Ive been working at the same company for seven years.
I started off as an assistant and eventually made my way up to administrative coordinator.
My closest friend, Emily, joined two years after me; I actually recommended her for the job.
I trained her in the procedures, walked her through the systems, shared all my contacts, and even covered for her mistakes at the start so she wouldnt get in trouble.
We always lunched together, went out on Fridays, and I trusted Emily like no one else.
Six months ago, there was an announcement about a new managerial position opening up.
My boss let me know I was one of the top contenders.
That pushed me to start coming in early, staying late, and taking on extra responsibilities.
Emily kept telling me, That job has your name on it, you deserve it. I shared everything with hereven my strategies for the internal interview.
The day of the interview, Emily showed up as well.
She hadnt mentioned a single word to me beforehand.
I only found out when I saw her waiting outside the directors office.
She just looked at me and said, I decided to give it a go. I tried not to think badly of her.
A week later, they announced the resultsEmily had been chosen as manager.
I sat at my desk, staring at my screen, too stunned to react.
Afterwards, I began noticing odd things.
As my new boss, she started changing processes Id set up.
She took me off certain projects, requested unnecessary reports from me.
A colleague told me that Emily had mentioned I lacked leadership skills and that many of the ideas she pitched as her own had really come from me.
One day I confronted her at the café: Why did you say those things about me? She replied, This is work, not friendship.
I did what I had to do to secure my place. I reminded her of everything Id done for her.
She just said, That was your decision.
I didnt ask you to do any of it.
Since then, the atmosphere has been unbearable.
Shes cold, singles me out in front of the team, and dumps pointless tasks on my plate.
I come home in tears, anxious, and seriously considering quitting.
At the same time, I feel angry at the thought of leaving without saying a word.
Now Im completely at a crossroads: do I keep my head down so Im not out of a job, or do I leave and start all over again?
Would you stay, or move on?
