Unfiltered Story #363417

I just ended a serious relationship of seven years and moved into my own apartment. My co-worker has expressed interest in me (before the break-up) but I politely told him I wasn’t interested. He took it well and didn’t bring it up again. As all gossip does, news of my breakup spread around the work place. At lunch a few days after, my co-worker (CW) joins me at my table.

CW: Hey, (my name), what are you doing tonight?
Me: Just going home.
CW: You wanna go to the movies?
Me: Oh, no, I don’t feel much like going out.
CW: We can watch a movie at my place, or yours.
Me: No, I don’t think that’s a good idea either.
CW: Why? Are you afraid (ex) is going to find out? Didn’t you break up?
Me: We did but —
CW: So let’s do something.
Me: (increasingly aggravated) No, I’d rather not.
CW: We can go mini-golfing this weekend.
Me: No, I don’t want to.
CW: Why??
Me: Because I don’t want to! I don’t want to go out with you, I don’t want to stay in with you, I have no romantic interest in you. Why is that so hard to understand?!
CW: (stunned silence, then) You don’t have to be a b**** about it.
Me: Apparently I do because being polite wasn’t getting through.
CW: I’m just saying, I gave you plenty of options.
Me: None of which I want to do. Please stop. Thank you.

Before he could respond, I got up and left the room, finishing my lunch in my car instead. My co-worker later reported me to HR for being disrespectful and yelling at him. Luckily there were several other associates in the break room and they all backed up what I said.