Rich Woman Mocks Poor Old Lady in Opera Hall until She Suddenly Appears on Stage – Story of the Day

When an elderly woman accidentally rips Melissa’s thousand-dollar dress, the up-and-coming events organizer rudely mocks her and storms off. Melissa deeply regrets her insult when her boyfriend, the opera’s director, calls the elderly woman to join him on the stage.

Melissa leaped from her cab and hurried to the opera house entrance. Although she'd tipped the cabbie handsomely to get her there fast, Melissa was still running late. The colorful posters outside advertising the performance of The Marriage of Figaro showed that it was due to start any minute.

Melissa's heart pounded as anxiety flooded her body. Charlie, the opera's director, had been hinting all week that he'd planned a surprise for Melissa on opening night. He’d even told her that this specific opera was a clue to the surprise. Melissa had drawn the obvious conclusion: Charlie was finally going to propose.

She marched down the slightly faded red carpet toward the entrance, but her path was blocked by an ongoing argument between an old lady and one of the security guards.

"There's been a mistake," the old lady insisted. "Please check the list again; my name is supposed to be there."

"I've checked it twice now, ma'am, and your name isn’t there." the guard replied. He looked up at Melissa. "Good to see you, Miss. Evans. Please go through."

"Thanks, Ryan." Melissa smiled at the guard. She waited restlessly for the old lady to step aside and let her pass, but she didn't budge.

"Call the director," the old lady said. "He'll confirm that my name is supposed to be there."

Melissa rubbed her temple as she listened to Ryan explain to the lady that Charlie was busy with more important tasks, but the old lady just carried on and on. Melissa couldn't take it anymore. She refused to be late to her own proposal!

"Excuse me." Melissa sidled past the old lady. "Coming through!"

She felt a tug on her clothes, followed by the horrifying sound of material tearing. Melissa turned back as the old woman lifted her shoe from the hem of Melissa's designer gown.

"I’m very sorry, dear," the old lady said, worriedly looking down at the floor. “I didn’t realize I was standing on your dress. Luckily, it’s only a small tear near the hem, easily fixed.”

Melissa stared at the gaping rip along the hem of her dress. She'd searched every boutique in the city to find the perfect outfit to accept Charlie's proposal. A disaster at work made her late, and now her perfect proposal gown was torn! This was the last straw.

All of Melissa's pent-up nervousness and frustration exploded.

"This gown cost thousands of dollars and all you can say is 'sorry'?" She yelled. "This is supposed to be the most important night of my life and you’ve ruined it!"

"That’s ridiculous! Five minutes with a needle and thread and that gown will be good as new," the lady replied offhandedly.

"No, you’re ridiculous!" Melissa stabbed her finger at the old lady. "Go back to your nursing home, Grandma. If you're too old, or too blind, to watch your step then you don't belong in a sophisticated place like this."

Melissa lifted her skirt and ran into the theatre. She was relieved they hadn't dimmed the lights yet, and the stage curtains were still drawn. Despite her huge delay, she hadn't missed anything.

She sat in her reserved seat and shut her eyes. Her emotions were running high, and she needed a moment to compose herself. She tuned out the whispers of the people surrounding her. She'd almost reached her calm place when the sound of Charlie's voice set her heart racing again.

Melissa couldn't contain her smile or the fluttering in her belly when she saw her sweet, handsome boyfriend on stage.

"...appreciate your patience," Charlie was saying. "We were waiting for a very special guest. The delay was unavoidable, but she's here now and I hope you all will give me a few more moments of grace because there's something very important I need to say to her."

Oh, God. Melissa felt her cheeks turn hot as blood rushed to her face. This was the moment she'd been waiting for, but she hadn't expected him to propose in front of everyone! She wrapped her face in her hands as Charlie continued:

"This woman is one of the most important people in my life." Charlie smiled softly as he looked toward the section where Melissa was seated.

"I'd like you all to give a round of applause and welcome to the stage..."

Melissa pressed a hand to her chest. Charlie's sweet words were almost too much to take. She wiped tears from her eyes as she stood.

"...my mom, Linda!" Charlie turned to the stage wing and beckoned to someone there.

Melissa thought she was going to die. She quickly started applauding and forced herself to smile to cover her embarrassing moment. Others around her immediately rose to join her applause.

Her heart still ached with disappointment—she'd been so sure Charlie was about to propose—but that quickly gave way to terror when she recognized the woman who joined Charlie on stage.

The old lady who'd ruined her dress shuffled to Charlie and hugged him. He kissed her cheek and then offered her the microphone.

"I'm tremendously proud of my son and all he's achieved," she said. "I hope you all will enjoy his rendition of my favorite opera."

Melissa dropped into her seat and buried her face in her hands as everyone applauded. She'd been such an idiot. She'd thought all his hints about the opera, The Marriage of Figaro, being a special part of the surprise, had been just another clue that he intended to propose.

Maybe she'd misread everything. Maybe Charlie didn't love her as much as she thought.

Her phone dinged then, deepening Melissa's embarrassment as she realized she'd forgotten to put it on silent. She hastily removed it from her clutch purse and saw a message from Charlie.

Please don't kill me, my love. I knew you'd stress out if I told you in advance that my mom would be here and that I wanted to introduce you to her. She'll be joining us for dinner after the show.

The opera's opening overture washed over Melissa, a perfect score for the panic racing through her thoughts.

This was fast turning into the worst day of her life. Charlie's Mom would surely confront her during dinner about her rudeness earlier.

Melissa’s first instinct was to back out of dinner. She could meet his mom some other time, preferably far enough in the future for her to have forgotten the way Melissa yelled at her.

But she couldn't disappoint Charlie when this meeting meant so much to him. She had no choice but to meet his mother and explain herself to her.

Melissa exhaled deeply and turned her attention to the stage. Hopefully, Charlie's mom would be understanding and forgive her.

"There you are, Mel!" Charlie rose and greeted Melissa with a kiss on the cheek as she hesitated at the entrance to the restaurant's private dining room.

“Charlie, can I speak to you for a minute?” Melissa whispered. “I have something important—”

"I know you’re nervous, Mel, but everything’s going to be okay,” Charlie grinned as he took Melissa’s hand and led her into the room. “Mom, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Melissa. Melissa, this is my mom, Linda."

Melissa turned to the table with a smile, but it quickly died when she saw the fearsome look on Linda's face.

"Definitely not!" Linda tightly crossed her arms. "This horrible woman can't be your girlfriend."

"What do you mean, Mom?" Charlie asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

Linda glared at Melissa as she told Charlie what happened at the theatre entrance. Melissa hung her head as she felt her cheeks flush from embarrassment. She wished the ground would swallow her whole.

"She's rude, entitled, and has no respect for her elders," Linda concluded. "I will never approve of you dating a woman like her."

"Mel, is this true?" Charlie spoke softly, a heartbroken sort of disbelief on his face as he gently lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "It doesn’t sound like you at all."

"I’m so sorry. I did say those horrible things." Melissa turned to Linda as she fought back tears.

"Please try to understand…I've had a terrible day, and I was just so overwhelmed at that moment...normally, I'd never have spoken to you, or anyone else, like that. I hope you can forgive me."

"Oh, I should forgive you for being rude and ageist, but it’s perfectly alright that you flew off the handle over a torn dress because you apparently had a bad day?" Linda arched her brows.

"I truly didn’t mean those nasty things I said." Melissa turned to Charlie. "You know I’m not like that, right?"

Hurt and confusion reflected in Charlie’s gaze. "I don’t know what to make of this, Mel. I respect you for owning up to what you did, but I’m deeply hurt by the way you insulted my mother, no matter what the circumstances were. How could you say she should go back to her nursing home? My God!"

"I wasn’t thinking straight! I know I said horrible things, but in truth, I care deeply for the elderly. I even…host an outreach program for senior citizens in my office every Monday," Melissa lied. "They can come in and get whatever help they might need."

"Oh?" Linda leaned forward. "Well, I'd certainly like to see that. Give me the address and I'll drop by this Monday."

"Of course!" Melissa smiled even though it felt like she might faint. That stupid lie had seemed a good idea at the moment, but it had come back to bite her almost immediately.

Linda then looked at Charlie. "You should've mentioned that your lady friend was such a humanitarian."

"Melissa’s events company does a lot of charity work, but I didn't know about this." He gave Melissa a small smile. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

"I…uh, guess it didn’t occur to me." She shrugged. "You know, it’s just another iron I have in the fire!"

Charlie chuckled and shook his head. "Well, I’m glad we sorted all this out. Now, let’s try to start over! We can all order dinner and you two can get to know each other better."

"Certainly." Linda gave Melissa one final side-eye before turning her attention to the menu. "Let’s see if they have anything here that’s soft enough for my old teeth to chew on."

"Mom…be nice." Charlie frowned as he pulled out a chair for Melissa at the table.

"I...just need to visit the powder room first." Melissa smiled to conceal the panic spreading through her and hurried from the room.

Melissa locked herself in a stall and called her assistant, Valentina.

"Did he pop the question, girl?" Valentina said when she answered the call. "Should I start booking venues for the bridal shower?"

"No. I'll explain everything later, Val, but right now I have an emergency and I need your help," Melissa replied.

"We need to turn the office into an outreach center for the elderly over the weekend."

"Oh boy, what crazy mess have you gotten yourself into now?"

Melissa sighed. "Val, I'm calling you from a restroom stall; I really can't get into it now. Please, just help me out! We need to invite as many seniors as possible and turn our office into the brightest, happiest place in the world for them."

"Okay, girl, I got you. I'll call my abuela and tell her to bring her friends and get everything moving first thing tomorrow."

"You're the best, Val!"

Melissa let out a sigh of relief. With Valentina's help, she at least had a chance of pulling this sham off.

Melissa picked up Linda on Monday morning, and they went to her office together. She and Valentina had worked hard over the weekend to transform the modest space into a believable outreach center.

She glanced at Linda as they approached the door. She'd find out soon enough if her ruse had worked.

Melissa's jaw dropped when she saw how many elderly people were crammed into her office. There was a line at the table she and Val had set out for medicine and hygiene products, and Valentina's abuela seemed to have taken charge of handing out the food packages they'd put together.

"This is quite impressive," Linda said.

"Thank you." Melissa smiled. "Come, let me show you around. We have a registered nurse on hand to do check-ups in my office, and we serve cake and coffee on the patio out back."

Valentina approached with a slice of cake on a plate when they stepped out onto the patio. She pressed it into Linda's hands.

"You must be Charlie's mother," Valentina exclaimed. "It's so nice to meet you and to have you here to support our little outreach program. Please, take a seat!"

Valentina sang Melissa's praises as she escorted Linda to an unoccupied bench. Melissa started to worry that she was overdoing it and began to regret telling her assistant how much she needed to impress Linda.

"You are too kind, Val," Melissa nudged Valentina and gave her a meaningful look, "but I wouldn't be able to do any of this without your help. It's as much your project as it is mine."

Valentina made a dismissive gesture and put an arm around Melissa's shoulder. "See how modest she is, Linda? This was all her idea, but when it comes to taking credit?" Valentina rolled her eyes dramatically. "She's too shy!"

"Val..." Melissa clenched her teeth into a smile. "You should check everything's going smoothly and we're on track for the weekly bingo game.

"Okay, girl." Valentina winked at her and left, leaving Melissa alone with Linda.

Melissa sat beside Linda. Her palms were sweating from nervousness as she folded them on her lap. "Well, what do you think, Linda? Do you believe me now?"

Before Linda could reply, the janitor rushed out onto the balcony. "Miss Melissa, come quickly! We have a problem."

Melissa rushed inside and found Valentina escorting an elderly man to the conference room. In a hushed voice, Val told Melissa the man had an 'accident.'

“He needs help,” Val continued. “Someone must change his adult diaper. I can’t do it because there’s been a misunderstanding with the bingo prizes and the nurse is busy.”

"I guess I’ll have to do it," Melissa said.

She instantly regretted her words, but Valentina gave her an encouraging grin, and Linda nodded her approval. It was too late to back out now.

"I'll bring you some wipes and powder from the supplies table," Valentina said as she shut the conference room door.

Melissa smiled and put on a brave face, both for the man she was about to help and Linda, who was visible above the frosted glass in the lower section of the conference room wall.

"Okay, sir, let's get you cleaned up!" Melissa said cheerfully. Linda was watching her, and she was determined to make it look like helping people came as easily to her as breathing, no matter how unpleasant the task might be.

Melissa soon discovered that her task needed all her attention. She'd never even changed a baby's diaper, and now she had to help a full-grown man who didn't hesitate to tell her she was doing everything wrong.

"You're hurting my back!" he complained when she tried to help him maneuver his legs.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I have to clean you up." She carefully did not look at the used wipe she threw in the trash can. "I'm almost finished."

The man muttered something Melissa didn't catch. She was working hard to maintain her composure, to avert her gaze from certain areas, and to breathe through her mouth as much as possible to avoid the smell.

Melissa wanted to run from the man and let someone else do this dirty work, but Linda was still watching.

So Melissa fixed a pleasant look on her face and finished changing his diaper. Afterward, she washed her hands and stared at herself in the bathroom mirror.

"You're doing this for Charlie," she whispered to her reflection. "He's worth twenty diaper changes...more even. No matter what it takes, I will get Linda's approval."

Linda joined Charlie and Melissa for dinner at their apartment that evening and stayed over in the guest room. The following day, Melissa tiptoed to the kitchen for her morning orange juice and toast. She hoped she could leave before Linda woke up.

As she was spreading her toast, Melissa's phone rang. She dropped her knife and rushed to answer the call.

"Hello, is this Melissa? I'm Sam, an old friend of Linda's. My house was badly damaged in a fire last week and she told me yesterday evening that you could help me."

Melissa was speechless.

"Are you there, Melissa? I know this is sudden, but I just need 80k to repair the damage...please, I've got nowhere else to go."

Melissa's heart ached for the man, but she didn't have the money to help him. She politely told him she could do nothing and ended the call. She returned to her breakfast but was interrupted again.

"Morning, Melissa!" Linda appeared beside her. "I hope you don't mind, but I gave your number to a friend of mine whose home was badly damaged in a fire. He's in a desperate situation, and I hope you can help him."

"Of course!" Melissa grinned at Linda. "We actually received a large donation recently so we can definitely help!"

"That's wonderful news! Sam will be so relieved." Linda patted Melissa's hand. "Thank you, Melissa."

On her way to work, Melissa called Sam back and told him she might be able to help him after all.

She'd backed herself into a corner now in her efforts to please Linda, but she had an idea.

When Melissa entered the office, she asked Valentina to check the company's account information. Half an hour later, Val showed her a spreadsheet on her tablet.

"Our account currently has just over 87, 000 dollars in it. Most of that is deposits from clients for booking venues, down-payments for florists...you get the picture." Val gestured towards her. "Technically, they can withdraw that money at any moment, which would leave us with...15, 000."

After Val left her office, Melissa pulled up the spreadsheet on her computer. She stared at it for nearly half an hour before making a risky choice. She transferred 80, 000 dollars to Sam's bank account.

A few days later, Melissa drove Linda to the airport so she could catch a flight home. She'd broken her back trying to please and impress the woman to make up for her mistake and was immensely relieved to see the back of her.

"I hope you'll visit again soon!" Melissa said brightly as they reached the boarding gate. "I know we didn't get off on the right foot, but I enjoyed getting to know you, Linda."

Linda smiled politely. "Indeed...I'm glad I got to see your true colors, Melissa."

Linda's oddly worded parting set Melissa's nerves on edge once more. Much as she loved Charlie, she was beginning to think Linda might make for a mother-in-law from hell. She waved goodbye and exited the airport. On the way to her car, two police officers approached her.

"Miss. Evans?"

"Yes?" Melissa glanced from one officer to the other. "Is everything okay?"

"I'm afraid not, ma'am. You've been charged with fraud and will have to come with us."

Two hours later, Melissa sat in a jail cell, hugging her knees as she contemplated what a monumental stuff-up she'd made. She'd assumed she'd quickly make back the 80, 000 dollars she transferred to Sam, and nobody would be any the wiser.

Unfortunately, one of her clients had canceled their contract unexpectedly. There wasn't enough money to refund them, so they went to the police. Now Melissa would probably end up going to jail for a very long time, and all because she wanted to impress Linda.

"I've been such an idiot!" Melissa thumped her fist down on the hard bed.

"You have, but not for the reasons you think."

Melissa's head jerked up at the sound of a familiar voice. Linda stood just outside her cell, peering at her through the bars.

"What do you want?" Melissa snapped. "I wouldn't be in this mess if it wasn't for you!"

"Wrong. You wouldn't be in this mess if you didn't try to fool me, Melissa." Linda smiled coldly. "But it looks like you've learned your lesson. I'm prepared to offer you a deal."

"I'll pay off all debts you incurred by transferring that money to Sam and ensure all charges against you are dropped," Linda continued.

"What's the catch?" Melissa straightened up and glared at Linda.

"You end your relationship with Charlie and vanish from his life."

Melissa couldn't believe her ears. Her breath came in rapid gasps as she processed Linda's ultimatum.

"You have some nerve, Linda!" Melissa leaped from the bed and approached the bars. "I'm sorry I was such a jerk when we first met, but I've done everything I could think of to make up for being so awful and earn your approval."

"And if you think I did that because of you, then think again." Melissa jabbed her finger at Linda. "I did it because I love Charlie with all my heart and soul! I would choose him over any amount of money you offered me, and you should be ashamed of yourself for treating him like livestock at an auction."

Melissa turned her back on Linda. "Get lost, you impossible harridan. And in case it isn't clear to you, you can take your deal and stick it in your ear!"

Melissa curled up on the bed with her back to the bars and stayed there all night. She was too upset to eat when they brought her dinner and too worried and afraid to sleep.

The worst thought that plagued her was uncertainty about where she now stood with Charlie. It seemed Linda had a hand in getting her arrested, so she might try to turn him against Melissa now she'd refused Linda's deal.

Melissa didn't even try to muffle her sobs as she considered the stark, joyless possibility of a future without Charlie.

By morning, Melissa had resolved to never again work so hard for somebody else's approval. She knew she'd have to toughen up fast to survive the prison system, and this would be her starting point.

The last thing she expected was for a police officer to appear at her cell door and tell her she was free to go.

"Melissa!"

Valentina rushed to greet her once the officer escorted her to the front of the police station. She hugged the breath from Melissa's body, then started yelling at her.

"I can't believe you did something so stupid! How could you risk your business and reputation for that horrible woman!" Val gripped her shoulders tightly and stared into her eyes. "What possessed you, girl?"

"Love." Melissa hung her head. "I wanted her to approve of me so Charlie would propose...but none of that matters now. What's going on anyway? Why I have I been released?"

"Some lady called Mrs. Adams paid back the 80, 000 you appropriated from the company. I processed all the refund payments immediately and our former clients dropped charges." Val shrugged. "I don't know who she is, but somebody must like you very much, Mel."

Melissa was too shocked to reply. Adams was Linda's maiden name...she'd decided to help Melissa after all. That could only mean she'd changed her mind and decided to give Melissa and Charlie her blessing.

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