Bryan, a 23 year old on the verge of homelessness, finally lands a job as a secretary. Desperate for a job, he doesn't read his contract and quickly finds himself forced to be someone he's not.
Bryan woke up the next morning with a mix of anxiety and determination. He had remembered to shave his legs and armpits the night before, and the unfamiliar smoothness of his skin still surprised him. He sighed, knowing he needed to conform to the company's standards to keep his job.
He went through the bags of clothes Hailey had given him, carefully considering the dress code rules he had learned the previous day. After much deliberation, Bryan decided on a white blouse with a wide collar and puffed sleeves, tucked into a high-waisted tweed skirt that ended just above his knees. The outfit felt strange and out of character, but he hoped it would show off his freshly shaved legs and impress Laura and Hailey. He paired the ensemble with nude-colored heels that had a modest three-inch lift.
Next came the makeup. Bryan had stopped by a drugstore on his way home and picked up a few basic items. He had never applied makeup before, but he did his best. He managed to put on bright red lipstick and some mascara, but everything else seemed too complicated. He looked at himself in the mirror, shocked at how feminine he appeared. He felt a mix of embarrassment and a strange sense of accomplishment, hoping his efforts would pay off.
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Bryan took the subway to work, feeling self-conscious and out of place in his new outfit. He kept his head down, avoiding eye contact with the other passengers. When he arrived at the office, he was the first one there and went straight to his desk at the front.
As the women of the office began to arrive, Bryan greeted them, trying to sound as confident as possible.
"Good morning, Isabella!" one of the women said with a smile. "Love your skirt, it's so chic."
Bryan forced a smile. "Thank you."
Another woman approached, adjusting her earrings. "Hey, Isabella! That blouse is adorable. Where did you get it?"
"Um, it was a gift," Bryan lied, feeling his cheeks warm.
"Morning, Isabella!" called out a third woman as she walked past. "Red lipstick suits you."
Bryan's smile wavered. "Thanks," he replied, feeling a strange mix of pride and discomfort.
The compliments gave him a slight boost of confidence, though he still felt wrong dressed as a woman. When Hailey arrived, she smiled at Bryan.
"Good morning, Bella! You look great today. Do you know what you'll be working on?"
Bryan, still nervous about doing his job without Nicole, nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. I'll manage."
Throughout the morning, Bryan greeted the rest of the employees as they came in. Laura was the last to arrive. Bryan gave her an extra friendly hello, trying to impress her, but Laura ignored his greeting. Instead, she scrutinized his outfit.
"Isabella, you're not wearing a bra," Laura said sharply. "What kind of woman comes to work without a bra?"
Bryan felt his cheeks flush. "I... I'm sorry, I didn't realize..."
Laura cut him off as she walked away. "And work on your voice. You sound too masculine." She stepped into the elevator, leaving Bryan's confidence shattered.
Bryan felt confused and frustrated. Why was he hired if he had to pretend to be a woman? He hated dressing like this but knew he needed the job. He took a deep breath and carried on with his work, determined to push through.
Just before lunch, Hailey approached Bryan. "Bella, could you get lunch for everyone? Here are the orders." She handed him a list.
Bryan took the orders and headed to the nearby deli. As he ordered the sandwiches, the middle-aged man behind the counter gave him a friendly smile. "What company do you work for?"
"Landmark Realty and Investments," Bryan replied.
The man chuckled. "You must be the new girl. You ladies do great work over there."
Bryan felt a pang of discomfort being referred to as a girl but forced a smile. "Thanks."
On his way back to the office with the sandwiches, Bryan felt uneasy as he walked past a group of construction workers. One of them whistled loudly, and another called out, "Hey, beautiful, smile for us!"
Bryan's heart raced, and he quickened his pace, trying to ignore them.
"Don't be shy, sweetheart!" another voice taunted. "Where you going in such a hurry?"
Bryan felt a wave of humiliation but kept walking, focusing on getting back to the office. His hands trembled slightly as he clutched the bags of sandwiches, wishing he could disappear.
"Thanks for getting lunch, Bella," Hailey said when he returned, taking the sandwiches and heading upstairs.
Bryan realized he had forgotten to get something for himself, but he wasn't very hungry after such an uncomfortable day. He continued with his tasks, feeling more out of place than ever.
As the day came to an end, Bryan noticed that Laura was the last to leave. He mustered the courage to make small talk as she passed his desk.
"Good night, Laura," he said, trying to sound cheerful.
Laura glanced at him briefly. "Good night, Isabella." She then walked out, leaving Bryan feeling dismissed and worried.
He sat at his desk, reflecting on the day and his interactions with Laura. He wondered if he was making a good impression and worried about his future at the company. Bryan knew he needed to step up his game, even if it meant continuing to conform to the company's strict standards. He needed this job, and he was willing to do whatever it took to keep it.
