The Fall Guy? Not This Time

At first, I didn't think much of it.

As early as last week, our manager had mentioned the possibility of a team-building event. I just hadn't expected it to land on this Friday and Saturday.

After briefly going over the destination, he added with a smile, "This time it's a countryside retreat. We'll be teaming up with another department. All of you who are single—maybe you'll find someone."

Then he turned to Simon.

"You've got it easy. You can go with your girlfriend—consider it a company-sponsored trip."

Hearing that, I frowned.

Instinctively, I glanced at Simon.

He was already looking at me. Our eyes met, and I clearly caught the flicker of smug satisfaction in his gaze.

No way…

Could it be that our department being paired with his girlfriend's department had something to do with him?

After the manager finished speaking, everyone went back to work. Only then did I open the post I hadn't checked for the past two days.

By now, nearly five hundred new comments had piled up.

I scrolled through them one by one.

The more I read, the angrier I became.

Another user had offered him fresh advice.

[If they won't go willingly, then find a way to make sure they have no choice. Tell me your situation.I'll come up with something for you.]

Simon quickly laid it all out.

[We work in the same department. My girlfriend is in another department. Our company is planning a team-building event soon—does that count as an opportunity?]

The other user replied excitedly: [Of course it does! Team-building is even better! When the time comes, everyone in the company will know they spent the night together. You think he won't take responsibility then?"

Simon: [But team assignments are pretty random, and there are a lot of people. There's no guarantee I'll even be near him…]

The user immediately shot back: [Are you stupid? Someone has to be in charge of the arrangements. Find out who it is, get close to them, and see if you can pull some strings to get placed together.]

For the sake of breaking the ice, the company always randomly paired two departments and had them compete against others during team-building.

I kept scrolling until the very end.

There, I saw Simon's reply: [Thanks, man. I found the person in charge and gave him a gift. I told him I wanted to be grouped with my girlfriend, and he agreed!]

Then, almost immediately, Simon posted another update: [The plan is progressing smoothly. Just got confirmation—I've been grouped with my girlfriend's department! Everyone, wait for my good news.]

I looked up at Simon, who was humming to himself across from me, and felt a chill settle deep in my chest.

Without hesitation, I stood up and headed straight for the manager's office.

"Mr. Bailey," I said, "can I opt out of this team-building event?"