I remember it all from the time I first heard her voice over the phone. The fake accent, appearing to polish her shallowness. The polysyllabic platitude pretending to be important. The standard non answer to every question I posed about the compensation. The congratulations call on handing me the offer. The sheer shock at how low the amount was. The rage that filled me when I joined and found out people of my experience level where making more than double what I was.
However, conflict arose in me after I joined the company and did find myself knowing her. I wanted to dislike her but she seemed genuine. I didn’t have friends in the team and quickly found myself going for lunches with her. I could not reconcile the monster that lowballed me with the friend I had in front. They seemed like two different people.
Until feelings developed and she expressed an intent to be more than friends. She told me I was the nicest guy she ever saw. She said that we have a great understanding and camraderie. She said that I am very caring and she would want to be my partner. Still in utter shock, I was imagining if this genuine heartfelt speech came from the same being who was sprouting corporate non speak a mere months ago.