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

"Go back to your nursing home if you're too old or blind to watch your step!" Melissa berates an elderly woman for accidentally ripping her expensive dress. But ten minutes later, she regrets it when the older woman shows up on stage.

Melissa raced against time and was finally outside the opera house entrance. Colorful posters of 'The Marriage of Figaro' indicated that the performance would start any minute. And Melissa was intent on not missing even a second of it.

Charlie, the opera's director, was her boyfriend. He had been hinting all week about a 'surprise' for Melissa on opening night. He'd even told her that this particular opera held a clue to that surprise. So Melissa drew the obvious conclusion—a marriage proposal.

As she excitedly marched down the red carpet toward the entrance, an ongoing argument between an old lady and a security guard blocked her path.

"There's been a mistake," the old lady insisted. "My name is supposed to be on the list."

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. I checked it twice, but your name isn't there." The guard then looked up at Melissa. "Good to see you, Miss Evans. Please go through."

Melissa smiled and waited for the old lady to step aside. But she didn't budge...

"Call the director," the old lady argued as Melissa waited for the lady to move and couldn't take it anymore.

"Excuse me, lady...Can you please move aside?"

Melissa sidled past the old lady and felt a tug on her gown, followed by the horrifying sound of cloth tearing. Melissa turned around and saw the woman lifting her shoe from the hem of Melissa's designer gown.

"I'm so sorry, dear," the old lady apologized. "...it's just a small tear...can be easily fixed."

Melissa couldn't believe her eyes. Her perfect proposal gown was ruined, and her anger exploded.

"This gown costs thousands of dollars," she yelled.

"And all you can say is a lame sorry? Just get out of my way. And go back to your nursing home if you're too old or blind to watch your step!"

Melissa rushed into the theater and sat in her reserved seat. Minutes later, Charlie's voice on the mic set her heart racing.

"...I appreciate your patience, ladies, and gentlemen," Charlie said. "Our special guest is here...I hope you all will give me a few more moments of grace because there's something very important I want to tell her."

Melissa's cheeks flushed red. This was the moment she'd been waiting for.

"She is one of the most important people in my life," Charlie went on. "I'd like you all to give a big round of applause to..."

Melissa wiped her tears and rose from her seat.

"...my Mom, Linda!" Charlie finished, beckoning to someone there.

Melissa's heart skipped a beat. Her smile faded as she sank back into the seat. The disappointment in her eyes quickly turned into horror when she recognized the woman who joined Charlie on stage.

Melissa's heart sank like a stone when the old lady who'd ruined her dress approached Charlie and hugged him.

"I'm so proud of my son," she said. "I hope you all will enjoy his rendition of my favorite opera."

Melissa's heart dropped. Charlie was not going to propose to her but was only hinting at introducing his mother. She was deeply embarrassed, and her phone dinged, flashing a message from Charlie.

"Please don't kill me, babe. I wanted to surprise you. Mom will be joining us for dinner after the show."

The opera's curtain-raiser washed over Melissa as panic surged into her body. This was becoming the worst day of her life. Charlie's Mom would surely confront her about her rudeness earlier.

Melissa's first instinct was to back out of dinner. But she didn't wish to disappoint Charlie and mustered her courage to meet his mother. Shortly after the show ended, Charlie led Melissa toward the private dining room's entrance.

"Charlie, can I speak to you for a minute?" she whispered. "There's something I need to tell you..."

But Charlie had already led her into the room where Mom was sitting.

"Mom, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Melissa," Charlie smiled. "Melissa, this is my Mom, Linda."

Melissa forced a smile that quickly died when she saw the frown on Linda's face.

"NO WAY! This horrible woman can't be your girlfriend."

"Mom...what's wrong?" Charlie gasped in disbelief.

"She's rude, entitled...with no respect for her elders," Linda said. "I'll never approve of you dating a woman like her."

Melissa had no choice but to plunge ahead and explain to Linda that she'd gotten the wrong picture of her. "Please try to understand...I was just so overwhelmed at that time. I don't normally speak to anyone like that. Please forgive me."

"Oh, I should forgive you for being rude and ageist?" Linda arched her brows.

"I didn't mean those nasty things I said," Melissa turned to Charlie. "Charlie, you know me...I'm always kind…and polite."

Charlie was hurt and confused. "I know. I respect you for owning up to your mistake. But still, 'go back to her nursing home?' I think that was a bit too—"

"It happened in the heat of the moment, Charlie. Please...in fact, I care deeply for the elderly. I even host an outreach program for senior citizens in my office every Monday," Melissa turned to the mother and lied.

"I'd like to see that in person. How about I drop by this Monday?" Linda chimed in.

"Sure! I'll give you a tour," Melissa faked a smile. That stupid lie had first seemed like a good idea, but it had come back to bite her almost immediately.

"I'm glad we sorted this out," Charlie chuckled. "Let's order dinner now...and you can get to know each other better."

Meanwhile, Melissa felt like she was about to have a panic attack. "Please excuse me...I need to visit the restroom first."

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

"Did he pop the question, girl? Should I start looking at venues for the bridal shower?" Valentina chuckled.

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

Pacing back and forth on the restroom floor, Melissa told her confidant everything.

"...so we need to invite as many senior citizens as possible...and turn our office into a pleasant space for them by Monday."

"This is a whole other level of crazy. But anything for you, Mel! Don't worry. I'll call my grandma and ask her to bring her friends in first thing tomorrow."

Melissa sighed with relief. She at least had a chance of pulling this sham off.

Melissa picked Linda up the following Monday morning and drove to her office. She and Valentina had transformed the office into an outreach center over the weekend.

As soon as they approached the door, Linda's jaw dropped when she saw the place teeming with older people.

There was a massive queue at the table set out for medicine and hygiene products. And Valentina's grandma was busy handing out food packages to the seniors.

"Uhm, that's quite impressive," Linda smirked.

"Thank you!" Melissa smiled. "Do you believe me now?"

Before Linda could reply, a janitor bolted towards them, screaming. "Miss Melissa, come quickly! We've got a problem."

Melissa rushed inside and saw Valentina escorting an older man into the conference room.

"He's had an 'accident'...and needs help. Someone must change his adult diaper. The nurse is busy," she told Melissa.

"God, no...I'm not touching it," Melissa whispered and made eyes at Valentina. But she changed her mind almost immediately when she saw Linda watching everything through the frosted glass door.

"Okay, sir, let's get you cleaned up," Melissa said as she got started with cleaning the mess. She'd never even changed a baby's diaper. Now, she was helping an adult man.

"Owwww, you're hurting my back," he grumbled when Melissa tried to help him maneuver his legs.

"I'm sorry...I'm almost done."

Melissa tried to avert her gaze and held her breath as much as possible to avoid the smell. She wanted to run at some point, but Linda was still watching.

So Melissa faked a pleasant smile and finished changing the diaper. She then ran to the bathroom to wash her hands.

"You're doing this for Charlie. It's okay...it's all going to be worth it!" she whispered to her reflection. "I'll do whatever it takes to get Linda's approval."

Later that evening, Linda joined Charlie and Melissa for dinner at their apartment and stayed over in the guest room. The following morning, Melissa tiptoed to the kitchen for her morning orange juice when her phone rang.

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

"...I know this is sudden, but I just need $80,000 to repair the damage. Please...I've got nowhere else to go."

Melissa froze, and though her heart ached for this man, she didn't have the money to help him. She politely turned him down and hung up. She marched to the kitchen and was interrupted again.

"I hope you don't mind," Linda approached from behind. "I gave your number to an old friend whose house was badly damaged in a fire. I hope you can help him."

"Why, of course!" Melissa smiled. "We received a large donation recently, so we can definitely help."

"That's wonderful news...Thank you, Melissa."

On her way to work, Melissa called Sam back and told him she might be able to help him. But she didn't know how. Upon arriving at her office, Melissa asked Valentina to check the company's account information.

"Our account currently has $85,000 in it. Most of that is deposits from our clients," Valentina explained. "They can withdraw that money anytime...which would leave us with...$7,000."

Melissa nodded. She stared at the account details on her computer screen and made a risky choice as soon as Valentina left. She transferred $80,000 to Sam's bank account.

A few days passed, and Melissa drove Linda to the airport so she could catch a flight home.

"I hope you'll visit again soon!" Melissa chirped. "I know we didn't get off on the right foot...but I enjoyed getting to know you."

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

Her odd reply set Melissa's nerves on edge. She waved goodbye, and just as she exited the airport, two police officers approached her.

"Miss Evans?"

"Yes...is everything okay, officer?" Melissa glanced at the cops.

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

Two hours later, Melissa sat in a jail cell. One of her clients had canceled their contract, and when they learned there wasn't enough money to refund them, they reported Melissa to the police.

"God...I've been such an idiot!" she cried.

"Of course, but not for the reasons you think," a familiar voice distracted Melissa.

"You? What do you want now?" she 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," Linda smiled coldly. "Coming to the point...I have a deal for you."

"What deal?"

"I'll pay off all your debts and ensure all charges against you are dropped," Linda added.

"What's the catch?"

"You leave Charlie and vanish from his life."

Melissa gasped as she processed Linda's ultimatum.

"How dare you? I did everything stupid and awful I could think of to earn your approval...I did it because I love Charlie. I would never choose money over him. Shame on you for treating him like livestock at an auction. Please leave. And stick your deal in your ear!"

Linda stormed out of the station, and Melissa spent the night behind bars. She cried to sleep, and the next morning, there was a visitor.

"Melissa!" Valentina rushed to greet her once the officer escorted Melissa out of the cell.

"I can't believe you did something so stupid," Valentina stared into her eyes. "What possessed you, girl?"

"Love!" Melissa replied. "I wanted Linda's approval. But none of that matters now...why 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 to our clients, and the charges against you were dropped," Valentina said.

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

Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.

A spoiled rich boy thought he could get away with mocking a flight attendant. However, his dad, who was watching everything from behind, decides to teach his arrogant son an unforgettable lesson. Click here to read the full story.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone's life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com.