Walking down Hana Street, Rene felt her phone vibrate within her bag, prompting her to reach for it.
Upon seeing the name displayed on the caller ID, she pressed her lips together and returned the phone to her bag.
"I cannot let her know now; I am always troubling her with my problems,"
She murmured to herself, just as someone bumped into her without offering an apology.
She turned around, exclaiming,
"You are such a silly person for not apologizing!"
Then, she glanced back at her attire, a sigh of relief escaping her lips upon confirming that the person hadn't spilled anything on her.
She straightened her shirt, cleared her throat, and proceeded along the walkway, browsing the shops and admiring the clothes, as she habitually did with Eliana.
A little after nine o'clock, she came across a small sign that read
"Boutique Receptionist Needed."
Immediately, she pulled out her tucked-in shirt, unbuttoned it three buttons from the top, and tied it stylishly, adjusting her pants lower to reveal a hint of her stomach.
Next, she removed the ribbon from her hair and, using the boutique's glass door as a mirror, styled her hair before taking out her lip gloss and applying it to her lips.
She looked at herself in the glass and nodded,
"You've got this, queen!"
She said aloud. But just as she was about to enter, her phone vibrated again, and she groaned, reaching into her bag.
Upon seeing the call from Henry, she chuckled, switched off her phone, put it back in her bag.
She cleared her throat before walking into the shop.
Rene, as she pushed the glass door open, the chime signaled her entrance.
A wave of cool, fragrant air, scented with expensive perfume and fresh flowers, washed over her.
Inside, the boutique was a haven.
Soft jazz played in the background.
Dove-gray walls provided a sophisticated backdrop to the designer clothing.
Sunlight streamed across polished wooden floors.
Impeccably dressed sales associates moved discreetly, ready to assist.
The space felt uncluttered, luxurious, and calm, a world away from the bustling street outside.
Immediately, she returned to reality at the sound of a voice that seemed both masculine and yet feminine, and turned to face the speaker.
"How may I be of help to you?"
The person asked, and her brow furrowed as she wondered whether this individual was a man or a woman.
The person was wearing a black tank top paired with a pink layered tulle skirt and black sparkly boots.
Their hair was long, wavy blonde, styled more like a woman's haircut, but their muscles contradicted this, bulging through the shirt and revealing defined abs.
Suddenly, they clapped, bringing her back to attention as they stood with hands on their waist,
"I don't have time for time wasters. Why are you here, bitch?!"
They asked, and she quickly composed herself.
"Hi, I saw your notice outside and would like to apply for the job if it's not taken,"
She said, pressing her lips together as the person stared at her with disgust from head to toe.
"Nope...you're not it!"
They exclaimed, but as they turned to leave, she followed,
"Wait, Sir..."
"It's Mx...for both genders. Say it!"
They exclaimed, and she paused,
"Mx!"
She said as they walked off, Rene still following.
"Please, Mx. Stefane,"
Rene pleaded, her voice barely a whisper.
They stood before a shimmering rack of white, sparkly dresses, each one catching the light.
"Do not think I'm not good for this job. I am... please."
Stefane slipped a dress from the rack, the fabric whispering against their fingers.
Turning to Rene, they asked,
"What type of neckline is this? And tell me, would it look good on just Binary gender or Bigender?"
Rene's brow furrowed in confusion.
"It's a one-shoulder dress... and for women?"
Stefane's gaze shifted.
"Asymmetrical and for all gender types. Wrong answer!"
He exclaimed."
Okay, I'm not the best with clothes, but I am really good with finances."
Stefane's eyes lit up, and she nodded enthusiastically.
"Tell me more!"
Stefane exclaimed, continuing their walk, examining the clothes on each rack.
Rene, like a loyal companion, followed.
"I studied finance at school and graduated at the top of my class, but finding a job in this economy has been so difficult,"
She explained as they came to a halt.
Just as she was about to sit down, Stefane cleared their throat and gestured for her to stand.
"Do not sit when I am sitting."
He exclaimed calmly and she nodded.
"Sorry, sir... Sorry I mean Mx."
She replied.
Stefane cleared their throat, shifting their weight as they fixed their gaze on Rene.
"I appreciate your financial skills, but you need to learn more about clothes to be able to thrive at this job.
Above all, are you a supporter of gender equality?"
They inquired, and Rene, knowing she was about to be dishonest, slowly nodded.
"I am."
"You better be! Because I won't tolerate you treating my clients the way you treated me earlier with your nasty look, am I understood?"
They questioned, and Rene quickly nodded, murmuring,
"I apologize for that."
Then he rolled his eyes, his elbow resting on his knee…
"Let me tell you something about myself. I don't operate on apologies; I value actions.
Prove your remorse through your behavior. And if you make a third mistake, don't bother coming to work because your termination notice will be posted publicly.
When you come to work, dress professionally, but leave the suit at home... never show up looking like a thirteen-year-old cheerleader again. Is that clear?"
They said, pointing at Rene as she glanced down at her clothes and nodded hastily.
"You'll receive twenty dollars per hour, and..."
They paused as Rene showed excitement.
"Sorry!"
She said, regaining her composure without a word.
"As I was saying before you interrupted. Your pay is twenty dollars per hour, and work starts at 8:30 AM.
If you're even a second late, ten dollars will be deducted from your pay."
At her gasp, they looked up,
"Do you have something to say?"
They asked, but she quickly shook her head.
"No, sir... sorry, no Mx Stefane,"
She replied, pressing her lips together.
"I didn't think so. And finally, go home and educate yourself on genderqueer, agender, genderfluid, bigender, and demigender.
Learn about them as individuals, their pronouns, fashion styles, and, most importantly, how to interact with people because I will not tolerate any gender shaming in this shop.
Also, learn about the trendy necklines and waistlines of clothes, trendy styles as well and be colorful and creative with your outfits when you come to work.
Yeah…, I think that's all. Leave your number and address on the desk and go.
You start work tomorrow!"
Just as she jumped in excitement, thanking them, they shot her a stern look and with a hand gesture, dismissed her as she nodded, quietly walking to the reception whilst he grabbed a trans magazine to read.
After jotting down her credentials she headed for the door and made way for the two buffed men in colorful dresses, one in a pink fitted gown and the other in a yellow flare dress both flipping their long straight wigs.
"Oh hi little one….is he in?"
One man asked, his voice almost feminine and she nodded, pointing towards her new boss's whereabouts, too amazed and confused to speak.
"Thank you darling. Oh she's so pretty…pretty cheek bones!"
The other said as she forced a smile tilting her head as she watched them walk in on heels she a female couldn't even walk in.
"Oh Lord…this is going to be a long ride!"
She exclaimed as she walked out already drained from the little she had seen.