Need some advice please as feeling very anxious about this whole situation.
Became friendly with a lady I met through a mutual hobby a few years back, she's a little younger than me so in slightly different places in our lives in that I have a lot going on, not much spare time outside of work (Other than said hobby) due to commitments with looking after parents, kids etc. Happy to strike up a friendship initially, we are in a similar line of work so had that in common, exchanged texts and attended a couple of social events (perhaps 1-2 a year) as a group with others.
As time went on, she became more & more demanding. She is often ill/upset/had an argument with someone quite a lot of the time and often has very eventful things going on in her life (not taking away from the fact that must be really hard) & would often call/text using me as a bit of a soundboard, never checking how I was getting on.
She once sent me reams and reams of messages/calls regarding her own issues, the day after I'd had a close family bereavement (which she was aware of as I had messaged the group to explain why I wouldn't be attending this week). Similar things have happened many times. Also if the response is delayed, there is often a "guilt" element. One occasion a year or so ago she texted a couple of times and I was working so didn't answer... & then she's text again to see "just to let you know" she is being rushed into hospital, and then when I texted/called back to say I'm sorry to hear that and for late response is there anything you need, she was already home & fine (2-3 hours later). On a couple of occasions if I haven't answered due to being caught up or having my own stuff to deal with, she will get her husband to message me saying she is upset or usually something to make me feel guilty for not replying saying she needs support. For context, I have never met her husband, she has also in fact never been to my house or spent time with me 1-1.
If I'm being honest I think she feels we are closer than we are, I do feel guilty, but the friendship was having a detrimental effect on my mental health. I sort of gradually pulled away and we still text from time to time politely how are you etc, but have resigned from this role of constant support. She does have other friends, one of whom I believe has now replaced me in this role.
Anyway, all fine. Until I recently found out she has now accepted a job at the same company as me. I absolutely love my job, and now I am dreading going in. She is the type of person who everyone loves at the first meeting, very extroverted and charming (I am not), but that tends to then slip away after a while when people feel a bit bulldozed especially if people have their own things going on. Therefore I am worried how I'll be "painted" if I'm on the wrong side of her. Also, since she has accepted this job, the long messages have begun again!! About similar stuff, always paragraphs about an incident or problem... I sometimes wonder if its the only way she knows how to communicate with other people and its not intentional. But I cannot have this in my working life.
AIBU to try and sort of cut this off but remain professional...? Any advice would be so appreciated. I also am aware that now this is in a work environment, I don't want to look unprofessional. I feel as though I will probably be introduced as her "close friend" to others, so I may look like a horrible person then! Its so difficult.
thank you