"I'll say this one last time. I didn't place that order, and I'm not paying a single cent."
"Whoever wants a drink can scan the code and pay for it themselves. Stop using my salary to make yourselves look generous."
The office went dead silent. The people who'd been scrambling to rip open the packaging a moment ago pulled their hands back like they'd been burned, lips curling in distaste.
"Who'd even want one? Eighty bucks for a coffee? That's insane."
Mercedes's face cycled between white and green. A few seconds passed, and then she laughed.
"Fine, Matilda. You've got backbone. Let's see if you're still this tough tomorrow."
The next morning, the break room was unusually crowded.
Mercedes spotted me and raised her voice on purpose.
"Some people love bragging about how they've already paid off their mortgage, but they can't even treat the team to an afternoon coffee run. Yesterday the whole department lost face because of her. I honestly can't figure out what goes on in her head."
Someone chimed in immediately.
"So what if she makes good money? With that kind of stinginess, who'd respect her?"
A cluster of them huddled together, snickering under their breath.