“How could anyone ignore me?” grumbled Emily, studying her reflection in the mirror while touching up her lipstick. “No matter, the office party’s coming up—that’s when I’ll catch his eye!” This is the story of how my friend Emily tried to win over a colleague’s attention and what unfolded because of it.
Emily and Her Confidence
Emily and I have been friends since university. At 32, she’s striking, well-groomed, and always the centre of attention. Men glance her way, and she knows exactly how to use her charm. At work, in our small IT firm, Emily is practically a celebrity. She’s in marketing, always impeccably dressed, and even the sternest boss cracks a smile at her jokes during meetings.
Then came James, the new hire—a mystery to Emily. Tall, handsome, impeccably mannered—perfect, in other words, for her affections. There was just one problem: James seemed completely oblivious to her flirting. Emily told me how she’d asked him out for coffee, only for him to decline politely, citing a busy schedule. Later, she “accidentally” ended up in the lift with him, trying to strike up conversation, but he just smiled and stepped out.
“Am I too perfect for him?”
After yet another failed attempt, Emily stormed into my office. “Is he even into women? How can anyone not notice me?” She fiddled with her hair and re-applied her lipstick, as if preparing for another “attack.” I laughed. “Maybe he’s just shy, Em. Or has a girlfriend?” But Emily wouldn’t budge. “No, Lucy, something’s off. I’ve seen how he talks to others, but with me—nothing!”
She decided the upcoming office party would be her moment. Emily bought a new dress, booked a stylist, and even planned how to “coincidentally” sit near James. “That’s when he’ll cave,” she declared.
The Party and the Twist
The night arrived, and Emily was radiant—her crimson dress, flawless makeup, dazzling smile. Every colleague noticed—except James, who, annoyingly, kept his distance. He danced with other girls, joked with the lads, but never approached Emily. I watched her smile tighten, though she kept up appearances.
Then I spotted James stepping onto the balcony with our colleague Mark. They talked, laughed, and at one point, James rested a hand on Mark’s shoulder. Emily saw it too and paled. “Lucy, did you see that?” she whispered. “Is he…?” I shrugged. “Maybe they’re just mates?” But Emily had already made up her mind.
The Aftermath
After the party, Emily calmed down but remained rattled. “I’m not even hurt—just embarrassed,” she admitted. “All that effort, and he’s not even into women.” Later, we learned from colleagues that James was indeed in a relationship—with a man. At first, Emily was cross with herself for not noticing sooner, but then she laughed. “Well, that explains why I didn’t stand a chance! And here I was, thinking it was me.”
Now, Emily jokes that the whole thing taught her not to assume too much. She still flirts with coworkers, but less aggressively. And as for James? They’ve actually become friends—he’s a lovely bloke, just with different preferences.
Sometimes life’s rejections aren’t about you at all—they’re just mismatches waiting to teach you humility. Ever been in a similar spot? How did you handle it? Or any advice for moving on quicker? Share your stories—we’d love to hear them!
