Fiction: Doble-faced (Doble cara) [EN/ES]
Double-faced
"Robina, good morning. How do you do?" Cindy was approaching her office mate.
"Very well. Today I feel like it's going to be my moment to shine." You could see the sparkle in Robina's brown eyes.
"Do you think they will give you a sales manager position?" Cindy was staring at her friend.
"I think so. I have worked very hard for this position. I feel like it will be mine now." Robina painted a big smile.
"I hope so, Robina. The boss will name the candidates later. I will be looking forward to you being one of the chosen ones." Cindy was hugging her.
"Thank you, you are so cute." Robina was kissing her on the cheek.
Robina was saying goodbye to Cindy, and as she walked down the long office corridors, with cubicles on both sides, she imagined giving orders to each of the employees typing on their computers. There was a constant clicking sound everywhere.
The beautiful Robina has a white complexion, straight hair, and black hair as black as night. She walked gracefully down the aisle, and her red dress gave off a scent of spring with a delicious hint of vanilla. Robina arrived at her cubicle and sat down to continue writing the reports that had piled up like a mountain on her desk.
A voice was heard over a loudspeaker, invading the gloomy atmosphere of the office.
"Colleagues, remember that this afternoon we will have the appointment of the two candidates for the position of sales manager. Attendance is mandatory." The piercing voice suddenly fell silent.
Robina thought, "Surely I will be one of the chosen ones, and I will win. I know I will."
Between clicking sounds and despairing sighs, the day passed quickly, giving way to the afternoon. Employees walked like robots through the corridors of the office, heading to the dining room for lunch. Cindy's soft voice filtered through the crowd.
"Robina, Robina. Wait for me, let's have lunch together." Cindy was gliding among those who were walking.
Robina pretended not to understand and hurriedly looked for the boss, who was leaving the office and heading to the restaurant.
"Boss, boss. I want to tell you something." Robina spoke with an anxious tone.
"I'm about to go to lunch, Miss Robina." The boss was looking at her with his black eyes.
"Well, it was just something that can wait. I don't want to disturb you during your rest time." Robina showed an angelic little face.
"Don't bother, Miss Robina. Let's have lunch together." The boss was guiding her to the restaurant.
"Look, look, everybody. That's easy, Robina is sure to hook up with the boss to earn the position of sales manager. Haha." One of the employees was pointing towards the fine restaurant.
"Hey, you need to be more respectful. Robina is an excellent employee and deserves the position." Cindy angrily urged the employee.
"Of course, she is an excellent employee. Haha." The clerk was making a few quotation marks with his fingers in a show of irony.
Everyone was leaving for lunch, and Cindy was looking with her honey-colored eyes towards the restaurant. Out the window, you could see the boss and Robina laughing while drinking the wine, which was surely very expensive. Cindy arranged her wavy brown hair, turned around, and headed for the dining room.
After that incident, the announcement of the candidates had arrived. Everyone knew that Robina was one of the chosen ones; what they didn't know was who she would have to compete against for the position. The mystery was about to unfold.
People whispered as Robina walked by, looking from side to side, not knowing what was happening. Again, the woman heard the delicate voice.
"Robina, Robina, there's a stall here." Cindy was calling to her eagerly.
"Thank you, Cindy. What's the matter with all of these?" Robina sat looking around.
"Don't pay attention to them, they are fools. You have to focus on your big moment." Cindy was showing a big smile.
"You're right, they are envious. Thank you, friend." Robina was hugging Cindy.
At that moment, the boss came out, and everyone was silent, so much so that you could hear the fall of a pin. The microphone emitted sounds that broke the sepulchral silence of the conference room.
"Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for attending this important announcement, which affects everyone in one way or another. Today, we will announce the two candidates for the position of sales manager. The chosen ones will have a trial week, and according to their productivity evaluations, either one or the other will win the position. Best of luck to all."
"You will surely be one of the chosen ones." Cindy was smiling.
Robina could not hide the nervousness of the moment, and her crimson lips moved shyly. The boss's secretary passed him an envelope, as the silence grew more distressing.
"The chosen ones are..." The boss made a dramatic pause, making the moment more distressing. "Robina Sinclair."
"Congratulations, friend." Cindy was hugging her.
"Cindy Laprey." The boss made the second announcement. "Congratulations to both of you, and don't forget to give your best."
Cindy looked confused at Robina, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say, while subtle laughter filled the conference room. Everyone else left, leaving the women alone, looking at each other, trying to understand what had happened.
"Congratulations, Cindy. It will be very interesting to compete with you." Robina turned around and left the place.
In the following days, papers began to appear in the boss's office. In them, they spoke badly about Robina, besides insulting her and treating her as an easy and sold woman. The boss could no longer tolerate the situation and decided to call an emergency meeting.
Rumors spread through the office cubicles; everyone knew who was responsible, and the name of the person who had left the papers in the boss's office reached Robina's ears. She angrily turned to Cindy.
"How did you put? I considered you my friend; you are a hypocrite." Robina was slapping Cindy, then she ran out to her cubicle.
"Good afternoon, everyone. I have called everyone because an unprecedented event has occurred in our company." The boss was upset. "I had no idea how far people's greed and bad faith could go, until I saw this."
The boss showed the notes to everyone. Cindy's eyes widened, and Robina wept uncontrollably. Then the boss took the microphone again.
"This unfortunate event resulted in the selection of the new sales manager without any evaluation of his performance." The boss looked at everyone without hesitation. "The new sales manager is Cindy Laprey."
Everyone was left with their mouths open, and Robina couldn't believe what she was hearing. The woman went out of her mind and started screaming.
"That bitch made a dirty war on me. How can you reward her with the sales manager position?" Some men were trying to contain Robina.
"Calm down, Miss Robina. I'll show you the security camera tapes." The boss was showing the videos.
Robina covered her face and ran out of the conference room before everyone's stunned gaze. The video showed Robina throwing the papers in the boss's office when no one was there.
"Miss Robina wanted to pretend that she was a white dove, but it turned out to be a cold and calculating wolf. She herself made the slanderous notes to harm Miss Cindy. Let's give a round of applause to the new sales manager and forget this embarrassing episode."
The applause rained down as Cindy stood up, trying to take in everything that had happened. The boss fired Robina, and everyone branded her a vile and hypocritical manipulator.
The end
Doble rostro
«Robina, buenos días. ¿Cómo estás?». Cindy se acercaba a su compañera de oficina.
«Muy bien. Hoy siento que va a ser mi momento de brillar». Podía verse el brillo en los ojos cafés de Robina.
«¿Crees que te darán puesto de gerente de ventas?». Cindy miraba fijamente a su amiga.
«Así lo creo. He trabajado muy duro para este puesto. Siento que ahora será mío». Robina pintaba una gran sonrisa.
«Espero así sea, Robina. Está tarde el jefe dirá los candidatos, estaré deseando que tú seas uno de los elegidos». Cindy la abrazaba.
«Gracias, eres tan linda». Robina le daba un beso en la mejilla.
Robina se despedía de Cindy y mientras caminaba por los largos pasillos de la oficina, con los cubículos a cada lado, imaginaba dando órdenes a cada uno de aquellos empleados, que estaban agachados, tecleando sin parar los computadores. Un sonido constante de clics se oía por todo el lugar.
La bella Robina de tez blanca, pelo lacio y negro como la noche. Se movía elegantemente por el pasillo y su vestido rojo olía a primavera con un toque delicioso a vainilla. Robina llegaba hasta su cubículo y se sentaba para seguir redactando los informes que se habían apilado en su escritorio como una montaña.
Por un altavoz se escuchó una voz que invadía el ambiente sombrío de la oficina.
«Compañeros, recuerden que esta tarde tendremos la designación de los dos candidatos para el cargo de gerente de ventas. La asistencia es obligatoria». La voz penetrante se calló de repente.
Robina pensó, «De seguro seré yo uno de los elegidos y ganaré. Sé que lo haré».
Entre sonidos de tecleo y suspiros desesperanzadores, el día paso rápidamente dando paso a la tarde. Los empleados caminaban como robots por los pasillos de la oficina, dirigiéndose al comedor para almorzar. Una voz delicada se filtraba entre las personas.
«Robina, Robina. Espérame vamos a comer juntas». Cindy se deslizaba entre los que caminaban.
Robina se hizo la desentendida y buscó presurosamente al jefe, quien salía de la oficina y se dirigía al restaurante.
«Jefecito, jefecito. Quiero comentarle algo». Robina hablaba con un tono afanoso.
«Estoy por ir a almorzar, señorita Robina». El jefe la miraba con sus ojos negros.
«Bueno, solo era algo que puede esperar. No quiero molestarlo en su momento de descanso». Robina mostraba una carita angelical.
«No molesta, señorita Robina. Venga almorcemos juntos». El jefe la guiaba hasta el restaurante.
«Miren, miren, todos. Esa fácil de Robina de seguro se va a ligar al jefe para ganarse el puesto de gerente de ventas. Jaja». Uno de los empleados apuntaba hacia el fino restaurante.
«Oye, debes ser más respetuoso. Robina es una excelente empleada y merece el puesto». Cindy enojaba instaba al empleado.
«Sí claro, es una excelente empleada. Jaja». El empleado hacía unas señas de comillas con sus dedos en son de ironía.
Todos se iban a almorzar y Cindy miraba con sus ojos color miel hacia el restaurante, por la ventana se veía como el jefe y Robina reían, mientras bebían del vino, que de seguro era muy caro. Cindy se acomodó el pelo castaño y ondulado, dio media vuelta y se dirigió al comedor.
Después de aquel incidente, el anuncio de los candidatos había llegado. Todos sabían que Robina era una de la escogidas, lo que no sabían era contra quién debía disputarse el puesto. El misterio estaba a punto de develarse.
Los cuchicheos se oían al paso de Robina, quien miraba de un lado a otro, sin saber lo que sucedía. Nuevamente la mujer escuchó la voz delicada.
«Robina, Robina, aquí hay un puesto». Cindy la llamaba afanosamente.
«Gracias, Cindy. ¿Qué les pasa a todos estos?». Robina se sentaba mirando a su alrededor.
«No les prestes atención, son unos tontos. Debes concentrarte en tu gran momento». Cindy mostraba una gran sonrisa.
«Tienes razón, son unos envidiosos. Gracias, amiga». Robina abrazaba a Cindy.
En ese momento, salió el jefe y todos quedaron en silencio, tanto que se podía escuchar la caída de un alfiler. El micrófono emitía sonidos que rompían el silencio sepulcral de la sala de conferencias.
«Buenas tardes, a todos. Gracias por asistir a este anuncio importante, que de una u otra forma afectará a todos. Hoy anunciaremos a los dos candidatos para el puesto de gerente de ventas, los escogidos tendrán una semana de prueba y según sus evaluaciones productivas, ya sea uno u otro ganará el puesto. Les deseo mucha suerte a todos».
«De seguro serás una de los elegidos». Cindy sonreía.
Robina no podía ocultar el nerviosismo del momento y sus labios carmesí se movían tímidamente. La secretaria del jefe le pasaba un sobre, mientras el silencio se hacía más angustiante.
«Los elegidos son...». El jefe hacia una pausa dramática haciendo más angustiante el momento. «Robina Sinclair».
«Felicitaciones, amiga». Cindy la abrazaba.
«Cindy Laprey». El jefe hacía el segundo anuncio. «Felicitaciones a las dos y no olviden dar su mejor esfuerzo».
Cindy miraba confundida a Robina y por un momento no supo que decir, mientras las risas sutiles se tomaban la sala de conferencias y todos salían, dejando solas a las mujeres que seguían mirándose, tratando de entender lo que había pasado.
«Felicitaciones, Cindy. Será muy interesante competir contigo». Robina daba media vuelta y salía del lugar.
En los días siguientes, empezaron a aparecer papeles en la oficina del jefe. En ellos hablaban mal de Robina, además de insultarla y tratarla como una mujer fácil y vendida. El jefe no soportó más la situación y decidió llamar a una reunión de urgencia.
Los chismes empezaron recorrer cada cubículo de la oficina, todos tenían una culpable y el nombre de quien dejaba los papeles en la oficina del jefe, llegó hasta oídos de Robina. Ella furiosa se dirigió a Cindy.
«¿Cómo pusiste? Te consideré mi amiga, eres una hipócrita». Robina daba una cachetada a Cindy, luego salió corriendo hacia su cubículo.
«Buena tarde, a todos. Los he mandado llamar porque ha ocurrido un hecho sin precedentes en nuestra empresa». El jefe estaba disgustado. «No tenía idea hasta donde podía llegar la codicia y la mala fe de las personas, hasta que vi esto».
El jefe mostraba las notas a todos, Cindy abría los ojos al máximo de sus cuencas y Robina lloraba sin parar. Luego el jefe volvió a tomar el micrófono.
«Este hecho lamentable solo hizo que el puesto de nuevo gerente de ventas se escogiera sin ninguna evaluación de rendimiento». El jefe miraba a todos sin vacilar. «La nueva gerente de ventas es Cindy Laprey».
Todos quedaron con la boca abierta y Robina no podía creer lo que estaba escuchando. La mujer se salió de sus casillas y empezó a gritar.
«Esa perra me hizo la guerra sucia. ¿Cómo puede recompensarla con el puesto de gerente de ventas?». Unos hombres trataban de contener Robina.
«Cálmese, señorita Robina. Le mostraré las cintas de las cámaras de seguridad». El jefe proyectaba los videos.
Robina se tapaba el rostro y salía corriendo de la sala de conferencias ante la mirada atónita de todos. El vídeo mostraba a Robina tirando los papeles en la oficina del jefe, cuando no había nadie.
«La señorita Robina quería aparentar que era una blanca paloma, pero resultó ser un lobo frío y calculador. Ella misma hizo los papeles difamándose para perjudicar a la señorita Cindy. Demos un aplauso a la nueva gerente de ventas y olvidemos este bochornoso episodio».
Los aplausos llovían mientras Cindy se levantaba intentando asimilar todo lo que había pasado. Robina fue despedida y todos la tildaron como una vil manipuladora e hipócrita.
Fin
Source 2
Edited by Rincón Poético
The text of this post was originally translated from Spanish to English with the translator DeepL
Original content
¡Thanks for you reading!
@rinconpoetico7
Posted Using INLEO
Huhm, this is a very deep and well-written piece.
Life always has it's way of revealing things when we least expect. And we can't always pretend forever, because time will tell.
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful piece.
❤️❤️❤️
That's right, my friend. Time takes care of unmasking disloyal people.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving your kind comment.
Excellent Monday.
Very much welcome 🤗
A very interesting concept per se. It is the ones who claimed saint sometimes that exhibit awful behavior which later exudes out like perfume. Robina tried fighting unfairly, but Cindy who was fighting at all won in the end. A beautiful piece.
There are wolves in sheep's clothing everywhere; we have to be careful with those people.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving your kind comment.
Excellent day.
A very interesting and well-written account of what can happen in a place where competition for a position can drive some people to such extremes. Excellent—I really enjoyed reading it.
Thank you for sharing it.
Best regards and blessings @rinconpoerico7
Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving your comment. I'm so glad you enjoyed the story.
Have a great start to the week!
Thank you, and I hope you have a great start to the week ✨️
We're starting the week with this great announcement. I'm so glad you enjoyed the story. Thank you so much, friends.
A hug!