"Can you believe it?"
"Believe what?"
"They're going to announce the promotion any day now." With a big smile, Jane admitted "I think you're going to get it."
Camilla returned the friendly smile, not wanting to get too excited. "We'll find out soon."
They sat together on the couch while sharing a bottle of champagne. It had been a rough month for both women with all the trips, projects, and the entire interview process.
"Be honest with me," Jane said, putting down her glass. "You're pretty confident you got the job, aren't you?"
"What makes you think that?"
"Come on, Camilla. You're the one they always wanted. And besides, you're the best candidate for the job!"
Camilla took a deep breath and tried to keep herself from smiling. "Look, Jane. I've always been honest with you. Just from talking to Miranda and some others, I think I most likely will get the job. However, I heard your presentation was great, and the board is impressed with everything you've accomplished in such a short amount of time."
Jane's smile only got bigger. It wasn't because the company appreciated her hard work. She was just happy to hear Camilla finally admit she expected to receive the promotion. "You really deserve it."
"I agree, but I don't want to get ahead of myself." Camilla then laid a hand on Jane's shoulder, the first time in a while that she had made any physical contact with her roommate. "If anyone else gets the job besides me, I really hope it's you."
A rush of adrenaline went through the small Asian woman. The compliment and the small touch on her shoulder meant so much. She found it strange that Camilla seemed so distant lately, but it eased her to know that they still shared such mutual respect.
Getting up to her feet, Jane faced the blonde Latina. "I know I don't have to say this, but I want to make sure you know something."
Camilla tilted her head, having no idea what her roomie was about to say. "Yeah?"
"No matter what happens with the Director position, you're still my best friend."
The blonde gasped. "Your best friend?"
"Well, yeah..." Jane said, nodding her head. "I've never spent as much time with anyone as I have with you. You helped me with so much and I wouldn't be where I am today without you."
Looking into the Asian woman's eyes, Camilla started to tear up. It meant a lot to her, knowing someone could appreciate her so much. She was also comforted by the support and encouragement her roommate provided.
Camilla got up to her feet and wrapped her arms around Jane for a tight embrace. "You're my best friend too."
Surprised by the sudden feeling of physical contact, Jane closed your eyes and rested her head against Camilla's shoulder. Knowing they had a tight bond, despite everything they had been through, brought a big smile to the young Asian's face.
After letting go, the blonde faced her roommate again. "I really enjoyed this but I need to finish some stuff for tomorrow."
"Already starting on your supervisor duties?" Jane asked with a wink.
With a small laugh Camilla answered, "Not exactly... but it is important."
"I understand," Jane responded with a nod. She had always looked up to Camilla as a worker, despite technically having the same title. But now, her view of the Latina had already changed into her supervisor position she was sure to get.
As Camilla walked to her room, she turned to make sure she was out of her roommate's site. Once she was clear, her smile quickly disappeared.
After closing the door behind her, she stood in her room silently, with her arms folded. "No, Camilla," whispered herself, shaking her head.
She took the clip out of her hair, letting her long blonde hair fall past her shoulders. She then took a seat at her vanity and stared deeply into the mirror.
--
The next day at work, Jane noticed Camilla was in a better mood than normal. There was a smile on the blonde's face, and she radiated with confidence. She hoped it was a sign that things were getting back to normal.
Towards the end of the day, Miranda stepped out and called for Camilla. "I need to talk with you privately."
Jane smiled at her coworker as she watched her walk into their supervisor's office.
I wonder if Miranda is going to tell her she got the job,
she thought to herself, smiling from ear to ear.
Camilla had the same hope in her mind as she walked into the office and closed the door. Taking a seat, she felt her heart racing with anticipation. "Yes, Ma'am?"
Miranda looked at her employee before moving her eyes to her computer. "I have some pretty big news."
"What is it?"
"This is going to be shocking, but I just got off the phone with the chairman of the board and..."
Camilla's knee started bouncing up and down. "And what?"
"And... I just wanted you to hear it from me first."
Camilla could hardly take any more. The adrenaline was getting to her. "Hear what from you?"
With a deep breath, Miranda finally responded, "They chose Jane..."
Everything went silent as the words rang through Camilla's ears. The world became blurry and she could barely focus on her supervisor sitting right in front of her.
She sat there silently, listening to her own heart beating louder and louder. Though a smile remained on her face, she was shaking as she did everything in her power to keep it together.
"Camilla?"
The blonde couldn't even talk. Even though she was staring at her boss, all she could see was her world collapsing in front of her.
"Camilla, are you okay?"
Still shaking, the blonde slowly nodded her head, fighting to keep the smile on her face.
Miranda tried to get her employee's attention, though she understood there was no way of comforting her. "Camilla... I really wanted you to get the position. I put in a strong recommendation for you but they still went with..."
Camilla suddenly got to her feet, interrupting Miranda's speech. Without a word, she walked away and grabbed the doorknob, attempting to leave.
"Camilla!" the supervisor called out, stopping her employee from walking out. As she noticed the hurt in Camilla's eyes, all she could say was, "I'm sorry! I tried my best."
Doing everything in her power not to cry, Camilla took a deep breath and responded, "So did I..."
The door opened and Jane looked up, eager to find out what happened. She felt uneasy watching her roommate walking towards her. She tried to talk but the blonde ignored her, blowing right past her before walking straight out of the office.
Completely confused, Jane looked back at Miranda, who was standing at the entrance of her office. "What's wrong with Camilla? Why did she look so upset?"
"Come into my office, Jane. We need to talk..."
Jane walked in, eager to find out what happened. "Is Camilla okay?" she asked, closing the door.
For some reason, Miranda was just as nervous to break the news to Jane as she was Camilla. "Have a seat, please..."
"I've never seen Camilla make that face before," the small Asian woman replied as she sat down.
"She's... very upset..."
Jane's eyes became big, now worried about her friend. "Why?! What happened?!"
With a deep breath, Miranda responded, "She's upset because... she didn't get the promotion..."
Jane jumped out of her chair, filled with shock and adrenaline. "What?! Why?!"
Still unable to believe it herself, the supervisor responded. "The board chose... someone else..."
"What? Who?" Jane couldn't figure out who the board could possibly choose over Camilla.
Miranda stood there silently, staring at the young woman.
A moment went by as the two women stared at each other. Then, as Jane noticed her boss's awkward silence, the truth started to creep in. "Oh, shit..." she said as she sat down and sank into the chair.
"I know this isn't the way you wanted to find out but... congratulations, Jane."
"This is a huge honor... but I feel terrible. She really deserved it! And that face she made... She really looked... hurt..."
"I understand your concern," Miranda said with a deep breath. "This is something that Camilla has wanted for a very long time. Of course, I think she deserved it, but you are very deserving of it too."
"I know I should be happy," Jane responded, shaking her head as she looked at the ground. "I just feel so guilty for some reason. I mean, she's the one that came up with that whole plan to hire me. Now I'm the one who got the promotion she always wanted. She's going to hate me..."
With a smile, the supervisor responded, "That's Camilla for you. She lives by her own rules. And even when her plans backfire, she always finds a way to recover. I've seen her go through so much. I just hope this isn't the straw that breaks the camel's back."
Quickly jumping out of her chair, Jane declared, "I have to go talk to her!"
"Go ahead," Miranda responded. "I'm sure both of you need some time to process this. Take the rest of the day off but we will need to go over the logistics in a couple days."
After thanking her supervisor, Jane ran out and looked everywhere for her coworker. Eventually, she went out to the parking lot where she found the Latina sitting in her car.
Jane tapped on the window, trying to get her attention. "Camilla, can we please talk?"
The blonde stared forward, never making eye contact with Jane. She then rolled the window down and nodded her head.
"Miranda told me I got the position, but I was really hoping you would get it. I'm so sorry if..."
"Congratulations..." Camilla interrupted with a soft and flat voice.
Jane started to twiddle her fingers, feeling uncomfortable because she knew there was nothing she could say to make Camilla feel better. "Miranda said we're dismissed for the day. Do you want to go home?"
After several seconds of awkward silence Camilla looked over at Jane and said, "My laptop and my tote bag are at my desk. Can you get them for me?"
"Of course," Jane responded before rushing back into the building.
The blonde closed the window, watching every step the future Director took. As soon as she saw the door close behind Jane, she grabbed the steering wheel and screamed at the top of her lungs.
Jane grabbed the items and quickly rush back to the car. As she opened the door, she noticed the same painful look on Camilla's face.
This is going to be a long and awkward ride home,
she thought.
About ten minutes into the silent drive, Jane decided she couldn't stay quiet any longer.
I just told her she was my best friend. I have to say something!
"Camilla... Are you okay?"
Stopping at a red light, Camilla turned towards Jane and smiled. The young Asian could sense the sadness coming out of the broken woman's eyes.
"I'm sorry, that was a stupid question. Is there anything I can do to make you feel better? Maybe we can get a drink and talk about it?"
Camilla just put her eyes back on the road. "I'll be okay," she said as the car started moving forward.
