The moment I walked in, the sales assistant, whose name tag read “Sophia,” flashed a plastic smile, her demeanor completely different from how she treated Emma. “Good afternoon, sir. How can I assist you today?” she chirped. I put on my most charming smile and told her I was looking for a special gift for my wife. Sophia eagerly began showing me various items, her attitude a stark contrast to her earlier rudeness. I listened attentively, pretending to be impressed, while silently seething inside. I asked her questions about the quality, the materials, and the best sellers, making sure to keep her occupied. The Reveal After about half an hour of browsing, I casually mentioned, “You know, my wife was here the other day. She was looking to apply for a job.” Sophia’s face momentarily flickered with recognition, but she quickly masked it. “Oh, really? How wonderful,” she said, trying to maintain her professional façade. “Yes,” I continued, “but she came home very upset. She told me someone here told her she wasn’t ‘pretty enough’ to work in this store.” The color drained from Sophia’s face. She stammered, “Oh, um, I’m not sure who would have said that. We have very high standards, you see.”
“High standards?” I echoed, raising an eyebrow. “Or just shallow ones?” Her discomfort was palpable, but I wasn’t done yet. “You see, my wife is beautiful, both inside and out. And she certainly didn’t deserve to be humiliated like that.”Sophia’s eyes darted around, looking for an escape. I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice. “I want to speak to your manager.” Sweet Justice The manager, a well-dressed woman named Lisa, arrived promptly. I repeated the entire story, emphasizing the insult and the impact it had on my wife. Lisa’s expression grew stern as she listened. “I am so sorry to hear about this,” she said. “We do not condone such behavior. Sophia, could you step into my office, please?” Sophia’s face turned beet red as she followed Lisa. I waited patiently, knowing that my revenge was already in motion. After a few minutes, Lisa returned and apologized profusely, offering Emma a sincere invitation to reapply. “We’ll make sure she gets a fair and kind interview,” Lisa promised.The Aftermath When I got home, I told Emma everything. She was hesitant at first, still hurt by the initial encounter, but I encouraged her to give it another shot. Reluctantly, she agreed. A week later, Emma went back to the store for her interview. This time, she was greeted warmly by Lisa and the other staff. Sophia was nowhere to be seen.Emma got the job, and I made sure to visit her often, always with a smile. She thrived in her new role, her confidence growing each day. As for Sophia, she was transferred to another branch, far away from us. Justice had been served.Emma and I often laugh about the incident now, grateful for the lesson learned and the strength gained from it. No one would ever make her feel unworthy again, and I would always be there to ensure of that.