Betrayals come from within.

Over the years, I have come to realise that you don't get betrayed by strangers; betrayals always come from those you call friends or consider family. Betrayals always comes from the places that you least expect it to come from that is exactly why it hurts and leaves one scarred, a stranger who knows little or nothing about you will not try to block the good coming your way or try to remove you from a position that will benefit you, it is always those close to you, those who you trusted with personal information and then they end up using it against you. I got a job at a bottle water company and I was the happiest person on earth, I need to save up so I can further to college and get a degree as all I had achieved then was just a National Diploma (ND) certificate, I took my work seriously as I did not want to lose it and needed it so I can achieve my goal and even the manager noticed and always used me as an example when addressing other workers. There was an opening for a new worker, and I told my friend Meshach about who just rounded up college about it. We were close, and since he was done with college and needed something doing for the time being, I decided to bring him in, but I did not know he was nothing but a wolf in sheep's clothing. "I hope this guy you brought is as hardworking as you are, Kachi?" The manager asked on the day Meshach came for an interview. "I cannot bring a lazy person here, sir." I vouched for Meshach as he kept smiling sheepishly. "Okay then, if he vouches for you, then no need for many questions, just read and fill this form." The manager said to pass Meshach a form to fill out and sign Meshach started work the next day, and my workplace became very lively and felt more like home, I now have someone I know from home working with me in the same place, we do things together and we are always together whenever it is time for lunch we have lunch together, the job no longer felt lonely and as stressful as it used to feel. I wait for Meshach so we can go to work together. I was really happy about Meshach working with me, and with the smiles on his face, I thought that he was also happy working with me and happy for my progress, but I did not know the smiles were not so deep.  _{AI generated.} We got to the office on a Tuesday, and the secretary delivered a message that was a bit worrisome. "The manager wants to see you in his office now." The secretary said, pointing in the direction of the office. "I just got here, a little rest before the stress won't hurt." I said, "Also, please, what happened? Why does the manager want to see me this early?" I asked with worry written all over my face. "Just go in, you will hear why he wants to see you in there." The secretary said, and with a tone that made me even more uncomfortable. "Hmmmm," I muttered as I walked in the direction of the office. I got to the office, and the look on the manager's face was even more worrisome, and it left my head spinning as I tried to understand what was really going on. "Good morning, sir." I greeted the manager while still standing "Take a sit and don't mind the look on my face, we have a problem and it is bothering." The manager said "What is the problem, sir?" I asked as I leaned towards his table. "The sales manager left without a warning, no resignation letter, she just left, and she was good at the job, and it is not a position we can leave vacant, we need a replacement as soon as possible, someone capable. Do you think you can do it?" The manager asked me. "Yes, sir, I can try, and I promise I will not fail as long as I have all the support she had," I responded "Fine then, problem solved, you are our new sales manager." The manager said as he took me to the office where I would be staying as the sales manager. I was separated from Meshach since he was not in the sales department, but under production and packaging. We met at lunch that day, and everyone was happy and congratulating me, but he was not so lively and made it look like he wanted to be left alone, and I kept asking him what the problem was, but he kept saying nothing. Work continued as usual, but the vibe died down. Meshach was always sober and had a long face on at all times, but would not share why, no matter how much I asked. A part of me felt like it was jealousy, maybe my new position is starting to make him feel some kind of way, but I did not want the thought to start filling my head, as I will no longer feel safe around him, because I have seen what jealousy does. A week later, Meshach left for work without me, and when I got to work, Meshach was sitting in the sales manager's office. And before I could react or say a word, I felt a tap on my shoulder, and it was the general manager. "I want to discuss an urgent matter with you." The manager said as he dragged me to his office. "I am all ears, sir," I said, looking him in the eye. "I did not know your friend studied business administration in college and that makes him the perfect fit for the position of a sales manager and he also told me that all you have is a national diploma and not a degree and that gives him an edge over you for the position, I want you to handover the position to him and let's see what he can do, if he fails you will take it back from him because so far you have been doing a good job." The manager said  _{AI generated.} With my chest burning and my heart so heavy, "The sheep in wolf's clothing can have the position." I said Indeed, he was jealous and had to go all out to get me kicked, and with him as my replacement only proves that betrayals only come from within. _{**All images used were generated using meta AI.**}