C2 MONDAYS AND IDIOTS.

Present time.

　　KIKI.

　　I don't like Monday mornings or people who like Monday mornings.

　　Do I hate my jobs too? Absolutely. But do they provide me with the means to go on luxurious vacations and buy whatever I want? Nope, not at all. Will I quit these jobs? Definitely not! I mean, there aren't many job options available, so I'll take what I can get. It's not my fault, I just don't handle stress well. It's just not my thing. But you know what? This world I live in, my reality, it constantly bombards me with stress and challenges, not even a single positive thing that I can turn into something good!

　　"Oh my God! Looks like we're having a huge party here!" one of my coworkers exclaimed as I walked out of the restroom, only to find more customers in the store.

　　It's not like this doesn't happen during clearance weeks, but we still can't seem to get used to it, even though we've experienced it so many times before.

　　"Well, if only our boss would do the right thing and hire more staff, we wouldn't be so crowded," I said, ignoring the angry look my boss was giving me.

　　"If we hire more staff, your salaries would decrease. And if your salaries decrease, you won't have enough to spend. And if you don't have enough to spend, you won't be able to afford to fix those same worn-out heels you've been wearing for the past three years. And if you can't afford to fix your heels, you'll end up coming to work in slippers. And if you show up to work in slippers, you'll get fired. So, do you want to get fired, Kiki?" Sam, my boss, asked rhetorically. I just rolled my eyes at him because all he said to me sounded like, "Yeah, so we'll always be short-staffed, and if you can work yourself to death, that'd be great!"

　　I've been working as a sales associate at Callisto, a luxury brand company, for over five years. Callisto is a well-known and influential luxury brand worldwide, and we specialize in fashion and accessories. As sales associates, we are usually the first point of contact for potential customers. We gain practical experience in direct sales to consumers and have the opportunity to represent the company and learn about our products and services.

　　I approached a woman who was holding one of our very expensive mini bags in the store. There was a man standing beside her, who I assumed was her boyfriend or husband, and he seemed like he'd rather be anywhere else.

　　"Good day, ma'am. Are you interested in owning that bag you're holding?" I asked politely.

　　"Of course! Why else would I have it in my hands? Is it the most expensive? I want the latest and most expensive Callisto bag available in this store," the woman replied, speaking in a condescending manner. But I was used to it.

　　Working as a sales associate in a luxury brand store, I've dealt with my fair share of wealthy people who always look down on me. I've been insulted numerous times, both in person and over the phone when I fill in for my colleagues in customer service. One thing that's common among fans of this luxury brand is their pride and the unnecessary need to belittle others in order to elevate themselves. Sure, there are some incredibly kind, polite, and respectful customers among them, but they're like a drop in the ocean compared to the rest.

　　"I'm sorry, ma'am, but this handbag is neither the latest nor the most expensive in the store," I said, leading them to the section where the actual latest and most expensive bag was displayed. "The Callisto Verona crocodile shoulder bag is the latest and most expensive one. It costs forty-five thousand dollars. It has only been purchased by Princess Vittoria of Savoy, the famous Italian princess, and Grace Xumberg, one of the renowned Hollywood celebrities. It's also available in limited colors: navy green, sky blue, and burnt orange," I explained as I carefully retrieved the bag from the shelf.

　　It was a sky blue bag made of crocodile skin, and if I'm being honest, it wasn't even that appealing. It was rather ugly, but the fans always buy them. The brand name holds utmost importance to them, and maybe the durability too because of the high-quality materials used in making them. But if someone asked me if it's worth it, I would honestly say a big fat no. That money could pay for a comfortable house in Texas, or it could greatly improve my overall chaotic life. And yet, it's going to sit in someone's closet as a mere bag.

　　The wealth gap between the rich and the poor is just enormous. What a world we live in.

　　I handed the bag to the woman, and she stared at it in awe. Her boyfriend simply rolled his eyes at her reaction, not understanding what was so fascinating about the bag. Then, he looked back at me, and I noticed the winks he had been giving me. I awkwardly smiled and quickly averted my eyes, finding myself unconsciously pulling my shirt collar together, even though my cleavage wasn't exposed.

　　"Tell me you didn't just smile and flirt with my man!" the woman suddenly snapped, leaving me shocked and confused as to how she came to that conclusion.

　　"What do you mean, ma'am? Why would I do such a thing?" I replied, trying to maintain my politeness.

　　"Baby, didn't she just show off her damn brown tits to you?" she asked her so-called man, injecting a hint of racism that I chose to ignore.

　　"Uhm... Yes. She did, she has been winking for a while now."

　　"Wait, what? What the heck are you talking about? Wink at you?" I exclaimed, ultimately shocked.

　　"Hy, ma'am, sir... and Kiki. What is going on here?" Sam asked as he stepped into the situation. I was still trying to check if this was some kind of prank or something.

　　"Why don't you ask the whore that you employed as a salesgirl, huh? Is she here to sell luxurious products or her fat body? She sure as hell can't be doing both!" The woman snapped yet again, succeeding in gathering people's attention this time. .

　　"Ma'am, you have to stay calm. Kiki, what happened?"

　　"I don't even understand this situation either. I was here trying to sell the Callisto Verona crocodile shoulder bag to her when all of a sudden she said I was flashing my tits at her man and her man also added that I even winked at him even though he was literally the one who did that not me." I explained, almost sounding out of breath.

　　"Oh please, why would I wink at you when I've got this amazing beauty right beside me? Its like leaving barbie and going for shrek. Come on, that makes no sense at all." The man mocked. I heard a familiar voice snicker behind me as I turned to see Sarah, the one and only bitch of a coworker that I had.

　　"Uhm... Sir, we are really sorry for whatever she did. We apologize for her wrongdoings, we'll be sure to get her punished for it. Kiki, apologize to the couple." Sam said after throwing me the look of unapproval as usual.

　　"Oh, hell no! No no no! Not today! I won't let you just throw me under the bus. This couple just accused me of what I didn't do, proceeded to insult me vigorously while at it and you're telling me to apologize even when they are wrong? That customers are always right phrase does not count in this part, Sam, it doesn't. It wouldn't cost anything for you to check the CCTV and see who the liar is. There's only one slut here and it ain't me. Oh, including Sarah so make that two."

　　"Kiki, are you on drugs?" Sam asked.

　　"Oh, dear boss. You and I know that you do not pay me enough money to even have drug problems." I replied with a sickly sweet voice.

　　"What a rude bitch!" The woman contributed yet again.

　　"Kiki dear. Your shift is over already. Don't complicate issues, please." Rose, my friend whispered to me as she begun to drag me away from the scene.

　　"Watch how the sales associate of the year take care of the situation." Sarah said as she walked onto the same spot I was standing with the biggest smile on her face.

　　When we got into the employees' room, I immediately let out everything that I had been struggling I keep in.

　　"Gosh, I have never been so embarrassed for a while now. I can't believe she accused me of flashing my beautiful tits at that sorry excuse of a man. One that I would never even give a second look even if he walked up to me. And all the people giving approving nods at what she said? Gosh, if idiots could fly, this place would be a freaking airport! You know what, screw this job and every single customer and employee in it!"

　　"You keep saying that yet you continue to show up for work everyday and even on time." Rose said with a smirk on her face.

　　"No, this is different. I'm damn serious right now, I don't even care anymore, I am done."

　　"Wait, let me count how many times you've said this, oh yeah, a million times yet you keep working so hard each passing day."

　　"Stop rubbing salt on my wound, girl. You're so annoying, I hate you so much." I snapped at her, hating the fact that she was right.

　　"Oh, I know damn well that you mean the opposite of that."

　　"Fuck you. I'm leaving!" I said as I grabbed my bag and stormed out of the room."

　　"Wait, you didn't change out of the employees' t-shirt." I heard her say but I was too pissed to even go back.