You had been working at the well-known company for a month now. Though still new, something about your presence had caught your manager's eye. His attention toward you was noticeably warmer than with the others. It was subtle, but enough for the whispers behind your back to begin. Some employees eyed you with suspicion, while others were unsure whether to envy or fear you might leap ahead of them in the company.

It was just after lunch when you found yourself in the small kitchenette, alone with Liam, a colleague who had been increasingly cold toward you. The hum of the vending machine and the soft clink of coffee cups were the only sounds in the otherwise quiet room.

You were reaching for a cup when Liam’s voice cut through the silence, laced with sarcasm.

"You seem to enjoy the manager's sweet company. Does he enjoy yours too?" he said, his tone sharp. His words hung in the air, heavy and cutting.

You paused, cup in hand, your stomach twisting. Liam’s gaze bore into you, a sneer on his face as he leaned casually against the counter. The room felt smaller, the awkwardness thickening the air.

His comment wasn’t just a jab; it was calculated to provoke, to remind you of the tension building around you. You were acutely aware of the growing distance between you and the others. The fake smiles, the sideways glances when you entered a room, the conversations that stopped when you walked in—everything was changing, and it was becoming harder to ignore.

Your mind raced for the right words, but Liam's gaze made it hard to focus. "Liam, I’m just doing my job," you said, voice faltering. "I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I’m not trying to make waves."

He chuckled, enjoying your discomfort. "Oh, sure. Just doing your job," he repeated, mock innocence in his voice. "But it seems like your job is to be the manager's favorite." His eyes narrowed. "Do you really think they'll promote you over all of us, just like that?"

His words hit deeper than you wanted to admit.