Working as a driver for a powerful businessman was never the life I dreamed of. I had always wanted to build something of my own — a construction company with my name on it. But dreams don’t always pay the bills, and life has a funny way of leading you somewhere unexpected.
The one good thing about my job was that I got to work with my wife, Alice. We had met years before and now found ourselves working for the same company. She was Mr. Taylor’s personal assistant — and he was the kind of boss people whispered about behind his back.
Alice was the one who helped me get the job.
“It’s going to be okay, Colin,” she told me one evening as we stood together in the kitchen, stirring a pot of pasta.
“He needs a personal driver, and you can do that. We don’t have to stay there forever. The pay’s good for now — and until something better comes along, we’ll make it work.”
“I know,” I sighed. “It’s just… this is so far from my dream. I’m scared I’ll get stuck here. But I guess I’ll only get stuck if I give up — and I’m not doing that.”
On the surface, Mr. Taylor looked like your typical successful entrepreneur — tailored suits, expensive watch, glued to his phone. But beneath that slick image was a man obsessed with control. The tighter he held on to his company and employees, the worse things got for everyone.
Alice had been dealing with his moods for months. He was preparing for a massive meeting with potential investors — a deal that could put his security company on the map. And the pressure he was under always found its way onto her shoulders.
“You’re stressed, Alice,” I told her one night when she came home rubbing her stiff shoulders.
“He’s under a lot of pressure,” she sighed. “Which means I’m under a lot of pressure.”
She tried to laugh it off, but I saw the truth. She was constantly double-checking every detail, terrified of making even the smallest mistake.
Then came the day everything fell apart.
Mr. Taylor trusted Alice more than anyone. So when a new contract negotiation came up, he decided she was the one to handle it.
“I’ve groomed you for this, Alice,” he said, his deep voice booming across the office. “It’s all straightforward — just stick to the presentation and the booklets we prepared. Present, answer their questions, then smile and make them sign. Easy.”
Alice was nervous but excited. This was her chance to prove herself — to show she was more than just an assistant.
But when she came home that night, her face was pale and her hands trembled as she clutched her bag.
“The meeting didn’t go well,” she whispered. “They backed out. All of them.”
“What? Why?” I asked, my stomach twisting. I knew Mr. Taylor would make her pay for this.
Alice explained as I made her tea and sat her down.
“He insisted on ridiculous terms,” she said, frustration filling her voice. “I told him they wouldn’t go for it, but he wouldn’t listen. Colin, there was a clause that said if they backed out, they’d owe him fifteen million dollars. Who would sign that?”
“And now he’s blaming you, isn’t he?”
She nodded miserably.
I took her hand and squeezed it tight. “It’s not your fault. Mr. Taylor always thinks he’s the smartest guy in the room, but he cuts corners and makes stupid decisions. He should have known better.”
The next day, I went into the office to tell him I’d be taking the car in for a service — but before I could, chaos unfolded.
Mr. Taylor had called a sudden company-wide meeting. Everyone was gathered in the open office space, whispering nervously. I stood at the back, ready to slip away — until I saw Alice. Her eyes were dull, and her shoulders slumped like the weight of the world was on them.
“Everyone!” Mr. Taylor barked. The room fell silent instantly.
“I want you all to look at Alice. Take a good, long look at her.”
Alice shifted, clearly mortified.
“This is what a failure looks like!” he yelled. “No wonder the new partners backed out. Look at her — hunched over, miserable. Like a scarecrow! Alice is the perfect example of what NOT to hire.”
A few people let out nervous laughs, but most stared at the floor. I could feel my blood boiling. I had never seen someone humiliate another human being like that.
Before I knew it, I was pushing through the crowd.
“Hey! That’s enough!” I shouted.
Mr. Taylor turned and sneered. “Oh, look. The knight in shining armor has arrived. Come to defend your damsel in distress?”
I met his cold gaze. “You’re the failure here. You don’t get to talk to her like that. It’s not her fault the deal fell apart — you were the one who demanded those ridiculous terms!”
“Excuse me?” he barked. “Do you think you know how to run a business better than I do? You’re just a driver.”
“And you’re just a bully,” I shot back.
The room went dead silent. Everyone’s eyes were on us.
“You’re fired!” he spat, his face twisting in rage. “Both of you! Get out!”
Alice gasped, but I grabbed her hand. “Come on. Let’s go.”
The office door slammed behind us, and just like that — we were unemployed.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered as we walked to the car. “I never wanted you to lose your job.”
“It’s not your fault,” I said, trying to sound calm. “We’ll figure it out. We always do.”
But deep down, I knew I couldn’t let this go. Not after what he did.
That night, Alice tried to distract herself by making dumplings from scratch — something she only did when her mind was heavy.
“Colin,” she said, tears in her eyes, “I tried so hard. And now we’re both jobless because of me.”
I wrapped my arms around her. “It’s not over yet. I know where he’s going tonight — he’s meeting with those partners again. I saw it on my schedule.”
“So you’re going to crash his meeting?” she asked, wiping her cheeks.
“Trust me,” I said, grabbing my keys. “This will be good.”
At the hotel, I spotted Mr. Taylor’s expensive car in the lot. My heart was racing, but I pushed the fear aside. Inside the restaurant, I found him sitting at a secluded table — not with investors, but with a woman.
They were far too close, his hand resting on her knee, glasses of wine on the table. I snapped a few quick photos and slipped out before they noticed.
Then I drove straight to Mr. Taylor’s house.
“Colin! How lovely to see you!” Mrs. Taylor said when she opened the door, smiling politely.
“Hi, Mrs. Taylor,” I said carefully. “I need to show you something.”
Her smile faded as she looked at my phone.
“Is that… is that my husband?” she whispered, stunned.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly. “I thought you should know. And I thought you should know what he did to Alice and me at work, too.”
Her face hardened as I explained everything — the contract, the humiliation, the firing.
“Don’t worry,” she said finally, her voice icy with determination. “Send me those pictures. I’ll gather the investors myself and end this nonsense. And by the way — this company was my father’s. There’s a clause in our marriage contract: if infidelity is proven, the company becomes mine alone.”
I stared at her, speechless.
“Give me a week, Colin,” she said with a small smile. “You and Alice will be back at work. For me, not him. Enjoy the week off — and expect compensation for what you’ve been through. Oh, and a raise.”
I left her house buzzing with adrenaline. I couldn’t wait to tell Alice. The man who had humiliated her was about to lose everything — and we were about to rise from the ashes.
For the first time in a long while, hope bloomed in my chest. Maybe, just maybe, I could finally stop driving for someone else… and start building my dream.