8 The New Me

I woke up the next day not knowing what I feel. I am heartbroken but at the same time, I am more relaxed and determined. Today, everything will change.

I spent a longer time preparing to go to work than usual. After having breakfast, I prepared all the things I needed for work. I also spent more time choosing what clothes and shoes to wear. I don't have a lot in my closet, but I think my wardrobe is decent enough. I like shopping during my free time, though I don't normally use the clothes I bought. I just put them in my closet and feel satisfied just looking at them. I think now is the time for me to make use of them. That's the main purpose why people buy clothes anyway.

I left home feeling light-hearted. As I took the bus, I could feel some eyes looking at me which made me ask myself. Is my dress too short? Am I showing too much skin?

I arrived the office expecting my colleagues would tease me, but this time it will be in a positive way.

As I approached the entrance, the guard smiled at me.

"Good morning." He said which I greeted back.

In the elevator, I saw people glancing at me, maybe trying to recognize me.

When I reached my desk, Annie, who always arrives the office early came to me immediately.

"Jez!" Her mouth wide opened. "Wow! Why didn't you dress up like that before? You look different. Is it really you?"

"Haha! Crazy. I just had a good rest yesterday and I felt good so I decided to spend some time putting make up and wear the clothes I bought."

That day, I put light make up. I learned it from watching vlogs in Youtube, thanks to them. I am wearing a light pink colored dress which is above-the-knee in length. I am also wearing heels which is really not typical for me to do. I even spent some time practicing to walk before going to work. I also curled my hair on the end. Normally, I just tie my hair or make a bun.

"I am so happy for you. Are you in love with Lance? Is that the reason why you change?"

"Of course not. I am changing for myself. I realized I'm already getting older. If I don't take care of myself, how can I meet someone who would take care of me? And Lance, you're correct, he has a girlfriend and I don't want to ruin their relationship."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course!"

Some of my colleagues who I talked to only because of work also came to my desk to compliment my new look.

"I hope you always look like that." Says one.

"You are pretty. If you were like that before, maybe you're the one I got married with." Says another.

All these words make me feel more confident about myself.

Annie is staring at me, smiling. "I am so proud of you, Jez." She said with teary eyes.

"That's too much."

"How about we go out tonight? Let's have a date, just the two of us. Let's celebrate the new you."

"Sounds nice. Yeah, let's do that."

"Good then. Anyway, let's start working. Enough of the drama." Then she left for her desk.

That day is totally different from the others. Mr. Smith, who used to boss me around, became more polite when ordering something.

"Could you duplicate these files, please." He asked.

"Sure, boss." My usual reply when he asked me something.

"Could you call Mr. Terrence. I need to discuss the new project with him."

"Sure, boss."

"Thanks." And he now even knows how to say thank you.

I am still not used to the attention and treatment I am getting now but I told myself, I will never go back to the old me again. I will be better each day, and I won't be scared to meet people, to make friends, to fall in love.

Annie and I got off work that late afternoon feeling happy. We have many plans for tonight. Dine in a Japanese restaurant, go to a karaoke room, drink a bottle of beer each and play in the arcade. I was excited to experience things I deprived myself of in the past.

First stop - Japanese restaurant

We ordered sashimi, and some food I don't know the name. I just followed what Annie ordered. We were happy chatting about everything. I told him about Lance and what happened between the two of us.

"Really? He is so bad." Annie exclaimed. "How could he do that to you without even asking what happened. He could have just told you what he felt when you left. Did he send you a message or call you after last night?

"Negative. We never talked after that time. And I think there is no reason for us to talk again. I told him that I hope we don't see each other again."

If I see that guy, I will kick his face!" Annie sounding angry.

"I'm okay. I am not like him. I won't avenge him. And besides, I should thank him. I feel better now because of him. He made me realize that I am missing a lot of things because I was scared trying."

"You're right, but I'm still worried about you. If he comes back, never ever accept him, nor his apologies. You don't deserve someone like him."

"Yeah, don't worry."

"And tonight, we will hunt for men. We will search for your partner. Then we can have double dates, you and him and me and my boyfriend."

"Let's eat, I'm hungry."

We enjoyed the food. This is my first time going to a Japanese restaurant. I realized for the past days, I was experiencing many firsts in my life, and it was good.

After eating, we headed to the karaoke room. We sang different songs while dancing. We also ordered bottles of beer. We don't care if we have work tomorrow. We have to celebrate tonight!

After a couple of songs, we got tired, took a rest then sang again. Maybe it is the alcohol already kicking in but we danced so energetically.

After an hour, we decided to just go to a cafe instead of a bar since we are already a bit tipsy. We ordered black coffee for us to feel better.

While waiting for our order, we noticed a man staring at us and smiling. We were a quite scared although he looks decent. When we got our order, we were just talking about what we will do tomorrow, hoping that we won't feel so tired.

Then, a waiter came to us with a slice of cake.

"This cake is a gift from the man on the next table. He wants me to give you this." He handed a note saying:

"Hi, can we be friends?"

I was just smiling when I read it. Actually, I'm not ready to fall for someone yet, but for friendship, why not?

I looked at the guy and whispered thank you. I spoke slowly so he could lip-read what I want to say while pointing to the cake. He smiled back.

After that, he came to our table.

"Good evening, ladies. Gino Perez here." He offered his hand for a handshake.

"Hi. I'm Jessica. This is my best friend, Annie"

"Nice to meet the two of you."

"Are you here on your own?" I asked.

"Yeah. Actually, I was on my break. I am working as a call center representative in this building. Our office is on the 3rd floor. I am a bit sleepy so I decided to come here for a change in atmosphere. Oh, sorry. Am I too talkative?" He apologized.

"Not at all." Annie said. "We want to know more about you. I mean, my friend here wants to know more about you."

To be honest, he is kind of cute. He has a charming smile and his teeth are so white. He is like a commercial model of a toothpaste. He is quite tall, lanky but doesn't look weak. He looks neat and though he seems tired, he doesn't look so haggard.

"Maybe my work made me talkative. How about you ladies? What do you do?"

"We work in an advertising company." I said.

"Sounds good. So, you have already produced some commercials?"

"Our specialty is print ads. We produce ads in magazines, newspapers and billboards." Annie explained.

"I see. Anyway, I think I have to go back to the office now but before I do that, can I have your phone number? Or maybe social media account? I'm not a bad person, I can show you my ID card if you want to. I just want to get to know you guys more and hopefully make friends with you, if that's possible."

"Sorry, I don't give my phone number to strangers," said Annie. "My boyfriend will kill me, but Jez here is open for friendship so she can share her phone number to you."

"That's great. Is that okay?" Gino looking at me.

"Since you said you are not a bad person, okay, I think that's not a problem." He handed me his phone and I input my phone number. After that, he saved it.

"It's really a pleasure meeting you ladies and I hope to meet you again so soon. I'm sorry that I have to go now."

"It was nice meeting you too."

"He's cute, right?" Annie asked after he left.

"Yeah, and so is Lance."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean not all good-looking people are nice. And I am actually not yet ready to go out with anyone yet, maybe not now."

"It's just for friendship, it doesn't mean you will be a couple. Don't think too much."

Annie is right, Gino just wants to be friends. I should not jump into conclusions like what I did with Lance. And I should widen my social circle as well, I need to try new things and meet new people. I should not lock myself in the four corners of my house watching Kdrama the whole day. I should embrace the world.

After an hour, we decided to go home. We took separate cabs and headed home. I should stop being scared of things that didn't happen yet. I should start looking forward for new things, new adventures and new people I can meet.

I woke up the next day feeling tired. My body was so heavy and it seems like I would get sick. But since I should maintain my new look, I got up early and started preparing. I spent more than an hour to choose clothes I would wear and putting makeup. I realized it is not easy to look pretty. The amount of time and effort a woman must spend each day is really unbelievable.

I arrived in my workplace feeling better. I tried to smile to everyone even though I don't like them that much. It is noticeable that the number of people greeting me increased dramatically. They also all seemed nice to me: an obvious advantage of a woman who looks prettier than others.

When I reached my table, I saw a small plant in a pot with a note: I maybe small but I hope I can brighten your day.

I asked people near me where the plant came from but everyone was quiet.

Annie came later which is something uncommon. When she arrived, she came directly to my desk and noticed the small plant and read the note aloud.

"Wow! Last night someone got your phone number and now, this? You're making me prouder and prouder each day, Jez."

"Don't assume. I think it is just a mistake. Maybe someone put it on my table accidentally. I'm sure it is really not for me."

"Hey, Jez. Stop that kind of attitude. You should be happy and thankful. Don't worry, I will ask everyone in the building who this mystery giver is. If I have to go to the security room to check the CCTVs, I will do it" Annie sounding so determined

"That's too much."

We became quiet when Mr. Smith came and called me to his office. I followed him and while I was waiting for his instructions, he was just silent, staring at me.

"Yes, sir?' I asked, cannot wait until he speaks

"Miss Myers, how long have you been working here?"

"I'm here for eight years now sir. I started working here when I graduated college. Why, sir?" I am starting to feel nervous.

"What positions have you handled for the past eight years?"

"I stayed in one department, sir. I have been doing the same task for the last eight years, sir. May I know what this is all about, sir?" I really feel nervous now. Will he fire me? But I didn't do anything? Or did I? Did something happen yesterday? Did I make him feel bad?

"I have been evaluating your performance. And I think you are qualified and ready now to handle your own team. What do you think about it?" He asked.