My Colleague Suggested We Buy a Joint $2,000 Gift for Our Boss and Now Refuses to Pay Her Share

Rachel reluctantly agrees to buy a $2,000 watch for their boss after her colleague Emily promises to split the cost. But when Emily refuses to pay her share, Rachel is left struggling with the unexpected financial burden. Determined to teach Emily a lesson, Rachel devises a clever plan to expose her deceit. But will she succeed in bringing Emily’s dishonesty to light?

“That’s a lot of money, Emily,” I sighed, stirring my coffee slowly.

A person stirring coffee | Source: Pexels

A person stirring coffee | Source: Pexels

“Oh, come on, Rachel,” she said, sitting across from me. “Think about it! A $1,600 watch for Mr. Johnson’s birthday would show our dedication. Plus, I’m sure he’ll love the customized engraving. Oh, and with that, the total would be $2,000.”

I took a sip of my coffee, trying to buy some time. “It’s just… that’s a huge expense. Are you sure about this?” I asked.

A woman sipping coffee | Source: Pexels

A woman sipping coffee | Source: Pexels

“Absolutely!” she replied, nodding eagerly. “Trust me, Rachel. It will be perfect. And don’t worry about the cost. We’ll split it, and I promise to pay my half as soon as possible.”

I felt a knot forming in my stomach. I liked Emily, despite her reputation for sucking up to management. She’s always the one staying late, bringing coffee, and organizing events. But this whole watch idea seemed too much, even for her.

A man wearing a watch | Source: Unsplash

A man wearing a watch | Source: Unsplash

“Emily, I don’t know. I have bills to pay, and $2,000 is a lot for me right now,” I said, hoping she’d understand.

“Rachel, this is an investment in our future here,” she insisted, trying to convince me. “Imagine the impression we’ll make! Mr. Johnson will remember this forever, and it could really boost our standing in the company.”

A smiling woman chatting with her colleague | Source: Pexels

A smiling woman chatting with her colleague | Source: Pexels

I sighed again. Emily always had a way of making things sound so simple and beneficial.

“Alright,” I said reluctantly, finally giving in. “Let’s get the watch. But please don’t forget what you’ve promised.”

“Of course, Rachel,” she said. “He’ll love the gift!”

A man in a suit with his arms folded | Source: Pexels

A man in a suit with his arms folded | Source: Pexels

Soon, Mr. Johnson’s birthday arrived.

Emily had everything meticulously planned.

She walked into his office first, and I followed, holding my breath.

A man holding a pen and pointing at a monitor | Source: Pexels

A man holding a pen and pointing at a monitor | Source: Pexels

“Mr. Johnson!” she exclaimed, standing beside his desk. “We have a special surprise for you!”

Mr. Johnson looked up from his paperwork, clearly curious.

Emily handed him the elegantly wrapped box, her eyes shining with pride. “This was our idea,” she said, “but I really pushed for it because I knew it was perfect for you.”

A person holding a gift in their hands | Source: Unsplash

A person holding a gift in their hands | Source: Unsplash

I stood there, smiling awkwardly. Emily opened the box to reveal the watch, and Mr. Johnson’s eyes widened in surprise.

“This is incredible. You really didn’t need to!” he said, examining the watch. “Thank you so much. This is really thoughtful.”

A watch on a man's wrist | Source: Unsplash

A watch on a man’s wrist | Source: Unsplash

Emily beamed, soaking in his praise. I forced a smile, feeling a pang of regret. I had hoped this gift would be a gesture of teamwork, but it quickly became Emily’s solo performance.

She kept talking about how she had put extra effort into getting the gift for him, which made me realize I had spent a thousand dollars for nothing more than a front-row seat to Emily’s self-promotion.

A young woman talking to an older man | Source: Midjourney

A young woman talking to an older man | Source: Midjourney

“This is wonderful, Emily. Thank you again,” Mr. Johnson said.

Emily turned to me with a triumphant grin. “See, Rachel? I told you he’d love it.”

I managed a weak smile. “Yeah, he really does,” I said.

A smiling young woman | Source: Midjourney

A smiling young woman | Source: Midjourney

A week passed, but I didn’t hear anything from Emily about her share.

One day, I found her in the break room, chatting away with another colleague. I waited until she was alone before approaching her.

“Hey, Emily,” I started calmly. “I… I just wanted to remind you about your share of the cost of Mr. Johnson’s watch. I have some expenses, and I really need that money right now.”

Two women chatting at workplace | Source: Freepik

Two women chatting at workplace | Source: Freepik

Emily looked up at me with a condescending smile. “Oh, sweetie, I thought you were just helping out. I never intended to pay. Besides, you earn more than I do, don’t you? Consider it a charitable act.”

“WHAT?” I stared at her, stunned. “What do you mean? You… weren’t you supposed to pay your share?”

A smiling woman talking to her co-worker | Source: Freepik

A smiling woman talking to her co-worker | Source: Freepik

“Look, life isn’t fair, Rachel,” she shrugged. “You wanted to make a good impression, and we did. Didn’t you see how happy Mr. Johnson was? Isn’t that worth it?”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Her selfishness was astounding. “That’s not the point, Emily,” I said, my voice rising. “You promised to pay your half!”

A stern-looking woman | Source: Pexels

A stern-looking woman | Source: Pexels

She laughed. “Oh, Rachel, you’re making a big deal out of nothing. Let it go,” she said and walked away.

I stared at her, anger and frustration bubbling up inside me. Clearly, she had no intention of paying and didn’t care about the impact on me.

So I made up my mind. It was time for some payback.

A confident woman | Source: Pexels

A confident woman | Source: Pexels

Two days later, I looked into Emily’s schedule and discovered she had a big presentation for the upcoming quarterly meeting. This was crucial for her, and I saw an opportunity.

I began subtly mentioning to a few trusted colleagues that Emily might need ‘help’ with her presentation.

A woman giving a presentation | Source: Pexels

A woman giving a presentation | Source: Pexels

Word spread quickly, and soon everyone offered her ‘suggestions’ and ‘feedback.’ The result? The conflicting advice overwhelmed her, and I could see her becoming more stressed. She did manage to give the presentation, but it was a huge mess.

I wasn’t done yet, though.

A sad-looking young woman | Source: Midjourney

A sad-looking young woman | Source: Midjourney

One day, while having lunch in the break room, I overheard Emily bragging about a meeting with a potential big client. She sat at the table, surrounded by a few colleagues, her voice full of confidence.

“This client is huge,” she said, her eyes gleaming. “If I close this deal, I’m sure to get a promotion. Mr. Johnson will be so impressed.”

Co-workers around a table | Source: Pexels

Co-workers around a table | Source: Pexels

I listened quietly, my mind already plotting. After lunch, I returned to my desk and found the client’s contact information.

I crafted an anonymous email, attaching screenshots of Emily’s rude social media comments.

A person using their laptop | Source: Unsplash

A person using their laptop | Source: Unsplash

“I felt it was important to inform you about some unethical behavior by Ms. Richards who is scheduled to meet with you,” I wrote in the mail to the client. “Please see the attached screenshots of her social media posts, which include rude and unprofessional comments.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Individual.”

A Gmail screen | Source: Unsplash

A Gmail screen | Source: Unsplash

A few days later, Emily’s face was pale as she entered the office.

“The client canceled the meeting,” she told a colleague. “They said it was due to ‘unforeseen circumstances.’ I don’t know what went wrong!”

A stressed woman | Source: Pexels

A stressed woman | Source: Pexels

“I’m sorry to hear that, Emily,” the colleague replied. “That must be tough.”

Emily sighed and walked away, clearly distressed. Only I knew how hard it was to contain my laugh. But even after going through so much, Emily wouldn’t mend her ways.

A laughing woman at workplace | Source: Unsplash

A laughing woman at workplace | Source: Unsplash

She started spreading rumors that she had single-handedly bought the watch for Mr. Johnson. Had she guessed I was behind her canceled meeting and failed presentation? I didn’t know. But I wouldn’t let her succeed.

So, I printed out our email exchange where she promised to pay her half and placed copies on the desks of key people in our department, including HR. The next day, whispers filled the office as people read the emails.

A woman using a printer | Source: Pexels

A woman using a printer | Source: Pexels

“Can you believe this?” one colleague said, showing the email to another. “Emily promised to pay her half for the watch.”

“Unbelievable,” the other replied. “She’s been taking all the credit.”

Emily’s popularity plummeted, and she looked more stressed than ever. I decided to take it one step further.

A stressed woman at work | Source: Pexels

A stressed woman at work | Source: Pexels

Creating a fake online persona as a headhunter from a prestigious company, I sent Emily a message.

“To: emily.r@gmail.com

Subject: Exciting Job Opportunity

Dear Ms. Richards,” I typed.

A person typing on their laptop | Source: Unsplash

A person typing on their laptop | Source: Unsplash

“We have been following your impressive work and would love to discuss a potential job opportunity with you at our prestigious firm. We believe you would be a perfect fit for our team. Please let us know if you are available for an interview this Thursday at 10 AM.

Best regards,

Linda J.

Executive Recruiter, El.T.Search.”

An excited female employee | Source: Midjourney

An excited female employee | Source: Midjourney

Emily’s eyes lit up as she read the email. She ran over to the desk beside me, her excitement barely contained.

“You won’t believe this! I just got an email from a top headhunter. They want to interview me for a high-level position!”

“That’s amazing, Emily!” Stacey, my co-worker, said. “You should definitely go for it.”

A smiling woman chatting with her co-worker | Source: Freepik

A smiling woman chatting with her co-worker | Source: Freepik

Emily called in sick on the day of the fake interview, completely convinced it was real. She dressed in her best business attire and left the house early to be there on time.

The next day, she returned to the office and I overheard her talking to Stacey. “There was no interview,” she said sadly. “I showed up, and no one knew who I was.”

A sad woman | Source: Midjourney

A sad woman | Source: Midjourney

“That’s so strange, Emily. Maybe it was some sort of mistake?”

Emily nodded slowly, still in shock. “Maybe…”

Hardly had she finished talking when Mr. Johnson approached her.

“Emily, we need to talk. Please come into my office,” he said sternly.

A serious-looking man in a suit | Source: Pexels

A serious-looking man in a suit | Source: Pexels

Emily’s confidence visibly shook. She followed him, her face pale. I stayed at my desk, straining to hear the conversation from behind my computer.

“Emily, I’ve received some concerning information,” Mr. Johnson began, his tone firm. “Can you explain why our client canceled their meeting with you?”

An older man in professional attire | Source: Midjourney

An older man in professional attire | Source: Midjourney

“I-I don’t know, sir. They said it was due to unforeseen circumstances.”

Mr. Johnson raised an eyebrow. “Unforeseen circumstances? Or could it be because they received an email with screenshots of your unprofessional social media comments?”

A female employee talking to her boss | Source: Midjourney

A female employee talking to her boss | Source: Midjourney

Emily gasped. “What? No, I… I didn’t think… I mean, those were private posts!” she gasped, staring at a tablet screen. Maybe Mr. Johnson was showing her the mail.

“They may have been, but they reflect poorly on you and this company,” Mr. Johnson said sharply. “And there’s more. I’ve been hearing rumors that you claimed to have bought the watch for me single-handedly. Is that true?”

A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney

A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney

Emily’s face turned pale. Her silence said it was true.

“Emily, this behavior is unacceptable. You’ve been manipulating situations and lying to your colleagues. This ends now. You are being demoted, effective immediately. One more misstep and you will be terminated!” Mr. Johnson declared.

A box labelled "FIRED" | Source: Pexels

A box labelled “FIRED” | Source: Pexels

Emily emerged from the office, looking defeated. That same day, in a team meeting, Mr. Johnson took off the expensive watch and held it up for everyone to see.

“This gift was meant to symbolize teamwork and appreciation,” he began, “but given the circumstances, I think it’s only fair to return it.”

A happy boss and employee | Source: Midjourney

A happy boss and employee | Source: Midjourney

He then walked over to me and handed me the watch. “I believe this was more of your contribution. Please, you keep it,” he said.

Emily turned beet red as everyone watched. Her scheme had backfired spectacularly, and my efforts to expose her had paid off.

And that was how I got my ultimate petty revenge on a two-faced colleague.

A smiling woman | Source: Unsplash

A smiling woman | Source: Unsplash

What would you have done?

Old Woman Brought Son’s Favorite Pastry to His Grave & Found Note Saying ‘Thank You’ upon Her Return – Story of the Day

For Nancy her son Henry was everything, she never imagined her life without him. It had been 23 years since the horrible accident that took Henry’s life. Every year on that day, she took his favorite pie to his grave to honor his memory. But this year, everything was about to change.

For 23 years, Nancy, now 61, never missed a single day on this date. She baked her late son’s favorite pie and took it to his grave every year since.

The pie, a simple yet delicious apple and cinnamon creation, had been Henry’s favorite since childhood.

The scent of apples and cinnamon brought back memories of when Henry was little, running into the kitchen, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the pie.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

It was his favorite dessert, and baking it had become a tradition they both cherished.

Since Henry’s tragic accident at 17, this ritual had been Nancy’s way of keeping his memory alive.

It gave her a sense of connection to him, like she was still doing something special for her boy. Losing him had been the hardest thing she had ever gone through. The pain of that day never left her.

Even though the years had passed, her grief remained, only softened by time and the small comfort this tradition brought her.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

On this particular day, just like every year before, Nancy carefully carried the freshly baked pie to the graveyard.

The weight of the dish felt heavier, as it always did when she walked toward Henry’s resting place. The grave was neat and covered in flowers, a sign of how much he was still loved.

The stone had become smoother over the years, as she had often run her fingers over it, lost in her memories.

Nancy knelt, placing the pie gently on the gravestone. Her heart ached as she began to speak, her voice quiet, as though Henry might somehow hear her.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Henry, I hope you’re at peace, my love. I miss you every day. I baked your favorite pie again. Remember how we used to bake it together? You’d always sneak a taste before it was done.”

She smiled, but her eyes were misty with tears. “I wish we could do that one more time.”

The familiar sorrow welled up inside her, but Nancy had learned over the years to push through the tears.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

She wiped her eyes quickly and managed a small smile. After a few more moments of silence, she kissed her fingers and touched the top of the gravestone as she said her quiet goodbye.

Then, with a heavy but comforted heart, she turned and walked away, knowing she’d be back next year, just like always.

The next day, as part of her routine, Nancy made her way back to Henry’s grave to clean up the remains of the pie.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Usually, by the time she returned, the pie was either untouched or spoiled by the weather, a quiet reminder of her son’s absence.

She had always found it a bittersweet comfort, knowing the pie stayed where she left it as if waiting for him.

But today, as she approached the grave, something felt different. Nancy’s heart skipped a beat when she saw that the plate was clean—completely empty. For a moment, she stood frozen in disbelief.

Then, she noticed something else. Resting on the plate was a small piece of paper, folded in half.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Nancy’s hands trembled as she picked up the note. Her breath caught in her throat as she unfolded it.

The handwriting was shaky, as though whoever had written it had struggled to form the letters. The simple words read: “Thank you.”

Her heart pounded with confusion and anger.

“Who would take Henry’s pie?” she muttered under her breath, clutching the note tightly. “This was for my son. No one had the right to touch it!”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Her private ritual, her way of honoring and remembering her son, had been invaded by a stranger.

She felt violated, as if someone had stolen a piece of her grief.

With her emotions swirling—part outrage, part confusion—Nancy left the cemetery, her mind set on finding the person who had taken her son’s pie. She had to know who had done this, and why.

Determined to catch the culprit, Nancy decided she would take matters into her own hands. She couldn’t let someone continue to disturb the way she honored Henry. So, she devised a plan.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

That night, she baked another of Henry’s favorite pies, the same apple and cinnamon recipe she had been making for over two decades.

The next morning, with renewed resolve, she placed the freshly baked pie on Henry’s grave, just like before, but this time she wasn’t leaving.

She found a large oak tree nearby and hid behind it, close enough to see the grave but far enough to not be noticed.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The warm aroma of the pie drifted through the air, filling the quiet cemetery.

Time passed slowly as Nancy watched and waited, her heart racing in anticipation.

An hour later, she spotted movement. A small figure cautiously approached the grave. Nancy squinted, leaning forward to get a better look.

It wasn’t the greedy thief she had imagined. No, this was something entirely different.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

A young boy, no older than 9, with ragged clothes and dirt smudged on his face, moved toward the pie with hesitant steps.

Nancy’s heart tightened as she watched him. The boy didn’t immediately take the pie.

Instead, he knelt by the grave and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small scrap of paper and a dull pencil. His hand trembled as he carefully scribbled something on the paper, his brow furrowed with concentration.

It was clear the boy struggled with writing, but he took his time, making sure each word was legible.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Nancy’s heart softened as she saw him write “Thank you” on the paper, just like before. He wasn’t a thief. He wasn’t someone disrespecting Henry’s memory. He was just a hungry child, grateful for the kindness of a pie left behind.

The anger that had once consumed Nancy melted away in an instant. She realized this boy wasn’t stealing; he was surviving. He was in need, and her son’s favorite pie had somehow brought him comfort.

As the boy began to pick up the pie, his small hands shaking, Nancy stepped out from her hiding spot.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The rustle of leaves under her feet made him freeze, wide-eyed. Startled, he dropped the pie, and it tumbled onto the grass. His face paled, and he backed away, looking terrified.

“I’m sorry, I’m really sorry!” the boy cried, his voice trembling with panic. “I was just so hungry, and the pie was so good. Please don’t be mad.”

Nancy’s heart softened instantly. The sight of him—thin, dirty, and scared—erased any trace of anger she had felt before.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

She knelt beside him, speaking gently, her voice as comforting as she could make it. “It’s alright, sweetheart. I’m not mad at you, Where are your parents?” she said, her tone soothing. The boy stayed silent and shook his head. “What’s your name?” Nancy asked another question understanding that the boy had nowhere to go.

“Jimmy,” he muttered, still avoiding her eyes, ashamed of what he had done.

“Well, Jimmy,” Nancy smiled softly, trying to reassure him, “it’s okay. You don’t have to steal pies. If you’re hungry, all you had to do was ask.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Jimmy looked up at her, his lips quivering as he tried to speak. “I didn’t mean to steal,” he said, his voice small and shaky. “I just… I don’t get to eat much, and that pie was the best thing I’ve ever had.”

Nancy’s heart ached for him, her mind flooded with thoughts of how different this boy’s life must be.

The hunger in his eyes reminded her of her own son, Henry, when he would eagerly wait for that first bite of her freshly baked pie.

But Henry never had to worry about where his next meal would come from. Jimmy, on the other hand, looked like he had been living with hunger for a long time.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Come with me,” Nancy said after a moment of thought. She stood up and reached out her hand to him. “I’ll bake you a fresh pie, just for you.”

Jimmy’s eyes widened in disbelief, as if he couldn’t trust his own ears. “Really?” he asked, his voice filled with a mix of hope and doubt.

Nancy nodded, her heart filled with a strange but comforting warmth. “Yes, really. You don’t have to be afraid.”

Slowly, Jimmy reached out and took Nancy’s hand.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

She led him back to her home, the boy walking beside her in silence, his eyes darting around as if he wasn’t sure if this was all real. Nancy’s heart swelled with the thought of what she was about to do.

Baking had always been her way of expressing love, and now, after years of baking for a son she could no longer see, she was about to bake for someone who truly needed it.

When they reached her cozy kitchen, Nancy set to work, rolling out the dough, slicing the apples, and adding the perfect amount of cinnamon—just as she had done so many times before.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Jimmy watched her quietly from the corner of the kitchen, his eyes wide as he followed every move she made.

The smell of the pie began to fill the room, warm and comforting, like a hug from a long-lost friend.

Once the pie was baked, Nancy placed it in front of Jimmy. “Here you go, sweetheart,” she said softly.

“This one’s all for you.”

Jimmy hesitated for a moment, as if he couldn’t believe what was happening. But then he grabbed a slice and took a bite. His face lit up with joy, his eyes sparkling as he chewed.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“This is the best pie I’ve ever had,” he said, his mouth still full. He ate with such happiness that it brought tears to Nancy’s eyes.

She watched him in silence, thinking about how something as simple as a pie could bring so much comfort to someone.

As Jimmy devoured the warm slices with obvious delight, Nancy couldn’t help but think of Henry.

She had always dreamed of seeing her son eat his favorite pie again, of watching him enjoy it the way he used to when he was a child.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

But now, in some strange and unexpected way, she was sharing it with another boy who needed it just as much.

Watching Jimmy eat, Nancy felt a deep sense of peace wash over her. Perhaps this was how it was meant to be.

Maybe fate had brought Jimmy into her life for a reason. By feeding him, by offering him kindness when he needed it most, she was honoring Henry’s memory in a way she had never imagined.

For the first time in years, Nancy felt that her grief had led her to something beautiful—a connection, a purpose that gave new meaning to her life.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Maybe, just maybe, this was Henry’s way of sending her a message—that love and kindness should always find their way back to those in need.

Nancy smiled as she watched Jimmy finish the last slice of pie, her heart full of warmth and gratitude.

She had found an unexpected connection in the most unlikely place, and it filled her soul in a way that nothing else had in years.

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