Maya

I am sitting at my desk in my workplace, trying to keep up with the load my boss slammed down on it this morning. I just keep telling myself I only need to make it through the next year and can be done with the place. I need the money for my online classes. I have managed for the last two years; another year should be fine.

I am putting information from the paperwork into the proper files on the computer. I swear I sometimes think my boss messes with the files just to piss me off.

“Maya, come to my office,” Meredith demands.

I need to stop from rolling my eyes. I understand she is the boss, but there is no need to be rude and mean. No wonder she goes through employees at the speed she does. In my time here, I have seen about ten people quit or get fired for silly things. I have thought about it more than once! To be more precise, I think about it at least once a day, sometimes more.

“Yes, Meredith,” I say sweetly.

I wish I had the courage to stand up to her, but I don’t. I struggle with any type of conflict because I was raised in a neglectful, abusive household.

I put my computer to sleep and head to her office. She is sat at her desk, impatiently tapping her fingers on her desk. She is acting like I took forever to come through. I came as soon as she called.

“What do you need, Meredith?” I ask softly.

She doesn’t say anything, not at first. Instead, she looks me over, almost like she is studying me. It is making me uncomfortable.

“Yes, you will do,” she says.

“For what?” I ask, confused.

“You will attend the charity masquerade ball this weekend in place of my daughter. It is important people believe she is there, but she is currently out of town. You are the same height and have the same hair colour. You will be in a mask, so no one will know any different.”

Out of town is code for rehab. Her daughter suffers from addiction. She is in and out of rehab at least three times a year.

“Y-y-you want me to go to the ball?” I stammer.

I don’t do well at social events. I am a loner who prefers her own company.

“Yes,” she replies, annoyed.

“Can’t you find someone else? I don’t do great with social events.”

“I am not giving you a choice, Maya. You don’t go, don’t come in on Monday, as simple as that,” she snaps.

I can’t afford to be fired. I sigh, “Okay.”

“Good. You will stay late after your shift because someone is coming in with dresses and masks for you to try on. You better not embarrass me. Do not take your mask off. And don’t worry about anyone recognising you because the only place my daughter’s name will be is on the invitation and at your seat. I have made sure you are seated with people who have never met her, people who aren’t ones for making small talk. Speak when spoken to and nothing more,” she states firmly.

“Do I need to stay the entire night?”

“Yes. You will also make a donation in my daughter’s name. I will write a check to take with you.”

“Okay.”

“You can leave now. You have a lot of work to do.”

She waves her hand in dismissal. I smile and nod, disappearing out of her office. I can’t believe she is making me do this! My anxiety will be through the roof. I don’t have a choice, though, because if I get fired, then I will have no money for rent, bills, food and classes. I will need to find a way to get through it. It will be easier said than done because I don’t tend to drink much. My parents put me off alcohol for life. I will need to make an exception at the event because it is the only way to calm my damn nerves.

I am freaking out in case someone realises I am not who I am supposed to be. It is a big event. The rich and famous attend. It is being held by the family who own this company, alongside many more. I can’t mess up or embarrass myself. I don’t know if I will make it through the entire night. Would Meredith really know if I left early? On the other hand, do I want to risk it?

I groan in frustration as I sit back down at my desk. My mind will be in overdrive all day. Why couldn’t she find someone else? Or go in her daughter’s place? Why does it need to fall on me? I was looking forward to my quiet weekend alone, and now I can’t even do that. It sucks!

****

Ten o’clock at night, and I am just getting home! I should have been home four hours ago, but no! Meredith stayed behind as I tried dresses, shoes, and masks on. I must have tried about six of each on, none of which she would like. She spent most of the night criticising me. Thankfully, the last outfit I tried on she liked.

The dress is a beautiful strappy, mid-length, silver with the shoes and mask to match. It is items I could never afford. Meredith has three people coming to mine on Saturday to do my hair and makeup, and the person doing it needs to send her photos for approval. They are coming at twelve! The damn thing doesn’t start until eight. I am dreading it even more, especially since I will have strangers in my house.

She wouldn’t even allow me to bring the things home with me. She will keep them until Friday night, and then I can take them home with me. I throw myself down on my sofa, hold a cushion to my face and scream into it. I am stressed to the max. All I want to do is go to bed, but I need to eat and shower first. I need to be at the office tomorrow for eight.

I sigh, pull my ass up from the sofa and disappear to grab a shower. I can’t believe I have been roped into this bullshit. I turn the warm water on and step in, falling to the floor. I rest my back to the wall and let the warm water run over me. I think I will stay in here for a while and just have a bowl of cereal to eat. It will do until tomorrow.

I close my eyes and let myself cry. I hate it when I do it, but it makes me feel better. I will make it through. I have suffered worse in my life, but right now, all I can think is fuck my life!