Several years ago, TikToker Jessie (@jessicapaige_p) found herself in a situation she now describes as manipulative and deeply damaging.
Her former boss manipulated her into having an affair. She worked at this job for two years. The affair started after she had been working there for seven months.
It began when her boss messaged her outside of work a couple of times, but she didn’t think much of it because they had developed a strong friendship.
But then, he began opening up about problems in his marriage, telling her that he and his wife were separated. He had been sleeping in the basement. They had just welcomed a new baby and have a total of three kids together.
Eventually, he asked Jessie if she would ever be interested in him. She pointed out that he was married and she wasn’t really looking to get involved with someone who had kids anyway.
He insisted that he was technically separated and suggested that they go out on a date. So, they started hanging out and talking constantly every day.
“In my mind, it made sense that he and his wife were actually separated because ain’t no way you’re in a relationship with somebody, and you’re speaking as much on the phone and texting as me and him were,” said Jessie.
They ate lunch together every single day, and he bought her random little gifts. The consistency and attention felt real, but it was actually just love bombing. She started to develop feelings for him.
However, he also manipulated her into doing things that she wasn’t necessarily comfortable with by telling her that his wife wasn’t able to satisfy his needs due to being a mom of three, which was what drove the biggest wedge in their relationship.
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That narrative both created sympathy and put pressure on Jessie to be the solution to problems that had nothing to do with her.
Looking back, she realizes how inappropriate and coercive the dynamic was between her and her boss, especially given the power imbalance.
The boundaries at work can be easily blurred and spiral into something complicated. She has learned her lesson and can now recognize manipulation when she sees it.
Overall, the affair lasted for about six months. She decided to end it because it felt toxic and emotionally draining. Afterward, their friendship fizzled out. Even when she told him that her sister had passed away, he never reached out to offer support.
They have not spoken again since then. The silence made it painfully clear that the connection she thought they had may never have been genuine in the first place. Jessie also recently found out that he and his wife are no longer together.
By Emily Chan
Emily Chan is a writer who covers lifestyle and news content. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in... More about Emily Chan
