At work, things seem to go smoothly in a way I would've never imagined before. I'm always early on tasks, I keep receiving praise, and I've got a salary raise recently. I need to take Jeff and Dalia out to celebrate. This is an accomplishment that can't be underestimated, right?

Well, not for "Debbie Downer" Roseann. She insists she's much better than me even though she has been underperforming for the last two months because she focuses on exacting revenge on me and trying hard to woo Jeff instead of working seriously.

Even during lunch break, she has to bring her miserable energy to the table. She forces herself between Dalia and Jeff, making the latter uncomfortable. Dalia, on the other hand, snickers. "Where's David?" Jeff and I giggle like middle schoolers, much to Roseann's anger.

"Why are you acting as if he were my boyfriend? He's with Aria, acting like an idiot. Now, leave me alone!" She refers to Aria Powers, another airheaded coworker who doesn't like the idea of Jeff being closer to me than to Roseann.

Dalia retorts. "Yet, you look jealous every time Jeff is close to Bee. Well, news flash, he doesn't like having you around." Roseann, of course, isn't convinced. Her persistence will be her biggest downfall, but she doesn't want to acknowledge it.

"Stop lying. He likes being around me. Mind your business, Dalia, you stupid good-for-nothing sore loser. No one wants to be around you. Like, get over it." How dare she? I can barely stand her insults directed at me, but her picking on Dalia is a new low.

Therefore, I intervene to defend my friend. "Rosie, just stop. If you have nothing useful to say, you can go back to your stuff. Thanks."

Roseann approaches me so much that we're neck to neck. She barks at me. "You don't get to call me Rosie, little midge. We're not friends, remember that!"

"Go away. You're making a scene over such a trivial matter. What if Frye sees you? He won't be able to give you that many second chances." She only leaves after realizing her job might be on the line if she gets caught. She can't afford her bootlicking mask to slip; her true nature is even worse than her façade, after all.

The good thing is that the rest of the workday proceeds without any more drama, much to my relief. I speed up, which allows me to pick up my pace and not be behind for the day. It's also a little satisfying to see Roseann have to catch up with her work at home because she wasted time arguing with me. Her loss.

***

Because of the positive impact Jeff has had on the office since when he came to work with us, I have grown not to dislike Mondays anymore. I used to wish my off day would always fall on Monday because that was when I had the heaviest workload—and I was in the shittiest mood.

Today seems to be on track to be another good Monday—that is, until Roseann enters the picture again, followed by David and two other sidekicks. No trace of Aria. That witch doesn't know what loyalty truly means. No, for her information, it isn't ass kissing. It's something deeper, a concept a shallow brat like her has yet to learn.

She sits by my desk and starts bombing me with elementary questions. "What do you truly think of this place, Braverly? And what about relationships with coworkers? Have you branched out and tried to collaborate with anyone other than Dalia or-"

I see through her attempt to seep doubt into me and stop her on her tracks. "Roseann, I see you're into asking questions that have nothing to do with actual work. Why don't you do your job for once? Just work, without talking."

"You're avoiding my questions because you have something to hide, Braverly." The more time passes, the less I can stand Roseann's mind games. She has to stop. She thinks she can bully her way around while pointing fingers at others for allegedly mistreating her. I've got to make sure her trick no longer works.

"Listen, Roseann, I have to work. You have to, as well. Mind your business, okay? Last warning." I sound firm as I reprimand my nosy punk ass colleague, but she doesn't take my words seriously. Instead, she starts gossiping with her minions.

At least, I get a break for her nonsensical harassment. Because of her, I've lost the plot of what I was doing until her intervention. Fortunately, I go back in track on time for me to finish before the lunch break.

Dalia notices my distress and asks, "What's up, love? Has she gotten on your nerves again? Please tell me the truth, Bee. I can't stand to see you like that." I take three deep sighs. She notices and pulls me in a hug.

I don't want to cause drama in the office by telling my friend everything about Roseann because I'm confident she'll understand the extent of her wrongdoings on her own. Yet, I'm tired of bearing this burden all this time.

This is why I let out all my frustration as I open up to Dalia. "Yes, she has. She insists Jeff is her soulmate or whatever. He doesn't look comfortable around her, though. I can see the signs, but she won't. She doesn't respect his spaces."

Dalia echoes my sentiment. "You can say that loud, Bee! Why won't she leave me alone?"

"You're right. I tried to tell her, he made it clear he set boundaries, but she doesn't listen. We don't know what to do anymore. Should we report her behavior to Frye?" Doubt rises in my mind as I'm uncertain of what to do.

Roseann shrieks vehemently at me. "Don't you dare, Braverly! Who do you think you are to make me pass off as stupid? Mind your business or I'll tell everyone your shitty habits! They have to know you pick your nose on the job." Is she for real? She sounds ridiculous!

"Why are you shouting, Roseann?" My calm demeanor contrasts her noisy yelling, making her look smaller and way more annoying than she is. Everyone stops what they're doing to laugh at her. She isn't doing herself a favor, yet she won't understand.

"Do I look like I'm shouting? Do me a favor, Braverly, get out. I'm tired to deal with your fake naïve attitude. You're actually a two faced piece of shit, let me tell you." She's clearly projecting her insecurities and flaws on me. The way she hurls insults at me is yet another sign of her horrible personality and behavior.

If Frye doesn't take action, things will spiral and only God know what awaits Jeff and me. More bullying, more harassment and more false accusations, especially at me. After what I dealt with in the past, I don't want history to repeat.

In order to properly love myself, I have to make sure things don't evolve in a vicious circle. I can't allow that in my mind and soul, or I'll be left with deep bruises that won't heal.

For now, I return to work, knowing that Roseann will use every faux pas of mine or Jeff's to insist with her degrading bullshit. I have to be ready to counter every attack of hers. I have to prove I'm not defenseless. I have to show my worth and use my wit against her. I won't be fall in the traps she sets on the way.