Shadows of Ambition When Success Turns into a Battlefield

There lived two girls who went through school in the same city from secondary school upto the university level after graduation they both stayed at home for six years no full time job only hoping for a better paying job, one day, opportunity came their way Lisa and Naomi who had walked in the same halls, clocked in at the same time, and worked on the same projects are now hired the same year, both of them having same qualifications, but there has been an unspoken rivalry from the very start. Their competitive nature kept them from ever becoming best of friends, but it was never more than sharp words and cold glares, working at the new company they were employed Lisa was promoted there it started showcasing gradually.

pixabay

Naomi had always assumed that when the opportunity came, she would be the one stepping into the role of supervisor. But when Lisa’s name was announced instead of hers, something in her cracked. It wasn’t just the promotion it was the idea that Lisa, the woman she had always measured herself against, had won.

Lisa, knowing exactly how much Naomi hated the decision, made sure to remind her of it every day “Naomi, make sure the reports are on my desk by noon,” she’d say, with a smirk that dug under Naomi’s skin. Naomi clenched her teeth but nodded, the weight of her new reality pressing against her ribs.

The tension grew thicker as the day pass, but it wasn’t until Lisa set her eyes on Chris Naomi’s boyfriend from that day war truly began.

Chris was Naomi’s anchor, the one place where she felt secure and found her happiness whenever she’s said, Lisa started planning. She started small laughing too hard at his jokes in the office cafeteria, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulders, sending texts that were just a little too friendly. Naomi noticed, of course.

One evening, after work, Chris told Naomi “Lisa invited me out for coffee just to talk.” Naomi felt something cold settle in her stomach. “Talk about what?” “She says she wants career advice, you know, since she just got promoted. She thought I might have some insight.”

Naomi let out a humorless laugh. “She doesn’t need career advice, Chris she needs a challenge. And right now, that challenge is me.” Chris frowned “Naomi, I think you’re overreacting.”

pixabay

But Naomi knew Lisa too well on how she does her things and when she wants something, Naomi knowing It wasn’t just about Chris It was about control, about power, about proving that she could take anything Naomi had and make it hers.

Days passed and Lisa’s advances became bolder. A lingering hand on Chris’s wrist, compliments that carried hidden meanings. Naomi watched it all unfold, her rage growing like a storm cloud.

Then came the night Naomi found Lisa’s bracelet in the passenger seat of Chris’s car. She held it up, her voice dangerously low. “Care to explain this?”

Chris looked confused, then guilty and was stammering “She—she got in the car when it was raining and I gave her a ride.”

Naomi’s heart pounded in her chest. “And were you going to tell me about it?” Chris responded “She’s my boss, Naomi! What was I supposed to do, say no?” That was when Naomi realized Lisa wasn’t just trying to take Chris she was actually trying to break her. The next day, Naomi walked into Lisa’s office, locking the door behind her.

Lisa looked up with an exciting expression. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” With composure Naomi leaned in her voice slowly. “Stay away from him” Lisa chuckled, twirling a pen between her fingers “Or what will happen?”

Naomi didn’t answer she just smiled, a dangerous look in her eyes. That night, Naomi met Chris for dinner. “I need to ask you something,” she said watching his face carefully. “If Lisa wasn’t my boss, if she was just another woman, would you still entertain her?”

Chris hesitated, just for a second. But that second was all Naomi needed. She stood up, placed their bills on the table and walked away. Chris called her name, but Naomi didn’t turn back.

Lisa may have won the promotion, but Naomi wasn’t about to lose herself in the process. And that was the difference between the two them. One of them was always trying to take what doesn’t belong to her, but the other knew when to walk away.