Clara and her widowed Dad share a close bond, but his latest romantic move shakes things up. When her Dad calls her the housekeeper to impress his new girlfriend, Clara is left hurt and angry. Determined to teach her Dad a harsh lesson, Clara decides to show that this “house cleaner” knows how to tidy up more than just rooms.
The “mess” really started ten years ago when I was just seven.
A happy mom and daughter | Source: Pexels
After Mom passed away, it was just me and Dad in our big old house. I missed her every day, but I knew Dad needed me, so I tried to be strong.
I became pretty good at making simple meals like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Sometimes, I’d pour cereal and milk for breakfast or help Dad with the laundry by folding clothes and matching socks. I wanted to help him as much as I could.
A father and daughter cooking together | Source: Pexels
The house felt emptier without Mom, and I knew Dad felt it, too.
But the loneliness also brought Dad and me together, and we became best friends. We would spend evenings talking about our day, watching movies, or just sitting on the porch.
A father playing with his daughter | Source: Pexels
I really loved those moments. They made me feel close to him like we were a team. He would tell me stories about Mom, and I’d share my school adventures with him. Those talks helped us both heal a little each day.
One day, I found Dad staring at his computer with a puzzled look. “What’s wrong, Dad?” I asked.
A man using his laptop | Source: Pexels
He sighed, “I’m trying to set up a profile on this dating site, Clara, but I have no idea what to write.”
I giggled. “Let me help you, Dad!” I said. I hopped onto his lap and looked at the screen. “Tell them you like fishing and reading.”
He laughed. “You think that’s a good idea?”
A girl and her dad using a laptop | Source: Freepik
“Yeah! And say you’re a great cook,” I added with a grin, knowing he could only make spaghetti and scrambled eggs.
Dad took my advice, and it became our little game. He’d show me messages from women, and I’d help him reply. Sometimes, I’d make silly suggestions just to see him laugh. “Tell her you can cook a mean peanut butter sandwich,” I’d say, and we’d both crack up. It felt good to see him smile again.
Peanut butter and jam on bread slices | Source: Unsplash
Even though life without Mom was hard, Dad and I found ways to make it better. We leaned on each other and grew closer every day. Helping him navigate the dating world was just one of the ways I showed him I cared. I wanted him to be happy, and he wanted the same for me.
We were a team, and together, we could handle anything. But one night, that changed.
A happy father and daughter | Source: Freepik
I had just come back from a fun night at my friend Emma’s house. As I walked into our living room, I was stunned to see Dad and a woman I didn’t recognize. They were snuggled up on the couch, and Dad was whispering something in her ear. I almost dropped my backpack in shock.
Dad’s face turned bright red when he saw me. He jumped up, looking like a deer caught in headlights. “Uh, Clara! Hi! Um, this is, uh…” He was stuttering so much that I almost felt sorry for him.
An elderly couple enjoying wine | Source: Pexels
“Who is this, Daniel?” the woman asked, breaking the awkward silence.
In his nervousness, Dad blurted out, “This is Clara, my housekeeper… the maid!”
My eyes widened in surprise. Maid? Seriously, Dad? I felt a mix of shock and betrayal.
A shocked teen girl | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, is she?” the woman said with a big smile. “Great! Clara, today you have to clean up the bedroom. After our night there, it needs a good tidy-up!”
My jaw dropped to the floor. I couldn’t believe this was happening. Clean the bedroom after their night together?
I glanced at Dad, and he looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him up.
“Da–I mean, Mr. Daniels, the bedroom?” I asked, trying to control my anger.
An angry teen | Source: Midjourney
“Yes…” he sighed sadly. “That’s all for today.”
“Sure thing, Mr. Daniel,” I finally said, trying to keep a straight face.
I grabbed a nearby dust cloth and went upstairs, glaring at both of them. This wasn’t like Dad at all, and I couldn’t believe he introduced me as the house cleaner.
Entering the bedroom, I saw it was a complete mess.
A messy bedroom | Source: Freepik
Clothes were strewn everywhere, and the bed was unmade. The lingering scent of the woman’s perfume filled the air, making me wrinkle my nose. I didn’t want to clean the place, especially not after that awkward situation.
I sat there, thinking about what to do. I needed to teach Dad a lesson for putting me in such an awkward position.
A sad teen girl | Source: Midjourney
If his new girlfriend didn’t like kids, she needed to know that I was a big part of Dad’s life. And if Dad was hiding me because of that, it wasn’t fair to either of us. Why would Dad be with someone who couldn’t accept me?
Then it hit me. I had to confront Dad in a way that would expose his dishonesty without making things worse. I needed to be smart about this. It had to be something he couldn’t wriggle out of.
An elderly couple at home | Source: Pexels
I sat on the bed, the mess around me mirroring the whirlwind of thoughts in my head. Soon, an idea popped into my mind.
This “house cleaner” was about to clean up Dad’s mess in a way he’d never forget!
Walking back into the living room, I saw Dad and the woman chatting, completely unaware of what was coming.
An elderly couple chatting | Source: Pexels
With a mischievous glint in my eye, I said loudly, “It seems that your last night together was not as hot as the day before yesterday, Mr. Daniel! The day before yesterday, I had to clean up for three hours after your night! Oh, apologies for my language.”
The woman’s face turned bright red with anger. “I wasn’t here the day before yesterday! Who were you in the bedroom with the day before yesterday?” she shouted at Dad.
An angry woman yelling at her partner | Source: Midjourney
Dad’s eyes widened, and he looked like he was about to faint. “Clara, what are you talking about?” he stammered.
I feigned confusion, tilting my head. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but you must be Jessica, right? Mr. Daniels wouldn’t stop talking about how amazing you are!”
The woman’s fury reached a boiling point. “I’m MARTHA!” she shouted, turning to Dad. “Who the hell is this Jessica?”
An angry woman yelling at a man | Source: Midjourney
Dad opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water, unable to come up with a response. Martha’s face twisted in rage as she slapped him hard across the face, the sound echoing through the room. She stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind her.
I stood there, watching Dad rub his cheek. He finally looked at me, his expression a blend of anger and helplessness. “Clara, why did you do that?”
A sad man touching his cheek | Source: Midjourney
I crossed my arms, feeling a sense of satisfaction. “Because, Dad, you lied about me and put me in an awkward position. If you’re going to date, be honest about it. And don’t ever introduce me as your house cleaner again. So, Mr. Daniel, is there anything else I need to clean up?” I asked, a mischievous grin spreading across my face.
For a moment, Dad just stared at me, then he started to chuckle.
A man laughing | Source: Midjourney
The chuckle turned into a full-blown laugh, and before long, we were both laughing so hard we could barely stand. The tension melted away, replaced by the familiar warmth of our bond.
“Really, Dad, you brought home a woman like her? She’s so annoying! And why did you lie about me?”
Dad shrugged, looking a bit sheepish. “She wasn’t very fond of kids. I guess that’s why I didn’t mention you.”
A sad elderly man | Source: Midjourney
I rolled my eyes. “Dad, if someone doesn’t like kids, they’re not worth your time. You know that, right?”
“I know, Clara. I’m sorry for acting the way I did. I should’ve been honest with you and with her.”
I walked over and gave him a hug. “It’s okay, Dad. Just remember, we’re a team. No more secrets, okay?”
He hugged me back tightly. “No more secrets. I promise.”
A dad and daughter hugging | Source: Midjourney
We pulled apart, and I looked around the living room. “Now, about that cleaning…”
Dad laughed again, shaking his head. “I think we’ve had enough cleaning for one day. How about we order some pizza and watch a movie instead?”
I grinned. “That sounds perfect.”
What would you have done?
A pizza | Source: Pexels
My Colleague Suggested We Buy a Joint $2,000 Gift for Our Boss and Now Refuses to Pay Her Share
Rachel reluctantly agrees to buy a $2,000 watch for their boss after her colleague Emily promises to split the cost. But when Emily refuses to pay her share, Rachel is left struggling with the unexpected financial burden. Determined to teach Emily a lesson, Rachel devises a clever plan to expose her deceit. But will she succeed in bringing Emily’s dishonesty to light?
“That’s a lot of money, Emily,” I sighed, stirring my coffee slowly.
A person stirring coffee | Source: Pexels
“Oh, come on, Rachel,” she said, sitting across from me. “Think about it! A $1,600 watch for Mr. Johnson’s birthday would show our dedication. Plus, I’m sure he’ll love the customized engraving. Oh, and with that, the total would be $2,000.”
I took a sip of my coffee, trying to buy some time. “It’s just… that’s a huge expense. Are you sure about this?” I asked.
A woman sipping coffee | Source: Pexels
“Absolutely!” she replied, nodding eagerly. “Trust me, Rachel. It will be perfect. And don’t worry about the cost. We’ll split it, and I promise to pay my half as soon as possible.”
I felt a knot forming in my stomach. I liked Emily, despite her reputation for sucking up to management. She’s always the one staying late, bringing coffee, and organizing events. But this whole watch idea seemed too much, even for her.
A man wearing a watch | Source: Unsplash
“Emily, I don’t know. I have bills to pay, and $2,000 is a lot for me right now,” I said, hoping she’d understand.
“Rachel, this is an investment in our future here,” she insisted, trying to convince me. “Imagine the impression we’ll make! Mr. Johnson will remember this forever, and it could really boost our standing in the company.”
A smiling woman chatting with her colleague | Source: Pexels
I sighed again. Emily always had a way of making things sound so simple and beneficial.
“Alright,” I said reluctantly, finally giving in. “Let’s get the watch. But please don’t forget what you’ve promised.”
“Of course, Rachel,” she said. “He’ll love the gift!”
A man in a suit with his arms folded | Source: Pexels
Soon, Mr. Johnson’s birthday arrived.
Emily had everything meticulously planned.
She walked into his office first, and I followed, holding my breath.
A man holding a pen and pointing at a monitor | Source: Pexels
“Mr. Johnson!” she exclaimed, standing beside his desk. “We have a special surprise for you!”
Mr. Johnson looked up from his paperwork, clearly curious.
Emily handed him the elegantly wrapped box, her eyes shining with pride. “This was our idea,” she said, “but I really pushed for it because I knew it was perfect for you.”
A person holding a gift in their hands | Source: Unsplash
I stood there, smiling awkwardly. Emily opened the box to reveal the watch, and Mr. Johnson’s eyes widened in surprise.
“This is incredible. You really didn’t need to!” he said, examining the watch. “Thank you so much. This is really thoughtful.”
A watch on a man’s wrist | Source: Unsplash
Emily beamed, soaking in his praise. I forced a smile, feeling a pang of regret. I had hoped this gift would be a gesture of teamwork, but it quickly became Emily’s solo performance.
She kept talking about how she had put extra effort into getting the gift for him, which made me realize I had spent a thousand dollars for nothing more than a front-row seat to Emily’s self-promotion.
A young woman talking to an older man | Source: Midjourney
“This is wonderful, Emily. Thank you again,” Mr. Johnson said.
Emily turned to me with a triumphant grin. “See, Rachel? I told you he’d love it.”
I managed a weak smile. “Yeah, he really does,” I said.
A smiling young woman | Source: Midjourney
A week passed, but I didn’t hear anything from Emily about her share.
One day, I found her in the break room, chatting away with another colleague. I waited until she was alone before approaching her.
“Hey, Emily,” I started calmly. “I… I just wanted to remind you about your share of the cost of Mr. Johnson’s watch. I have some expenses, and I really need that money right now.”
Two women chatting at workplace | Source: Freepik
Emily looked up at me with a condescending smile. “Oh, sweetie, I thought you were just helping out. I never intended to pay. Besides, you earn more than I do, don’t you? Consider it a charitable act.”
“WHAT?” I stared at her, stunned. “What do you mean? You… weren’t you supposed to pay your share?”
A smiling woman talking to her co-worker | Source: Freepik
“Look, life isn’t fair, Rachel,” she shrugged. “You wanted to make a good impression, and we did. Didn’t you see how happy Mr. Johnson was? Isn’t that worth it?”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Her selfishness was astounding. “That’s not the point, Emily,” I said, my voice rising. “You promised to pay your half!”
A stern-looking woman | Source: Pexels
She laughed. “Oh, Rachel, you’re making a big deal out of nothing. Let it go,” she said and walked away.
I stared at her, anger and frustration bubbling up inside me. Clearly, she had no intention of paying and didn’t care about the impact on me.
So I made up my mind. It was time for some payback.
A confident woman | Source: Pexels
Two days later, I looked into Emily’s schedule and discovered she had a big presentation for the upcoming quarterly meeting. This was crucial for her, and I saw an opportunity.
I began subtly mentioning to a few trusted colleagues that Emily might need ‘help’ with her presentation.
A woman giving a presentation | Source: Pexels
Word spread quickly, and soon everyone offered her ‘suggestions’ and ‘feedback.’ The result? The conflicting advice overwhelmed her, and I could see her becoming more stressed. She did manage to give the presentation, but it was a huge mess.
I wasn’t done yet, though.
A sad-looking young woman | Source: Midjourney
One day, while having lunch in the break room, I overheard Emily bragging about a meeting with a potential big client. She sat at the table, surrounded by a few colleagues, her voice full of confidence.
“This client is huge,” she said, her eyes gleaming. “If I close this deal, I’m sure to get a promotion. Mr. Johnson will be so impressed.”
Co-workers around a table | Source: Pexels
I listened quietly, my mind already plotting. After lunch, I returned to my desk and found the client’s contact information.
I crafted an anonymous email, attaching screenshots of Emily’s rude social media comments.
A person using their laptop | Source: Unsplash
“I felt it was important to inform you about some unethical behavior by Ms. Richards who is scheduled to meet with you,” I wrote in the mail to the client. “Please see the attached screenshots of her social media posts, which include rude and unprofessional comments.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Individual.”
A Gmail screen | Source: Unsplash
A few days later, Emily’s face was pale as she entered the office.
“The client canceled the meeting,” she told a colleague. “They said it was due to ‘unforeseen circumstances.’ I don’t know what went wrong!”
A stressed woman | Source: Pexels
“I’m sorry to hear that, Emily,” the colleague replied. “That must be tough.”
Emily sighed and walked away, clearly distressed. Only I knew how hard it was to contain my laugh. But even after going through so much, Emily wouldn’t mend her ways.
A laughing woman at workplace | Source: Unsplash
She started spreading rumors that she had single-handedly bought the watch for Mr. Johnson. Had she guessed I was behind her canceled meeting and failed presentation? I didn’t know. But I wouldn’t let her succeed.
So, I printed out our email exchange where she promised to pay her half and placed copies on the desks of key people in our department, including HR. The next day, whispers filled the office as people read the emails.
A woman using a printer | Source: Pexels
“Can you believe this?” one colleague said, showing the email to another. “Emily promised to pay her half for the watch.”
“Unbelievable,” the other replied. “She’s been taking all the credit.”
Emily’s popularity plummeted, and she looked more stressed than ever. I decided to take it one step further.
A stressed woman at work | Source: Pexels
Creating a fake online persona as a headhunter from a prestigious company, I sent Emily a message.
“To: [email protected]
Subject: Exciting Job Opportunity
Dear Ms. Richards,” I typed.
A person typing on their laptop | Source: Unsplash
“We have been following your impressive work and would love to discuss a potential job opportunity with you at our prestigious firm. We believe you would be a perfect fit for our team. Please let us know if you are available for an interview this Thursday at 10 AM.
Best regards,
Linda J.
Executive Recruiter, El.T.Search.”
An excited female employee | Source: Midjourney
Emily’s eyes lit up as she read the email. She ran over to the desk beside me, her excitement barely contained.
“You won’t believe this! I just got an email from a top headhunter. They want to interview me for a high-level position!”
“That’s amazing, Emily!” Stacey, my co-worker, said. “You should definitely go for it.”
A smiling woman chatting with her co-worker | Source: Freepik
Emily called in sick on the day of the fake interview, completely convinced it was real. She dressed in her best business attire and left the house early to be there on time.
The next day, she returned to the office and I overheard her talking to Stacey. “There was no interview,” she said sadly. “I showed up, and no one knew who I was.”
A sad woman | Source: Midjourney
“That’s so strange, Emily. Maybe it was some sort of mistake?”
Emily nodded slowly, still in shock. “Maybe…”
Hardly had she finished talking when Mr. Johnson approached her.
“Emily, we need to talk. Please come into my office,” he said sternly.
A serious-looking man in a suit | Source: Pexels
Emily’s confidence visibly shook. She followed him, her face pale. I stayed at my desk, straining to hear the conversation from behind my computer.
“Emily, I’ve received some concerning information,” Mr. Johnson began, his tone firm. “Can you explain why our client canceled their meeting with you?”
An older man in professional attire | Source: Midjourney
“I-I don’t know, sir. They said it was due to unforeseen circumstances.”
Mr. Johnson raised an eyebrow. “Unforeseen circumstances? Or could it be because they received an email with screenshots of your unprofessional social media comments?”
A female employee talking to her boss | Source: Midjourney
Emily gasped. “What? No, I… I didn’t think… I mean, those were private posts!” she gasped, staring at a tablet screen. Maybe Mr. Johnson was showing her the mail.
“They may have been, but they reflect poorly on you and this company,” Mr. Johnson said sharply. “And there’s more. I’ve been hearing rumors that you claimed to have bought the watch for me single-handedly. Is that true?”
A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney
Emily’s face turned pale. Her silence said it was true.
“Emily, this behavior is unacceptable. You’ve been manipulating situations and lying to your colleagues. This ends now. You are being demoted, effective immediately. One more misstep and you will be terminated!” Mr. Johnson declared.
A box labelled “FIRED” | Source: Pexels
Emily emerged from the office, looking defeated. That same day, in a team meeting, Mr. Johnson took off the expensive watch and held it up for everyone to see.
“This gift was meant to symbolize teamwork and appreciation,” he began, “but given the circumstances, I think it’s only fair to return it.”
A happy boss and employee | Source: Midjourney
He then walked over to me and handed me the watch. “I believe this was more of your contribution. Please, you keep it,” he said.
Emily turned beet red as everyone watched. Her scheme had backfired spectacularly, and my efforts to expose her had paid off.
And that was how I got my ultimate petty revenge on a two-faced colleague.
A smiling woman | Source: Unsplash
What would you have done?
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