Chapter 11: 'You call this 'coffee'?'

ROSE

“Out.” Rum took one glimpse at me and returned to his own reflection in the mirror of Studio 2—the largest one in the building, made mostly for shows and major advertisement shooting.

I rubbed my fingers helplessly, close to tears. “Please, Rum. I really did get new clothes.” I gazed down at the now brown blouse and dark brown jeans. “Then on my way here, I tripped—.”

“Into a puddle of shit?” His fingers drummed on the right arm of his chair. “There’s an expiration for all excuses, Dirty Rosey. And it’s a one way ticket.”

It means if I don’t stop talking and leave, I’d be fired.

I swallowed my tears and strode towards the studio’s exit with my chin held high. Fuck these bullies. I’m no longer working for Annie nor them. So I don’t give a shit. I’ll use a decoy—.

My hand gripped the door handle and Rum said, “Get yourself and all the toilets in the building cleaned up.” He paused to wait for my response.

And I inhaled my pride to reply firmly but humbly, “Yes, Rum.”

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