she is our new general manager. I’m almost fifty now, and it’s hard for me to travel long distances. That’s why I have these youngsters to go in my stead instead. Yes- goodbye.”
Sharon raised her eyebrow when Amanda hung up the phone. She pours herself a cup of coffee before taking a few sips.
“Rose will suffer this time. I notice how hard she works to get the position, but hey, I’m just better, I guess.”
Sharon chuckled while Amanda rubbed her temples.
“Sharon, I need you to go to City B. Let’s treat it as your first mission after taking office as the new general manager. You’ll have to travel to many places now that you’re promoted. And we need to get Gary to sign these documents. Also, give me that coffee- I’m parched.”
Sharon handed Amanda her cup of coffee.
“You should drink less coffee since you’re almost fifty.”
Sharon reminded the CEO. Amanda glared at Sharon before placing the cup down.
“Don’t talk about my age.”
Sharon smirked.
“Isn’t that what you said on the phone?”
Amanda sighed.
“I did, but you’re not allowed to say it.”
Amanda shrugged her shoulder before leaning back on the sofa. Amanda personally asked her assistant to arrange Sharon’s trip to City B.
“Do you mind traveling on a train?”
Amanda asked. Sharon shakes her head no.
“Book two tickets to City B this afternoon. That is all.”
The assistant nodded before she left the room.
“Well, aren’t you going to ask me about your new position as the general manager? Are you happy?”
Sharon shrugged.
“I’m happy, but what about Rose?”
Amanda is confused. She thought that Sharon would be happy with her decision.
“What do you mean?”
Sharon crossed her hands and said,
“Well, Rose has more experience than me. And she handles far more complicated projects than I ever did. And do I have to mention her excellent performance? Everyone would be questioning your decision if you chose me over her. Aren’t you worried?”
Amanda waved her hands.
“I don’t care what others say about my decision. I’m in charge- not them.”
Sharon sighed.
“Amanda, if you continue to be this way- others might think you’re a dictator.”
Amanda chuckled before poking Sharon’s stomach.
“Oh, come on, it doesn’t matter because I’ve decided, and the boards agree. Besides, Rose will be your deputy. Try to get along because you two will be working for me directly. Be a good superior, and she will look up to you sooner or later. I know you can do this, Sharon.”
Sharon sighed yet again.
“What if Rose gets angry and leaves her job?”
Amanda shrugged.
“You should think of a way to make her stay. She’s yours to handle. It’s your choice to keep or to let her go. But, a piece of advice- it’s best to keep her around you. She’s great at her work. You might need her experience to be the best general manager.”
The morning meeting began, and Sharon decided to appear in the meeting room together with the CEO. As Sharon got to her seat, she could feel someone shooting daggers at her. When she turned, she subconsciously looked at Rose.
Sharon tried to give her a friendly smile, but Rose looked away as if avoiding making eye contact with her.
After the candidates present their reports, it’s finally time to reveal the new general manager. Amanda had appointed Sharon as the new general manager and chose Rose as the deputy, helping Sharon to get accustomed to her new position.
Everyone applauded, including Rose, even though she was devastated. Sharon accepted everyone's applause even though she knew not everyone had anything positive to say about the current situation.
After the meeting, Rose sat there quietly as everyone left the room. Some congratulated her for being the deputy, but Rose stayed nonchalant. Sharon noticed that Rose seemed surprised by the outcome, and her eyes showed how she wished to avoid everyone’s gaze.
Deep down, Sharon feels guilty, but it’s too late now. When Rose turned to face her, she could feel a strong negative emotion, unwillingness, and stubbornness resonating from her new deputy.
Even though Sharon feels threatened but she remembers what Amanda had said to her when she was about to leave her office. Amanda told her that the reason why she was chosen as the general manager was that she saw Sharon had far more potential in this field than Rose.
Amanda could see Sharon has what it takes to be a manager because she is fearless. Amanda believed that Rose was fully qualified, but if she took the position of manager, she was afraid that Rose’s habit would eventually be the end of her.
Rose likes to do things alone, and she never relies on others. As a manager, she has to build relationships and lead a massive group of people. And being a manager means someone should have a knack for distributing the workload so the outcome will be satisfactory. Rose lacks in those fields, but Sharon knows how to lead people even though she is young.
“Rose, no heart feelings?”
Rose smiled before standing up from her seat.
“Don’t worry about it. I knew you would be chosen to be the manager. I should greet my new superior, right?”
Rose tried to hide his disappointment by smiling.
“I know you’ve done your best. And I know we’re not on best terms, but since we will be working together, we should try to get along.”
Rose nodded without saying anything.
“It seems we still have a long way to go. I will see you later.”
Sharon smiled before she left the meeting room. When Rose returned to her desk, she noticed her assistant was already waiting for her.
“Why are you still here? You should go home and pack your things. Didn’t the new manager tell you you must go to City B with her?”
Rose's eyes widen.
“City B? Do you mean I have to ride a train to City B?”
Rose's assistant was surprised.
“So Sharon did tell you about the trip. You should go and pack now. Don’t worry about the rest- I’ll handle it.”
Rose thanked her assistant, and she went home. Since Rose took the bus today, she has to go to the bus station. But as she got down the lobby, Rose noticed Sharon was already waiting at the car, waving at her.
“Cathy told me that you went to work using the bus. Let me send you home. That way we can save some time to prepare our things. Moreover, we can use this chance to get to know each other.”
Rose wished to decline, but Sharon insisted.
“This is exactly what happened in my dream.”
Rose said mentally as she entered Sharon’s car. Rose still wonders how Sharon could afford to drive a luxury car even though she only just started working at the company.
“Oh- you live in this apartment? I’ll be moving here soon. Who would have thought we would be neighbors.”
Rose tried to pinch herself to see if she was dreaming, but it didn’t seem like she was.
“Do you believe in Deja Vu?”
Rose asked.
“Not really. Why?”
Rose cleared her throat.
“It’s nothing. Sorry for asking such a question.”
Sharon chuckled.
“It’s good that you're making small conversation, though. Don’t worry about it.”
Rose nodded as she kept her thoughts to herself to avoid talking with Sharon. Deep down, Rose worries that things will start unfolding just like in the dream. If it does, Sharon will die when they leave City B.
Is there a way to stop the cycle?
Is there any way to avoid death? Sharon can’t help but think of any possible answer to her dilemma.
- Writer
