The Final Straw

After chatting with Marco and then spending some time in her room, Carolyn went to the tavern for dinner. She froze for a moment after entering the tavern, but she made a conscious effort to ignore the discomforting gazes she sensed as she headed towards Margaret.

"Miss Margaret!"

"Oh, girlie. I hear you got the job."

"That's right. It's all thanks to you, Miss Margaret."

To convey at least a fraction of her gratitude, Carolyn grabbed Margaret's hand, but Margaret quickly shook her off.

"Stop that. All I did was point you in that direction. You're the one who made it through the door. If you want to thank me, then spend more money here."

"Gladly!"

"...Girlie, make sure you don't get involved with any worthless men."

"Hmm?"

Picturing a future where Carolyn got tricked into becoming someone's purse, Margaret shook her head.

"Okay, you can sit down. Mila tells me you like her recommendations?"

"Yes. I'm not really familiar with the menu, so she's been a great help."

"Good, I'll tell her to get something for you."

"Thank you!"

Slightly taken aback by Carolyn's enthusiasm, Margaret went back to work. Carolyn spotted a seat, but before moving, she looked at her hands with a puzzled expression.

"It was oddly, hot."

It was worrying, but she didn't see any other signs for concern, so she decided to simply keep it in mind for the time being. Her discomfort rose on the way to her seat, but her exceptional mood kept it at bay. However, once she got to her seat, someone at a different table called out to her.

"Hey Carol, I hear you're working at Rome's place."

"Ah, that's correct."

Wary of hidden motives, Carolyn responded.

"Good job! Do your best."

It was such a plain reply that it took Carolyn a few moments to wrap her head around it.

"...Yes. Thank you."

He was still guilty of ogling her, but he wasn't hiding it either, so in a sense, he was an honest person. Furthermore, his words made her realise something that had managed to elude her this entire time. If she put aside his gaze, she couldn't find anything strange or off-putting about him. He wasn't a monster, or evil incarnate; his gaze and the desire behind it were only two of the features that made him who he was. Although she didn't like his gaze, she couldn't let it represent his entirety. Once she realised this, Carolyn could better tolerate the pervy looks she received as well as the people giving those looks.

Those who had been here the previous day saw a noticeable change in her atmosphere. Once the fear and anxiety that made her slouch in her seat was gone, Carolyn could demonstrate the elegant posture and attitude that had been drilled into her since childhood. The dignity she exuded made some patrons feel lowly just by staring at her for too long, thereby making it easier for Carolyn to relax.

When Mila came with her dinner, she quickly noticed the change in her atmosphere and how to other patrons were treating her.

"Here's tonight's recommendation. I heard the good news, but you're doing even better than I imagined."

"Thanks, Ms. Mila."

"I'm just doing my job. Enjoy."

"Okay."

Mila's recommendation for this night was another hit, so Carolyn gleefully enjoyed dinner. Even while eating, she could maintain her elegance and experienced no trouble until she returned to her room. The next day would be an early one, so Carolyn was glad to avoid any bothersome situations.

The next day, Carolyn put herself together and headed to work. It was too early to get breakfast at the tavern, but Carolyn knew she could get something at the cafeteria, so she held her hunger back for the time being. When she arrived at the Continental Courier Service building, it was before opening time, so a security guard at the entrance stopped her. He was inside the building when she came last time, but there was usually a security guard just outside the entrance in the time between dawn and when business hours started.

"Sorry, but we're not open to customers yet."

"Oh no, I started working here yesterday. My name is Carol and I'm Assistant Branch Manager Rome's secretary."

"Oh, I heard about you. You can come in, but stay near the entrance until Mr. Rome comes to verify your identity."

"Thanks, I will."

The security guard then brought Carolyn into the building and talked to his fellow security guards before returning to his post. Carolyn wasn't the only one early to work and while not as much as during work hours, the staff were still somewhat busy. News that she was Rome's new assistant had reached into their ears, but as her predecessors didn't last long, and she didn't appear special, no one paid her any attention.

"Good morning, Ms. Carol."

The only exception was the young man that had escorted her to Rome's office. Upon seeing her, he approached and shared a greeting.

"Good morning, um,"

"It's Pete. I forgot to introduce myself last time."

"I see. Thank you again for helping me yesterday, Pete. You can just call me Carol."

"Okay, Carol. Welcome to the Continental Courier Service."

"Thanks, I'm glad to be here."

Pete then went off to handle his duties. A few people became more interested in Carolyn after seeing their interaction, but no one else approached her until Rome arrived.

"Good morning, Mr. Rome."

"Good morning, Mr. Rome."

"Welcome, Mr. Rome."

"Thanks. Good morning, everyone."

Rome spotted Carolyn as soon as he entered the building, so he greeted everyone while moving towards her.

"Good morning, Carol. I figured you would come early, so I tried to get out of bed faster, but it looks like I still ended up making you wait."

"No, it's fine. We're both early after all. Still, thank you for the concern."

"Haha, you really are such a gem Carol. Come, let's introduce you to everyone."

Though unsure what this introduction would entail, Carol followed behind Rome as he went to the front of the room and asked someone to gather the staff. She felt that this was too much just for her introduction, but there didn't seem to be much dissatisfaction or surprise from the staff, so this was probably just a custom.

About twenty minutes later, the hall was so packed that Carolyn could barely see the other side of the room. She wondered if most of the staff could even see her like this, but Rome showed the solution to that issue.

"Follow me, Carol."

A two step platform had been placed nearby, so the two got on and Carolyn could finally see the edge of the crowd. Rome then addressed the gathered staff.

"Good morning, Amber branch. Is everyone feeling good?"

"Yes, Mr. Rome."

"Feeling great, Mr. Rome."

"Never been better!"

Rome's voice was loud enough to reach every corner of the room, and the staff's response was just as energetic to match. Carolyn was a bit flustered, but she kept a straight face since she didn't want to look strange in front of the crowd.

"I'm hearing some good replies from you all. Now, I don't wanna waste anyone's time so I'll get right into it. The one standing next to me is my new secretary, Carol. She hasn't been here for long, but she's already proven to me that she's a valuable asset, so I want everyone to welcome her into our Continental Courier Service family."

"We welcome you, Carol!"

Even though she wasn't prompted to, Carolyn felt like she had to respond.

"I, I look forward to working with you all!"

She knew her voice wasn't as loud as Rome's, but she hoped it was able to reach everyone.

"Alright, that's it for now. I know we're all having difficulties, but let's do our best for another day."

"Yes, Mr. Rome!"

Once Rome and Carolyn came off the platform, the staff left to return to their duties.

"Do you do this for every new employee?" Carolyn asked.

"That's right. Each branch does it differently, but I think an in-person introduction works much better than a portrait or notice."

"I see."

"And before I forget, thank you for the tea yesterday. I wouldn't have been able to finish up without it."

"I'm glad you liked it."

"Haha, more than that. Was that really chamomile tea?"

"Yes, did it not taste like it?"

"I wouldn't say that. It was different from what I'm used to, but somehow it was like I was tasting chamomile tea for the first time. Like all those other times, I was sipping poor imitations."

"Hmm, I simply made it the way I was taught, and that was the only chamomile tea I've ever tasted, so I..."

"Ah, it's fine if you don't know why; I was just curious. The cafeteria staff who brought it to me was also hoping to learn how to make it."

"Oh, I'm not sure if I can do it properly, but I wouldn't mind teaching them."

"Are you sure? Even if that person were to use your chamomile tea to make a profit?"

The sudden addition of gravity to Rome's tone made Carolyn nervous, but it didn't influence her answer.

"Yes. I believe that like food, tea is a way to make someone happy. Even if they sell the version of chamomile tea that I taught them, if that would allow more people to taste it and smile, then I wouldn't have a problem."

"You, really are something else. I hope you can manage to hold on to that ideal."

"Thank you, but it's not as if I'm a saint either. Since I'll be at the cafeteria often, there's nothing wrong with being friendly with the staff there."

"Hahaha, I guess there's not just flowers in your head. Speaking of which, I am a little hungry, so let's head over there."

"Gladly."