[3] Isabella

ISABELLA ANNE GRAY, a fashionable, stunning, and business-savvy executive, held the position of Artistic Director and Content Advisor at Tarra Gona, a global mass media company. Subordinates addressed her with the utmost respect. But behind her back, they nicknamed her Ms. Resting Bitch Face or Ms. RBF, because she consistently wore that expression. She's allergic to anything or anyone exhibiting vanilla attributes.

Audrey, Isabella's executive assistant, opened the conference room door for her boss. The hiring team, led by Ms. Diana, was confused by the executive's presence. They exchanged greetings and small talk.  

A notification from a secret group chat popped up on Ms. Diana's phone. 

Amber: 🚨👀 RBF alert! The bitch is en route to the conference room.

Benj: [pikachu_shock.gif]

Evie: Mother D., good luck with the witch. Luv ya!😘

Gina: Ms. D... Fighting!👊

Amber: Hahahaha

Lorraine: Heart this if anyone needs a TGIF booze😈

Gracia: Ms. D, cheer up!

Benj: [pikachu_feel_better.gif]

Ms. Diana, known by her coworkers as Ms. D, put the phone down. She loved the bantering, but not now. They all knew that Isabella wasn't part of the hiring team. Isabella hasn't involved herself in any human resource department activity previously.

With the hiring staff seated, the interview commenced. On the table, resumes were laid out. 

One of the staff offered an additional chair for Isabella so she could be seated alongside them. But she refused the seat. Instead, she came to the front. She picked a resume and stood there reading it. She's wearing an all-black outfit. She didn't even bother to remove her oversized sunglasses.

Ms. Diana recalled that Isabella wore that same outfit when she attended a colleague's funeral. So who would she metaphorically bury today? An applicant?

"Are we in trouble?" Ms. Diana asked her colleagues discreetly, but they couldn't provide her with an answer. They simply exchanged furtive glances with each other, anticipating something worse. 

Without a doubt, Isabella was undeniably prized for her business acumen, leadership, and impressive credentials. She was the CEO and founder of Luxietude, a popular wellness and lifestyle brand. However, four years after launching the company, Tarragona Holdings Corporation bought it for 125 million dollars. She relinquished the CEO position and became the Artistic Director of Tarra Gona, the corporation's multi-million publishing subsidiary. One year after the acquisition, she acquired another crucial job title. She became the Content Advisor of the company.

Her formidable moxie was given. Her presence commanded attention. She's not known to skirt issues. She's educated, smart, and experienced. She'd tell you what went wrong no matter how hurtful the truth was. No bullshitting around. That's her trademark. You either love her or hate her. The higher-ups expected results and she delivered.

As for the reason why she graced the interview, Isabella was curious about an applicant named Charmaine Grace Flores. She wondered what had become of Charmaine, who back in college, had been Blake State University's Queen of Charms. Did she live up to the expectations? Or did she slide to anonymity? Like what their college classmate said two days ago.

After perusing the resume, Isabella removed her oversized sunglasses and proceeded with the first interview. She asked Charmaine to introduce herself. 

Charmaine felt the pressure and animosity from the way Isabella looked at her. She's baffled by the woman's silent hostility towards her. She introduced herself, her educational background, and her work experience. She fumbled for words due to nervousness but regained confidence eventually. The hiring team was impressed by her portfolio. But her efforts didn't charm Isabella. Not even a tiny spark of interest.

Isabella couldn't believe she was the same Charmaine Grace Flores that every girl envied in college. What happened to the college boys' dream girl? How did the university muse become unfashionable and plain? What happened to the beautiful, brainy, and filthy rich girl?

Back in college, Charmaine was everything a girl could ever wish to be. She never faltered in public speaking. She excelled in academics. President of the tennis club. She was the editor-in-chief of their student publication. Her suitors were popular and rich guys. She has a fan club.

But the Charmaine in front of Isabella showed a nervous tic, timid, and awkward. She rated excellently during the pre-interview test. She's skilled in writing, editing, graphics design, and digital marketing. Moreover, she had experience as a TV reporter and producer.

Nevertheless, Isabella was unimpressed with the credentials. Two years as a reporter at Blake News TV5. "That should be one year and some months because you were suspended," she scoffed in silence. The rest of the jobs are call centers. Two years of freelance work online. "What a shame," she murmured. Their mutual acquaintance was right. Charmaine became the Queen of Has-been.

"Let's put an end to this pathetic show," Isabella concluded in silence. Then she spoke for the first time.

"I have to be straightforward," Isabella said coldly towards Charmaine, "this is a fast-paced work environment. If you can't keep up, don't bother working here. If you can't handle criticism, this job is not for you."

Isabella paused. Then she waved Charmaine's resume. "You're applying as a Design, Wellness, and Lifestyle News Editor. You're not cut for the job. Your skills might be useful in some other companies. Ms. Flores, thank you for joining today's interview."

Charmaine couldn't believe that she was summarily dismissed. She looked around nervously. The rest of the crowd was stunned.

With that, Isabella dropped Charmaine's resume on the table and then picked up a new one. She read it quickly. As if Charmaine didn't exist in the room anymore, she focused on interviewee #2. Isabella sighed. Another unremarkable applicant. Then she picked up another resume but Charmaine interrupted her.

"M-Ms. Gray, I-I'd like to know which part went wrong—" Charmaine asked anxiously. "—With my application, that is."

Isabella didn't like being challenged. She donned the oversized sunglasses and crossed her arms. "Luxietude is a wellness, fashion, and lifestyle brand. Working with us means you are part of that brand."

The hiring managers were concerned about Isabella's enmity towards Charmaine. Yet, they'd rather not involve themselves. It's wise to be on her good side.

"So, even if you are holed up in some cubicle somewhere in this big office doing this and that—" Isabella removed her sunglasses and locked eyes with Charmaine. "For someone aspiring to be an editor of Luxietude, a lifestyle brand and connoisseur of luxury, you neither have life nor style. Let alone, the confidence of faking one," she said with unabashed equanimity. She gave Charmaine a once-over. "Ms. Flores, guts will take you nowhere."

Charmaine's lips went dry. Her face turned ashen with embarrassment. She felt the strong urge to run away.

Everyone was flabbergasted. A collective gasp was painfully audible.

"Ms. Flores, the fake it till you make attitude is an elaborate grift. Eventually, it'll catch up with you," Isabella said calmly. "You need experience, credentials, resolve, and power of persuasion in this industry."

Charmaine was utterly speechless.

Isabella sighed. "And most importantly, you need to embody the brand's qualities from whence you work; walk the talk. Otherwise, save yourself the trouble of the so-called boring 9-to-5 job."

Charmaine felt defeated.

"Do you want to work at Luxietude as an editor? You need to navigate the intricate web of game-changers and hangers-on," she gently shook her head. "Ms. Flores, savoir-faire can't be learned in some social media 30-day challenge."

Charmaine's face turned red with embarrassment. Her body stiffened. She clenched her hands on her lap. She recalled what happened earlier.

"Did she overhear my conversation with Jess? I didn't mean to diss the work. I was nervous. I was trying to console myself should I not make it. That's why I told Jess that it could be boring work," Charmaine said to herself. Earlier, she went to the ladies' room and called her best friend Jessica. She said that in this work, you'd be holed up in some office cubicle doing a boring 9-to-5 job. She thought she was alone. "Have I been judged because of what I said? I'm doomed," she blamed herself in silence.

She didn't have the energy to argue. She's at fault here. It's better to leave than embarrass herself further. She grabbed her messenger briefcase, stood up, and walked away. She was near the door when Ms. Diana approached her. 

"Ms. Flores, we'll contact you should there be an opportunity for you in the company. Thank you for joining us today," Ms. Diana said apologetically and forced smile. She extended her hand. Charmaine accepted it. Both of their palms were cold. Their handshake was tense.