episode 1 – overlookedA less-than-beautiful woman who gave up hope of a normal family life lowers her aspiration to go on one enchanting date with a handsome man.
A less-than-beautiful woman who gave up hope of a normal family life lowers her aspiration to go on one enchanting date with a handsome man.
⚠️ This story contains themes of psychological manipulation, emotional trauma, and implied intimacy. While the content omits graphic language, the themes may not suit everyone. Continue with discretion.
An Ordinary Past
NO one dated her in high school. In college, Reyna had unwanted nicknames like “The Librarian” and “Cafeteria Server.” As she looked on from a distance at boys swooning over the pretty girls, her dreams of feeling the warmth of such arms cooled.
The reward for studious efforts is a job as a waitress to pay off huge student loans. Each long day nets her paltry tips from men who view her as a food-service conveyor belt.
“Is there anything else I can get you, fine young men today?” she asks after serving a typical breakfast.
“Just the check and some hot coffee to go.”
“Right away. Was everything to your satisfaction?”
While elbowing one of the other smiling men at the table, the patron replies, “Actually, everything here is rather bland, if you catch my drift.”
“Of course. I’m sorry to hear that…” her voice fading to a snarky tone. “It’s reflected in your tip.”
As Reyna grabs her purse to leave for the day, a smirking dishwasher leans against the wall, nearly blocking the back door.
“Need a walk home tonight?”
She pushes past him, quickening her step. “As I’ve said before, no thanks. My roommate’s expecting me.”
His laughter echoes down the alley. “Suit yourself, Sweetheart.”
An Ordinary Life
Each evening, Reyna showers and stares at her body in a full-length mirror, wondering if it will ever attract a decent man. She does some stretching and planking to maintain a typical bikini figure. Then she wraps herself in a negligee and peers through her bedroom window overlooking the terrace. Several flashes of light from a window in the high-rise apartment across the street are visible.
She wonders if the moonlight is reflecting off shiny metal or if someone is lighting a cigarette. Fatigue envelops her when she climbs beneath the covers with a book until falling asleep through the late morning.
In her stupor, Reyna forgot to charge her phone, so the alarm didn’t wake her. Instead, the aroma of the breakfast her roommate prepared snaps her eyelids open. After splashing water on her face to rouse herself, she brushes her teeth with one hand while slipping on a shoe with another before jumping into a skirt and hopping to the kitchen.
“Matilyn, why didn’t you awaken me? My alarm didn’t go off.”
“I can’t keep your schedule, sweetie. Slow down and have some breakfast. We should talk about your love life.”
“I’ll just have some orange juice,” Reyna says, deferring the subject while opening the refrigerator. “I’m a realist. There hasn’t been, nor will ever be, anything to talk about in that department,” she then wipes her mouth on her sleeve.
Matilyn watches with raised brows, her tone both amused and exasperated. “Darling, if you’re going to guzzle from a container, have the decency to lick the remaining juice from your lips with some satisfaction.”
An Ordinary Workday
During her shift at work on a sunny afternoon, there’s an opportunity for her day to brighten. A handsome customer’s eyes follow her as she serves tables in her section. She finds a moment to see if her garments are out of place before heading to his table to refill his coffee cup.
“What else can I get you, Sir?”
“Can I get… your name?” he asks in a suave tone.
“Mine? Oh, it’s on my badge: Reyna. Do you have a complaint? I can get the manager.”
“No. Forgive me for staring.”
“Staring? At me? I didn’t notice,” she replies with humble insincerity. “Is there a rip in my uniform I didn’t notice?”
“No, I was imagining you floating across the room in something besides your uniform.”
“Is that something you often do? Imagine people in different clothing?”
“What’s the harm? If you don’t mind me asking, what time does your shift end?”
“At the risk of diminishing my tip, I’m not in the habit of sharing my schedule with strangers.”
“Of course. Well, Reyna, my name’s Alan, if it makes us a little less than strangers.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alan. But I still won’t tell you what hour I might leave alone for home. It’s not a safe practice. Here’s your check. You can pay at the register.”
Years of teasing and belittling stares influence her reaction and practical concerns about encouraging someone she doesn’t know to wait outside when she leaves.
Alan discreetly lowers his phone under the table and types a cryptic text message, “Introduction complete.”
A Secret Admirer
At home, Reyna showers before standing in front of her mirror, as usual. While rotating, she notices a shadowy figure in the window with the light flashing across the street.
“Surely, I must be a blur at this distance,” she thinks, “unless he has binoculars… or a telephoto camera?” she gasps, before ducking and grabbing her robe….
The next few evenings, she twists and turns in bed, her mind merges fantasies of the distant figure and Alan’s invitation. Whenever the shadowy admirer is absent, there is disappointment, stirring a deeper longing to be noticed.
Continued…
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