Maxime arrived at the office every day with a smile and a positive attitude, despite the personal challenges he was facing. His reputation as a helpful and accommodating colleague made him well-liked, but also sometimes taken advantage of.

That morning, as he was settling at his desk, he noticed an email from his direct superior, Mr. Dubois. Mr. Dubois asked him to finish an urgent report by the end of the day. Maxime sighed, knowing that this additional work would be added to an already busy list.

During his coffee break, Maxime crossed paths with his male colleagues, Paul and Julien, two men with an imposing presence, muscular and confident. They were loudly discussing their recent strength training session and their sporting achievements. Maxime joined them timidly, a cup of coffee in hand.

"Hi guys," he said with a smile.

"Hey Maxime!" Julien replied enthusiastically. "We were just talking about our boxing session last night. You should come with us one of these days. It would be good for you to let off some steam."

Maxime smiled politely. "Thank you, but I'm not really into sports."

Paul, smiling, patted Maxime's shoulder with a hint of condescension. "Ah, right, I forgot. You're more of a quiet type. By the way, could you do us a little favor? We have a lot of work to do right now, and we know you're always ready to help."

Maxime felt a lump forming in his stomach. "What do you need me to do?"

Julien shrugged. "Nothing too nasty. Just a few files to prepare for Friday's meeting. We're already overloaded, and we know you're super efficient at this kind of thing."

Maxime hesitated. He knew that taking on these files meant working late tonight and probably tomorrow. "I want to help, but I already have a lot of work for Mr. Dubois."

Paul raised an eyebrow, his tone becoming more insistent. "Come on, Maxime. We know you can handle this. You're always the best at these kinds of tasks."

Maxime finally nodded, feeling trapped. "All right, I'll see what I can do."

Maxime worked tirelessly all day, juggling between his own tasks and those Paul and Julien had given him. The pressure was mounting, and he was feeling increasingly frustrated. Why did he always have to be the one to take on extra work? Was it his kindness that made him an easy target?

At the end of the day, as the office was emptying, Maxime decided to confront his colleagues. He found them in the break room, laughing and talking loudly.

"Paul, Julien," he said, approaching. "I need to talk to you."

The two men turned around, surprised by Maxime's serious tone. "What's up, Maxime?" asked Paul.

"Listen, I'm willing to help, but I can't keep taking over your work in addition to mine. It's becoming too much."

Julien burst out laughing, but his laugh lacked warmth. "Come on, Maxime. We know you're capable. Besides, you've never said no before."

Maxime took a deep breath. "I know, but that doesn't mean it's fair. I have my own responsibilities and can't always be the one doing other people's work."

Paul straightened up, crossing his arms over his muscular chest. "So you don't want to help us anymore?"

"No, it's not that," Maxime replied, trying to remain calm despite the tension. "I mean that I have my limits. You're strong, you know how to defend yourselves, but I also need to focus on my tasks. It's not fair for me to always handle the surplus."

Julien and Paul exchanged a glance. "All right, Maxime," Julien finally said. "We understand. We didn't mean to put you in a difficult position."

Maxime nodded, relieved but also nervous. He hoped he hadn't created irreversible tension. "Thank you for understanding."

As Maxime faced his colleagues, a wave of nervousness washed over him. His heart raced, his palms were sweaty, and a lump was forming in his stomach. He wasn't used to standing up for himself, especially in front of men like Paul and Julien, who projected strength and confidence. Yet something within him was boiling—a mixture of frustration and determination he could no longer ignore.

When he spoke his first words, his voice trembled slightly, but he did his best to remain firm. "Listen, I'm willing to help, but I can't always take over your work in addition to mine. It's becoming too much."

Julien's dismissive laugh only heightened his tension. Maxime felt a mix of fear and anger, an inner storm threatening to overwhelm him. But he knew he couldn't back down now. His kindness had been exploited for too long, and it was time to set limits.

As he continued, he found himself standing straighter, his words becoming clearer and more resolute. "I know, but that doesn't mean it's fair. I have my own responsibilities and can't always be the one doing other people's work."

The looks of Paul and Julien, initially surprised and then turning into a kind of tacit respect, gave Maxime a boost of courage. He was afraid, that was undeniable, but he also felt a certain pride. He stood up for himself, asserted his worth, and even if it seemed minimal, it was an important personal victory.

When leaving the break room, his legs trembled slightly, but his mind was clearer. Maxime felt both relieved and exhausted. He had managed to express his feelings, set boundaries, and this gave him a new perception of himself. He now understood that strength lay not only in muscles or external appearances but also in the ability to stand up for oneself and assert oneself, even when it seemed daunting.

This confrontation, though difficult, had been a crucial step for Maxime. He knew he would have to continue working on this newfound assertiveness, but he had taken the first step. And this first step gave him the confidence to believe that he could change the dynamics of his relationships, both at work and beyond.

That evening, when Maxime returned home, he reflected on the day's events. He wondered if his colleagues would respect him more after this confrontation. Perhaps by finding this balance, he could finally be recognized for his true value without having to sacrifice his well-being for the benefit of others.