I expected the usual tranquility when I visited my favorite coffee shop, but that day, a rude stranger made my blood boil! He targeted the wrong person: the coffee shop’s longtime janitor. But karma quickly put him in his place!
Lunchtime is usually a brief escape from the chaos of work. I frequented this cozy little cafe, bathed in warm light and imbued with the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The staff knew me by name, and the regulars had become familiar faces. It was my peaceful midday retreat, but on this day, that tranquility was shattered by an unexpected encounter.
A happy regular at his favorite cafe | Source: Midjourney
That day, the place where I usually relaxed descended into madness shortly after my arrival. I had just settled down at my usual corner table, a steaming cup of coffee in hand, when the door opened. A man whose arrogance seemed to precede him entered.
He was well-dressed, his tailored suit fitted him perfectly, and he wore a watch that probably cost more than my monthly rent. This man’s presence attracted attention, but not in a good way.
Donald enters the cafe | Source: Midjourney
Mike, the elderly janitor, was quietly sweeping near the entrance. He’s a gentle, soft-spoken 65-year-old who’s worked at the cafe for as long as I can remember. Mike always wore a kind smile, despite the weariness in his eyes.
Her charming personality made it easy to forget her worn shoes and the frayed edges of her uniform. Today, however, her routine is about to be unexpectedly disrupted!
Mike sweeping at the entrance of the cafe | Source: Midjourney
As the arrogant-looking man walked past, Mike accidentally brushed past him with his broom. It was a simple, harmless mistake, but the reaction it provoked was anything but!
“WHAT? Do you have any idea how much this jacket costs?” yelled the man, his voice cutting through the coffee like a sharp knife! His face contorted with anger and he stared at the concierge, who immediately backed away, his eyes wide with shock.
Mike reacts in shock after accidentally bumping into Donald | Source: Midjourney
Not inclined to be confrontational or dramatic, Mike humbly bowed his head in apology, stammering, “I’m so sorry, sir.” But the man wasn’t interested in apologies!
“Sorry? I don’t need your apologies! People like YOU shouldn’t even be going out and breathing near normal people like me,” he sneered, his words dripping with disdain.
“What’s your name? I intend to report this incident to your boss!”
“It’s Mike, sir,” replied the poor janitor, still looking at the floor.
Mike looks down feeling embarrassed | Source: Midjourney
Everyone in the cafe fell silent, all eyes fixed on the unfolding scene. I felt the tension rising, my hands clenching into fists under the table. I couldn’t sit back and let this man berate Mike.
My heart was pounding in my chest as I prepared to stand up and speak. But before I could even push my chair aside to stand, and before I had a chance to voice my objections, something incredibly savage happened!
An upset man about to get up from his seat | Source: Midjourney
From the back of the cafe, a voice rang out, authoritative and full of surprise. “MIKE, IS THAT YOU? I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! We’ve been looking for you for a long time!” shouted an unseen guy.
Everyone turned to see him rise from the special guests, or VIP, table near the back window. He was middle-aged, dressed in an impeccable suit, and carried an air of authority that immediately attracted attention.
Peter prepares to get up from his seat | Source: Midjourney
He walked over to where Mike and the arrogant man were standing, his eyes fixed on the elderly janitor with a mixture of disbelief and glee. “Mike,” the man repeated, his voice softening as he approached. “My God, Mike, we’ve been looking for you for 23 years after that accident! Do you remember me?”
The janitor blinked, his brows furrowing in confusion. “I’m sorry, sir, but I don’t remember you. I’ve been here a long time, working as a janitor. I think you’ve confused me with someone else.”
Mike is troubled by Peter’s story about him | Source: Midjourney
The man’s smile faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered. “Looks like you’ve got amnesia, buddy!” he said, turning to face the arrogant man who had just berated the janitor. “This man,” he said, gesturing toward Mike, “is more than just a janitor…”
“He’s my partner who disappeared twenty-three years ago after a yacht accident at sea.”
A silence fell over the cafe as everyone absorbed the man’s words. The arrogant man’s face paled, his bravado crumbling under the weight of the revelation.
Donald’s bravado crumbles after being confronted by Peter | Source: Midjourney
He stammered, trying to find his words, but the man cut him off. “You owe this good man an apology, and not only that,” the man said, his tone turning icy. “You’re going to make this all right. Take him in your car and drive him to the best clothing store in town. Buy him anything he wants.”
“When you’re done dressing him, take him to the best restaurant and let him order ANYTHING he wants. After that, drop him off at his house and give him a thousand dollars by tomorrow. Understand?”
Pierre gives instructions to Donald | Source: Midjourney
The arrogant man nodded, his face ashen. “Yes, Mr. Peter. I’m so sorry, Mr. Mike. I didn’t know,” he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. But Peter, as he was now called, wasn’t finished.
“And if you don’t do exactly as I told you, consider yourself fired,” he added, his voice cold and unyielding. The arrogant man flinched as if he’d been struck, then hurried to follow Peter’s orders.
Donald touches his face after flinching at Peter’s instructions | Source: Midjourney
Mike stood there, baffled by this turn of events. “But, sir, I’m just a janitor,” he muttered, looking down at his broom as if it were the only thing grounding him.
Peter placed a reassuring hand on Mike’s shoulder. “You may be a janitor, but you deserve better. Don’t worry about a thing. We’ll take care of everything.”
Mike looks at someone off camera | Source: Midjourney
And just like that, the arrogant man, now completely humiliated, escorted the cafe’s concierge out the door. His former arrogance had been replaced by nervous energy, as he tried to redeem himself. When the door closed behind them, the cafe buzzed with murmurs.
The staff exchanged glances, some whispering among themselves about what had just happened. I remained in my seat, still processing the surreal scene that had just unfolded. The two people next to my table were talking about Peter.
Two women talk about Peter | Source: Midjourney
One said to the other, “That’s Peter Stanford, he’s the rich guy who’s the sole owner of the big businesses that line this street.”
“Really?” the woman’s friend asked, her eyebrows raising in surprise.
“Yes! I recognize the rude guy too, he’s Peter’s employee from one of his companies in town.”
Two women talk about Peter | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, wow! He seems like a decent man for someone rich,” the friend replied.
“It’s true! Peter is always helping the homeless and giving money to those in need. What he did for old Mike is amazing. I wonder how they met. They look so different. But then again, amnesia is a cruel disease…”
A man listens attentively to two customers’ conversation about Peter | Source: Midjourney
I skipped their conversation because I was still looking at Peter, who was walking past my table on his way out. At that moment, he turned around and our eyes met for the first time. I had never seen the rich man in the cafe before today.
He smiled at me, and I felt emboldened to ask an important question, even though I knew it might shatter the mystery. “Excuse me, do you really know Mike?” I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
A man talks to Peter | Source: Midjourney
Peter smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes. “Yes, I know him. He’s a maintenance worker I met a few weeks ago, and he’s usually a very nice person.”
“Forgive my curiosity, but I’ve known him for quite a while and I’ve never heard him mention being a businessman.”
“I’m not surprised he never talked about that life because it doesn’t exist,” Peter replied, smiling at what sounded like an inside joke.
“So… he’s not your partner?” I insisted, wanting to be sure.
A man talks to Peter | Source: Midjourney
“Of course not,” Peter replied, his voice tinged with amusement. “It was necessary to teach that bully a lesson for his behavior. And Mike deserved to get some moral compensation at Donald’s expense,” he added with a laugh.
His laughter was contagious, and soon I found myself giggling along with him. The tension that had gripped the cafe a few moments ago dissipated, replaced by a sense of relief and justice well served.
Peter laughs happily as he leaves the cafe | Source: Midjourney
Peter had effortlessly turned the tables! He showed us that even in the face of arrogance, there was still room for kindness and cunning. As the businessman turned to leave, I found myself reflecting on the power of a simple act of standing up for what’s right.
Ultimately, it wasn’t just about defending Mike; it was about reminding everyone present that, no matter who you are, respect and dignity aren’t privileges… they’re rights. I watched Peter walk out of the cafe, his silhouette melting into the busy street outside.
Peter on the street | Source: Midjourney
The door closed behind him, leaving me with a story I knew I’d have to share for years to come! A story about karma, justice, and the unexpected heroism of a wealthy man named Peter!
A man laughs while holding his coffee | Source: Midjourney
Fortunately, Mike’s story had a happy ending, but he’s not the only person in the service industry to receive instant, positive karma. When a woman’s father-in-law embarrassed an innocent waitress, karma literally made him pay !
This work is inspired by real events and people, but has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the story. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or to actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims regarding the accuracy of events or character portrayals and are not responsible for any misinterpretations. This story is provided “as is,” and the opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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