Unseen

I show up lovely, but everyone else looks perfect, so I must adjust. I can’t afford to be less. Not tonight.

I stare at my reflection in the bathroom mirror surrounded by a mess of makeup products strewn across the sink. I study every inch of my face, satisfied to find it perfect now. Everything is exactly as it should be. The dress, the makeup, the hair—I’m flawless now. I’m the center of this universe tonight, and soon, they’ll be orbiting around me.

A knock at the door startles me, dragging me back to the desperate mess I’ve made on the bathroom sink.

“Renee? You okay in there?”

It’s Cora. I can hear the fake concern in her voice.

“I’m fine,” I snap, shoving the humble slip dress I arrived in into my bag alongside an open liquid foundation bottle and mascara. Instantly, they make a disgusting mess. “I’ll be out in a second," I say, sweeping the rest of the products off the counter and into my bag, then zip it up to handle later.

I give one final glance at my reflection, tucking the price tag of the dress deeper into my bra, flouncing my hair, and checking my teeth for lipstick stains. I look damn good. The world will know it.

Swinging the bathroom door open, I see Cora, head bent over her phone and body blocking the way. She looks up and her eyes widen at the sight of me. 

“Wow,” she says. “You changed.”

My lips form a tight smile, pleased at her reaction, but also annoyed. “All yours,” I say, stepping out of the bathroom. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear that color before. How different.”

Cora's tone drips with backhanded praise. I ignore it. I have more important things to do: accept a promotion, give a speech, conquer a company.

I waltz through the busy restaurant, slipping by servers and seated diners. When I reenter our company’s luxurious private room, dressed in something new and commanding, I can feel the heads turning. The attention is exactly what I’ve been waiting for. While they don’t say it, I just know they’re noticing that I’m the prize tonight. It feels good.

I walk directly to my assigned seat and Leo catches my eye immediately. “Whoa,” he says, practically spilling his drink. “Look at you. You’re glowing.”

I flash a smile. I know exactly what he wants—me—so I let him keep talking.

“What’s your secret?” he asks, taking a step closer to me.

“Just living my best life,” I reply, flicking my hair back with a casual gesture. It's an art, really. Leo stares at me, the same look he always gives but grippier tonight. He’s harmless, but maybe he’ll be useful to me one day so I’ll entertain him.

“No, there’s something else,’” Leo presses. His eyes linger on me a little too long. “You look… different, Renee.”

I laugh, low and controlled. He’s reading too much into it. “Maybe I finally realized what everyone else sees,” I say, sliding my bag beneath my chair. 

“What’s that?” Leo asks.

I give him a knowing smile. “That I’m kind of a big deal.”

He laughs nervously. It’s hard to be in my orbit.

“Can I get you something to drink?” he asks.

I nod. “White wine, please.” 

As he walks away, heading to the bartender in the corner, I scan the room, feeling eyes on me from all directions. Is it just me, or are they all watching? I try to avoid squirming, but a strange unease creeps along my ribcage. I slowly take my seat, hoping that will relax me, but it’s like I’m not properly fitting in my skin. I adjust myself on my chair.

Lauren takes that as her cue to sit in the empty seat beside me. “Love that dress,” she says, offering a wide smile, but it’s more of a sneer that peels back her lips.

“Thanks,” I reply tightly. Lauren is my superior, but not after tonight. When the promotion is mine, I’ll be the one in control.

“You look… really different tonight,” Lauren continues. “Are you okay?”

Why does everyone keep saying that? I’m flawless tonight. Extra makeup, the perfect dress. I’m more than okay. But I play along, offering her just enough of a cold stare to remind her who’s about to be in charge.

“I’ve never been better,” I say, my voice steady and unaffected.

Lauren squints at me, her brow furrowing. “Sorry, there’s just something… I don’t know. Are you feeling alright? You’re not sick?”

I shrug, putting on my best nonchalant expression. “Wouldn’t you love that, Lauren.” I cross my arms over my chest, trying to block the discomfort creeping in.

“I’m just worried about you,” Lauren continues. “Maybe it’s just the dress, you don’t normally wear that color.”

I snap at her a little too quickly, sharper than I intended. “I’m fine.”

Leo returns with my wine and I sip it immediately, but the unease lingers. Maybe… maybe it’s not them. Maybe it is me. Maybe something is wrong?

The lights dim a little and I look up at the head of the table. Jim, our beloved CEO, stands and clinks a butter knife against his glass. I take a deep breath, straightening my back, preparing for my moment. I’ll be standing beside him in a few minutes, accepting that promotion, smiling as everyone admires me. All the hard work, finally worthwhile.

“Good evening, everyone,” Jim begins, his tone warm but authoritative. “I know we’re all excited for tonight. We have a lot to celebrate—growth, achievement, teamwork. But I want to take a moment to say something important before we begin.”

I glance around the room, feeling the eyes of everyone on me again. It’s what I’m used to—what I crave. The energy in the room shifts, and my pulse quickens.

Jim continues, “We’ve always prided ourselves on the culture we’ve built here. A company of respect, of trust, and of hard work. But there’s something we value above all else… and that’s irreproachable character.”

I blink, feeling an odd tightening in my chest. Character? I glance at Lauren, her gaze locked on Jim, but I can’t shake the strange feeling building up inside me.

“As a company, we strive to reward those who truly contribute, who lift others up, and who show integrity. We value those who inspire their peers with their work ethic and kindness—and also show up humble.”

My heart races. I feel heat rising in my face. The room feels smaller now. It’s almost time.

“And with that, it is my pleasure to announce our new CMO, someone who embodies the values we hold most dear: character, dedication, and humble leadership.” He looks around the room, pausing for effect.

I sit straighter, my breath held, waiting on the edge of a precipice. This is my moment.

“That person is….”

I brace for my name.

My prize.

But then… it’s not me.

“Lauren Smith.”

Lauren stands immediately like she knew the whole time, her face lighting up with excitement as applause fills the air. But I can’t hear any of it. My vision is fixed on Jim, who smiles proudly at his new CMO coming around the table, shaking her hand, even giving her a hug… and it’s not me.

Leo claps loudly beside me and it makes me sick. I grab my wine and gulp it. I don’t understand. I’ve worked harder, played the game better, and built myself up to be everything they wanted. I changed everything about me, even tonight—I went out and bought this stupid dress at the very last second to show up how they wanted.

Applause ring in my ears but all I hear is, I wasn’t enough.

Leo's voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts. "You okay?" he asks, but I don’t have the energy to answer.

The applause fades in my mind, and the words "character" "dedication," and "humble leadership" replay over and over. They echo like a cruel joke, each word reminding me of the hollow effort I’ve dumped into this ridiculous company.

Maybe I’ve been playing the wrong game the entire time.