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I made sure to wear my coolest dress for my shift. A chic black zip-up dress with corset detailing from a vintage Parisian brand. I walked into work noticing everyone else did the same. Dressed impeccably. It felt like prom. If prom was working in retail the day your CEO comes to visit.
I wondered what it would be like seeing her, or if I’d even get to meet her. It’s not like I really cared, but I was curious. It’s not everyday you get to meet a CEO of a vastly successful women’s clothing brand.
I’d met other higher ups who’d periodically come to visit and quite frankly, most of them stressed me out. They carried this air of scrutiny, terseness, and a slight malevolence. You could feel the power imbalance. How they knew they knew more than you. And how they would strike you with the hand of that knowledge when needed.
I assumed the CEO would be loud and overbearing. With a surgically altered and plumped face. I thought she’d be annoying and mean. Like a suped-up sorority president. That “nice” kind of mean. The kind of mean where you always get your way.
As I was running clothing from the dressing rooms to replace back on the floor, I passed by a very small, petite woman semi-circled by a handful of people. The people all seemed to be deliberating, as she was there, silent, observing the racks.
I realized it was her.
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