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: [email protected]

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?

I Caught My Sister Flirting with My Husband in My Shower While I Was on a Business Trip — My Revenge Made Them Both Cry

Some secrets hide in plain sight, waiting for the right moment to shatter everything. I never thought I’d be caught in the middle of one until the day I walked into my own home and found my world turned upside down.

You think you know the people closest to you, right? That’s what I used to believe. I was the kind of person who trusted easily: my husband, my sister, my whole world. But life has a way of blindsiding you when you least expect it, and suddenly, you’re living in a story you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.

A woman sitting in her living room | Source: Midjourney

A woman sitting in her living room | Source: Midjourney

I’m Greta, 30, a marketing manager with a hectic job that keeps me traveling more than I’d like. Tom and I have been married for five years. We’ve always been that couple people say is “meant to be.” You know, the high school sweethearts who stuck it out, built a life together, and somehow made it look easy.

Then there’s my sister, Kelly. She’s two years younger, full of life, and always the center of attention. If I’m the dependable rock, Kelly’s the unpredictable firecracker. And until now, I’d always thought we complemented each other perfectly.

A woman laughing | Source: Midjourney

A woman laughing | Source: Midjourney

So, last week, I was on a business trip. It was just another typical work thing; endless meetings, fancy dinners, and way too much small talk. By day six, I was missing Tom like crazy.

So, I thought, why not come home a day early and surprise him? I pictured this perfect moment where he’d be all excited to see me, maybe we’d have a quiet dinner, and then, well… you get the idea.

A table decorated with candles for a romantic dinner | Source: Pexels

A table decorated with candles for a romantic dinner | Source: Pexels

I pulled into the driveway, practically buzzing with excitement. I slipped my shoes off quietly, wanting to catch him off guard. The house was unusually quiet, but I figured Tom might be napping or out running errands.

I made my way through the living room, and that was when I heard it: the shower running. A smile crept across my face. Perfect timing, right? I’d just jump in, and it would be the romantic reunion I’d been daydreaming about all week.

A woman returns from a business trip | Source: Midjourney

A woman returns from a business trip | Source: Midjourney

But as I got closer, I heard something else. A voice. A woman’s voice. My heart started to race, but I kept moving, telling myself it was nothing — until I recognized the voice. Kelly. My sister. In my house. With my husband.

I stopped dead in my tracks, my breath caught in my throat. Then I heard Kelly’s voice again, clear as day, “Honey, come in! We only have a few more days until she gets back.”

My stomach twisted. It was like my entire world had just shattered in one cruel second.

A shocked woman dressed in a business attire | Source: Midjourney

A shocked woman dressed in a business attire | Source: Midjourney

I could feel my pulse pounding in my ears and my hands trembling. I wanted to burst through that door and scream, to confront them both right there, dripping wet and defenseless. But I didn’t. Something in me just… snapped. And suddenly, anger gave way to something else, something far more satisfying.

If they wanted to play games, I could play too. And I was going to win. I backed away, grabbed my keys, and left as quietly as I’d come. My hands were shaking as I started the car, my head buzzing with anger and disbelief.

A woman driving a car | Source: Midjourney

A woman driving a car | Source: Midjourney

The longer I drove, the clearer my thoughts became. I wasn’t just going to confront them. That would be too easy, too predictable. I was going to make them regret every second of this little fling in the most perfect, humiliating, and hilarious way possible.

I pulled into the nearest store, grabbed a cart, and started tossing in everything I’d need for my plan. They’d messed with the wrong woman, and by the time I was done, they would wish they had never stepped foot in my house.

A closeup of a shopping cart in a superstore | Source: Unsplash

A closeup of a shopping cart in a superstore | Source: Unsplash

Step one of my plan? I headed back home. By the time I got there, Tom and Kelly were lounging around in the living room like they owned the place.

I could hear their laughter, and it made my skin crawl. I sneaked inside, keeping to the edges of the room so they wouldn’t notice me. It was hard to stay quiet when all I wanted to do was yell, but I kept my cool.

A couple laughing | Source: Midjourney

A couple laughing | Source: Midjourney

After that, I grabbed a couple of garbage bags and started collecting all of Tom’s stuff: his clothes, shoes, his beloved video game consoles, and even his shaving kit. It felt like I was moving him out, but that wasn’t exactly the plan.

Once I had everything, I loaded up my car and drove straight to Kelly’s house. I dumped Tom’s stuff all over her front yard, making sure his favorite console landed face down on the grass. I took a deep breath, feeling the rush of satisfaction. I wasn’t done yet, but this was a good start.

A man's shoes, clothes, and video game consoles lying dumped in the front yard of a house | Source: Midjourney

A man’s shoes, clothes, and video game consoles lying dumped in the front yard of a house | Source: Midjourney

Step two: I called Sarah, our mutual friend with a flair for drama. She’s the type who’d wear a ballgown to a pizza party just for the fun of it. If anyone could help make this plan spectacular, it was her.

“Sarah, you will not believe what just happened,” I said, my voice shaky from both anger and excitement.

“Greta, what’s going on?” she asked, immediately concerned.

A woman looks concerned while talking on her phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman looks concerned while talking on her phone | Source: Midjourney

I filled her in on everything: the shower, the betrayal, the dumping of Tom’s stuff. She gasped, then started laughing so hard she had to put me on speaker just to catch her breath.

“Oh my God, Greta. This is insane! What are you going to do?”

“Well,” I said, smiling at the idea forming in my head, “we were planning that barbecue next weekend, right? How about we move it up to tomorrow? But this isn’t just any barbecue; it’s a coming out party.”

A woman smiles while talking on her phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman smiles while talking on her phone | Source: Midjourney

Sarah was all in. She started texting people right away, and within minutes, the guest list had doubled. We were turning this into the event of the year, and everyone was about to witness the grand unveiling of Tom and Kelly’s little secret.

Step three was my favorite. I set up a group chat with friends and family, including Tom and Kelly, and sent out a message, “Exciting news! Come to Sarah’s tomorrow for a big surprise! Dress code: tropical vacation vibes!”

A woman texting on her phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman texting on her phone | Source: Midjourney

The next day, the backyard was filled with people in floral shirts, sunglasses, and bright colors, sipping cocktails and wondering what the big news was. I watched from the sidelines as Tom and Kelly showed up, both looking uneasy, probably sensing something was off.

“Hey, love,” Tom said, startled to see me. “When did you return from your business trip and what’s this all about?”

“Oh, you’ll see, hun,” I replied, giving him a sweet smile. Kelly tried to avoid eye contact, fidgeting with the strap of her sundress. I could tell she was nervous, and that was exactly how I wanted her to feel.

A woman looks nervous while standing at a party | Source: Midjourney

A woman looks nervous while standing at a party | Source: Midjourney

When everyone had arrived, I clinked my glass to get their attention. “Hey, guys! Thanks for coming on such short notice,” I began. “I know you’re all curious about the surprise, and trust me, it’s a big one.”

I glanced over at Tom and Kelly, their faces a blend of confusion and fear. I almost felt sorry for them. Almost.

“So, here’s the deal,” I continued. “Yesterday, I found out that my darling husband Tom and my wonderful sister Kelly have been sneaking around behind my back.”

A woman talking in a mic at a party | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking in a mic at a party | Source: Midjourney

Gasps echoed around the yard, eyes darting between Tom, Kelly, and me.

“But don’t worry, I’m not mad. In fact, I’m grateful. Because this whole mess brought me closer to all of you and made me realize something.”

Tom looked like he’d been slapped. “Greta, wait—” he started, but I held up my hand.

“Oh, we’re not done. Since you two love surprises so much, we’re going to play a little game today. It’s called ‘Who Can Pack Faster?’” I pulled out two suitcases I’d brought along and tossed them at Kelly and Tom’s feet.

Two suitcases | Source: Freepik

Two suitcases | Source: Freepik

“You have ten minutes to pack your things and get out of my life. The faster you go, the faster you win.”

There was a stunned silence, then a burst of laughter from Sarah, quickly followed by a ripple of giggles around the group. Tom’s face flushed red, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. Kelly looked like she wanted to disappear.

Tom tried to stammer something, his voice cracking. “Greta, please, it’s not what it looks like, I swear—”

A man looks ashamed while standing at a party | Source: Midjourney

A man looks ashamed while standing at a party | Source: Midjourney

“Save it, Tom,” I cut him off, arms crossed. “The only words I want to hear from you are ‘goodbye.’”

Kelly grabbed her bag, tears brimming in her eyes. “This is ridiculous!” she spat, her voice shaking as she stormed off toward the gate.

Tom lingered, looking around at our friends, desperate for someone to back him up. “Guys, come on, this is a misunderstanding—”

Sarah raised her glass with a smirk. “Better find a new place, Tom. Good luck!”

A woman smirks while holding a glass of drink at a party | Source: Midjourney

A woman smirks while holding a glass of drink at a party | Source: Midjourney

Tom hesitated, his shoulders slumping in defeat. He finally turned and followed Kelly out, his face red with embarrassment. By the end of it, half of our friends were offering me drinks, and the other half were telling Tom to figure out his living situation.

Needless to say, Tom didn’t come home that night. And Kelly? Well, she’s been trying to avoid family functions ever since. They thought they’d play me, but in the end, I got the last laugh.

A confident woman | Source: Midjourney

A confident woman | Source: Midjourney

Take a look at another exciting narrative: When Maria planned a surprise party for her husband’s 40th birthday, she didn’t expect to find strangers walking through the door instead of him. The shocking mix-up, involving an unexpected Airbnb booking, turned into an unforgettable night filled with laughter and unexpected guests.

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